Chapter 263
Chapter 263
Elara’s POV
I froze.
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My breath hitched in my chest as the weight of Thorne’s gaze pressed down on me. I didn’t know what to say or how to react. All that effort to play along, to fool them with a performance… and now I was tangled in a much bigger mess.
Lord Alara had roped me into this, but now it seemed like the lie was unraveling faster than I could stitch it back together.
“Yet, this reminds me of something else,” Thorne’s voice broke the tension, his casual tone a stark contrast to the storm raging inside me.
He shifted into a more relaxed stance, but his eyes were still locked on me, studying me like I was some puzzle he couldn’t solve. “Your youngest daughter told me she’s married… with children. How does a married woman become my Luna?”
Lord Alara visibly stiffened, the color draining from his face. He wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. “I–I believe there’s a misunderstanding,” he stammered, his voice shaking. “If I may speak with my daughter alone, Your Majesty… if you permit it…”
Thorne’s expression turned cold. “You may, but let me remind you, Lord Alara. Lying to the King is a serious crime. You promised me a daughter for the Luna screening. Don’t make me regret that.”
“I… understand,” Lord Alara muttered, defeated. He turned to me, his eyes flashing a warning. “Elina, come
with me.”
I nodded stiffly, bending down to whisper to Judith, urging him to stay with the maids before following Lord Alara into the hall.
The moment the door closed behind us, he spun on me, his voice low but commanding. “You’re going to that screening.”
I couldn’t believe it. “Are you out of your mind?” I shot back, raising my hands in exasperation. “I’m not even your real daughter!”
Lord Alara sneered, his face twisted with contempt. “Exactly. Let me guess. You’re some gold–digger who snuck your way into these meetings, hoping to snag a rich man. I’d expose you to the King in a heartbeat. But lucky for you, I need a daughter for the screening. So, get in line.”
I clenched my jaw. “What about your real daughters? They’re the ones on the list, aren’t they?”
He waved his hand dismissively. “If they wanted to participate, why would I need you?” He leaned in, his voice dropping to a threatening whisper. “You go to the screening, and I keep quiet about your little secret. Deal?”
I felt the weight of his words settle into my gut. The truth was beginning to click into place. Lord Alara’s daughters couldn’t attend for whatever reason, and when he needed a stand–in, he found me. Convenient, huh?
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Chapter 263
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I rubbed my forehead, trying to ease the headache forming. I couldn’t join that screening–couldn’t even be near Thorne. But if I didn’t… my true identity would be exposed. And Thorne? He’d start asking questions, ones I wasn’t prepared to answer.
Lord Alara was practically vibrating with impatience. “Clock’s ticking. Do we have a deal or not?”
A sigh escaped me. I had no choice. “Fine,” I muttered, my voice tight with frustration. “But you keep your mouth shut. Not a word about who I really am.”
A grin stretched across Lord Alara’s face, but it was all teeth. “You’ve got it. But tell me something–did you tell the King you’re married with kids?”
I rolled my eyes, my patience wearing thin. “That won’t be a problem. I’ll just tell him I’m divorced.”
The idea of parading myself at the Luna screening was grating. But I had a plan. Stay low, keep quiet, and when Thorne made his choice, I’d slip away with Judith and be done with this circus.
When we returned to the grand hall, Lord Alara bowed before Thorne, a smile plastered on his face. “My King, Elina has agreed to take her sister’s place and run for the Luna. It’s a great honour for her.”
Thorne raised an eyebrow, his gaze flicking to me. “Is that so? And what about her husband?”
I hesitated, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’m divorced.”
Thorne snorted, the sound low and unreadable. “Fine. Let’s get the other candidates in here.” His voice was detached, his disinterest palpable.
A chill ran through me. It was happening faster than I anticipated. But I had no time to rethink it now. I had to go through with it.
Moments later, the door swung open, and a procession of women filed in, each one more stunning than the last. Dressed in shimmering gowns, jewelry glittering in the light, they looked like they belonged here. I, on the other hand, felt like a fish out of water.
An elder stepped forward, announcing them one by one. “My King, may I present the Luna candidates.“
The women lined up and curtsied, their smiles demure, but I could see the competition in their eyes. They were all young, attractive, perfect in every way. But Thorne barely looked at them. His eyes—those piercing, calculating eyes–landed on me.
“Elina Alara,” he called sharply.
I flinched, the sound of my name cutting through the room like a knife.
“Yes, my King,” I responded, my voice shaky.
“Go stand with the others. Or do you need time to prepare?” He said it like he was mocking me, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
I swallowed hard, feeling every set of eyes on me as I walked toward the line. The other girls exchanged looks, confusion clouding their faces. How could someone like me–dressed in a simple black gown with my hair
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Chapter 263
tightly pulled back–possibly be running for Luna?
I stood at the end of the line, feeling every inch of my inadequacy.
And then, from the crowd, a small voice broke through.
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“Lady Alara! What are you doing with these ladies?” Judith ran toward me, his little face scrunched in confusion.
I bent down to him, trying to keep my voice calm. “I’m just playing a little game with them, Judith.”
His face lit up. “Then we have a winner already!” He grabbed my hand and lifted it into the air triumphantly. “Lady Alara is the most beautiful woman here!”
The room fell silent.
The other candidates gaped at us, incredulous. No one knew how to react.
Thorne didn’t even flinch. He remained seated, one hand under his chin, a small, unreadable smile playing at the corners of his lips.
One of the candidates sneered. “What are you talking about, kid? She’s wearing a mask. Maybe she’s hideous under there.”
Judith’s face turned red, his voice cracking with anger. “No! She’s not hideous! She’s more beautiful than all of you!”
I gritted my teeth, hissing under my breath, “Judith, stop!”
But he wasn’t listening. Not when he was so eager to defend me.
“Apologize to her!” he demanded, his voice rising. “You can’t talk about my nanny like that!”
The woman sneered, rolling her eyes. “Shut your mouth, silly boy. Adults are talking.”
Thorne suddenly sat up straighter, his gaze sharpening. “You.” He pointed at the girl who had insulted me. “Approach me.”
She stepped forward, a flirty smile on her face. “Yes, Your Majesty?”
Thorne’s eyes darkened. “Fiona,” he said coldly. “You’re out of here.”
The room fell into stunned silence.
Fiona’s smile faltered, her confidence shattered. She didn’t even have the chance to defend herself before Thorne dismissed her with a wave of his hand.
This was only the beginning.
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