CHAPTER TWELVE: MOONLIT HEARTS
1628 Words
CHAPTER TWELVE: Moonlit Hearts
Lila
The words refused to leave my mind.
"The Moon Princess must come home before the Blood Moon rises."
I had heard them three times already.
Once from the captured warrior.
Twice from my own thoughts.
Now they echoed again as I stood by the bedroom window, watching the palace courtyard below.
Warriors trained from dawn until sunrise, their swords clashing as Captain Aria barked orders across the field.
No one smiled anymore.
The kingdom was preparing for war.
A soft knock interrupted my thoughts.
"Lady Lila?"
Martha entered carrying a pale blue gown decorated with delicate silver embroidery.
She smiled warmly.
"I have something for you."
I looked at the dress.
"It's beautiful."
"The royal tailor worked all night."
I frowned.
"For me?"
She nodded.
"Tonight is the Moon Festival."
I blinked.
"The festival wasn't cancelled?"
"The King refused."
She folded the dress carefully onto the bed.
"He said the people have lived in fear for days."
"They deserve one night to remember hope."
I smiled without realizing it.
That sounded exactly like Alcaide.
Always thinking about his people before himself.
---
Meanwhile...
Alcaide
"The festival will continue."
The council chamber fell silent.
One of the older nobles stood immediately.
"My King, that's too dangerous."
"The enemy could attack."
"They could."
I answered calmly.
"But fear will destroy this kingdom long before our enemies do."
Another noble frowned.
"Surely postponing one celebration is reasonable."
I looked around the room.
"Our people need hope."
"They need to see that their King isn't hiding behind palace walls."
Xander smiled proudly from beside the throne.
"The security has already been doubled."
"Archers will guard every rooftop."
"No guest enters without inspection."
The council reluctantly agreed.
As everyone prepared to leave, Xander lingered.
"You didn't organize the festival only for the people."
I looked at him.
"What do you mean?"
"You also want someone else to smile again."
I didn't answer.
I didn't need to.
He already knew.
---
That evening...
The palace courtyard looked like something from a dream.
Hundreds of silver lanterns floated above the gardens.
Musicians played soft melodies while nobles and villagers laughed together beneath the glowing moon.
Children ran between flower-covered pathways carrying tiny paper lanterns.
For the first time since the attack...
The kingdom felt alive again.
Hidden behind her bedroom door, Lila stared at her reflection.
The pale blue gown fit perfectly.
Its flowing skirt shimmered whenever she moved.
Martha carefully placed the crescent-shaped silver hairpin Alcaide had given her into her dark hair.
"There."
She stepped back with a proud smile.
"Our King has excellent taste."
Lila blushed.
"It was only a gift."
Martha chuckled.
"If you say so."
Before Lila could reply, Serafina burst into the room.
"There you are!"
She stopped in the doorway.
Her jaw slowly dropped.
"Lila..."
"You look..."
She placed both hands dramatically over her heart.
"I think you've just become the most beautiful woman in the palace."
Lila immediately shook her head.
"Don't exaggerate."
"I'm not!"
Serafina laughed.
"If the King doesn't lose his breath when he sees you..."
"I'll eat my shoes."
Lila couldn't help laughing.
"You are impossible."
"And you're wasting time."
Serafina grabbed her hand.
"The festival is starting."
Together they walked toward the grand staircase.
As Lila stepped into the palace ballroom...
Conversation stopped.
Every noble turned.
The musicians continued playing, but for one long moment, the room became completely silent.
Lila froze.
"Did I do something wrong?"
"No."
Serafina whispered with a grin.
"You've just surprised everyone."
Across the ballroom...
Alcaide turned at the sudden silence.
The moment he saw Lila...
He forgot to breathe.
She looked nothing like the frightened omega he had rescued in the forest.
She stood tall.
Elegant.
Radiant beneath the silver lights.
Without realizing it...
He smiled.
Not the polite smile of a king.
Not the confident smile of an Alpha.
But the smile of a man seeing the woman who had quietly captured his heart.
Xander leaned closer.
"I think you're staring."
"I'm aware."
"You should probably go say something."
"I was planning to."
"Eventually."
Xander laughed.
"Before another man does."
That was all it took.
Alcaide crossed the ballroom.
The crowd instinctively stepped aside, creating a path between them.
Lila's heartbeat quickened with every step he took.
When he finally stopped in front of her...
Neither of them spoke.
His blue eyes slowly took in every detail of her appearance.
Finally...
He smiled.
"You look beautiful."
Lila's cheeks turned crimson.
"No one has ever said that to me before."
His expression softened.
"They should have."
Before Lila could answer...
A graceful voice interrupted them.
"I couldn't agree more."
Lady Evelyn approached with a warm smile.
She looked at Lila sincerely.
"The dress suits you perfectly."
Lila smiled gratefully.
