The Forgotten Luna by Cassandra M

LADESSA.

Danielle helped take my clothes off, but I told her I wanted to shower alone.

I wished I didn't. I wished I had let her help me with my bath because she was gone the moment I stepped out of my bathroom.

Another handmaid was waiting for me. Aileen informed me that she would be assisting me moving forward.

I knew right then and there that Danielle was in trouble. I might get away from the King's anger, but not her, and it was all my fault.

I maintained my composure while Aileen assisted me in putting on a new gown, even if I was worried. She offered to braid my hair, but I refused and let it down. And even if she wasn't in agreement, I left the run in a hurry.

I wanted to find Danielle to make sure she was okay.

My feet led me to one of the Palace Salons, where I was told the King was. Either he left the banquet early, or the breakfast had been concluded. But it didn't matter anymore, as Kael was no longer there, and I had to make sure Danielle would not be punished. Aileen had been following me around, giving me directions on where to turn, and I could tell she was also worried because I had been running the hallways occasionally.

"Princess Adessa, please. Don't run. If the King or one of your brothers sees you, they might not like it." Aileen pleaded as she followed behind me, taking big steps and trying to catch up with my strides.

I halted and abruptly turned around, taking a deep breath before speaking to her. "Why don't you go to the kitchen and request breakfast for me? Tell them I was not able to finish my meal."

"But, my lady."

"No buts. Don't make me wait while I'm hungry. I can be wild." I glowered at her before winking.

She bit her bottom lip, suppressing a smile as she nodded her head.

added in a whisper before motioning with my hand. "Go, be on your way. I'll see you

for her to reply as I turned to the next corridor. If Aileen was right, at the end of

eyes widened when the door finally came into view. Outside was my

royal guards outside, but he was not afraid that they knew he was eavesdropping. But then, maybe these guards were used to secrecy and would never put any

head tilted in my direction as I came nearer. His finger went to his lips, warning me to remain quiet as

I asked, just mouthing the words,

his brows

and even if my heart felt like it would jump out of my chest, I mustered all my courage and pushed the double door open, much to Esriel's surprise. But he

his teeth gritting. He sat in a chair that resembled a throne. His hand was gripping

didn't

I tilted my head up. "Esriel tried

Danielle in my peripherals. She was kneeling, ten to fifteen feet away, in front of my father's highchair. "She's no longer your handmaid. I had released you from

did, and she's lovely. But I want

you will

rights to choose my own

had to relieve

walked forward to where Danielle was and dropped onto my knees beside her. Everything became chaos after

hand coiled around my arm and pulled me up harshly. Father stood up on his seat and bellowed at me, so I thought I had turned deaf. "How many times do

standing. Esriel was still holding on to my arm, gripping it tightly as if he knew I would do

let Danielle go and

who cannot

loyalty is with me," I said, my eyes watering, but I did my

loyalty should be with