THE ABANDONED LUNA

CHAPTER 3

Jade squeezed her hands together as she stood by the Luna's grand doors, waiting for the guards to open it. The guards however, just stared right ahead, as though not a soul stood there.

"I'm here to see the Luna." She stated for the fifteenth time but the guards still stood there like statues. Jade sighed. This was frustrating. She was asked to report today for her duties, surely the stupid Luna didn't think she knew where to go to? And the guards? They were doing their jobs, she would have done worse if it saved her from the Luna's wrath. But being at the receiving end was still not nice.

Jade heard loud footsteps from an approaching figure behind her. She guessed it was the evil witch of a luna. What she would give to shred her to pieces out of annoyance right now. But she couldn't. She was just a mere subject. This was the right time to recall her mother's words, "keep your head low at all costs."

"Ah. There she is. You're late, child." Katherine said in a loud condescending tone. Jade almost gave her a sharp retort but held her tongue back. Did she have any idea how long she stood here in front of her stupid guards? Jade looked up at the guards in annoyance. Surely they could have told her the Luna wasn't around.

"Apologies, Luna." That was all Jade could offer at this point. She was immensely displeased by today's and yesterday's play of event. Moon help her keep it together if not, she would loose it right here.

Katherine stood and regarded the most beautiful lady her eyes ever laid on and felt her heart fill with annoyance, rage and jealousy. She was supposed to be the most beautiful lady in this clan. If anything, she loathed this girl in frong of her for how she looked. Somehow, she prayed her son would do the needful, like what he always did to his female attendants.

Jade dipped into a low curtsey and slowly rose. She stared at the Luna's pleated edges of her golden gown and took in breaths of her rosy perfume. She couldn't help but imagine herself as a Luna. Having all these beautiful items at your disposal. But this could only be her fantasy, nothing more.

"Cara." Katherine called in a clipped tone.

"Yes, Luna." A soft voice answered behind the Luna and stepped forward.

"Take Jade to the servants quarters. Let her have everything ready. Oh and please, give her a change of clothes. Something...plain. She starts immediately." With that, the Luna proceeded to her chambers without another glance at Jane

Jade sighed and looked up at Cara. Cara was just a young girl, at most, two years older than Jane. Cara smiled at Jane. Three years ago, she was in Jane's shoes. Bought to the palace at a young age and being appointed as one of the personal attendants to the Luna was a lot to deal with everyday.

Jade was relieved to get a friendly smile, for once in the palace even though her mama's words, "Don't trust anyone" sang in her head.

"This way. " Cara directed at Jade. "The servants quarters isn't too far from the main palace but it's far from the Prince's quarters." Cara said in a soft voice.

Jade was confused. The prince didn't reside in the main quarters? She had so many questions. Why? How? She remembered mama's concern about her attending to the prince. Was the prince that bad?

"Why doesn't the prince live in the main castle?" Jade asked. She needed to know a little bit about the prince before she attended to him.

Cara didn't want to say anything to the anxious innocent girl but it was better to give her a little bone to chew.

"The prince is... the prince. His wolf is very dangerous. The best thing to do is avoid him which will be very difficult seeing you're his new attendant. Word of advice, steer clear of him. Do everything you need to do when he's not present in his room."

If Jade wasn't scared, now she was. How was she supposed to do her job properly when she would obviously be looking over her shoulder for the prince.

"What happened to his other attendants? Why me?" Jade pressed Cara for more information as they neared what she guessed was the servants quarters. Maids were scattered there, wearing a uniform black dress decorated with white embroidery. Some of the maids gown were short, some were moderately long.

Cara stopped and placed a hand on Jade's. She held Jade's eyes as she comforted her. "The Palace is scary, yes and the Prince is the worst. But you can do it. Do not worry yourself about all these for they will only make you fear more. Honestly, it's better that you know nothing of it, nothing of the castle. Okay?"

Jade nodded. Cara did have a point. She wouldn't have feared so much of she knew nothing of anything. The more she knew, the more she feared.

