The Impostor Luna

An impostor bride

Nora

When I reached the corridor, the hall was already bursting at the seams with people, and the ministers were whispering to each other.

"This is all your fault!" King Theodore roared, pounding the table with enough force to splinter it. He snatched up a scroll and hurled it towards a minister in the front row. "I should have your head cut off!"

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty!" the minister quivered, collapsing to the ground and asked for mercy."Spare me, spare me!"

"Guards! Take him away and execute him tomorrow!" King Theodore bellowed.

The king's rage was enough to make me tremble. I was fairly accustomed to his less than sunny disposition. Why was he so angry? Sure, he usually looked the other way while Cynthia bullied anyone who crossed her path, but public tantrums weren't his style.

Chest out, head up. Deep breath. I told myself before stepping into the hall, where all eyes instantly zeroed in on me.

"Your Highness," they greeted me, and I nodded, maintaining my best serene princess' facade.

The king’s eyes lit up at the sight of me. He waved everyone away, saying, "All of you leave. I wish to speak with my daughter alone."

The ministers practically tripped over each other in their hurry to exit, leaving just us in the room. He sat regally on his throne and beckoned to me. "Come here, child."

I stepped forward obediently, and he lifted my chin as he studied my face. A smile tugged at his lips. "You are a gift from Moon Goddess to the Crimson Court, Nora," he declared, with all the sincerity of a salesman.

"It is my honor to serve the royal family," I replied, laying the humility on as thick as I could.

"Good," he said, his gaze fixed on me. "I have an important task for you." He paused dramatically before adding, "In fact, this is the last time I will ask you to play the role of my daughter."

I looked up sharply, staring at him in disbelief. My heart pounded at his words.

What did he mean last time?

“Once you complete this task, you will be free," he said.

My breath quickened at the prospect of freedom. "What do you need me to do?" I inquired, attempting to keep my voice from quivering. "Is there a banquet? A speech? Or do I need to give alms on the Moon Day?"

"No, no, it's much more serious than that," the king said, as if asking me to perform the trifles of a royal life had ever been serious."I need you to impersonate Cynthia and marry Clyde Murphy, King of Frostfall," he said, the words dropping like ice blocks.

I inhaled sharply.

Clyde Murphy was more notoriously known as The Savage King, someone you’d imagine laughing maniacally in a lightning storm.

A chill colder than a disapproving glare, shot up from the soles of my feet. It raced up my spine, tickling it like an unwelcome breeze, freezing my blood and numbing my heart.

"But... but isn't our country at war with that monster?" I sputtered.

"Yes," the king nodded gravely. "News from the front arrived yesterday; it seems we're losing. Clyde's soldiers have crossed the Glacier Spine. At this pace, they will encircle Emerald City in less than half a month. Our envoy managed to broker a truce with Clyde, and fortunately, he agreed—but there's a catch: he wants to marry our princess."

Fortunate, indeed. This so-called luck seemed a bit dubious, especially for the princess destined to become a strategic bargaining chip.

"Can we negotiate with him?" I proposed. "Perhaps we could suggest holding it after the Moon Day. Once Clyde's army runs out of food, he'll have no choice but to retreat."

"He won't fall for it," Theodore replied, shaking his head and muttering to himself. "We've used a similar trick before, and he no longer trusts us."

Similar trick? When? I wondered briefly, but there was no time to dwell on the question. "What about fighting with him?" I asked, mustering the spirit of a dying moth.

"Ha, with what? We have no soldiers left. Our main forces have perished on the battlefield," the king frowned, not happy about the question I asked. "Clyde Murphy is brutal and relentless. Once he takes Emerald City, he will surely m******e everyone. Trading a princess for peace is our best option," the king added.

"But why would he want to marry the princess?" I asked.

"I'm not sure; there could be many reasons," the king mused. "Years ago, when Frostfall and we were still allies, Clyde and Cynthia met once. They both attended a feast held by Lord Chambers . Perhaps Clyde fell in love with my daughter at first sight and hasn't gotten over that first embarrassing crush. Or maybe that barbarian values lineage and wants a pure-blooded noble as his bride, or he's playing a game of power and intends to control me by taking my daughter. Regardless, I cannot let that bastard have his way." The king paused, appraising me as if I was a fine wine he was about to uncork. "It's time for you to serve our country, Nora. This is your last mission. Will you replace Cynthia and marry Clyde?"

Indeed, the last mission, ending only with my unfortunate demise. Lovely.

As if I could refuse.

"By the way," King Theodore began, "it's been some time since you last saw your sister, hasn't it?"

I bit my lower lip, aware that his mention of my sister was a silent threat.

"Would you like to see her before you leave?" he asked, his tone deceptively pleasant.

"I'd love to," I replied.

