Chapter 262
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I didn’t expect to feel my pulse quicken the way it did when Judith told me we were going to Thorne’s Luna screening. It wasn’t the idea of being there; it was the thought of watching Thorne pick his future wife. And I just knew it was going to be a mess.
“Judith, you’ve completely lost your mind,” I said, my voice sharp as I shot him a look.
He met my gaze, barely flinching.
He must have sensed my annoyance, though, because his face shifted, his lips jutting out in that way that made him look like he was about to throw the biggest tantrum ever.
“Please, Mom… don’t be mad at me,” he said, his voice softening as he fluttered into my arms, looking up at me with those big, innocent eyes. “I just want to stay a little longer. I promise I’ll come back soon.”
I could feel my resolve crumbling. How could I say no to him? The boy had a way of getting what he wanted.
“How long?” I asked, my breath shaky. “There’s gotta be a date. You’re not going to keep dragging this out.”
He thought for a second, then smiled with a glint of mischief in his eyes. “How about we stay until daddy picks his Luna?”
“Daddy?” My voice caught in my throat,
He grinned, sticking out his tongue. “King Thorne said I could call him that.”
I froze. “Judith Greg, you do not call another man daddy. How do you think Dorian will feel about this? It’ll break his heart.”
“Aww, it’s just for fun! I swear, I won’t call him daddy again,” he said, his voice practically pleading now.
I tried to shake the shock off, but something inside me twisted. Judith had never shown affection like this for anyone but Dorian. So why Thorne? Was it blood? Was it some connection I didn’t understand?
“Mom?” Judith tugged at my sleeve, pulling me from my thoughts. “Can we stay? Just until he picks his Luna?”
I sighed deeply, my mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. “Fine,” I muttered. “But this is probably the last time you get to see him.”
He brightened immediately, all traces of guilt vanishing. “Great! I asked a maid. She said it’s in the great hall downstairs.”
I nodded, still unsure. “When we’re around anyone else, you have to pretend I’m your nanny, Elina Alara. Understand? No one can know who we really are.”
“Got it, Mommy.”
We made our way downstairs, the weight of the decision hanging over me. The great hall doors were shut when we arrived, and the guards told us the screening had already started.
10:13 Mon, Sep 22
Chapter 262
“I’ll inform the King you’re here,” one of them said before disappearing into the hall.
A moment later, he returned. “You may enter now.”
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I grabbed Judith’s hand and stepped through the doors. Thorne sat on the throne, talking to someone standing in front of him. When he saw us, his gaze flickered, and for a split second, I thought I saw a flash of recognition–or something like it.
“Good day, my King,” I said, curtsying. “I’ve brought the young master.”
He looked at me with that odd expression again, and his lips twitched into a small, cryptic smile. “Lady Alara. You’ve arrived just in time. Come, meet your father.”
My heart nearly stopped. Father?
Before I could make sense of it, the man in front of Thorne turned around. He was older–late 50s, with pale features and soft brown eyes. He looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place him. Then it hit me.
This was Lord Alara. The man I had concocted as my fake father.
I froze, panic surging through me. Medline had assured me this cover was foolproof. Lord Alara hardly ever left Obsidian Pack. How the hell had this happened?
Thorne noticed my hesitation. “What’s the matter, Lady Alara? Did you forget what your father looks like?”
I pinched myself to ground the panic before forcing a smile. I had to act. Now.
Taking a deep breath, I approached Lord Alara. “Father, it’s so good to see you,” I said, curtsying again.
His
gaze was confused, but I pushed through. “Why didn’t you tell me you’d arrived? We should catch up
sometime.”
My eyes pleaded with him, hoping he’d play along. It was my only shot at keeping this act together. If I didn’t… Thorne would figure it out.
“Father? It’s me. Elina.”
His expression faltered, then cleared. “Ah, Elina. I almost didn’t recognize you with… with that new dress.”
Thank you, I breathed internally. He’d gone with it.
“Is this truly your daughter?” Thorne asked, eyebrow raised.
Lord Alara nodded, his voice a little shaky. “Yes, My King. This is my youngest daughter.”
“Your other daughters couldn’t make it?” Thorne asked, clearly still processing the scene.
“That’s right. But since Elina is here, she can take her sister’s place and join the Luna screening,” Lord Alara
added.
I blinked, barely able to process his words. What in the hell was going on?
10:13 Mon, Sep 22
Chapter 262
“What?” I stammered, trying to mask the shock on my face. “You can’t be serious.”
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“Oh, Lady Alara,” Thorne chuckled. “I thought you knew. Your sister’s name was on the list. Since she couldn’t come, it seems you’ll be my Luna candidate.”
My mind went completely blank. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t move. This was not what I had planned. Not even close.
