Beneath the Silvermist

2

The morning sunlight streamed through the cottage windows, casting a warm glow on Luna’s tranquil face. Her maids, Maria and Sofia entered her chamber, carrying a tray laden with tea, fresh bread, and an assortment of fruits.

“Rise and shine, Miss Luna!” Maria chimed, setting the tray on a nearby table. “Why, I could have sworn I closed the curtains last night, but there they are, wide open.” She stared at them for a moment with a pensive pout just before shrugging and smiling out a sigh.

Sofia approached Luna’s bed, gently shaking her shoulder. “Come on, Miss. It’s time to wake up.”

Luna stirred, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. As she sat up, Maria and Sofia exchanged knowing glances.

“Miss, are you alright?” Maria asked, noticing Luna’s disheveled hair and unrested eyes.

Luna nodded, stretching her arms. “Yes, I’m fine. Just a bit tired.”

As Sofia helped Luna swing her legs over the side of the bed, Maria’s gaze fell upon Luna’s feet. Her eyes widened and her mouth gaped.

“Miss, your feet!”

Luna’s cheeks flushed. Her feet, still dirty from the previous night’s escapade, betrayed her secret. Scratches and dirt marred her usually pristine skin.

Maria and Sofia exchanged suspicious glances. They had been attending to Luna since childhood and knew her habits intimately.

“Miss, did you go somewhere last night?” Sofia asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Luna’s heart quickened. How much did they suspect?

“Miss, you need to be careful,” Maria warned, her voice laced with concern. “If your father finds out…”

Luna’s eyes darted to Sofia, who was now carefully cleaning her feet with a damp cloth. Sofia’s expression remained neutral, but her eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“Oh,” Luna exclaimed with a slightly uneasy voice, “I heard the formal meeting has been postponed?”

Maria and Sofia gave each other an amused glance with the sudden change of topic.

Maria let a chuckle slip out before answering the Miss’s question, “Yes, unfortunately your distant relatives encountered an obstructed road and couldn’t make it to Aurorvia today.”

“Yes, that is quite unfortunate,” Luna said sarcastically. Her maids shook her head with hidden amusement.

As Maria and Sofia helped Luna prepare for the day, the tension in the air was cleared and Luna returned to her usual tranquility. She then descended the grand staircase, her bare feet making barely a sound on the cold marble. The morning sunlight streaming through the stained glass windows cast a kaleidoscope of colors across the floor, illuminating the intricate patterns of the ancient rugs.

As she reached the bottom of the stairs, the aroma of freshly brewed tea and baked pastries wafted from the dining room, enticing her senses. Her stomach growled in anticipation of breakfast.

Luna pushed open the door to the dining room, and her gaze fell upon her father, Lord Dorian. He sat at the head of the table, his piercing blue eyes fixed on the door from which Luna had just entered. His dark hair, flecked with threads of silver, was perfectly styled, and his strong jawline was accentuated by a well-groomed beard. Despite his imposing presence, Luna's father exuded a sense of warmth and kindness. His eyes sparkled as he looked up and caught her gaze, and a gentle smile spread across his face.

"Good morning, my dear," he said, his deep voice resonating through the room. "I trust you slept well?"

Luna smiled nervously, but quite composed, she answered, "I did, Father. Thank you."

Luna took her seat beside her father, and a servant immediately appeared to pour her a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. She smiled him thanks and took a sip, feeling the cool liquid refresh her.

Lord Dorian set aside his correspondence and focused on his daughter. "I trust you're feeling well today, Luna? You seemed a bit... distracted last night at dinner."

Luna hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. She had been feeling restless lately, sensing that something was stirring beneath the surface of their tranquil kingdom. But she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.

"I'm fine, Father," she said finally, trying to sound convincing. "Just a bit... tired, I suppose."

Lord Dorian’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't press the issue. Instead, he smiled and said, "Well, in that case, I have some news that might perk you up. I've invited a guest to join us for breakfast today."

Luna's curiosity was piqued. "Who is it, Father?"

Lord Dorian's smile grew wider. "Someone I think you'll find quite suitable. His name is Lord Arin, and he's a noble from a neighboring kingdom."

Luna's heart sank as she heard the name. She had met Lord Arin before, and she couldn't say she was impressed. He was arrogant, self-absorbed, and seemed to care more about his own status than about anyone else.

Just then, the door to the dining room opened – quite dramatically, Luna would add – and Lord Arin himself entered. He was tall, with a chiseled jawline and piercing blue eyes, but his smile seemed more like a sneer to Luna.

"Ah, Lady Luna," he said, bowing low. "You look lovely this morning."

Luna forced a polite smile, feeling a surge of annoyance. She didn't like the way Lord Arin looked at her, like she was a prize to be won.

"Good morning, Lord Arin," she said coolly, trying to hide her distaste.

Lord Dorian beamed with pride. "I'm glad you two can meet again. I've been discussing a possible alliance between our kingdoms, and I think a marriage between you two would be a wonderful way to solidify our bond."

Luna's heart sank. She had been afraid of this. Her father had been hinting at arranging a marriage for her for months now, and she had been dreading the thought of being tied to someone like Lord Arin.

