THE FORGOTTEN LUNA

LADESSA.

I was not able to sleep at all last night.

After Father left my room, I asked Danielle about the Royal Games. She confessed to me she didn't know the full extent of the event and that what she knew was just hearsay or stories passed on. The Royal Games were not practiced for many decades because no princess had been born in the Royal Family for a long time.

And it seemed the King was reviving the tradition because of my existence.

Danielle told me what she knew about the game-it was open only for unmated Alphas, regardless of age. Unmated Alphas were those who were never married, as well as widowed or divorced. They were not only open for Alphas of this continent but also extended to other continents.

All the while she was talking, I did my best to keep up a brave front, listening and trying to get all the details as possible, even if everything she said kept breaking my heart.

I knew Kael loved me, and I was confident he would make an effort, but what if they didn't let him participate?

By the end of our conversation, I had lost all hope that I could convince my father to let me get back together with Kael.

But I didn't cry. Not even when I was alone, lying in my big and soft bed, surrounded by luxury that I could never enjoy and didn't need.noveldrama

Without Kael, I couldn't let my vulnerable side show. He was not around to comfort and save me.

I needed to find my way back to him.

I stood in front of the mirror while three women were assisting me with this extravagant dress for the breakfast banquet. I wouldn't deny it was beautiful. It was the softest color of blue combined with sheer white. The sparkles and sequined tulle skirt made me feel like a real princess.

Well, it looked like I already was, and I couldn't get away from this anymore.

My hands flew to my stomach as I kept staring at myself in a full-length mirror. A few days back, Kael and I checked, and I wasn't pregnant. But what if it was still too early to tell?

What if I fall pregnant soon? I'm sure no one would want me as their bride if I am carrying another man's child.

I had so many questions and scenarios in my head, but none of them guaranteed that if I could avoid the Royal Games, I would also be able to escape the punishment of my crimes.

I remained quiet while they prepared me for the banquet. I was glad they gave me flat shoes instead of high heels. Although I could walk in heels, I would never say no to comfortable shoes.

Danielle returned, and she was already wearing a beautiful formal dress. She would sit near me at breakfast, which I was grateful for.

She then told me the King wanted to meet me first.

This was good news. I hoped I could get him to delay announcing the Royal Games until I could get comfortable in my new life.

Danielle ushered me out of my room and onto another floor with long corridors. All the while, two guards were trailing behind us.

"How long have you been working here?" I asked Danielle as we made our way to the King.

"All my life." She replied. "What I mean is, my whole life revolves around this place. My mother is an assistant to the Palace Mistress or what the commoners call a butler. So I knew the ins and outs of the patace even before I was given the rank of a handmaid."

"A rank..."

"Yes. A lady in waiting for the princesses."

I nodded my head, not knowing what to say.

"Whenever Prince Esmaeel or Prince Esmond is here, I serve as the handmaid for their wives," she added.

Last night, she told me the names of my brothers. They all had the same initials as my father, making me an outcast.

"Both of them? What if they're here at the same time?"

"Another handmaid is given to the other. I always get to serve the first one who arrives."

"I see... but what will happen now that I'm here? Father said he hadz called for their presence, and they will arrive within the day." I glanced at her as we continued walking.

"They will be given another handmaid. I am occupied with the real Princess of Absalom." She smiled widely.

"You look happy." I winked at her.

"I am. I would rather serve you, Princess Adessa, than the other princesses."

"Are they... nice?"

"I'm not supposed to comment on anything about the Royal Family," she said, hand motioning for us to turn to the left.

I was sure last night she commented about my brothers. So, I wasn't sure if she was following protocol or simply being cautious in case the guards behind us could hear her.

Maybe my sisters-in-law were cruel. I didn't want to judge, but with Miranda as my ex-mother-in-law, I learned not to trust people, even if they were family.

But I didn't push more. I could ask her another time.

We stopped in front of a huge double door, and the men stationed there opened it for us.

I stepped in, and no matter how much I tried to act nonchalantly, I could not resist the soft gasp that escaped my lips and the widening of my eyes.

We entered what looked like the receiving room of a bedroom suite, but the sliding door leading to the main bedroom was open.

I could see the elegant canopy bed

with sheer, flowing curtains. A plush,

soft carpet covered the whole floor,

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and a big crystal chandelier was hanging in the center of the bedroom. Bouquets of

pastel-colored flowers in big vases were everywhere, and the soft hues of gold and silver furniture and ornaments added to the elegance of the room.

I felt inadequate despite wearing an expensive gown.

The bedroom was beautiful, but it didn't look like a bedroom for a King. Who does this bedroom belong to?