Ice Goddess Luna

Episode 8

Awakening to the creak of the door opening and closing, Hadley found herself surrounded by darkness, the only illumination being the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the window.

As she moved to flick on the light, a deep voice cut through the silence, sending shivers down her spine.

"Thought you could slip away, did you, Hadley?" The voice was unmistakable. It was him.

Her heart skipped a beat. How did he find her here?

Before she could utter a word, he materialized before her, a sinister grin on his face, sending a wave of terror through her.

"N-no... How... The queen..." Her words faltered as fear gripped her throat.

"The queen? Ha! I took care of her. You can't escape from me, little one!" His laughter echoed in the room, sending a chill down her spine.

He advanced towards her, and she instinctively backed away, her voice trembling as she pleaded with him to stay back.

"D-don't come near... P-please," she stuttered, her back now pressed against the wall. There was nowhere left to run, and tears began to stream down her face.

"This is the end for you..." Jun's menacing voice echoed as he loomed over Hadley, a bloody dagger raised, poised to strike at her chest.

"Nooooo!"

"Hadley!! Wake up!" A woman's urgent cry jolted Hadley from her nightmare. She looked up to see the queen beside her.

"Q-queen..." Her voice trembled as tears streamed down her cheeks, seeking solace in the queen's embrace.

Trembling, she clung to the queen, her mind still reeling from the horrors of her dream.

"Hold on, dear. You're safe here. No one will harm you," the queen reassured her, gently stroking her hair.

"Master...He's here, He's here to kill me" Hadley's words were choked with sobs, her fear still palpable.

"He's not here, Hadley. It was just a bad dream. Here, drink some water," the queen comforted her, handing her a glass of water.

As she gulped down the water, Hadley's gaze darted around the room, half-expecting to see Captain Jun lurking in the shadows.

But there was no one except for Gracia, Sab, Maria, and Queen Merlia. She tried to steady her ragged breaths, her body still trembling with fear.

"Calm yourself, dear. You're as pale as a ghost... And you're ice-cold," the queen observed, taking hold of Hadley's hands in her own, offering comfort and reassurance.

Feeling overwhelmed, Hadley quickly pulled away from the queen's touch and retreated, fearing she might lose control and reveal her true nature. The fear gnawed at her, making her heart race.

"Calm down, Hadley. We won't harm you," Sab reassured her, her voice gentle and soothing.

Despite knowing that they meant her no harm, Hadley couldn't shake off her apprehension.

"Hadley, look at me. Focus on my eyes," the queen commanded, grasping her cheeks and guiding her gaze.

Reluctantly, Hadley obeyed, locking eyes with the queen. His warm brown eyes seemed to reach into her soul, soothing her frazzled nerves.

As she stared into his eyes, a sense of calm washed over her, dispelling the fear and tension that had gripped her moments ago. Gradually, her body began to relax, and she felt a wave of relief wash over her.

The queen's gentle smile reassured her further, and Hadley felt a glimmer of hope amidst her fear and uncertainty.

"Whatever troubles you've faced, Hadley , let me help you forget them. Trust me," the queen urged softly, her words resonating deep within her.

Tears welled up in Hadley's eyes as she closed them, grappling with her fears and doubts. Despite her fear, she knew she had to trust the queen.

"Hadley..." the queen's voice called out, her tone filled with empathy and understanding.

Taking a deep breath, Hadley met the queen's gaze with determination.

"If that's what you want, Queen, I'll follow," she stammered, her voice wavering slightly. The queen's smile widened, filled with warmth and reassurance.

As they spoke, the door creaked open, revealing the gentleman who had entered the room.

"Mother, come down. The food's ready. The Alpha is on his way," he announced, his eyes scanning the room until they settled on Hadley.

Frozen in place, Hadley felt a wave of fear wash over her in the presence of the gentleman. It was as if his gaze held her captive, rendering her unable to move or speak.

