"Chrisola, how many times have I told you!?" I looked at Chrisola fiercely.
The little girl flinched. Her previous smile shattered and was replaced with confusion and fear.
But I don't care.
"That woman is not your mother! Your mother is Queen Solaris D'Emeraldine, the greatest and most noble woman in this kingdom!"
With fingers trembling in anger, I snatched the drawing from her small hands and tore it apart, ripping through the figure of Shilien she had drawn.
"As for Shilien, she is nothing more than a mere concubine to His Majesty the King!" I spat, crushing the picture of that wicked woman in my hand and throwing it into the trash. "That filthy woman is nothing but a vile snake trying to crawl into our father's bed. She deserves no respect, let alone love!"
With trembling lips, the little girl clenched her tiny fists at her sides as if trying to hold on to something... perhaps the fake kindness Shilien had shown her.
"B-but mother— Lady Shilien is like my own mother... She's always kind and loves me…" Her voice was barely audible, filled with the naive hope only a child could have.
Hearing Chrisola trying to defend Shilien and holding her in such high regard made me laugh inwardly.
Kind? Loving? Pfft! Nonsense!
Those words didn't deserve to be spoken in the same breath as that woman's name.
I have to make Chrisola see the truth. She must understand now before it is too late.
Without saying a word, I lifted the hem of my skirt to show her the bruises covering my legs, the marks of Shilien's whip when I made mistakes during that bitch's so-fucking-called lessons.
"Look at this. You think a kind mother would do this to her own child?"
Chrisola's eyes widened, her face turning pale. I could see the horror begin to creep in, but I continued. I moved closer and whispered in a warning tone.
"If that woman can hurt me like this… her own flesh and blood, who's still only seven years old… just imagine what she could do to you, who isn't her real daughter." My voice softened as I saw her eyes filling with tears, but I couldn't let her remain ignorant.
Chrisola was a symbol of innocence, loved by everyone around her. But in reality, she was just a pawn trapped in the web of lies and deception spun by Shilien and her followers.
"Listen to me, Chrisola. Shilien is a wicked woman, cunning and dangerous. Whatever happens, you must never trust her words."
In Twilight's Chronicle, Shilien pretends to be kind to the young, innocent Chrisola to gain her and the king's trust, lowering their guard. Little did Chrisola know that she was being used, becoming the main reason Shilien could launch a rebellion that would eventually lead to King Emeraldine's death.
It was truly… ironic.
I couldn't let Chrisola become the cause of the destruction I knew was coming if I didn't act. I had to prevent it from happening, no matter the cost!
"For now, she hides her true self and pretends to be kind because she fears our father... But once His Majesty the King can no longer protect you, what do you think will happen then? You understand what I say, don't you?"
"H-hiks..." Chrisola whimpered as tears started to flow, her small body trembling.
Guilt surged within me as I watched her. But I knew this was necessary. The little girl had to be warned, she had to know the truth, no matter how painful it was.
"Hey, do you think crying will help you? Stop crying."
I reached out and pulled Chrisola into my embrace. She buried her face in my chest, muffling her sobs against my clothes.
"You don't need to worry. I won't let her or anyone else hurt you," I whispered while stroking her hair gently. "I'll protect you, no matter what happens…"
That's right! I will stop Shilien's evil plans and protect Chrisola. I won't let all the bloodshed and tragedy written in Twilight's Chronicle happen.
That's why the first thing I have to do is survive and grow stronger, more than the original Luna. So I can achieve the happiness that Luna D'Emeralia could never attain in this world!
***
Later that night, inside the King's private chamber…
Under the flickering candlelight which cast long shadows around the room, a middle-aged man sat in his royal robes in front of a large desk, buried in a pile of kingdom documents.
A servant stood nearby, waiting silently for the King to acknowledge her presence.
"Has my daughter gone to bed?" the King asked without looking at the servant, dipping his quill into the ink. Silver streaks ran through his hair as he focused on signing papers as part of his duties as the kingdom's ruler.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Princess Chrisola has fallen soundly asleep in her room."
The King nodded quietly, still not paying attention, his eyes focused on the quill moving across the paper.
"So, what is it you wish to discuss with me, Elly?" the King asked. Though his voice was calm, the lack of warmth made the servant hesitate.
Elly's eyes blinked with uncertainty, but she proceeded.
"It's... about Princess Luna, Your Majesty..." Elly began cautiously, her words hanging in the air.
"Ah... that child," he said, his tone showing no interest. "How is she?"
Elly paused briefly before shifting from where she stood, hoping the King might show some interest in what she was about to say. Unfortunately, the King remained unmoved, preferring to concentrate on the royal documents he was handling.
"As usual, Lady Shilien is very strict towards the Princess, Your Majesty. But what concerns me is…"
"What?" the King responded without blinking.
"Lady Shilien intends to put her through sword training."
The King chuckled, "Oh. I already know that."
"Y-Your Majesty, Princess Luna is only seven years old!" Elly's voice shook with despair.
The King let out a quiet sigh, pausing for a moment.
"That is none of your concern, Elly."
"B-But Your Majesty! Princess Luna is..."
The King sighed again. He put down his quill and finally turned to Elly. "Elly... I assigned you to take care of Chrisola, not Luna. If there is nothing else you wish to tell me, you may go and resume your duties," said the King, his gaze sharp and cold. His tone was firm, leaving no room for further argument.
"Very well, Your Majesty..."
Elly bowed her head, her heart sinking. She realized she could not continue what she had wanted to say and gave the King a formal nod.
A knight opened the door for Elly as she left the chamber. But afterward, the interaction Elly had hoped for with the King happened with the knight.
As soon as the door closed, the knight stepped forward with a thin smile playing on his lips.
"What is it, Owen? Don't tell me you have something to say to me regarding Luna too?" The King smiled, a stark contrast to his cold attitude when he dismissed Elly.
"It's nothing, Your Majesty. I've been observing Princess Luna for a while. There's something about her that I find hard to explain." Owen's smile widened with a glint of interest in his eyes. "How should I put it? She's kind of... different than a normal child."
"Hmmph…" The King leaned back in his chair, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
"I'm looking forward to seeing if my intuition about Princess Luna proves right or wrong," the knight continued.
"Then make sure you train her well and as hard as you can, Owen. I trust you to push that child to her limits." His voice remained calm, but there was an undercurrent of hope.
Owen bowed, his expression now serious yet unreadable. "With pleasure, Your Majesty. It will be a great honor."