Chapter 26
26
~Elara’s POV
A soft knock at the door startled me. I jumped, flinching as two guards bowed low before entering, their hands on the handles of my suitcases.
“Luna, we’ve come to move your belongings into your chamber,” one said respectfully.
I nodded quickly, cheeks heating, and muttered a quiet “thank you.” They moved with efficient grace, sliding my boxes into neat positions near the wardrobe. I swallowed, feeling unworthy. My fingers twitched, desperate to touch the walls, the curtains, the bed, everything, but I hesitated.
Then, I grabbed my phone, hands shaking just slightly, and snapped a quick picture. Janae had to see this. I sent it immediately, and within seconds, my phone rang.
“Your majesty!” she squealed before I could even answer. “Has Alpha Darlon bought you a new mansion p>
I laughed nervously, covering my face with a hand. “Stop teasing me, Janae. I’m back at Darlon’s home… that’s my room, not a mansion he bought for me p>
She gasped. “Wait, what? But… the honeymoon was supposed to be last month! Why are you there now? Did he tell you to leave p>
“No, no. Nothing like that. He’s… busy. He had things to attend to.” My voice sounded small even to my own ears.
“Tell me the truth,” Janae pressed.
I bit my lip and shook my head, though she couldn’t see it. “There’s nothing wrong, really. Stop worrying p>
She paused, letting out a delighted sigh. “Oh my goddess, Elara… the room is gorgeous. Every little thing screams at you. I need a full video, okay p>
I nodded, though she couldn’t see me, and switched the call to video. Slowly, I panned the camera around, letting her see the room from the high ceiling to the soft glow of the curtains, the plush bed, and the wardrobe that could swallow my old room whole.
Janae squealed again. “I cannot wait to visit! He… he really is romantic, huh p>
“Janae, stop,” I said softly, lowering my phone slightly. My face felt hot, and my stomach tightened as though embarrassed just thinking about it.
A firm knock at the door startled me again. “I have to go, Janae,” I said quickly.
The maid poked her head in immediately. “Dinner is ready, Luna,” she called. She bowed politely and left without another word.
I exhaled shakily and set my phone down, feeling the room close around me. My chest fluttered with nervous excitement, and my stomach grumbled again. I muttered a small apology under my breath before following the maids toward the grand dining area.
The hallway stretched long and wide, polished floors gleaming under the soft chandeliers. I followed the maids, my hands clutching my skirts nervously. My stomach fluttered like a trapped bird, and I could feel my pulse racing in my ears.
Then I saw him.
Darlon. Sitting at the head of the grand dining table, his sleeveless shirt clinging to his toned frame, the faint sheen of muscles catching the light. His eyes were intense, his brows furrowed, and even from across the room, I could feel the storm of authority radiating from him. I froze mid-step.
The maids behind me bowed in unison as we approached, but I didn’t even register them. My gaze stayed on him, and I swallowed hard, feeling like a child caught doing something wrong.
“Elara,” Darlon’s voice called softly, yet firmly, breaking me from my trance. His eyes didn’t leave mine. “Sit here.” He patted the seat beside him.
I hesitated, shuffling forward slowly, trying to make myself small, and sat a few inches away from him, hoping to avoid drawing too much attention. My hands were folded neatly on my lap, fingers twisting nervously.
“Closer,” he insisted gently but with that unmistakable command in his tone. I blinked and moved, sliding right beside him. My heart hammered so fast, I thought he’d hear it.
The maids had already served the food, and the table looked like a feast, balanced, colorful, with everything neatly arranged. My eyes moved nervously from plate to plate, unsure where to begin.
Darlon’s voice broke through my thoughts. “There will be about ten maids assigned to you now p>
I stiffened. “Ten? That’s… too many.” My voice was small, almost hesitant, as if I was afraid of being scolded for speaking up.
“They’re here to help you,” he said, his tone softening slightly. “Do you like your room p>
I nodded, cheeks warming. “Yes… it’s… It’s perfect p>
I took a careful bite, trying not to seem greedy or awkward. My stomach growled slightly again, and I hid behind my hands, embarrassed.
Darlon noticed immediately. He picked up a small dish and placed a portion on my plate. “Eat this. You need it. Don’t let your mind trick you into starving yourself p>
I looked up at him, ate carefully but quickly, my hands trembling a little.
He reached for a glass of water and handed it to me. “Slow down. Don’t choke p>
“Th-thank you,” I whispered, and my eyes moved down at my plate, embarrassed that he was paying so much attention.
We ate quietly for a few more minutes, the silence soft but not uncomfortable. Every now and then, I heard him tap something on his tablet again. His brows kept tightening like something wasn’t adding up.
I glanced at him, then at the screen. “Um… is the schedule still giving you trouble p>
He sighed quietly, rubbing his thumb over the edge of the tablet. “A bit. David added some new meetings, and it’s… messy p>
I hesitated, then forced myself to breathe. “C-can I look p>
He paused, his eyes flicking up to mine with a strange mix of surprise and softness. Then he slid the tablet toward me without a word.
I took it carefully, like it was made of glass. The moment I saw the layout, my mind automatically started rearranging things, shifting slots, moving tasks, correcting the timing. My fingers moved fast, almost on instinct, and within minutes, the entire week made sense again.
I pushed the tablet back toward him gently. “There. That should… work better p>
Darlon stared at the screen, blinking once… twice… like he genuinely couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
Then his eyes lifted to mine, slow, steady, warm.
“Elara,” he said quietly, “thank you p>
Heat climbed up my neck so fast it felt like fire. I shook my head quickly. “It it wasn’t a big deal. I just… adjusted a few things p>
“It was a big deal,” he murmured. “You fixed it perfectly again p>
I looked down, cheeks heating. “I just… I wanted to help p>
His gaze softened, but the intensity never left his posture. “I’m glad you did p>
I felt a tiny swell of pride, though I quickly hid it, returning my attention to my food.
I kept my eyes on the tablet even after fixing the last part of the schedule, partly because I didn’t know where else to look. Sitting this close to Darlon made my chest feel too tight, like my lungs suddenly forgot how to work properly.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. “Darlon… I…I don’t want to be just your Luna,” I admitted, my hands twisting in my lap. “I know… it’s an important position, but it doesn’t… suit me. I…I want to keep working, even if it’s something small p>
He didn’t speak for a long moment. I could feel his eyes on me, quiet and intense, and I stared down at my plate, heart hammering. Every second stretched like it was teasing me, testing my courage.
I wondered if I had said something wrong, if I had overstepped, and if I should apologize immediately.
Finally, he leaned back slightly and let out a slow breath. “Okay,” he said softly but firmly, his eyes never leaving mine. “If you really want to work… though I didn’t even want you to, but if you insist… you will be my personal secretay p>