Page 35 of Chasing Luna
“Not so loud. People might hear you in here.” He nods and I lift my hand away from his face.
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to do that. I promise.”
“Why are you even in here?” I breathe out.
“I wanted to ask if you’re okay. I know you heard what your sister said earlier. I was a little worried, and should have said something too when I entered your room earlier, but you just started ordering me around and I wasn’t thinking clearly and I’m sorry—” I lift a finger to shush his rambling.
“Okay, it’s fine. We’re good. Don’t worry.” I laugh lightly, and he starts chuckling too. “Holy hell, what a day,” I express after a giggling fit.
“Couldn’t agree more.” Gregory smiles, still on top of me.
I hear the familiar creak of my door opening. Someone gasps in surprise and we both turn to look at the stranger who just stepped inside.
Chapter Thirty-Four
“Am I interrupting, Mistress Isabela?” Eliza pops in a question, locking the door behind her.
She looks mad as hell. Gregory immediately pushes himself off of me, trying his best to run out the door but Eliza blocks him. I sit up straight and feel the strap of my dress slide down my bare arm.Great, now this looks even worse.
She stares daggers at the man before her. “Explain yourself.”
“We weren’t doing anything!” Gregory justifies, indignant.
“Gregory, just go. It’s dangerous if someone sees or hears you in here. Eliza, let him leave,” I order, pulling up the strap of my dress. Eliza unlocks the door and Gregory hurries outside. “He fell on top of me because I got surprised that he was in my room.” I shrug. “I thought it was you who knocked at first so I opened it without thinking.” I point at my back. “Please finish what he started.” Eliza sighs and pulls at my corset a little too tightly. “Eliza, can’t you do it gently?” She ignores my question, and instead continues tying up my dress.
“You’re both lucky it was me who walked in. If it was your grandmother, you two would’ve been hanged by now.” She spins me around and forces me to sit on the bed. Getting the hairdryer from the bathroom, she starts fixing my hair for me. “Start being a little more careful from now on, Isabela. Your enemies are looking for a reason to get rid of you. Don’t give them any reason.” I stay silent as I absorb Eliza’s warning.
“I heard there were rumors about me now,” I softly say.
“Yes. But not too many people believe you’re as bad as your grandmother. Still, that little stunt you did with the guard last time planted doubts inside everyone’s heads. You weren’t thinking clearly.” She sighs and lifts my head to look at my face. “Your father used to tell us that we shouldn’t just act on our emotions, we have to think about things too. You say you have a lot of things you want to change around here. You told me you want to help Gregory and his father. You won’t be able to do that if you can’t stay out of trouble, can you?” Eliza moves away and starts putting makeup on my face.
“These past few days have been difficult for you, I know. But these times are crucial, too. You have more enemies who are out to get you as your eighteenth birthday nears, so toughen up a little and start using your mind more than your heart. Do you understand?” Eliza stops what she’s doing to look deep into my eyes. I nod.
Ugh. She’s actually right. Lucky for me I just haven’t been caught.
“You can’t lose to them,” she states and she’s silent after that, letting her words linger in the air. “Now go. You’re dining with the head of the guards, warriors, and sentinels tonight.” I stand up, smoothing the wrinkles on my dress. One swift glance at the mirror, and I realize what Eliza has done. She styled my hair in a half-up, half-down ponytail. Little ringlets of my hair frame my face in the front. She put little makeup on me, just a bit of blush, concealer, and highlight. “There. You look like a Queen.” She appears behind me, cleaning up the back of my dress a bit. “Make sure to act like one.” She shoves me out the door.
I start my long walk toward the dining room. Breathing slowly, trying to gain an ounce of courage with every step. The sound of my shoes hitting the floorboards distract me from my thoughts, from the events of the day, and from my sister’s poisonous words.
“Let’s do this,” I mumble, entering the dining room floor. About forty pairs of eyes look at me immediately, and I gracefully stop in my tracks. I stand tall and smile innocently, savoring the attention, knowing exactly how I look in the public’s eye. “Good evening, everyone,” I announce softly, greeting everyone on the way to the dining table.
Taking my place on the left side of my grandmother, I sit and keep my eyes trained on the plates of food before me. “Isabela, it’s nice to see you cleaned up and on time,” my grandmother whispers, trailing a finger under my chin and lifting it up, making me sit up straighter. “Were you doused in holy water?” She smiles.
“No, Queen Mother.” I smile back and keep my mouth shut.No retorts this time, Isabela. Keep it cool.
“Isabela.” I lift my head and see Katarina beaming wide at me from my grandmother’s right side.
“Yes, sis?” I try not to make the gritting of my teeth noticeable and force myself to return the same gesture.
“You look so beautiful.” I roll my eyes at her and smirk just as I would if we were in private. She giggles.
She doesn’t suspect a thing. You’re doing great, Isabela. Focusing on the faces around the dining table, I give each one of them a smile and a wave. My eyes land on a familiar, handsome face. He’s eyeing me a little too long, and I give him—Gregory—a soft smile and break eye contact immediately.
“Let’s start with today’s agenda.” My grandmother clasps her hands together and everyone in the room stills. “My Beta just received a tip that—” But before my grandmother can finish her sentence, a shrill scream cuts through the air.
Chapter Thirty-Five
“What was that?” My grandmother stays seated in her chair, but everyone is on high alert. Heavy footsteps can be heard hurrying in the hallway.