The Moonbound Bride

Chapter 4

LYRA

"My lady, please wake up!"

I open my eyes quickly, staring at the person who woke me. For a moment, I forget that I'm in this strange mansion. It feels as if nothing has happened—yet so much has. Memories from the past day flood back.

I was kidnapped—though I have no idea how. The heated argument with Blade. My marriage. The wedding reception. And then... the place with the tiger fangs.

Yes, the location with the tiger fangs—and that sound. The roaring. How could I forget?

"Who told you to wake me up?" I ask the servant who just jolted me from my sleep.

"No one. But there's a rule in this family—we must wake up early," she says in a fearful tone.

"Why?" I ask.

"You're new here, and we aren't allowed to share much. But... we just want to tell you to be careful," she whispers, nervously glancing toward the door as if expecting someone to enter.

She already looks so scared and pitiful. I don't want the servants to suffer because of me.

With a sigh, I push the duvet aside and get out of bed. As I tie my hair into a messy bun, the servants hand me a morning dress—a delicate, sheer jacket I have to wear over my nightgown. I nearly forgot—I have to attend breakfast with the family today.

"Okay, but can you at least tell me how many members are in this family?" I squint at the servant, my curiosity growing.

"There are thirteen members in total, including you, my lady!"

"THIRTEEN?" I exclaim.

So far, I've only seen Blade, his grandmother—whose name I still don't know—his stepsister, whose name also remains a mystery, and his stepbrother, Noah. Blade did mention his parents and some cousins, but I had no idea the family was this big.

"Can you tell me who they are?" I ask again, settling in front of the mirror while another servant prepares me for the morning.

She nods and begins, "Sire Blade, Sire Noah, Lady Amelia, Blade Sire's mother—Madam Elowen, Blade Sire's father—Sire Vincent, the aunt of Blade Sire and Sire Vincent's sister—Lady Margaret, her children—Zoe, Lucas, and Ryder, Sire Vincent's second wife—Lady Katherine, and finally, Madam Grandmother, Mildred."

I stare at her in shock. This family is massive! Keeping track of everyone will be a nightmare.

"Enough? Or are there more?" I ask sarcastically.

"Sire Grandfather, Gregory, was also part of the family, but he passed away recently," she says, her head still bowed.

"Hey, you don't need to be so formal with me. I'm not like your boss, Blade. I'm much better than him," I say, flipping a strand of my hair proudly.

Why are the servants so afraid of the family members?

I need answers, and they're my best chance at getting at least the basics. But first, I have to make them comfortable with me.

Blade's grandfather passed away recently, yet he rushed into marrying me without even mourning properly for his elder. That's suspicious. There has to be a strong motive behind this marriage. I must be some kind of asset to them.

"And how many rooms are in this mansion?" I ask, turning my head toward her.

"Twenty," she replies. "The mansion has five stories, a huge kitchen, a dining hall, a massive pool, a library, a sitting area, some secret rooms where no one is allowed to go, a big deck, and a beautiful garden." She added.

"My lady, please don't ask us more. We'll get in trouble," she says, shivering slightly.

I sigh. "I know, and I promise this is the last question. Just one more. You won't be revealed, trust me. Please?" I assure her, gently taking her hand in mine.

She hesitates, glancing at the other servants for confirmation. Their faces are filled with fear. Seeing that, I decide to let it go.

"Never mind. You've done a lot, and I appreciate it. My name is Lyra. What can I call you? And the others?" I ask.

"Edith, my lady," she replies softly.

"That's a lovely name. You all can leave now—I'll be down in a moment," I say.

Before they exit, one of them hesitates. "Please, my lady, wear something orange—clothing or jewelry, at least. It must have some orange in it."

I raise an eyebrow. "Orange again?" I mutter, standing up.

"We don't know why. It's just the rule," one of them answers.

I sigh, folding my arms. "So many rules." Then, with a wave of my hand, I dismiss them. "You're all dismissed."

They nod and begin to leave, but Edith pauses at the door. "Please make sure to come to the family breakfast at exactly eight o'clock. Don't be late."

I frown. "Will you be there? Serving?"

She shakes her head. "No."

I sigh again as she leaves.

I need to gain these people's trust and make them believe that I can free them from this silent servitude. Yes, they get paid for their work, but not for keeping secrets or living in fear.

I wanted to ask Edith about the mystical Tiger Fangs cave room and the shadowed figure from last night, but I don't want to pressure her. She deserves a breather from my endless questions.

