Ice Goddess Luna

Episode 13

Hadley couldn't shake off the feelings that lingered for three days since the incident. It wasn't fear of the imposing man that troubled her, but the unexpected touch of the prince. For some inexplicable reason, it left her feeling vulnerable and confused.

Confined to her room for three days, Hadley hadn't stepped outside, thanks to Sab's strict orders. She had informed her that it was the queen's directive. When Hadley inquired about the queen's whereabouts, Sab mentioned that she had left for the city with Gracia the previous morning but would be returning soon.

As she stood in front of the mirror, combing her long, damp hair after a refreshing shower, the door creaked open. Sab entered, pushing a wheelie bin filled with clothes.

"Hadley, these are your clothes and shoes. They're all brand new, never worn. Feel free to pick anything you like," she said casually. Hadley quickly got up and began laying the clothes out on her bed, one by one.

"This is a lot, Sab. And they’re all so beautiful... Are you sure these are mine?" she asked, still in awe.

"Of course, Hadley. You're beautiful, so these will definitely look great on you. Pick something to wear now, and we'll put away the rest," she replied with a cheerful smile.

Hadley turned to the task at hand, sorting through fifteen dresses, each one more beautiful than the last. It was a tough choice. Along with the dresses, there were six pairs of shoes, two with heels and four without.

Opting for the simplest outfit, she slipped into the bathroom to change.

Inside the bathroom, Hadley slipped into a white dress that revealed her shoulders but had long sleeves. It was layered with a black and red top that tied in the middle. The skirt was a flowing black fabric.

She stepped out, and Sab greeted her with a big smile.

"That outfit looks perfect on you, Hadley. I can also see that your skin is getting lighter," Sab remarked, clearly pleased.

"Thank you, Sab," Hadley replied gratefully.

"In a few days, you'll have even more clothes. Your wardrobe will be overflowing," Sab added, making them both laugh.

Hadley approached Sab and gently held his hand. "Thank you so much, Sab, for always being here with me. You are very kind."

"There's no need to thank me, Hadley. It's our job to help people like you," Sab said. Her words took her by surprise, but she decided not to dwell on it.

Together, they organized the new clothes in the closet and arranged the shoes in the container next to it. When they finished, Sab said his goodbyes.

"I'll come back later to meet Luna outside. I need to freshen up first," he said. Hadley nodded, and Sab left the room.

Alone again, Hadley sat down in front of the mirror and studied her reflection.

Sab was right—Hadley's skin was getting lighter. It was probably because of the white cream she applied daily, as Grcia had advised. Gracia always said it would help her scars fade, and indeed, all her wounds had healed without a trace, as if her skin had never been injured.

She glanced at her hair and realized it didn't look right hanging loose with her outfit. So, she decided to tie it up.

Fortunately, she found some hair ties in a small box on the vanity. There were also blush and lip color, so she decided to add a touch of powder and a hint of red to her lips.

Satisfied with her appearance, Hadley took another look in the mirror. She thought she looked good. Standing up, she moved to the window and gazed out, seeing nothing but tall trees stretching into the distance.

After standing there for about ten minutes, the door opened again, and Sab entered. She seemed slightly surprised to see her, prompting a smile from Hadley.

Sab was dressed simply but looked very elegant. She had a youthful aura about her.

"It's great to see you taking care of yourself, Hadley. Come on, Luna will be here soon." She approached her, linked her arm with hers, and started towards the door.

As they were about to leave, Hadley suddenly remembered something. "Wait, Sab... I'm not wearing shoes yet," she said, causing them both to pause.

Sab laughed and released her, allowing Hadley to head to the shoe box. She chose a pair of black shoes with thin ribbons on top, slipped them on quickly, and returned to Sab.

She smiled, and she mirrored her expression. "Let's go," she said, and they stepped out together. Hadley felt a sense of comfort whenever she was with Sab and Gracia. Even with the queen, she felt at ease due to her kindness.

It wasn't the same with Maria. Around her, Hadley felt small, as if Maria's very presence emphasized the gap between them, despite both being servants of the queen.

Taking a deep breath, Hadley tried to steady herself. Sab noticed her moment of hesitation.

"What's on your mind, Hadley? You look like you're deep in thought," she asked curiously.

"It's nothing... I just can't believe I'm inside a palace," she said, trying to sound casual.

"That's right, you haven't seen the outside of the palace yet. In my opinion, the outside is even more beautiful. Let's hurry so you can decide for yourself," she said, quickening their pace. They walked briskly, and Hadley's earlier thoughts began to fade.