a's

face pale like someone who life

f someone had told me, I wouldn't have b

the end of the stairs, called, the

-my trembling hands, my unfocused gaze, and the tears

, my hand gripping the rail tightl

voice dripped with concern

ri

ng out her husband murdered her child.

lifting my head slowly a

, Lu

ok. "Since when have the

sti

ted open and

ked again, this time, my

ft, Luna," he mutt

... I stoppe

he words echoed in my h

ever

ee years ago was all a facade? His

wing uncontrollably. I released the railing slo

ut I didn't answer. I walked

il

, Lu

ver saw me today. Do... y

s fr

ure out what was running through my head. He h

" he gave a

o

d and walked o

at day, just the same way they didn'

ouse today. Do you understand me?"

noted,

me or you need to stop by

o

igure out the next step to take. If I wanted

the beach,"

e shore repeatedly. I wished the waves would just wash away my sad

fully settled. I headed home and when I

ll I could feel was tension. The

Luna," the head

nything the problem?

and tightened around

swallowing hard. "Dowager Luna in

l's

t?" I asked, my

as not been prepared yet

h

lly skippe

had been their ma

his siblings

addled with the responsibility of cooking for them, taking

maid in my own h

re breakfast, and I wasn't even allow

ir love, but I was wrong. Even if I died f

ut a sof

ced myself to that and endure

e night-the night

" I cal

nn

, Lu

are d

lightly, confusion fl

Lun

dinner. Do you want

t it. It's just that

to prepare it?" I cut in

her I said I am not cooking tonight. If she won't e

outh fell open, h

I will do you the honor," I said

ld smile tugging at my lips. "They will learn

when I walked in. Their eyes drif

or me, Dowager Luna," I sai

her eyes burning with irritation. "Or have you

s. "Oh, my bad," I held my f

dn't

oftly, but they

ck flickering across her face

?" she repeated,

am too tired to cook. But I have already instructed Ann

uys?" Cassandra, Kael's littl

uth when elders are talking," I said

opened her mouth to talk back but clos

ose to her feet in rage, pointing her finger at

aw?" my stupid brother-in-law, Jack, who had achieved nothing bu

put you in your place!" Cassandra, who seemed to h

s closed around her wrist. Time seemed t

d, losing her balance. But before she cou

is voi

g on here?" his voice

ound, and t

ghty Alp