Luna maintained an expressionless face, but she was still quite confused by her new situation. Taking in the soldiers before her, she noticed something odd. Their breastplates bore a crest with a bright sun in the middle with a large tree behind it.
Well, this was not where she had planned to be. This crest only meant that she was in the kingdom of Solarea. She was in the land of her enemy.
"Your highness," the captain of the guard called out to her. "Where have you been?"
With all eyes on her, Luna threw the rope she had used to tie her prisoner's hands to the captain of the guard. "I went out for a midnight stroll. He is all yours." She seethed. Of course they had to be incompetent.
One of the soldiers ran forward to give word that the princess had returned. They took the tied up man away, and the Captain led Luna towards the gate after things settled down.
Upon reaching the gate, an attendant was waiting for them. Since Luna had no shoes, she continued on horseback. Before long, they reached the palace. It was screaming of luxury and wealth. Its exterior had a mix of white walls with gold accents. It was obvious that it was well maintained. It was tall and imposing. Though it could not be seen from her view, it was in a square design with a large courtyard in the middle. Each wing belonged to different fractions of the family, but she wouldn't know who owned what until she started living with them.
When they reached the steps to enter, Luna dismounted, and the horse was taken away. Luna silently followed the attendant, but remained with her head held high. She noticed that the stairs of others showed a mix of disgust and confusion. Considering her current appearance, that wasn't too strange. But she did feel that there was something more. Luna maintained a high alertness. No doubt there are vipers in the nest.
"Your highness, would you like dinner to be sent to your room." The attendant asked.
"Yes, please." Luna answered without thinking. Food was a must. This body most likely hasn't been fed since the previous night.
The attendant acknowledged her response with a small nod. He led her to her room, and called for her maids. She had her own chambers with a bedroom, washroom, and sitting area. There was also an adjoining dressing room. Though it was too flashy for her taste, with the bright gold accents.
Instead of candles for light, the palace used sun stones. Such stones just needed to be charged for a time in the sun, and they can maintain their shine for a month or more. Solarea's mages and wizards relied on light magic. The sun is one of the sources that can be used in such magic. Luna herself uses dark magic, which means that she at times draws from the moon. Those who used light magic often accused those who practice dark magic as being improper and using insidious means.
Luna was resisting the urge to just run in the opposite direction. If she were found out, it could be disastrous. They would probably blame her for killing Princess Olivia, when it was those men. Her spirit merely took over the empty shell.
The maids led her into the washroom, and started a bath for her. They undressed her to assess her wounds as well. She only had some bruising and a few minor scratches. They used some smaller sun stones to channel some simple healing energy. With her wounds healed, they brought her over to the bath. Luna never had to lift a finger. They scrubbed her down, and perfumed her.
When she was dried and dressed, Luna entered the sitting area, and there she found a visitor. Unfortunately, she had none of the host's memories. She was unsure to be pleased with this visitor, or be wary of her. Sensing the hesitation, the other woman rushed to her to wrap her in a warm embrace.
"Olivia! Where have you been?" The woman cried. "I was so worried for you, but no matter how hard I tried, I could not sense where you were."
Luna could tell that this woman was genuinely concerned, but was still at a loss. She responded to the hug awkwardly. "I was taken away. I barely managed to survive."
The woman released Luna and took a step back. She cupped Luna's face with both of her hands. "It was her wasn't it!?! I knew I should have kept an eye on that wench!"
"Who?" Luna prompted.
"Who else?" The woman snorted. "That high and mighty Lady Aria. I will take her down, or my name isn't Willow Alto!"
"Willow," Luna called her, "calm down."
"Calm down?" Willow yelled. "You can't possibly be thinking of letting this go. I know that you are scared being here, but--"
"Who said that I am letting this matter go?" Luna cocked an eyebrow. "I simply wanted you to calm down so we can discuss this calmly. Rushing into retribution will only give them the upper hand."
When Willow listened to Luna, she was taken aback. The friend she knew would do all that she could not be noticed, and would shrink at the slightest bit of conflict. The woman before her seemed confident and decisive. Perhaps her near death experience truly changed her.
"I'm glad to hear that you are thinking more clearly now." Willow agreed.
"Great. Now that is settled." Luna breathed a sign of relief. "Let us discuss Lady Aria's downfall."