Chapter 152: 152 - last straw
152
~Belinda’s POV
Kael and Rowan left me alone to get used to my room and we decided to meet at the lounge to enjoyed ourselves.
Just as I sat on the edge of the bed, the door opened. A line of maids entered, bowing their heads.
"Luna Belinda," one of them said softly, "we came to prepare you."
I froze. The word Luna rolled over me like warm honey. My heart beat faster.
"Prepare me?" I raised a brow, folding my arms across my chest. My voice dripped with impatience.
"Yes, my Lady..." The maid froze halfway and quickly corrected herself, "Yes, Luna."
I gave her a sharp look. "That’s better. Don’t ever forget who I am now. I’m not some guest here anymore. I’m your Luna. Treat me as such."
They all bowed their heads quickly, murmuring, "Yes, Luna."
"Good," I said, my lips curling into a smirk. "Now, don’t just stand there staring. Move. I don’t like waiting."
At once, they scattered like frightened little birds. Two of them pulled open the wardrobe and carried out a gown, a deep blue silk that shimmered under the golden glow of the candles. Another came forward with a large box of jewelry, opening it like she was handling treasure. The rest arranged shoes, hairpins, and perfumes neatly on the vanity table.
"Please, Luna, allow us to serve you," one of them said.
I nodded, lifting my chin. "Do it."
They moved around me quickly, but I could feel the fear in their hands. None of them dared to meet my eyes for too long, as if my gaze alone could cut them in half. Good. That’s how it should be. They ought to know their place.
One of them untied the ribbon of my old dress, her fingers trembling so badly I almost rolled my eyes. "Careful," I snapped. "Do you know how much this costs? If you tear it, you’ll be scrubbing floors until your fingers bleed."
She whispered a soft apology, fumbling as she slid the fabric off my shoulders. Another immediately stepped in, brushing out my hair. The bristles of the brush moved gently through each strand, as though she thought I might shatter if she tugged too hard. "Harder," I barked. "Do you think I have all day for your nonsense? Put your back into it."
The blue gown was lifted like it was some holy relic. It shimmered under the light, deep silk, rich enough to feed an entire village, and now it belonged to me. They lowered it carefully, pulling it over my head and settling it against my body. The silk clung to my skin in the most delicious way, cool and smooth, making me look every bit the Luna I deserved to be.
Another maid hurried to fasten a diamond necklace around my throat. Her hands shook so much that the clasp slipped once. I slapped her fingers away. "Useless," I hissed. "If you can’t even fasten a necklace, why are you still breathing my air?" Her face turned pale as she tried again, this time managing without error.
Another fitted delicate earrings onto my lobes, while two more painted my lips with the deepest shade of red, brushed a faint warmth onto my cheeks, and pinned my hair with golden clips that glittered like firelight. I sat there like a queen, letting them scurry about me like ants.
Finally, I turned to the tall mirror before me.
One of the maids bowed low. "You are ready, Luna."
I let a proud smile spread across my face, smug and satisfied. "Of course I am. I always am. Now get out, all of you. I can’t stand the sound of your breathing anymore."
They scrambled for the door like frightened mice, and I stood there, drinking in my own magnificence.
When they left, silence filled the room again. I turned back to the mirror, staring at myself for a long moment. "This is only the beginning, " I whispered.
But then, my smile faded. Damon. I hadn’t seen him since theyesterday. My heart tugged in his direction. I wanted him to see me like this, to see the beauty he neglected because of a useless bitch. Maybe he would finally look at me the way I wanted him to.
Without thinking much, I left my room and walked down the long hall, the sound of my heels echoing. The palace was quiet at this hour, most people busy with duties or resting. I knew Damon’s room wasn’t far.
When I reached his door, I stopped. My hand hovered over the handle. But then, I heard voices inside.
His voice. Damon’s. Low, soft, and caring.
"Lisa," he was saying, "are you alright?"
I froze. Lisa? In his room when he was supposed to be with me, his Luna. My stomach tightened. I wanted to barged in angrily but then I heard her voice.
"I... I don’t know," Lisa’s weak voice replied.
"Can you walk? Tell me the truth."
"I... I think so."
Silence, then Damon’s voice again, filled with concern I had never heard before. "Is it because of the baby? Is that why you can’t stand?"
My heart stopped. My mouth went dry. The baby?
I pressed myself against the wall, my breath shallow. I couldn’t believe what I just heard. Baby? What baby?
Inside, Lisa gave a soft whimper. "I... I don’t know. I just feel so weak."
Damon sighed heavily. "Lisa... you have to take care of yourself. And the baby too."
My hands trembled. My knees weakened. It hit me like a blade to the chest, Lisa was pregnant.
I covered my mouth to stop the sound that tried to escape. My eyes widened, burning with tears of shock and fury. Pregnant? With the triplets’ baby?
I shook my head violently. "No," I whispered under my breath. "No, no, no."
Everything spun in my head. I thought I had time. I thought I could play carefully, build my place, become untouchable as Luna. But what? She is pregnant?
I could almost hear Damon’s soft tone again, the gentleness he never used with me. "Rest, Lisa. Don’t push yourself. I’ll take care of your breakfast."
That was it. The last straw.
Rage bubbled in my chest until I could barely breathe.
I turned and walked quickly back down the hall, each step sharp and heavy. My heels clicked like the beat of war drums.
In my head, only one thought repeated itself: I cannot delay anymore. Lisa must go.