"Wonderful," the king nodded. "I'm sure Lily will be delighted to see you. We'll bring her to the palace for the visit, rather than have you go to her. I apologize, Nora, but we must ensure there's no escape at such a critical time." He looked at me, seemingly expecting gratitude for his careful arrangements.

I've never run away. Yet.

Enduring the unwanted attention of other kings at banquets, distributing masks during plagues, visiting amputated soldiers at hospitals.

When have I ever been absent?

Cynthia had always been the one missing in action.

But really, would saying any of this change my fate? Probably not. More likely, it would irritate the king and rob me of one last meeting with Lily.

So, capitulating, I lowered my eyes and curtsied, "Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty."

A king’s memory is a curious thing. When he needs something from you, his memory is sharp as a hawk’s eye. At other times, he might just claim he kept forgetting. The very next day, my little sister was bundled off to the Court.

"Nora!" Lily barreled into my arms like a tiny hurricane of enthusiasm. "I missed you so much!"

"Oh, my dear, I missed you too," I replied, enveloping her in a hug and planting a kiss on her forehead. "Have you been well?"

"Very well," she chirped like a morning bird, "And you?"

"I'm doing well too," I assured her, stroking her hair. "Sweetheart, I need to tell you something."

"What is it?" she asked, curiosity glimmering in her eyes.

"Something good," I declared dramatically. "I'm getting out of this cage."

"Really?!" Her eyes widened with a mixture of shock and excitement. "His Majesty is letting you go?"

"What made him so suddenly generous?" Lily asked, raising a suspicious eyebrow.

"He wanted to show some mercy before Moon Day, perhaps,"I shrugged. "Like some turkeys would be pardoned before Thanksgiving."

"Cut the crap. You're going for another of Princess Cynthia's activities, aren't you?"

Her sharp wit often made me wonder if she and Charlotte were separated at birth. "You're perceptive," I admitted with a sigh. “A king from the north has invited Princess Cynthia to visit his country, and King Theodore found it hard to decline.”

"Which king?" Lily asked, her curiosity refusing to be curbed.

"I don't know," I fibbed, not wanting her to be too concerned. "His Majesty advised me not to ask too many questions. I’m given a task, I complete the task—it’s the princess way."

"You're so obedient. Theodore must adore you," Lily quipped with sarcasm. "What about Charlotte? Will she be joining you?"

"Well, technically the northern king shouldn't object to a maid," I said. "But I'd rather Charlotte stays here to take care of you while I'm gone."

"I can take care of myself," Lily insisted, sounding every bit the worldly and wise sage at the ripe age of 17.

"I know, but it eases my mind," I said, as if my peace of mind had much bearing in recent royal decisions.

"Fine," Lily sighed in reluctant acceptance. “But what about the Moon Day? You won't be here to celebrate it with us this time, right?”

"I am afraid so," I sighed.

"And my birthday? It is in five months. Will you be back by then?"

I wish I could promise her I would, like assuring her I'd be back from a delightful holiday with a suitcase full of souvenirs.

But, in truth, I have no idea how long I will be there. And I might never return. Because I was on my way to marry Clyde Murphy, the charming fellow whose hobbies reportedly include dispatching uncles, banishing the unfortunate, and scaring palace elders into early retirement. The likelihood of my becoming his personal heir factory was high, and as soon as I outlived my usefulness, he'd probably ship my head back to King Theodore in a fancy box, complete with ribbons. It's a present anyone would be thrilled to unbox, right?

"Okay, I get it. The answer is no," Lily said, reading my face like an open book. "You look like you're about to cry."

"Nonsense," I said, my voice just shy of cracking. "I'm not sure if I can make it back for your birthday. Trip logistics, you know? But come what may, stay happy, alright?"

Lily nodded, trying to be strong.

"And," I added, "if you're lucky enough to sense your mate—"

"I'll have him whisk me away and immediately leave this country," Lily interrupted, rolling her eyes. "You've only mentioned it a hundred times before."

"Indulge me, you cheeky little teenager," I muttered, burying my nose in her hair. "You smell nice."

She hummed softly, nestling deeper into my embrace. "I hate being apart from you," she confessed.

"I hate it too," I sighed, clutching her tightly like she might slip away.

"Even though you're here, it feels like you're already further away," Lily said, sadness threading her voice.

"Cheer up, my dear, I'll pen you letters from the north."

"And bring back northern souvenirs," she added with a glimmer of hope.

"Of course," I chuckled. "What do you fancy?"

"What do they have up there?" she pondered aloud.

"I have no idea; it's my first time heading north," I admitted.

"Then surprise me with something random," Lily decided. "Just promise you'll come back in one piece."

I smiled at her, though my stomach was tangled in dread.

It's such a simple request.

If only I could assure her without a shadow of doubt.

"I promise," I whispered, leaning down to kiss her forehead once more, hoping she wouldn't notice the tremor in my own voice.