Chapter 27
The whispers around me continued, venomous and sharp, but I blocked them out.
Cecilia, however, was entirely too relaxed. She hummed as she flipped through fabrics, occasionally holding up a gown against me before shaking her head and moving on.
Then-
“Oh, wonderful. Cecilia muttered under her breath.
I frowned. “What?”
She leaned in slightly. “Lady Brielle.”
The name meant nothing to me.
Cecilia sighed, already anticipating my confusion. “Her husband is on the king’s council. She acts like she’s the one sitting on the throne.
I barely had time to process that before a shrill, exaggerated voice rang through the boutique.
“Well, well, well,” the woman cooed. “If it isn’t our future Luna.
I turned.
Lady Brielle was tall, draped in layers of velvet and gold, her blonde curls pinned high in an elaborate updo. She had a face that was almost too sharp for beauty, and eyes that were hungry for drama.
I already hated her.
Her lips curled in mock sweetness as she stepped closer. “You’re even smaller than I expected.”
I said nothing-
She tilted her head, as if assessing me like a merchant assessing cheap goods. “Tell me, dear,” she said. “Does it feel strange? Walking in a place meant for queens?”
Cecilia subtly stepped beside me, voice smooth but pointed “Lady Liana will be Luna soon, Lady Brielle.”
Brielle’s eyes sparkled. She wanted this
“Oh, of course,” she purred. “Though I must say.. most Lunas are loved by their people before their coronation.”
Her meaning was clear.
I knew what she was doing.
Cecilia had warned me–this wasn’t just about words. This was politics.
“Unfortunately,” Cecilia said, ever the diplomas, “not everyone sees greatness immediately.”
Lady Brielle smirked. “Oh, I see plenty. I see an omega who clawed her way into a palace she doesn’t belong in.”
The words struck deep.
men around us gasped. Some la
The
Wome
laughed quietly behind their hands.
y sides.
I felt my hands curl into fists at my
Tired of being looked down on. Tired of being mocked.
This wasn’t Amira.
This wasn’t Max.
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Chapter 27
And I wasn’t the old Liana.
I inhaled slowly. Then I lifted my chin, letting the anger settle into something colder.
“You must be so proud of yourself, I said quietly.
Brielle blinked, her smirk faltering. “Excuse me?”
I smiled, stepping forward slightly. “I mean, it must take real effort to be this bitter when you already have everything
The laughter died,
Brielle stiffened-
The nobles around us leaned in slightly, as if they couldn’t believe I had spoken back.
I tilted my head, voice calm but sharp. “You walk around here, sneering at women like me, as if it somehow makes you more. But tell me, Lady Brielle–when was the last time anyone looked at you?
Her lips parted, stunned.
I didn’t stop.
“When was the last time your husband saw you instead of your family name?” I smiled, but it wasn’t kind. “When was the last time you were anything more than someone else’s title?”
A pin could have dropped.
Brielle’s face reddened.
I could see the rage bubbling behind her perfect mask.
I leaned in slightly my voice barely above a whisper. “You may have power now, but when men like your husband get tired of their toys they replace them.”
Brielle gasped.
Cecilia covered her mouth–not to scold me, but to hide her laughter.
I straightened, brushing invisible dust off my dress. “Cecilia,” I said, my voice light. “Let’s go.”
Cecilia nodded quickly, linking her arm through mine as we left.
The boutique was silent.
But I felt every single pair of eyes on my back.
And I smiled.
The carriage ride back to the palace was far more entertaining than I expected.
Cecilia couldn’t stop laughing.
er seen a woman turn that re
“Oh, Goddess,” she wheezed, wiping at the corner of her eye. “Did you see her face! I swear, I’ve never seen a before. She looked like she was abour to spontaneously combust
I smirked, leaning back against the plush seat. “I noticed.”
Cecilia grinned, still catching her breath. “You annihilated her, Liana. That was beautifulTM
Larched a brow. “Beautiful?”
She nodded dramatically. “I mean, I thought you’ll say something snarky, but that? That was a performance.”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “I didn’t plan it. It just happened.”
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Chapter 27
isement still
Cecilia sighed, stretching her legs out. “Well, it was about time someone put her in her place.” She glanced at me, amusement dancing in her bright green eyes. “You’re not nearly as soft as people think.”
1 smirked. “I was. Once.”
Her expression shifted slightly, something unreadable flickering across her face.
Then she smiled. “Not anymore.”
“No.” I murmured. “Not anymore”
The carriage rocked gently as we made our way back through the city. The streets were quieter now, the golden glow of lanterns flickering against the cobblestone.
I stared out the window, watching as the city blurred past.
Cecilia tapped her fingers against the seat. “So she said, tilting her head. “How do you feel? About the whole marriage thing?”
1 blinked, caught off guard.
“I mean,” she continued, “it is happening
I exhaled, crossing my arms. “I don’t know”
Cecilia raised a brow. “You don’t know?”
I hesitated. “It’s complicated.”
She hummed. “It always is”
I sighed. “Alaric and I… we don’t exactly have the usual dynamic, Cecilia.
She laughed. “I noticed”
I shook my head, trying to find the words. “It’s not that I hate him—”
Cecilia smirked. “No!”
I shot her a look. “Stop that.”
She raised her hands in surrender. “Fine, fine. Continue
I exhaled. “I just don’t know what I am to him.”
Cecilia tilted her head. “His future Luna?”
I frowned. “That’s just a title.”
She studied me. “But it’s more than that, isn’t it?”
1 hesitated.
Cecilia leaned forward slightly, her voice softer. “You care.”
I swallowed.
I didn’t answer.
Cecilia didn’t push
Instead, she grinned. “Well, either way, it’s going to be entertaining.”
I rolled my eyes. “For you, maybe”
She laughed. “Oh, definitely.”
I smirked, shaking my head.
Chapter 27
The palace came into view, its towering spires cutting i
nto the night sky.
Cecilia stretched, sighing contently. “Ready to be a Luna, future Queen?”
I exhaled, staring up at the castle
I wasn’t sure.
But I would be ready.
One way or another.
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