Ember POV
“Please eat, ma,” Ivy pleaded softly.
“Please, don't tell me to eat,” I snapped, feeling myself slipping into mild madness.
“You really have to calm down,” she urged gently.
“It’s pointless calming down,” I muttered. “I couldn’t even shift, and tomorrow is the coronation day.”
I’m starting to hate myself for once longing for the Luna coronation without even knowing what it truly entails.
“I understand you, but you still need to eat,” Ivy insisted. “I’m going out now to see if I can find something that might help you… maybe outside the city.”
“Please, just eat for my sake. It’s already afternoon, and I can’t leave knowing you haven’t had anything yet,” she concluded earnestly.
At long last, she managed to persuade me to get some food into my stomach before she left.
King Valtor POV
“Any good news?” I asked.
“None yet, sir,” he responded, and I ended the call.
Elder Brown POV
I paced restlessly back and forth after receiving the update about King Valtor’s actions.
There’s no way the Seer’s words could be false.
With that conviction, I decided to visit the Luna.
I left my dwelling place and headed to the new main mansion. After asking around, I found out which room she was staying in.
No guards stood at her door, which stirred doubts in my mind but regardless, I knocked.
“Who’s there?” came a tender voice, the voice of the new Luna herself.
“Someone who wishes to see you,” I announced cautiously, suspecting she might refuse to open the door if she knew my identity.
(Ember POV: Someone who wishes to see you. The words kept echoing in my mind as I tried to place where I had heard that voice before.)
“When is she going to open the door?” I wondered after thirty seconds had passed since I announced myself.
(Ember POV: Bingo. How could I forget that voice and not recognize it immediately? It’s Elder Brown.)
“Is that Elder Brown?” her voice rang out.
Damn it. At this point, it was pointless to hide my identity any longer.
“Yes,” I replied and was met with silence again. Not this again, I thought.
(Ember POV: I thought as much. Darn it, should I just turn him down and let him leave instead of facing him? But it would be inappropriate to dismiss someone as influential as him. He might start getting the wrong idea about me.)
“A minute,” her voice came through again, and I waited patiently.
The door clicked open, and a faint smile found its way to my face.
“Luna Ember,” I greeted the moment our eyes met.
“Why did you want to see me?” she asked evenly.
“Well, first of all, I want to apologize for the inconvenience I caused by requesting to see you, especially knowing this place isn’t exactly suitable for receiving visitors,” I confessed.
“So why did you want to see me?” she asked, her tone calm but her eyes searching, caring more for my reason for visiting than my apologies themselves.
“I can’t be disrespectful and engage in a conversation with you while you’re standing. Let’s walk somewhere more comfortable before we talk,” I suggested.
(Ember POV: I’m starting to suspect him. But regardless, I decided to go for the walk. I’ve been bored to death staying in that room for long without stepping outside. Still, I need to mind my words carefully around him. Whatever reason brought him here, I can’t afford to say the wrong thing.)
We began walking side by side, and I decided to lead her toward the Luna Quarter.
When we arrived, several guards were stationed at the entrance, as expected.
“Elder Brown,” the one in charge called out, standing straight.
I glanced at the Luna’s face, her eyes were wide, silently absorbing everything around her with quiet amazement.
“We need the pass card to the Luna Quarter,” I stated firmly.
“We haven’t been given the authority to hand the pass card to anyone, sir,” she responded. Good, so she did have it.
“Even when the rightful owner of the Quarter is standing here with me?” I countered smoothly. “Are you implying she’s unworthy of entry?”
“I… I dare not, sir,” she stammered in fear. “Here is the pass.”
I took it from her hand, catching the Luna’s expression, a mix of surprise and mild disbelief.
(Ember POV: He’s a cunning, sly wolf. He just made the guard play right into his hand by twisting his words and using me as the leverage.)
I slid the card into the slot, and the door clicked open.
We stepped inside, and the Luna stood transfixed, her eyes roaming across the vast space.
I understood perfectly after being confined in a small room, this was a sight to behold. I let her soak it all in before leading her toward the side office near the entrance. The Luna office.
(Ember POV: Now this is what a Luna’s quarter should look like. The sitting room alone was massive, filled with elegant furniture, each piece practically screaming its worth. The aura of royalty lingered in the air.)
Her eyes finally shifted toward where I was heading.
“That’s your private office,” I said. “Let’s discuss in there.”
Her expression changed instantly as wariness clouded her once curious eyes.
King Valtor POV
“You mean… Ember and Elder Brown are currently in the Luna’s private office?” I asked again, ensuring I heard correctly.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” the informant confirmed.
This won’t end well for Ember. That sly old wolf found a way to corner the guards assigned to the Luna Quarter and tricked them into handing over the pass using Ember’s presence as justification.
It’s all so clear.
He visited Ember.
Found he couldn’t speak freely with her in her room.
Then led her to the Luna Quarter.
Used her authority to gain access.
He’s planning something, no doubt.
I need to intervene immediately.
Without another thought, I began preparing to leave.