Luna's Dilemma

Chapter4

“Again!, and Roland next time, avoid taking the blows, you think you can handle it but trust me, you can’t”. A loud voice echoed through the courtyard, passing through my ears as I settled near the window, gazing into the courtyard.

My eyes sparkle as I watch them, the knights, as they spar with each other, turning in and out of their wolf form in record time.

Stunned by the mastery, I watch, my book long forgotten on my lap, the thought of wielding such ability, such power, making me break a smile.

This might be it, what I need to do, with the right training, I could be stronger, faster, … better.

“Alright, The next set get on court, don't disappoint me”. His deep voice breaks me from my train of thoughts, I shift my eyes to him, the ‘best’ as they call him, my personal guard.

He suddenly looks up, meeting my eyes with his usual intense gaze, and like a deer caught in headlights I quickly avert my eyes, looking at the sky instead.

After some seconds I look down to check, he wasn't looking at me anymore, instead closely observing his men launch at each other.

As I continue to stare I find myself conflicted on how to feel about him, which is understandable as we haven't had a decent conversation since we met.

I shake away the thoughts, concentrating once more on the action below, studying each movement intently, repeating them myself with small movements as I remain seated, not confident enough to put in more effort.

“My princess, breakfast is ready”.

“I’ll be down in a minute”. I dismiss the maid without looking in her direction, too engrossed in the event below, putting my book away and adjusting myself to a more comfortable position.

……

“Princess, what are you still doing in your nightwear? Your favorites have been on the table for half an hour now.

I jerk up in surprise as I see my father at the doorstep, a look of concern gracing his face. I could already tell that he was thinking of the worst case scenario for why I am not downstairs right now.

“It's nothing dad, I just got distracted”. I respond casually, I visibly see his features soften.

“Alright, let's go together then”.

With a wide smile I hop off the window still, interlocking arms with my father as we make our way down the stairs, my heart swelling with excitement at the delicate treatment I receive from him.

As we go down the last step, my mood makes a 180 turn as I stare daggers into the person before me.

“Good morning my king”

I instantly cringe at the high pitched voice that hits my ears, rolling my eyes at the poor attempt at a seductive tone.

“Oh, good morning Estella, what brings you to the palace this early?”

I could see the faint blush on her cheeks as my father gave her a friendly smile, trying my best not to gag at her exaggerated lip bite, I attempt to unknot my arms from my father's but he wasn't budging, forcing me to stay and witness the train wreck before me.

“I just wanted to see how our dear princess is doing”. She responds by bowing, intentionally bending over more than she should, causing her cleavage to be on display.

Doesn't this woman feel shame?, I roll my eyes once again at the fake smile she flashes afterwards.

“Oh that's so thoughtful of you, we really appreciate it, thank you”. My father says with a sincere tone, I never realized he could be this clueless to this woman's antics for this long.

But I somewhat enjoy seeing the look of disappointment on her face as she realizes that my father doesn't get the hint and is not in the least interested in her.

With our arms still linked we turn to the right in an attempt to walk past her, but she quickly jumps in front of us, blocking our way.

I rolled my eyes for the third time today. Doesn't this woman know when to stop?, It's getting embarrassing at this point.

“Yes, Estella, any other thing you want to tell me?”

“I.. erm… I … I …..

“Good morning your Highness, it's lovely to meet your acquaintance”.

You've got to be kidding me!, there's another?!.

I resist the urge to face palm as a second woman stands in front of us, equally obstructing us.

My dad turns to the new woman’s direction, a brief look of confusion flashes on his face before he gently shakes it off and gives a small smile.

“Oh good morning, erm… I'm sorry, what's the name?”

“Catherine”. The new woman immediately responds, a wide grin on her face

I released a quiet groan, sick and tired at the way the women were throwing themselves at my father, irritation bubble within me as I yanked my father's arms, forcing him to follow me, away from the pests.

My father doesn't resist and just lets me pull him as I lead us to the dining area, where we should have been minutes ago.

He gives me a gentle smile, unlocking our hands to sit on his chair, the meal already spread on the table. I grab a seat by his right, my mouth watering at the sight before us.

“You know you can just tell them that you are not interested right?” I direct the question to my dad as I slice into my pancakes, dicing them in smaller pieces.

“I know princess I know, I’m just trying to be nice about it, don't want to hurt anybody”. He says with a shrug, quickly resuming devouring his sandwich.

“Dad it doesn't even look like you're trying, you have to put your foot down and tell them off, if not they'll just keep coming”. Expressing my fears, I don't want my father to be troubled, he carries the burden of Alpha already.

He pauses his food, c*****g his brows, and nodding his head in thought.

“Ok, I promise I will be stern next time, please just eat up”.

…….

As I walk back to my room after breakfast, I feel a presence behind me, I release an exhausted sigh, already knowing that it will be my guard.

I continue walking, a little bit embarrassed about our little staring contest earlier.

“My princess, may I have a word?”.

I stop dead in my tracks.

That's not his voice.

I immediately quicken up the pace, speed walking to my door, trying to remember if anybody’s presence was announced earlier, fear slowly seeping through my body.

Briskly making my way through the hallway I see my door from a distance, additional relief food me as the footsteps seem to have disappeared.

Not wanting to take any chance I continue speedily on my way, my heart pounding through my chest.

As I stretch out my hand to open my door, I feel a

n arm placed on my shoulder.

My blood runs cold, I stand there petrified, unsure of what will happen next.