First, I need to find my parents. Then, I'll deal with the room and the dark figure.

★★★

The breakfast room is quiet. I'm the only one here.

And yet, Edith and the other servants were so insistent that I arrive at eight sharp. It's already ten minutes past.

It took me nearly that long just to find the breakfast room—or dining hall, whatever it's called. I didn't want to bother the servants for directions, but they kept nodding and bowing as I passed, making me feel even more out of place.

The room itself is grand, with a long table aligned perfectly in a straight margin. The cushioned chairs are soft, and the silver and wood-brown accents complement the peach and beige flooring. In the center of the table sits a vase filled with orange flowers. Of course. More orange.

Are all thirteen of us supposed to sit here together?

The thought makes me smirk. Breakfast with strangers—except now, they're my in-laws. Forced ones.

I grow tired of waiting and turn to a servant standing stiffly behind me. Just as I'm about to ask when the others will arrive, the door swings open, and three people enter in a chaotic rush.

A girl and two boys. Blade's cousins, I assume—Zoe, Lucas, and Ryder.

Damn, they radiate wealth.

Zoe looks like the type who never takes off her headphones. Lucas seems calmer, more reserved. Ryder, on the other hand, gives off an effortlessly charming and friendly vibe.

I quickly glance the other way, pretending I didn't see them coming. Awkwardness at its peak.

Zoe pulls out the side chair and sits without noticing me, while Lucas gives me a cold gaze. I meet his stare briefly before looking down at my plate—still empty. Ryder offers me a slight smile before settling down three seats away.

The three of them are lost in their own world, so I don't bother much either. Instead, I glance around, absentmindedly playing with my hair while subtly side-eyeing them. Lucas, however, keeps his gaze locked on me. Then, he looks at one of the servants and whispers something into his ear before tapping his fingers on the table—like a boss.

From behind him, I notice two people walking into the hall. All the servants bow, and I assume they must be Blade's parents. They look warm, but I still have my doubts—you never know.

"Good morning, Aunt Elowen and Uncle Vincent!" Ryder stands up and greets them, the only one from the three to do so. Zoe, still absorbed in her music, simply nods, while Lucas—well, at this point, I guess his ego speaks for itself.

I spot Noah and Amelia arriving from a distance. Having seen them before, I recognize them immediately. Noah settles comfortably at the table, while Amelia, as usual, watches me like a mean bit*h.

Then, another one arrives, exuding an eerie and haunting presence. She must be Margaret. As she takes her seats, I notice that everyone completely ignores me—except for Lucas. It's as if I don't even exist.

Blade arrives next, accompanied by his grandmother. He holds her arm gently as she struggles slightly due to her age. Without sparing me a glance, he helps her settle into the main chair at the center of the table. Once she's seated, he takes the spot beside me, his expression unreadable—cold and formal.

I can't stop looking at him. This whole atmosphere feels dull and distant, like everyone is here out of obligation rather than desire. No one bothers to engage with each other, making the silence even heavier. I want to start a conversation, anything to break this stiffness.

Finally, Blade's grandmother speaks, her voice warm as she turns to me.

"Lyra, dear?"

I quickly snap my head in her direction. "Yes, Grandma," I respond impulsively.

"How was your sleep?" she asks.

"It was good! I slept tight!" I laugh a little.

Silence. Everyone turns to stare at me as if I've just committed a crime. My smile fades instantly. I shut my mouth and glance at Blade, hoping for some kind of reassurance. Instead, he simply stares at me. I blink at him three times. He shakes his head before ordering the servants to serve breakfast.

"Why are you giving orders, brother dear?" Noah interjects.

"Everyone is settled, so I should. Do you have a problem with that, little brother?" Blade asks, his tone laced with sarcasm.

Their gazes lock, intense—like rivals, not brothers.

I watch silently, sensing the tension thickening.

"I mean, why don't we let the new member of the family, Lyra, do it?" Noah continues, his voice dripping with malice. "She's your wife, after all."

I narrow my eyes slightly at him. I've never gotten good vibes from him either.

"She's an important member now," he adds with a smirk. "Especially since you married her—for a great cause."

A great cause? What great cause? I knew it. There's something they're gaining from me—something I don't know yet.

Blade shoots Noah a sharp, warning glance. Noah just lifts his hands in surrender, playing it off like he misspoke.

The whole family rolls their eyes before finally turning to look at me, studying my reaction.

This feels creepy.