THE FORGOTTEN LUNA

LADESSA.

"Do you think I will just get my details from another's mouth without any proof? Don't you think I'm not capable of getting credible information?" The King asked, and his voice was back to being cold again.

"I'm not challenging your resources, Father, but I know my husband. I know what we went through and why we ended up here."

"Do you really know your ex-husband, Adessa?"

I was confident when I started talking about Kael, but the way he was delivering his words made me question whether I really knew Kael. Was one year enough to know him?

But even if there was doubt in me, I did my best not to let it show. "Nothing anyone can say can make me see him in a different light."

"You are blinded by what you feel about him."

I swallowed hard, but I kept my gaze on him. I was torn between challenging him more and allowing him to speak his mind.

"Let's move to my office. Your other brothers are waiting for us there." He stood up from his chair, and I immediately moved to block his way.

"How about Danielle?" I asked.

"She is no longer your handmaid."

"Father, please..."

"Do not make me bend my words."

I walked up to him, and even though I was not used to doing this, I threw my arms around him and hugged him. The King was tall, so my face was exactly the same level as his torso. When he didn't push me away, I rested my cheek against his chest. I could feel his heartbeat picking up its pace.

"Father, I grew up with nothing. Before Kael found me, I didn't even get to choose my own clothes. I would take what they could give me. Kael gave me the freedom to choose and decide for myself. Please don't take away my freedom again."

When he didn't say anything, I continued talking. "Punish us both if you must. I can go to sleep without lunch and dinner. I can also help clean whichever part of the castle you want us to."

"Do you really think I would go to such lengths as to deprive you of food and order you to clean a corner?"

"I would rather you punish me that way than take away the handmaid that I am comfortable having around. Please consider this my first request. I promise I will behave."

"I will think about it," he said, and I heard him let go a breath.

"Can she stay as my handmaid while you're thinking about it?" I asked in a soft voice. I tilted my head up to look at him and found him already looking at me. "Stand up, Danielle. Go to Princess Adessa's chamber and wait there until she returns."

"Thank you, my King," Danielle replied in almost a whisper.

A broad smile graced my lips, and I was not able to suppress my happiness. I hugged the King tightly, squeezing his body, until I realized what I was doing.

"I'm sorry." I loosened my hold on him and let go, stepping backward as I felt my face burn in embarrassment.

He cleared his throat and began walking toward the door. "Esriel, Adessa, follow me." He didn't wait for our reply. Once the door was opened, he stepped out and continued walking.

"Thank you, Princess Adessa."

Danielle's voice snapped me from

looking at where the King

disappeared. I turned to face Danielle and smiled widely at her. I wanted to hug her, but I was not sure if this was appropriate. I could de that later in my room.

"You may go now. I'll see you in my room." I told her.

She bowed her head to me and my brother, but I saw her glance at him underneath her lashes before leaving the room.

"Let's go," I said, snapping my brother from looking at Danielle, who was already out the door.

He nodded and gave me his arm, which I immediately hooked my arm on. "Isn't my handmaid lovely?"

"Hmm..." He mumbled as we continued walking.

"Is that a yes or a no?"

"I don't see the point of your question. So I refuse to answer it." He answered in a serious tone.

"Such a snob," I replied before letting a smile curl on my lips. "I think she's beautiful. She got a lot of stares during the banquet."

"Again, what's your point?"

"Nothing. I'm thinking once Kael is able to claim me and I become the Luna of his pack again, I might take Danielle with me and introduce him to our pack Delta."

I thought he would ask me who Kael was or at least acknowledge and ask questions about him, but it seemed he didn't hear that part.

"Danielle is born to serve the royals. You cannot take her away from here." He said it in a calm tone, but I could hear the firmness in it.

"Unless her future husband is capable of taking her away from here."

"Why would she leave this place when she has access to the royal family?"

"Not everyone is enchanted with the royals."

He stopped walking and turned to face me. "Do you think so?"

I nodded as I removed my arm from him, suppressing a smile from gracing my face. "Especially for someone like her. Imagine having to deal with royals all your life. She surely wants a breath of fresh air."

I began walking forward, leaving him. It didn't take long before I heard footsteps behind me. "Are you recruiting your handmaid to leave this palace?"

I was not able to answer because

the door where Father entered

opened, and my eyes widened at thenoveldrama

view in front of me. His office resembled a big library with huge bookshelves. Every book and box on the shelves was black or brown in

color.

The office was two floors, but it seemed the second floor, which could be seen from the main ground, was mainly wall shelves. I wondered how many scrolls or decrees were housed in this office.

Just the view of this made me

excited about the palace library.

Danielle said it was magnificent, and almost every book I could think of was there, as authors all over the country were required to send their books here.

"There she is." I heard a voice, and my head snapped to look where the sound came from. I found myself face-to-face with four men around a conference table.