Owen Falgria, Emeraldine's greatest and most loyal knight. One of the few characters in Twilight's Chronicle who remained neutral in the Kingdom's politics. He never cared about faction wars and pledged his allegiance solely to the King. A mysterious man who chose self-exile after Shilien's rebellion which led to the King's death, as he was haunted by the weight of his failure.
This guy is an enigma.
I was unable to stop observing his every action as we made our way to the palace gardens. Following the man, I narrowed my eyes and thought that he was undoubtedly plotting something with the King.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Owen smiled as he carried Chrisola. "You want me to carry you too?"
"No. It's nothing." I straightened, trying not to let his teasing unnerve me.
He raised a brow, amused. "By the way, I wonder what kind of etiquette lessons you got from Lady Shilien?"
"What do you mean?" I frowned, feeling a knot of irritation form on my face.
"Oh, don't tell me you forgot what you called me when we were training yesterday?"
My face flushed as I remembered losing my temper and calling him a "bastard" during practice.
I met his gaze, daring him to make more of it. "You—! Don't tell me you reported that to His Majesty and Mother?"
Owen laughed, his eyes glinting with a lighthearted mischief that belied his imposing frame. "Relax. I wouldn't do anything that would harm a princess's reputation," he replied, with just enough mockery to make me want to prove him wrong.
Meanwhile, Chrisola, perched innocently on the man's shoulder, looking between us with her big, curious eyes, unaware of the verbal sparring.
Finally, we arrived at the palace's flower garden.
Owen set Chrisola down, and she ran eagerly toward the King, who sat beneath the royal gazebo. Her golden-blond hair bounced as she called out, "Father!"
"My princess!" The King's face softened as he reached to lift Chrisola onto his lap.
For a fleeting moment, they looked like a painting; the King's proud figure matched with Chrisola's sweet smile and sapphire eyes, both so alike. It was so different from me, who looked like Shilien and shared no similarities with him.
"Greetings, Your Majesty," I said with the careful grace expected of me, though my voice felt hollow in my own ears.
The King acknowledged my presence with a nod, but his attention remained on Chrisola.
But it doesn't matter.
My attention was more drawn to the delicious-looking pastries displayed elegantly on the tea table. I suppressed a grin, my inner child gleeful at the chance to savor these rare treats.
Oh my God! There were scones, éclairs, macarons, colorful fruit tarts, and even my favorite chocolate cake! Which should I eat first?
"Sit," the King commanded, his voice deep and authoritative.
I sat down quickly, trying to keep my mouth from watering.
The King's gaze, piercing yet unreadable, shifted to me as I delicately reached for an éclair. "I heard something unexpected happened during your training with Owen yesterday?"
I stilled. Tch. Of course, he'd want to discuss that.
"It was nothing," I replied, taking a small bite and savoring the rich filling, unbothered by his scrutiny. This éclair, at least, was perfect.
Having tea with the man before me was such a rare moment, so I had to make the most of it, especially because the head chef of the royal palace was leagues ahead of the one who usually served my meals.
"What's that on your wrist, Luna?" The King's expression changed slightly as he looked at my wrist.
I blinked, glancing down. I had almost forgotten about the flower bracelet adorning my right wrist.
"Chrisola made it, Father!" she piped up cheerfully before I could answer. "Yesterday, when Sister fainted during training with Sir Owen, I made it and prayed for her to get well soon!"
The King smiled, stroking her hair. "My precious daughter truly cares for her sister, doesn't she?"
Of course. Chrisola is nothing like you, who never cared for me at all! I thought, biting back the bitterness. My outward smile remained as composed as ever.
"Your birthday party is coming up soon," he continued, his tone warm and affectionate as he looked at Chrisola. "Is there anything you want, my precious daughter?"
The words stung like a barbed arrow. I kept my expression serene, but my heart twisted. He'd never celebrated my birthday, not once, nor even so much as acknowledged it.
Apparently, I was called here at the King's request. But as the tea party went on, he seemed content to ignore me and only lavish his attention on Chrisola.
Well, needless to say… What should I expect? I reminded myself.
I'm merely the daughter of a concubine. I should be grateful even to sit here and have tea with him.
Still, I couldn't help but understand why the original Luna had grown to resent Chrisola. The contrast in how we were treated… how I was relegated to an outsider… cut deeper with every passing year.
Fine. I sighed inwardly. I'd simply enjoy the pastries; they were at least a reward worth savoring.
"Could you take Chrisola for a walk around the garden, Owen?" the King said suddenly.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Owen lifted Chrisola from the King's lap.
"Father and Sister aren't coming?" she asked, glancing back at me.
"There's something I need to discuss with your sister." The King's words sent a chill down my spine.
I swallowed, my calm demeanor slipping just enough to betray my nervousness. What does he want with me?
Once Chrisola and Owen were gone, an awkward silence settled over us.
"Luna, do you care for your sister?" The King's penetrating gaze met mine.
Was this a trick question?
"Of course, Your Majesty," I replied evenly, meeting his gaze.
"May I see your hand?"
My hand? My pulse quickened as I froze. Could this be about the EMBLEM?
Reluctantly, I held out my right hand, and the King reached out to touch it. His touch was surprisingly gentle as his fingers traced the flame-shaped tattoo on my skin.
"Do you know what this is?" he asked in a low voice.
"Uhh… HEAT EMBLEM?"
He nodded, rolling up his sleeve to reveal a larger, ember-patterned version on his shoulder. The tattoo burned with a soft, smoldering intensity, like a fire held just beneath the surface.
"This is the proof that we share the same fire magic… an inheritance of our bloodline. As fire is a symbol of the strength that protects this Kingdom…"
The man snapped his fingers. A flame flickered to life before he closed his hand around it, extinguishing it in an instant.
"Luna… There's something I'd ask of you."
"What would Your Majesty want from me?"
He paused, and for a moment, he seemed less like a king and more like a man weighed down by years of rule and regret.
"Your position is difficult because your mother is a concubine. And she is…" His expression grew stern again. "Well, I guess you already know what kind of a woman she is."
I narrowed my eyes, my patience fraying. "If Your Majesty knew that, then why didn't you do anything? Why make my mother a concubine in the first place?"
The King's mouth quirked with a hint of surprise. "You're quite the sharp child." He chuckled, almost to himself. "At that time, I had no other choice..."
A strange courage gripped me, and I found myself asking a question I'd always wondered. "Then… does that mean you don't actually hate me?"
"Hate you? Why would you think that? How could I hate you, my own flesh and blood?" His tone was surprisingly gentle, devoid of malice.
Confusion washed over me; this didn't fit the image of him I'd grown up with.
"Luna…" he continued, "the way you've been treated… it's all been to strengthen you, to make you into someone who can protect herself."
A memory surfaced within me… It was a scene from Twilight's Chronicle, where the King had once asked Luna to be Chrisola's protector. Consumed by hatred at that moment, Luna had refused him, choosing to follow Shilien down a dark path instead. And that decision had defined her tragic fate.
I met the King's gaze, the weight of his words settling into my mind. This was the choice that could shift my destiny, the pivotal moment.
"Are you willing to become the protector of this Kingdom? To be the protector of your sister, who is the future of Emeraldine?"
I took a slow, steady breath, my mind racing.
I know the answer I have to choose to avoid my dark fate as Luna D'Emeralia. And to change my fate… this is what I must do.
I looked him directly in the eyes, mustering every ounce of poise and resolve.
"Of course, with pleasure, Your Majesty."