THE FORGOTTEN LUNA

LADESSA.

Danielle helped take my clothes off, but I told her I wanted to shower alone.

I wished I didn't. I wished I had let her help me with my bath because she was gone the moment I stepped out of my bathroom.

Another handmaid was waiting for me. Aileen informed me that she would be assisting me moving forward.

I knew right then and there that Danielle was in trouble. I might get away from the King's anger, but not her, and it was all my fault.

I maintained my composure while Aileen assisted me in putting on a new gown, even if I was worried. She offered to braid my hair, but I refused and let it down. And even if she wasn't in agreement, I left the run in a hurry.

I wanted to find Danielle to make sure she was okay.

My feet led me to one of the Palace Salons, where I was told the King was. Either he left the banquet early, or the breakfast had been concluded. But it didn't matter anymore, as Kael was no longer there, and I had to make sure Danielle would not be punished. Aileen had been following me around, giving me directions on where to turn, and I could tell she was also worried because I had been running the hallways occasionally.

"Princess Adessa, please. Don't run. If the King or one of your brothers sees you, they might not like it." Aileen pleaded as she followed behind me, taking big steps and trying to catch up with my strides.

I halted and abruptly turned around, taking a deep breath before speaking to her. "Why don't you go to the kitchen and request breakfast for me? Tell them I was not able to finish my meal."

"But, my lady."

"No buts. Don't make me wait while I'm hungry. I can be wild." I glowered at her before winking.

She bit her bottom lip, suppressing a smile as she nodded her head.

"And if anyone asks where I am, tell them you left me in my room," I added in a whisper before motioning with my hand. "Go, be on your way. I'll see you in a while."

I didn't wait for her to reply as I turned to the next corridor. If Aileen was right, at the end of this was the receiving room where I could find the King.

As I approached, I slowed down on my step, and my eyes widened when the door finally came into view. Outside was my brother, Prince Esriel. His forehead was creased, and it looked like he was listening to whatever was happening inside.

I was weirded out because there were two royal guards outside, but he was not afraid that they knew he was eavesdropping. But then, maybe these guards were used to secrecy and would never put any of the royals in jeopardy. Or Esriel knew he could get away with what he was doing.

His head tilted in my direction as I came nearer. His finger went to his lips, warning me to remain quiet as he straightened his posture.

"Is Danielle there with Father?" I asked, just mouthing the words, not releasing any sound.

He nodded, his brows still furrowed.

My hands went to my chest, and even if my heart felt like it would jump out of my chest, I mustered all my courage and pushed the double door open, much to Esriel's surprise. But he did follow me inside.

"I did not request both of your presence!" The King said, his teeth gritting. He sat in a chair that resembled a throne. His hand was gripping the armrest tightly.

He surely didn't like being disturbed.

Esriel closed the door behind him, and I tilted my head up. "Esriel tried to stop me, but I want to know why my handmaid is here."

I kept my face straight, looking directly at the King, but I saw Danielle in my peripherals. She was kneeling, ten to fifteen feet away, in front of my father's highchair. "She's no longer your handmaid. I had released you from her care. I've assigned you a new one. Didn't she show up in your chamber?"

"She did, and she's lovely. But I want Danielle."

"Which you will not have anymore."

"Don't I have any rights to choose my own lady-in-waiting?"

"You know fairly well why I had to relieve her from her position."

"Enlighten me, Father. If there is anyone responsible for my actions, it is me." I walked forward to where Danielle was and dropped onto my knees beside her. Everything became chaos after that.

Danielle held my arm and tried to push me up while telling me I shouldn't do that. At the same time, Esriel's hand coiled around my arm and pulled me up harshly. Father stood up on his seat and bellowed at me, so I thought I had turned deaf. "How many times do I have to remind you not to fall on your knees? Especially not for a low-life servant!"

I was already standing. Esriel was still holding on to my arm, gripping it tightly as if he knew I would do it again if he let go.

"I would do it again until you let Danielle go and return as my handmaid."

"I don't need anyone who cannot follow any instructions."

"Her loyalty is with me," I said, my eyes watering, but I did my best to keep myself from crying.

"Her loyalty should be with me."

"Would you rather I keep my activities from my handmaid? Or would you rather she keep me safe from all the irrational decisions I will make?+wanted to run away today and find my husband. She tried to put reasoning in my head as to why I

shouldn't. I'm sure this is not the last time I would think of that."

"Don't challenge me, Adessa."

"Don't make me choose death or trial for my crime over this, Father."

The King's shoulders sagged as he sat back in his seat. "You are stubborn."

"Just like you, my King." I lowered my head, and Esriel let go of my arm. This time, I spoke softly. "I'm still having a hard time accepting the life you're giving me. Danielle has been doing a fantastic job at easing my worries. If she hadn't stayed in my room last night, I would never have been able to sleep. Aileen... Aileen is lovely. But she's not

Danielle." noveldrama

No one said a word, and I let my tears fall this time.

"Please forgive me for meeting my husband. I missed him. Ever since I married him, the only time we separated was the two weeks after our divorce. But before and after that, Kael has always been around. So I'm having a difficult time with his absence." "He abandoned you when he divorced you."

"The circumstances made him abandon me. But if you will let me explain, you will understand."

"If I tell you things I learned about him, you will never want him again." He added.

My head snapped up as anger brewed in my chest. "If this is what Alpha Draco told you, I can tell you they are all lies right away. Draco hates Kael."

"Draco was another thing. Do you think I will just get my information from another's mouth without proof? Don't you think I'm not capable of getting credible information?"