The Hidden Luna Queen

Chapter 90

MAEVE POV

The rest of the morning flew by, and before long, I found myself with an adequately made bracelet and a mildly dry throat from all the talking I'd done.

I survived the lesson. I still wasn't sure how, but I did... and it felt so natural. Not once did I feel like I had to put on a mask or pretend to be someone I wasn't.

I was just... me.

Once I was alone, watching a few of the girls and Charlotte start to collect some of the projects that had been left behind, I felt Queen Leonora's presence approach me.

*That wasn't so terrible now, was it?" she asked, gazing at me carefully.

*... actually really liked it," I admitted. "I've never been able to just... talk to other girls like that."

And I got a cute, handmade bracelet out of it, I silently added.

"I know I warn you and Charlotte about being careful with the people you talk to, especially when you fully enter our world, but it is possible to make friends. And, as you can see," she said, gesturing to the unknowing figures of the girls I'd sat with, "there are plenty who will enjoy your company. Do you know why?"

I shook my head.

"Because you're an empath. People are naturally drawn to your kindness, even if they don't quite yet realize why, but we can sense these things. People recognize those who are naturally good, just as easily as those who are naturally... not. It's a gift, Maeve, even though it may sometimes feel like a burden."

"That... that's not what I was told growing up," I said, trying to ignore the thick, familiar feeling that arose in my chest whenever I was reminded of my family. "It's funny how tightly words can stick to you, even if you try with all your might to shake them off."

Queen Leonora rested a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Then don't waste your energy trying to shake them off," she said, taking me by surprise. "Instead, write even bigger words on top of them, or next to them, or wherever you'd like. Keep them, and let yourself see just how wrong they were to say that to you."

I blinked, squeezing the bracelet tucked within my hands. "I will."

With a few parting words, Queen Leonora left to go speak with some of the older women who'd been waiting for her. And when Charlotte passed by with her arms full of sketchbooks and art supplies, I couldn't help but reach out.

*Are you sure you don't want my help?"

"You're not lifting a finger," she said firmly. "Haven't you heard that rule about heavy lifting while pregnant?" Thummed. "You really are like your brother, you know."

"I'm not sure if that's meant to be a compliment," she replied snarkily, to which I gave her a playful shrug." Teasing aside, I really can't wait for you to officially become my sister. It'll be so nice to talk to you without all the secrecy,"Content rights belong to NôvelDrama.Org.

*As far as I'm concerned," I murmured, "we are sisters."

Before she could respond, the group of girls and servants helping her managed to catch up with her, prompting her to follow them, though the way her eyes lit up was impossible to miss.

"Well, Queen Leonora was right. You were a natural.*

Startled, I whirled around to see Isabelle, sitting a short distance away and sipping at a glass of wine.

Instantly, I tensed up. "Hello, Isabelle."

Isabelle hummed, getting to her feet and sauntering lazily in my direction. "It must be nice to have the queen's favor on your side... to know that you can just cheat your way to the top of the pack, while some of us-" she enunciated with a pointed glare, "worked through blood, sweat, and tears to get to where we are now."

"Her Majesty was kind enough to-"

"Kindness is not something to be proud of," she spat, cutting me off. "All the nice attention might make you feel special now, but soon enough, you'll realize you're just a pity project for her and the princess."

I swallowed. I had to remind myself that was not true. They'd done too much for me-and with me-for it all to be a mere sympathy game.

"This... this is not about pity," I weakly countered. "And... e-even if that's what they felt for me, I don't want that. I just want a family of my own. Something real. You must have seen how my parents and sister treated me way back when, haven't you?"