"Thank you."
Evelyn looked between them.
Then toward the musicians.
"They're about to begin the first dance."
She turned to Alcaide.
"My King..."
"Would you care to—"
Before she could finish...
Alcaide looked at Lila.
"Would you dance with me?"
Lila's eyes widened.
"I..."
"I don't know how."
He held out his hand.
"Then let me teach you."
Lila stared at his outstretched hand.
Around them...
The entire ballroom waited.
Lila
My eyes remained fixed on Alcaide's outstretched hand.
The ballroom had fallen silent.
It felt as though every noble in the room was watching us.
My heart pounded so loudly I was certain everyone could hear it.
"I... I really don't know how to dance."
A gentle smile touched Alcaide's lips.
"Then trust me."
The warmth in his voice calmed the storm inside me.
Slowly, I placed my hand in his.
The moment our fingers touched, a strange warmth spread through my body.
His hand was large and strong, yet he held mine with surprising care, as if I were something precious.
He led me toward the center of the ballroom.
The musicians began to play a slow, graceful melody.
"I'll probably step on your feet," I whispered nervously.
He chuckled.
"I've survived battles against rogue Alphas."
"I think I can survive one dance."
A soft laugh escaped my lips.
"I don't think that's the same thing."
"No?"
He leaned closer, lowering his voice.
"I've heard you're much more dangerous."
I playfully frowned.
"I've never hurt anyone."
"I know."
His blue eyes softened.
"That's one of the things I admire about you."
Heat rushed to my cheeks.
He placed one hand gently at my waist while keeping hold of my other hand.
"Just follow me."
I nodded.
The first few steps were awkward.
I stumbled almost immediately.
"Oh!"
Before I could lose my balance, Alcaide caught me.
His arm wrapped securely around my waist.
For one breathless moment...
Our faces were only inches apart.
"I'm sorry," I murmured, embarrassed.
"What did I tell you?"
I looked up.
"I won't let you fall."
Something inside my heart fluttered.
The music continued.
This time, I relaxed.
Alcaide guided every step patiently.
Soon, I found myself moving with him instead of against him.
Around us, the ballroom disappeared.
There was only music...
And him.
---
Across the room...
Lady Evelyn
A faint smile rested on my lips.
To everyone else, I looked calm.
Elegant.
Unbothered.
But inside...
My heart was breaking.
I had imagined dancing with Alcaide at the Moon Festival ever since we were children.
It had become a dream I never admitted aloud.
Tonight...
He hadn't even looked in my direction.
His entire world revolved around Lila.
I watched the way he smiled at her.
The way he steadied her whenever she stumbled.
The way his eyes softened whenever she laughed.
He had never looked at me that way.
Not once.
A painful truth settled inside me.
I had lost him...
Long before I ever had the chance to call him mine.
Serafina quietly walked over and stood beside me.
"You care about him."
I smiled sadly.
"I always have."
Serafina hesitated.
"I'm sorry."
Evelyn shook her head.
"Don't be."
"You can't choose who your heart loves."
She looked toward Lila again.
"I only hope she never doubts how deeply he already cares for her."
---
Alcaide
The dance came to an end.
The ballroom erupted into applause.
Lila looked around in surprise.
"They're clapping."
"You earned it."
"I hardly did anything."
"You trusted me."
I smiled.
"That was enough."
Her cheeks turned pink again.
She lowered her eyes shyly.
Before either of us could speak again, the palace doors suddenly burst open.
A bloodied warrior stumbled inside.
"My King!"
The music stopped instantly.
Every noble turned.
The warrior dropped to one knee, breathing heavily.
"The southern patrol..."
"They've been attacked."
The warmth vanished from the ballroom.
Alcaide's expression hardened.
"Report."
"The enemy wasn't trying to take territory."
"They attacked only long enough to leave a message."
My jaw tightened.
"What message?"
The warrior looked directly at Lila.
"They said..."
He swallowed.
"'Enjoy your celebration while you can.'"
The room fell deathly silent.
"'When the Blood Moon rises...'"
"'The Moon Princess will finally return home.'"
Fear rippled through the crowd.
Some nobles glanced nervously at Lila.
Others whispered among themselves.
For the first time...
The title "Moon Princess" was spoken in front of the entire royal court.
Lila's face turned pale.
She instinctively stepped closer to Alcaide.
Without hesitation...
He moved in front of her.
Shielding her from every curious stare.
His voice echoed through the silent ballroom.
"Listen carefully."
His commanding tone silenced every whisper.
"Lady Lila is under my protection."
"Anyone who threatens her..."
"Threatens the Northern Kingdom."
The nobles immediately bowed.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Hidden among the guests...
The palace maid smiled to herself.
Everything was unfolding exactly as planned.
The enemy wanted the kingdom to fear Lila.
And little by little...
That fear was beginning to grow.
- Writer
