My Moonlit Declaration

Chapter 16: Nebula Castle

She turned to Elara and said, “This is the head butler, Naru Grek. Would you like him to show you to your room?”

Elara nodded obediently.

Butler Grek led the way upstairs until they reached a room on the third floor. “Miss, this is the room Madam prepared for you a long time ago. Everything you need is already inside. If you require anything else, please don’t hesitate to let me know.”

“Thank you, Uncle Grek!”

A sincere smile softened the butler’s usually stern face. “There will be a welcome banquet tonight,” his voice grew slightly gentler, “Please come to the dining hall at six o’clock.”

With that, he took a step back and gently closed the door.

Elara looked around the room. It was spacious and bright, much larger than her home in the human world.

The floor was paved with dark coffee-colored solid wood that shone so brightly it could reflect a person’s shadow. In the center against the wall stood a grand dark-gold princess bed — large enough, by her estimate, to sleep at least four people. Layers of white translucent gauze curtains hung around it.

Thick white carpets covered most of the floor, soft and fluffy underfoot.

The windows were made of transparent crystal. Beside them sat a small coffee-colored table with gold trim and delicate hollow carvings.

Further inside was a meticulously designed walk-in closet, filled with rows of luxurious clothing, shoes, and accessories.

Knock—knock—

There was a knock at the door.

“Please come in!” She turned around.

Two young women entered. One was carrying a tray with fruits and refreshments, while the other held a vase with fresh flowers.

They set the items down and curtsied politely before Elara.

“Miss, I am Leah.”

The girl who spoke had green hair and brown eyes. She looked about seventeen or eighteen, not strikingly beautiful but quite pleasant to look at. Her pale yellow dress appeared nearly new. Her forehead was smooth without bangs, and she wore delicate gold earrings.

“I am Chantelle.”

The other girl looked a bit more delicate and charming. She had brown hair and gray eyes, wearing the same style of dress. However, her hair was styled with two small braids on each side, tied at the back with a tiny string of bells that jingled softly as she moved.

“Head Butler Grek said that from now on, we will be your personal maids,” Leah said.

“I’d like to take a bath first,” Elara said.

Leah and Chantelle immediately got to work. One went to fill the bathtub and light the scented candles, while the other selected fresh clothes for her.

Before long, Elara was comfortably soaking in the bathtub.

“Miss, do you need our assistance?” Leah asked from the bathroom doorway.

“No, thank you,” she replied. “I can manage by myself.”

They closed the door and stood side by side, waiting quietly outside.

Light smoke drifted in the bathroom, hazy and ethereal, curling and twisting — sometimes stretching, sometimes coiling. The faint, delicate fragrance of the incense smelled exactly like gardenia flowers.

The water was hot and soft, enveloping Elara’s entire body. She leaned against the edge of the bathtub, closed her eyes in comfort.

She soaked for a long time. Only when the water had turned cool did she finally stand up. She picked up a towel, dried herself, and put on the clothes Chantelle had prepared for her, along with the beautiful accessories. Then Elara stood in front of the mirror.

“Wow, Miss Elara, you’re so beautiful!” Chantelle’s words were sweet and charming.

In the mirror, her skin was fair with a healthy rosy glow. Her long, silky ash-brown hair was elegantly pinned up at the back of her head. Her light purple eyes looked bright and watery, and her pink lips were slightly parted. At the center of her forehead, a thumb-sized light purple gem, strung with tiny pearls, was tied into her hair.

The white gauze dress she wore was exquisite and perfectly fitted. Layer upon layer of delicate fabric made the girl in the mirror look even more elegant and noble.

Elara frowned at her reflection. The person in the mirror felt very unfamiliar to her. Deep down, she hated this kind of dressing up.

“Miss, it’s almost six o’clock,” Leah’s voice came from the side. “We should head to the dining hall. It’s your first meal with the master — we mustn’t be rude.”

Leah brought over a pair of black leather shoes and reminded her to mind her table manners.

“Let’s go,” Elara said.

