The door creaked open. A maid in her late thirties stepped inside carrying a small tray. Luna turned her swollen face away, embarrassed for anyone to see her in such a state.
But the moment the woman's eyes fell on her, she gasped then dropped to her knees.
"P–Princess Luna," she whispered, bowing so low her forehead nearly touched the floor.
Luna's head snapped up. "What? No…please, don't do that." She hurried over, her hands trembling as she tried to pull the woman up. "Stand. Please stand."
The maid kept her gaze down, refusing to rise. "I dare not look the princess in the eye."
"I'm no princess," Luna whispered, desperation creeping into her voice. "I'm… nobody. You have the wrong person. Please…just stand."
It took long, aching persuasion before the maid finally rose, her hands shaking. Her name, she revealed softly, was Nova.
Luna asked again, "Why did you call me that? Why treat me this way?"
Nova's lips trembled as she stared at the bruises across Luna's delicate skin. Ignoring Luna's protests, she fetched warm water and carefully began to clean the wounds. Her touch was gentle, almost reverent, as though she were tending to something sacred.
Luna's eyes watered not from pain, but from the rare kindness.
When the last bruise was wrapped, Luna pressed, "Tell me. Explain why you said all those things."
Nova hesitated. Her eyes softened. "Princess Luna…"
"Please." Luna's voice cracked. "Just call me Luna."
Nova hesitated, then gave a small nod. "Fine… Luna. Since you don't remember much, it's written in the tapestry. But it's not my place to speak of it. And perhaps… it's for the best."
She glanced at the clock, panic flashing in her eyes. "Oh no it's late. I have to leave before Master arrives."
And just like that, she fled, leaving Luna standing alone in the heavy silence.
——————
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the mansion…
Damiano sat in his study, staring at the burning end of his cigar. Her face haunted him those stormy grey eyes that seemed to hold secrets no one should know. Her beauty was infuriating, her quiet endurance unsettling.
For a fleeting second, he had thought about what her lips might taste like, how her fragile body might feel against his.
His jaw tightened. He slammed the thought away.
No.
She's poison. She's the reason it all happened. She'll pay with her life if necessary.
And yet, when he closed his eyes, all he saw was her.