"I'm not sure that's necessary, Father," she said, trying to sound diplomatic.

But Lord Dorian just smiled and patted her hand. "Nonsense, my dear. This is a wonderful opportunity for you. And for our kingdom."

Luna felt a surge of frustration. Why couldn't her father see that she didn't want to marry Lord Arin? Why couldn't he see that she wanted to make her own choices?

Lord Arin smiled, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "I must say, Lady Luna, you look even more lovely than I remembered. I'm honored that your father is considering our union."

"I'm sure it's a great honor," she said coolly while smiling through her teeth, trying to hide her distaste.

Lord Dorian beamed with pride. "I'm glad you two are getting along. I think this union would be beneficial for both our kingdoms."

Getting along? How could she make it any more obvious that she was not interested? But that was when Luna took a more careful glance at her father and noticed a stern sideways glare he’d been hinting at her. She was then sure that he knew exactly what was going through her mind.

"Father, may I speak with you for a moment?" she asked, trying to keep her tone neutral.

Lord Dorian nodded, his expression serious. "Of course, my dear. Let's step outside for a moment."

Luna followed her father out of the dining room, leaving Lord Arin alone at the table. As soon as they were out of earshot, she turned to her father, her voice low and urgent.

"Father, I don't want to marry Lord Arin. I don't even like him. Why are you pushing this union so hard?"

Lord Dorian’s expression turned stern. "Luna, this is not a matter of personal preference. This is a matter of state. Our kingdoms need this alliance to secure our borders and protect our people."

Luna felt a surge of anger. Why did her father always have to prioritize the kingdom over her own happiness?

"But what about my happiness, Father?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Don't I deserve to be happy?"

Lord Dorian’s expression softened, and he placed a hand on Luna's shoulder. "Of course, my dear. I want you to be happy. But sometimes, happiness must be sacrificed for the greater good. This union with Lord Arin will bring stability and security to our kingdom. It's a small price to pay for the future of our people."

Luna felt a rush of indignation.

"I understand what you're saying, Father," she said, trying to keep her tone even. "But I still can't marry Lord Arin. I won't do it."

Lord Dorian’s expression turned stern once more. "Luna, you will do as you're told. You are my daughter, and it's your duty to put the needs of the kingdom first."

Irritation welled up inside her. She knew that she couldn't change her father's mind, not now. So she did the only thing she could think of – she turned and ran. She dashed back through the palace, her feet pounding against the stone floors. She didn't stop until she reached the entrance hall, where she grabbed her cloak and flung open the door. The bright sunlight and cool breeze were a welcome relief after the stifling atmosphere of the palace. Luna took a deep breath, feeling a sense of freedom wash over her. With a sense of determination, Luna set off down the palace steps, she walked quickly through the palace gardens, her feet carrying her away from the restrictive routine of the palace.

As she walked, the gardens gave way to the bustling streets of the kingdom. Luna wove in and out of the crowds, her cloak pulled tightly around her. She felt a sense of freedom wash over her, being out in the world without the weight of her royal duties. But as she walked, Luna's thoughts turned back to her father and Lord Arin. She knew she couldn't avoid them forever, but for now, she just wanted to escape.

She walked quickly through the winding streets of the kingdom, her feet carrying her away from the oppressive weight of her royal duties. She didn’t have a destination in mind, she just wanted to clear her head and feel the warm sun on her face.

Luna took in the sights and sounds of the bustling town. The smell of freshly baked bread wafted from the nearby bakery, making her stomach growl with the hunger she hadn’t satisfied at the dining hall. The sound of hammering echoed from the blacksmith’s shop, where the kingdom’s finest craftsmen worked their magic.

People greeted her with big smiles as she passed by, bowing or curtsying in respect – something she so detested. How many times would she have to tell the flower merchant, the baker, or the farmers at the stalls to greet her as one of them?

“Good morning, Lady Luna!” they called out, their faces lighting up with admiration.

Luna smiled and waved, feeling a sense of affection, though unfortunately distant, for these people who had known her since she was a child.

She walked past the town square, where a group of children were playing tag, their laughter and shouts filling the air. Luna watched them for a moment, feeling a strong desire to join in and play. But what would the maids say when they would see her dress covered in mud? What would her father say?

As she continued on her way, Luna noticed the intricate stone carvings that adorned the buildings, depicting scenes of myth and legend. She ran her hand over the carvings, feeling a sense of connection to the history and the culture of her kingdom. This brought her mind back to her father and Lord Arin and the duties she must carry as a Lady in this kingdom. Alas, she shook the thought from her mind and expelled a deep sigh.

Eventually, Luna found herself at the town’s famous market, where vendors sold everything from fresh produce to handmade crafts. She wandered through the stalls, taking in the vibrant colors and lively atmosphere. People called out to her, offering her samples of their wares and telling her stories of their latest creations. She listened attentively, a kind smile plastered on her soft face. She laughed and chatted with the vendors, feeling a sense of joy and freedom that she hadn’t experienced in a long time. For a few hours, at least, she could forget about her royal duties and just be herself.