CHAPTER #23:Its the same everywhere

Unable to withstand their worthless sighs, and loads of baseless praises after finishing my cup of tea I put it down just hard enough to startle the girls around. They watched me nervously as I got up and left the gathering without a word.

I was irritated, furious, and I couldn't figure out what exactly was my reason to be angry to this extent.

My mind was burdened with too many thoughts.

Was it because my mother insisted on marriage? Was it because Eirlyn was engaged against her will to a person she didn't even like? Was it because she didn't defend herself? Was I furious with level-headed elders who force things on others without anyone's consent?"

There was too much I couldn't understand. I should have been focusing on living the long life I desire. I did not want to get myself involved in so many conflicts."But now...I don't know anymore?"I groaned tiredly and was about to bump into the other person.

I looked up and saw a face that was about to cry.

I hung my head closing my eyes. The fragment of memory from my past life showed itself which I found unpleasant.

"Luna!" I heard a shrill voice that hinted a bit of anger but more of anxiety.

The hands reached out and unexpectedly wrapped around me.

I opened my eyes gradually felt the arms around me tremble.

"Mother?" I whispered and looked at the sky.

"Don't worry me like that. Ever!"

Her voice seemed weak as if she barely saved a part of her body she was about to lose.

"I want to be alone," I replied.

She put her hands on my shoulders not trusting me with what I said.

"No! Take me or at least Eirlyn or Abigail with you." She looked stern.

"Fine~I'll take Eirlyn with me." I sighed hopelessly.

"What a stage drama in front of the guests," I remembered mother wouldn't even care if people were watching us do something like this.

It was a second-hand embarrassment for me.

Eirlyn tried her best to keep up with me.

"L-Luna~Ah!" She dropped herself in the center of the hall.

I could hear her breathing getting heavier and louder in the silent hallway.

"Why is she so frail?"

I clicked my tongue in frustration and whipped myself back to her.

She looked up at me. She looked more scared of me than anything else.

"Am I that scary?" I asked offering her a hand to help her up.

She stared at my hand, then back at me. Her big, innocent eyes mine. I could see a hint of fear in them.

"Are you planning on staying like this?" I raised my brow and looked away.

"I-I apologize." She hesitantly took my hand and got up.

She was about my height or even smaller.

-"A rabbit."Looking at her I could imagine rabbit ears on her head.

"Weak," I mumbled softly under my breath.

"Let's go to the east gardens. There are a lot of new winter flowers" I suggested putting on a fake smile.

-"I want to die for good. Why must I suffer more? Why am I cursed with such a fate? Can't I live a normal life?"

We reached the eastern gardens that were more of a greenhouse covering up more than half of the area nearly as big as the side building of the estate.

"I-its bigger than the greenhouse at my estate!" She exclaimed in awe.

"Yes, it is. My great grandfather gifted this garden to my grandmother."

"Parental love sure is nice." She commented looking up at the great glass walls which were nearly a whisper to my ears.

"You said something?" I pretended not to hear it. Yes, one of my talents in this life that I feel proud to have is sensitive hearing. I was born with a keen sixth sense and one to hear. And received the blessings of the mystical creatures of altering dangerous any fate in my life. I consider myself safe even if I become a villainess in the eye of this novel world.

"Luna!" I felt a sudden tug on my arm.

"What is it?" I questioned even when I anticipated what would come next.

"I'm...scared." She trembled.

"I'm scared that something bad is going to happen."

"I feel the same way...Eirlyn." I forced a bitter smile.

"But you ought to accept it."

-"Yes if I make a temporary wall between us...maybe she will muster up the courage to stand for herself."

"So do as your family wants you to."

I knew she wouldn't like this but I made my decision. And besides, why should I worry about others? I need to focus more on my life.

After a quiet consolation, we retired back to the main garden where the guests; after giving their remarks slowly started to leave.

Eirlyn looked like she received a bit of determination after confiding in me.

But I was still a little anxious. This anxiety was like a small thorn on my neck that kept pricking me. I didn't understand what it was. There was an ominous feeling that kept approaching me and grew each passing day.

-"Maybe time will reveal what it is."I kept telling myself.

"Mama..." I tugged her skirt after seeing off the last of our guests.

"What is it sugar cube?" She asked without looking at me. Her voice was mixed with sadness, joy, and serenity.

"Can I sleep with you?" I asked. I knew that I would start crying any moment.

In the past, I cried only once and that was in front of Jonathan. I would get hit by my mother for shedding a tear in front of her. I was never stone-hearted. I was not born a villainess in my previous life. I made forced to be one.

"How can I refuse my daughter? You can sleep with me every night. And I will sing you lullabies. You can ask for anything and I will give it to you. You can joke and be foolish around me I will laugh with you. If you are sad and feel like crying, I will embrace you in my arms. If you hate anything I will try my best to bring you better...So my daughter. My precious Luna...Never run away like this where I won't be able to reach out to you."

"You...will not abandon me?" I asked hesitantly in disbelief.

She warmly embraced me. Yes, I wasn't hit. It was my trauma that I had yet to overcome.

"What are you feeling right now...You can freely express it in front of me, Luna.No one stopped you from doing so."

Upon hearing those lines I yearned to hear my whole past life tears wouldn't stop coming out.

I wailed for the first time like a proper immature child.

"Yes, there there. Let it all out. You don't have to word it to justify yourself." She gently pulled me on her lap continued to hug me and patted my back.

"Inina! What's going on? What's wrong with Luna? And why are you sitting on a cold floor?"My mother smiled putting her index finger to signal him to remain silent.

It was my father who hurried and took me in his arms and led both of us in the mansion.

I slept soundly in the bed and heard a faint conversation from my parents.

" She will accept the need of it once the time comes."

"But dear what if she hates it for the rest of her life. I'm simply worried about her future."

"The elves have their blessing on our family for generations. She will be fine." I heard my father comforting my mother.

"Our children have yet to learn about the secrets of this family."

"Lucien will soon come of age. With him becoming an adult you will no longer have to worry about things like these."

"I hope so."

"Will you go for the weapon inspection again?"

"Yes~It has been a long day. But I will visit there in two weeks."

"Then get some rest before you make the trip again dear."

"I know. You get some rest too." He lightly kissed her forehead.

-"What is it that they keep hiding from us?"I drowsily wondered till I lost myself in my beauty sleep.