Chapter 81

Aire steps were soft against the polished floors, barely making a sound as she moved away from her chamber. The air outside felt different from the stillness she had left behind.

It was comfirmed by the council elders on the day of the ball, that the moon goddess had been angry about her coronation. Yet, life carried on in the castle, as though nothing had changed.

Aire’s fingers brushed lightly against the fabric of her gown as she walked on. Her mind was not on where she was going.

Not fully.

She had intended to head toward the breakfast hall. That was the plan. That was what was expected of her at the moment.

However, something soft and persistent tugged at her.

The image of a face, and a pair of frightened eyes clawed to the top of her mind. She suddenly remembered the small body curled in fear on the training field.

Aire slowed.

Her steps faltered just slightly before coming to a complete stop.

Guilt suddenly settled slowly into her chest, spreading through her ribs until it felt heavy. She had not asked about her, not once.

Not after everything since she learn the new room Alaric prepared for her to be in.

Her lips parted slightly, and she exhaled.

The direction to the dining hall remained ahead of her, but her body had already turned.

Without another thought, Aire stepped away from that path and moved down the quieter corridor Alaric had mentioned before. The one leading to the room where the child was being cared for.

The further she walked, the quieter it became.

Servants passed occasionally, bowing their heads respectfully as she moved past them, but none lingered.

The corridor narrowed slightly, leading toward a more secluded part of the castle. The air here felt softer here, and less formal.

Aire’s heartbeat slowed, though something uneasy still lingered beneath it. The door was slightly ajar when she reached it.

Someone stood beside the door.

Aire’s gaze lifted.

He stood straight, and positioned just beside the doorway like a silent guard. His presence was calm, but solid.

His build was strong and controlled. Not imposing yet grounded and watching.

Aire walked past him after giving him a small nod of reference. She didn’t acknowledge him at first, until a memory itched at the back of her mind.

Two steps forward, she stopped.

Her brows pulled together slightly. Slowly, she turned. Her gaze returned to him, and this time, she looked properly.

The recognition came quietly, as it unfolded itself.

She remembered him. He was the man who had stood back watching from the shadows the day she had gone to the commoner area with Mabel when a boy had nearly been punished over a loaf of bread.

He had been there, watching her so intensely and when she noticed him, and called for Mabel’s attention, he disappeared.

Aire’s eyes lingered on him for a second longer.

He didn’t speak, bow, nor react. He only watched her the same way he had that day with the same steady, and unreadable gaze that made her uneasy.

Aire said nothing. She turned back, and walked into the room.

The space inside was simple. It was not grand like the rest of the castle, nor overly decorated.

It was clean and warm, with a single maid standing by the bed side.

A window stood slightly open, allowing soft light to spill into the room. The breeze carried the faint scent of earth and sweet strawberries scent from the garden just below.

Near the window, the girl sat there.

She sat on a small chair, with her legs tucked close, and her posture small. Aire could see from where she stood that the leg looks healed.

A tray rested in front of her.

Aire’s gaze softened immediately.

She stepped forward slowly.

“Luna,” a maid greeted quietly, bowing her head.

Aire nodded faintly but didn’t take her eyes off the child.

“What is she eating?” she asked softly.

The maid straightened slightly. “Goat milk… and biscuits p>

Aire made a small face without thinking. Her nose wrinkled faintly. She nodded once. “I see p>

She had never liked it. Especially not the way the biscuits turned soft and heavy when soaked in goat milk.

Her gaze dropped to the tray again.

The girl wasn’t eating much, just small bites.

Aire stepped closer.

“Hello she said slowly, and gently.

Her voice was soft.

The girl froze. The biscuit in her hand stilled. Her shoulders lifted slightly, with tension creeping into her small frame.

Aire paused.

She crouched slowly, lowering herself to the girl’s level.

“It’s alright,” she said gently. “I’m not going to hurt you p>

The girl didn’t respond.

Her eyes lifted, and when they met Aire’s, fear that was raw, immediately filled her eyes. The fear didn’t come from confusion, but belief.

Aire felt it. Her breath caught slightly. “I she started, softer now. “I just wanted to see how you’re doing p>

She got no response. Rather, the girl’s fingers tightened around the biscuit.

Her eyes flickered toward the door.

Aire noticed.

Her chest tightened further. “I heard you were brought here,” she continued gently. “I thought… maybe you’d feel better now p>

Still, she got nothing.

Aire hesitated. Then, slowly, she reached her hand forward. It was a gentle attempt, yet the girl flinched hard. Her entire body recoiled at the thought of Aire touching her.

Aire stopped immediately.

Her hand froze in the air before she slowly drew it back. “I’m sorry,” she murmured quickly.

She tried again, resting her hand closer this time.

“It’s okay,” she said softly. “You’re safe here p>

The girl shook her head. “No she whispered.

Aire stilled. Her heart dropped silently. “No?” she repeated quietly.

The girl’s breathing picked up. Her eyes darted again… toward the door, and to the maid.

Aire felt something was wrong. She tried one last time. Slowly, and carefully… she reached forward again.

This time, her fingers barely brushed the girl’s wrist when the girl gasped like Aire had held a knife to her throat.

“No!” she cried, pushing back abruptly.

The chair scraped loudly against the floor as she stumbled away, with panic flooding her small body.

Aire froze.

The girl scrambled to her feet. Tears welled instantly in her eyes as she backed away in frantic steps.

“Don’t don’t touch me!” she cried. Her voice shook violently. Fear consumed her completely now. “Please don’t kill me. I said I’m sorry!” she pleaded.

Aire’s chest tightened painfully.

“I’m not she started, her voice breaking slightly. “I’m not going to hurt you p>

However, the girl wasn’t listening. She turned, and ran straight toward the door, toward Beta Rhys.

Beta Rhys stepped forward instantly.

The girl collided into him, clutching tightly at his side, and hiding behind him as though he was the only solid thing in her world.

Her fingers gripped his clothes desperately.

Her small body trembled.

Rhys didn’t speak immediately. His hand came down lightly… resting against her head. His gaze lifted, and landed on Aire.

Silence filled the room.

Aire remained where she was, still crouched slightly. Her hand hovered where it had been before she withdrew it slowly.

Her chest felt… tight. She couslnt understand what just happened. Her throat burned faintly. She looked at the girl again.

The girl refused to even look at her.

Aire straightened slowly. Her movements were careful.

“I didn’t mean to frighten her,” she said softly, apologising to Beta Rhys and the maid in the room. Her voice was calm.

Rhys didn’t answer. He only watched her while the girl tightened her grip behind him.

Aire gaze lingered on them for a second longer. Then she nodded faintly, more to herself than anyone else.

“I’ll leave her to rest,” she said quietly.

The girl did not stop trembling as Aire walked out of the room.