Trapped in His Own Luna's Trap

Episode 7:

The rain fell heavier, and I raised my hand to shield my forehead. The priest’s robes were soaked, water stains spreading, but he seemed oblivious, turning to me and asking, “Are you not from the capital?”

I froze, nodded, and softly replied, “Yes.” Even if I spoke the truth, he would probably still be surprised, asking like Jeremy: “Is the Martinez family’s third young lady?”

Perhaps I shouldn’t have said anything.

Raindrops fell on my hands, and on this hot summer day, they felt surprisingly cold. I chuckled; the Martinez family’s people didn’t acknowledge me. Maybe I should be Amelia for once, not Amelia of the Martinez family.

Walking close to him, I heard him say, “This church only has two occupants, myself and the master. There’s a small room in the back courtyard; you can rest there for the night.”

I furrowed my brows, asking, “Don’t I need to ask the head priest first?”

“No need, please!” He answered without hesitation. “I’ll inform the master later.”

“Then... thank you!”

The room was small; he only escorted me to the door without entering. Pushing it open, I expected a musty smell, but the room was clean, as if someone had always occupied it.

I thought little; it was likely someone stopping by like me.

The rain only lasted for a while before stopping.

In the evening, I sat on the bed, feeling regretful. Leaving the Martinez family’s gate, I even thought I wouldn’t return. But why was I so foolish? I should have taken some valuables; if I was branded a thief, I might as well steal something. Now, with no money on me, what should I do?

I regretted to the point of not being able to sleep, tossing and turning, wishing I could immediately return to the Martinez family to steal money. Ha, wasn’t Luna Abigail calling me a thief? Why was I so foolish? Even if I was wronged, it would be better to be an actual thief to satisfy myself.

As I pondered, the sky outside became restless.

In an instant, thunder roared.

“A!” I cried out in fear, covering my ears.

From childhood to adulthood, I feared thunder the most. At this moment, I couldn’t think anymore; I quickly got up, hugging my body as it trembled.

But that thunder was truly ear-splitting.

“A... a...” I sobbed, without knowing where I found the courage, jumping off the bed and rushing to the door.

Touching the door with my fingers, in that moment, it seemed like there was someone outside. My fingers trembled, hugging my chest tightly, my vision blurred. And then what?

I hesitated for a moment, opened the door with a loud bang, then hugged my head and ran outside. Alone, I was terrified.

I would find anyone, whether it was the young priest or the master.

Crying and running, thunder roared above, accompanied by blinding flashes of lightning. I was so scared that I couldn’t breathe, not daring to stop. I was afraid that if I stopped, I would be struck by lightning. But why did I dare to run outside? I didn’t know.

I didn’t know if it was hallucination or not, but I always felt someone was following closely behind.

Seeing a lit room ahead, my feet seemed to gain strength, risking it all to run over.

The door wasn’t locked, and as soon as I touched it, I fell forward. At that moment, amidst the thunder, there seemed to be a strange “ding” sound, but I didn’t have time to think. Turning the doorknob, shouting, “Is anyone there? Is anyone there?”

I rushed in, and a thin curtain separated the room; inside, there was a faint figure. I felt relieved, as if I had found salvation rushing over. But as my fingers touched the curtain, the person inside sat up, holding the curtain I was pulling, gently asking, “Who’s there?”

The “who” from him reduced my fear by half, instantly becoming alert.

Listening to his voice, he was probably still very young, but not the young priest I just met, of course, nor could he be the master.

“It’s me...” I had intended to answer, but after thinking it over, I asked instead, “Who are you?” The young priest said there were only two people in the church, him and the master, so who was he?

After asking, I realized it wasn’t appropriate; after all, the other person had asked me first. But he didn’t seem to mind.

He coughed softly. “Gregory.”

Gregory.

At that moment, I did not know that this man would change my life.

Until many years later, when I uttered the word “sir” once again, I couldn’t fathom the feeling in my heart...

Right at this moment, another thunderbolt struck, and I cried out in fear, hunching over and clutching my head.

“What’s wrong?” He asked softly, but didn’t step out, still clinging to the curtain.

I breathed heavily, speaking loudly, “I’m scared... I’m fear lightning.”

I couldn’t see his face, only his gentle voice coming through, “Ah, you little rascal!” After speaking, he seemed to ease his guard, turning around and sitting down.

I don’t know why, but his words “little rascal” dispelled much of my fear, though I felt indignant. Through the curtain, I vaguely saw his slender figure, and he seemed very young, just a teenager, only a few years older than me.

Separated by the curtain, I tried to see more clearly, but it was still blurry. It seemed like he knew what I was thinking, gently saying, “Don’t you take another step forward.” His words were full of caution.

I pursed my lips, obediently listening, not raising my hand. In fact, I feared his anger being kicked out. With the thunder and darkness of night, I didn’t know what to do.

We sat like that, facing each other through the curtain.

I noticed that my wet clothes had left damp spots in the room, and I could almost smell the scent of rain. Instinctively, I drew my legs closer, wrapping my arms around myself.

The room was clean and tidy, albeit small, but I knew it was always occupied.