Unable to discern any emotion from his expression, Hadley remained still, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Alright, son. We'll be down shortly," the queen replied, her voice steady despite the tension in the air. The gentleman continued to stare at Hadley for a moment before finally turning his gaze to the queen and exiting the room.

"Gracia, Sab, prepare Hadley. Maria, gather her clothes," the queen instructed, her tone firm yet gentle. Without hesitation, Gracia and Sab approached Hadley, helping her to her feet and guiding her to sit in front of a mirror.

Sab began to work on Hadley's hair, gently brushing and braiding it into a loose style, leaving a few strands to frame her face.

Gracia carefully applied a simple lipstick to Hadley's lips, adding a touch of color to her face. In just a few minutes, they were finished with her makeup.

As Maria approached with a beautiful dress in hand, Hadley protested, feeling content with her current attire.

"Wait... This dress is fine," she objected, but the queen intervened with a gentle smile from her seat.

"That dress belonged to me, Hadley. Consider it a gift. No objections," the queen insisted warmly.

Resigned, Hadley allowed them to remove her current clothing, feeling a pang of vulnerability despite their gentle handling. Thankfully, they left her undergarments untouched, and she quickly slipped into the elegant dress provided by the queen.

The dress flowed gracefully to the floor, its fit perfect and its design comfortable. Despite the wounds on her arms, they were well-covered by the fabric.

"You look stunning, Hadley," Sab complimented, earning agreement from Gracia while Maria remained silent. Hadley felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment.

With a nod from the queen, they prepared to leave. Maria, and Gracia flanked the queen, while Sab and Hadley followed closely behind.

As they approached the door, anticipation and nerves mingled in Hadley's mind as they ventured out to join the Alpha.

The group proceeded down the seemingly endless hallway, encountering no one along the way. As they walked, Hadley couldn't help but feel like they were traversing through time itself.

Finally, they reached a grand staircase, a familiar sight from her previous journey through the palace. Descending the stairs and turning left, they were met with the grandeur of a giant golden door, which swung open to reveal a breathtaking scene.

Inside, a long table stretched before them, adorned with gleaming cutlery, plates, and glasses. Overhead, an elegant chandelier cast a warm glow, illuminating the opulent surroundings. Keziah noticed the presence of numerous individuals besides their group, their eyes scrutinizing her with unspoken questions.

Among them stood the king and the gentleman, his gaze averted yet still affecting her profoundly.

As the queen took her seat to the left of the king, attendants assisted him in settling into his chair. Sab guided Hadley towards another spot at the table, but their progress was halted by the queen's directive.

"Hadley, sit here beside me," the queen instructed, causing Keziah to halt and turn towards her.

"Luna, a servant has no place at your side during dinner," Maria objected, her disapproval evident. Others echoed her sentiments, expressing agreement with her stance.

"Maria, there's no need for your guidance. Hadley, come sit beside me," the queen's tone remained gentle yet firm. Hadley complied, bowing respectfully as she took her place with the assistance of the attendant.

"Before we commence our meal, allow me to introduce Hadley, my newest lady-in-waiting," the queen announced, her smile warm and welcoming.

"Luna, you're aware she's human, unlike us," a man, likely Mike, remarked arrogantly, his tone dripping with condescension.

Hadley felt a surge of confusion at his words. What did he mean by "unlike us"? Did he consider himself superior simply because of his status?

"Mind your words, Mike. I caution all of you against harming Hadley," the queen's warning carried a palpable threat, causing an uneasy silence to descend upon the room. Hadley sensed the tension, observing the silent exchange of glances among the attendees.

A sudden slap on the table startled her, nearly causing her to rise from her seat in shock. The queen's reassuring grip on her hand steadied her, preventing any further alarm. It was clear that the noise emanated from the king, his action commanding attention and obedience.

"Let's eat," the king's simple declaration signaled the beginning of the meal, prompting everyone to follow suit without hesitation, as if his command brooked no defiance.