Knock! Knock! Knock!
Someone knocked as Luna sat sweating, breathing in and exhaling, her breath curled in the air like a pale ghost, as if winter had crept into the heat of summer.
Why am I scared? She leaned on the arm of her sofa, her cheek resting against it.
Luna's eyes lingered on the painting of her father—his curly black hair, elegant suit, and blue eyes beneath thick brows. The sight was mesmerising.
I wasn't even scared back then, so why am I now?
Is it because White Death isn't threatening me directly? No, that isn't it…
Her eyes fixed on the portrait of her father, their focus sinking so deep it blurred into a daze.
Sighing she thought Really… why is this happening now?
Maybe Niva knows?
No, he won't even tell me.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
"My lady? Are you alright?" Aisha's worried voice came from the other side of the door.
Luna took a moment, then looked toward the door. "Ah, come in."
This is really confusing…
Aisha walked in, her long black hair swaying, a blush on her cheeks and deep blue eyes shining. Her face changed when she saw Luna covered in sweat and that peculiar look in her eyes. "My lady?" she asked with concern.
"Please, call Mr. Aux," Luna said.
Aisha hesitated, answering with silence.
Luna looked in confusion at Aisha awaiting her response, sweat falling down her neck as she wiped it into her sleeve
"But Mr. Aux isn't here, my lady. He left for a research trip to the northern part of the Empire." She held her hands together in front of her, fingers fidgeting, eyes looking away.
"Ah…" Luna murmured.
I told him to inform me before leaving… She sighed, then noticed Aisha's blush, her nervous fingers, and her shifting gaze.
Luna pushed her worries aside, burying them where no one could see. She straightened, her whole demeanor slowly shifting as the corners of her lips curled upward. With a soft sigh, she smiled.
"Then, can you bring me tea?"
"Is it Black tea this time?" Aisha asked, her fingers curling into a fist.
"As always," Luna said, slowly getting out of her sofa to the perplexity of Aisha, She stepped forward with a smile and hugged her.
"A-ah… my lady! What's this for?!" Aisha's face turned red as Luna let go.
"T-then… I'll bring it right away!" she said quickly, before hurrying out and running down the corridor past Theo, who watched her until she disappeared around the corner.
Heh, it's always fun to tease her, Luna chuckled and sat down by the fireplace.
The wood cracked and popped, giving off a warm glow. The reed wood burned with a pleasant scent.
It's so warm… Luna stared into the deep orange fire.
Her breath curled in the air as if it were a cold winter night, defying the warmth around her.
…
Knock! Knock! Knock!
With the three polite knocks she'd learned from the head maid, Aisha walked in, carrying black tea on a tray. She spotted Luna sitting before the fireplace, a gentle smile on her lips. Keeping her gaze on Luna, she approached and set the tray on the table.
"My lady, tea is ready," Aisha said, straightening her back as she waited.
"Thank you," Luna replied, her eyes still fixed on the fire.
"Aisha… is it cold in here?"
"No, my lady. It's rather hot today," Aisha answered while sweetening Luna's tea.
"I suppose I might be sick," Luna murmured, her breath curling in the air as if it were a winter night.
Rising from her seat, she settled onto the sofa and stirred the tea with a spoon. When she finished, she tapped the spoon twice against the cup and set it on the tray to her right. Aisha watched her movements closely, concerned, but saw nothing to suggest any illness.
"My lady… perhaps you slept poorly?"
Luna chuckled, turning her gaze on Aisha with a smirk. She said nothing, simply staring until Aisha's cheeks flushed red. Looking away, Aisha's eyebrows twitched.
"I–If that is all… then please excuse me," Aisha said, bowing before she left the room.
"Alright," Luna replied with a small laugh, lifting the cup and taking a sip.
Really, teasing her is far too fun, Luna thought, setting the cup back on the tray.
Leaning into the sofa, she gazed up at the ceiling. Oh… the feeling already passed. Oh well.
Niva?
"Yes?" Niva's voice answered inside her mind before he appeared right in front of her.
"Teach me how to use your powers," Luna said softly, a gentle smile on her face, though her eyes held unwavering resolve.