The dining hall was on the first floor. In the center stood a long table that could seat twenty people. It was covered with a white tablecloth and set with fine ceramic tableware trimmed in gold.

A lady was already seated at the table. She glanced at Elara, then looked away. A soft “Hmph” escaped her lips — quiet, but Elara heard it clearly.

She pretended not to notice and stood awkwardly in front of the table, unsure where to sit. At that moment, footsteps sounded behind her.

She turned around and saw Head Butler Grek entering through the doorway, followed by a middle-aged man.

The man had a well-proportioned and tall build, with regular, handsome features. He must have been very good-looking in his youth. His eyes were brown. This was Erick Williams, the eldest son of the Moon Ember Clan’s Holy Elder — her nominal father.

Erick froze for a moment when he saw Elara standing there.

Then a warm, affectionate smile quickly spread across his face. “You’re finally here, my daughter.” He walked over. “I am your father, Erick Williams.”

His expression looked exactly like that of a father who had waited a long time and finally reunited with his daughter.

“Susanna has always wanted to bring you home, but we searched for you for a very long time—” He paused, noticing Elara’s indifferent expression, and felt a little embarrassed. “Come, sit on my right.” He pointed to the seat on the right side of the long table.

Once everyone was seated, Erick turned to the woman already at the table. “This is my sister, Melisie…”

Lady Melisie finally turned her head and gave Elara a slight nod. The gesture was light but carried a clear sense of superiority.

More people gradually entered the dining hall. The last to arrive was Susanna, holding a child in each hand.

“This is your younger brother, Andrei. He’s twelve years old. Come here, this is your little sister, Nancy. She’s eight.” Susanna gently pushed the two children toward Elara.

The boy, Andrei, glanced at Elara and called out, “Sister.” Nancy, however, hid behind Susanna, only peeking out half her face with a wary expression.

At that moment, the dining hall door opened again, and a young man and woman walked in. They looked to be in their early twenties.

The man had delicate, refined features, brown eyes, a straight nose, and slightly curved lips that gave him a naturally gentle appearance.

The woman looked almost identical to him, but her expression was much colder. She held her chin slightly raised, her gaze full of disdain.

They were twins — Arturo Williams and Cinderella Williams, children from Erick’s previous marriage.

Arturo walked up to Elara, bowed slightly, and said in a soft, gentle voice, “Hello, Elara. You can call me Arturo… or Brother.”

After speaking, he took the empty seat opposite her.

Cinderella followed behind him without sparing Elara a single glance the entire time.

Elara had heard that Erick once had three other sons, all of whom had died at the age of six due to the Bloodline Curse.

Throughout the entire meal, everyone at the table was quietly sizing her up and whispering about her. Although they spoke in low voices, the occasional glances they threw her way were filled with calculation and greed, making her shiver.

Elara felt like a fat sheep waiting to be slaughtered in their eyes ，She made up her mind: she could not allow herself to remain passive. Tomorrow morning, she would talk to Susanna and Erick.

Lia told her that Melisie’s two children had rushed over overnight and had only just arrived in the morning. They said they came specifically to see her.

“Miss, why did Madame Melisie’s son and daughter come together at exactly this time?” Chamille placed the glass of milk from the tray onto the table, her voice pressed very low.

Elara was curled up in the wicker chair, squinting. Morning light streamed in through the window and fell warmly across her knees.

“Madame Melisie is nominally my aunt,” she said lazily, as if speaking about something that had nothing to do with her. “Her son and daughter are naturally my cousins.”

“I heard that relatives from the whole family have been sending letters, saying they want to bring their own children to visit.” Chamille grew more excited as she spoke, the little bells in her hair tinkling. “The house is going to get lively now. The Eldest Miss and Eldest Young Master don’t like excitement, and Lady Susanna’s children are just too annoying—”

Lia walked over and pushed Chamille aside with a frown. She didn’t say anything, only gave Chamille a glance — light and fleeting, but Chamille immediately shut her mouth, lowered her head, and retreated to the corner.