Cara nodded, satisfied. They entered the quarters and walked towards the balcony of rooms. "Everyone minds his business here. Do not engage in small talks with any of the maids and do not discuss about anyone with anyone, especially the royals. The Luna has ears everywhere."

"Of course." Jade affirmed as Cara came to a stop by a door.

"This shall be your room. Everything you need is available inside."

Jade's eyebrows shot up to her forehead. She was entitled to a single room? As if reading her thoughts, Cara explained.

"Only maids of similar duties share a room. For now, you're the only Prince's attendant. Now, i should get going. I need to fulfill my other duties immediately. Dress up please, another will show you to the Prince's quarters. Do hurry up, for he's out hunting. This is your best time to clean."

Jade nodded and immediately entered the room. She rushed to the gown that was hung on the drawers and quickly peeled off her clothes. She didn't even have time to appreciate the medium sized bed and colourful drapes before she exited the room.

True to Cara's words, a maid was waiting for her by the door. The blonde blue eyed maid grunted in annoyance. "Took the princess long enough to change into a gown." The lady muttered.

Jade sighed. She preferred Cara. This lady was already proving to be problematic. Jade chose to ignore it and place a smile on her face. "My apologies. It shall not happen again." Jade assured sweetly.

The lady threw out a loud laugh before speaking. "Again? I'm not your personal guide to show you places everyday. Today is the first and last time."

Jade squeezed her eyes shut at the lady's annoying voice. "Yes, ma'am." Even though the lady was of same age with Jade, Jade decided to just give her the respect and prevent extra drama from spewing.

Jade took her mind of the lady's annoying attitude by admiring the vegetation that led towards the west wing. She breathed in a breath of the sweet smell of the flowers. If she was to walk in this environment everyday, then it wouldn't be as bad as she thought it would be.

Jade spotted a woman by the west wings' giant door as they approached. She thanked the moon that she was going to part ways with this impatient woman and that was why she was quick to say thank you to the lady as soon as they reached the west wing. She curtsied before the much older woman and smiled.

"Did her usual, ehn? Always so troublesome." The woman said. "Marie is bad news. You'll be safer if you distance yourself from her." She advised. "I'm Aubry, keeper of the west wing. You're welcome. " Aubry smiled at Jade with kind eyes.

"I'm Jade." Jade introduced.

Aubry nodded. "Yes, i know. You're Rachael's one and only daughter. Rachael is a good friend. She, however forgot to mention how beautiful you are."

Jade blushed. She appreciated the compliment.

"Come this way." Aubry directed as the guards opened the doors. "Gregory is out hunting now. I shall help you with your duties before i show you around. We need to be quick." Aubry advised.

Jade nodded. "Yes. Cara advised me to do my duties when he's absent. But how am i to know when he's absent or not?" Jade asked.

Aubry looked at Jade with a sad expression. "The guards. Always ask. If for whatsoever reason, he is around, charge back to the main palace at once. "

Jade felt her heart beat in her rib cage. "The prince sounds scary." She voiced out. "This is why mama is concerned?"

Aubry nodded as they stood in front of a large door. "This is his chambers. We shall start cleaning here."

Jade thanked the woman and got to work almost immediately. Clothes were scattered about the room, the floor and cabinets were dusty. If Jade didn't know any better, she would have said no one lived here.

"It looks like this place hasn't been cleaned for a long while." She observed.

Aubry nodded. "No one wants this position my dear. All of us fear his wolf. We fear being caught."

Jade sighed. She was tired of hearing this one advice of never to be caught by the prince when cleaning his chambers. Just what would happen if she was caught? A little punishment? Being sent away from the clan?

"And if you're caught?" Jade asked, the curiosity getting the best of her. She watched as Aubry froze at her question before looking at Jade with that same sad expression she had given her few minutes ago. She watched the battle in Aubry's eyes, trying to decide, whether or not to tell her. At last, Aubry sighed.

"The prince has killed every maid he has caught. Ten, so far."