LUNAFEY

CHAPTER 17

I woke up in my chamber, feeling tired I didn't expect to fall asleep. I lay face up on the large bed, unable to move. I had only retreated to my room because I was starting to feel a bit nauseous after Cedric left. I didn't want anyone to discover my secret: that I was pregnant. How long would I be able to hide this? Cedric had been surprisingly kind to me, more than I expected.

I glanced to the side, noticing it was already dark outside. On impulse, I quickly sat up, thinking, "Who am I kidding? It's almost too late to make dinner." But I slumped back into bed, burying my face in my hands. I sighed, knowing I needed to get up. So, I sat up again, this time at the edge of the bed. A sharp pain shot across my back, possibly a symptom of the pregnancy. Being pregnant was new to my body, and I was beginning to realize it wasn't easy.

I decided to head to the kitchen, i made my way through the ornate hallways, which led towards Cedric's study - the same room he had summoned me to on my first night here. Memories of that evening flooded my mind as I saw a light flicker from within. Cedric had been a jerk that night, and also he had  refused to tell me about the Harbinger I had come to see.

I tiptoed towards the door, thinking, "There's no harm in checking it out." Besides, Cedric wasn't here right now, and maybe Angus was inside. I pushed the door open a little farther, and found the room empty, despite the lights being on. It was even more beautiful than I had thought - a rectangular-shaped room with elegant furnishings and shelves lined with ancient tomes.
The room was a stunning rectangular space, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lining the walls to the left, packed with volumes of various shapes and sizes. At the far end, to the left, stood an elegant office desk. Directly facing the door, in the center of the room, was the black settee where Cedric had sat that night, with the fireplace crackling in front of it. To the right, the walls gave way to expansive glass windows, flooding the room with natural light. I stood in the center, taking in every detail of this magnificent space. As I absorbed the room's grandeur, I wandered towards the window area, drawn to the view.

My head turned instinctively to the left, as I thought I heard a faint sound coming from that direction. I began to make my way towards it when the door swung open, and I was met by Angus. "Dinner is ready," he announced.
I felt a twinge of guilt and apologized, "I'm so sorry for snooping around, Angus." He waved it off, saying, "It's alright, I don't think he would mind." But his words left me wondering - who was he referring to, Cedric or the Harbinger? I didn't want to ask only to have him say, ask Cedric.
"I saw a light coming from inside, so I let myself in," I explained, omitting my curiosity about exploring the castle while Cedric was away. "I also thought I heard something," I added. Angus glanced around the room, his eyes darting from right to left, before saying, "I had come to fetch you, but you weren't in your chambers. Come now, let's have dinner."

He motioned for me to follow him, and I apologized, "Dinner! I'm so sorry, I overslept." Angus simply shook his head, his expression unreadable.
"Is anything the matter, Angus?" I asked, feeling a growing sense of unease. He shook his head again, this time more emphatically, as if to say "no." I tried to make small talk, asking, "Who made dinner? Rosa?" But Angus didn't respond.
I continued, "I noticed earlier she's really good at making dishes, it would be a great help..." But before I could finish, Angus's turned gripping my shoulders he said, "Luna!" His voice was low and urgent, sending a shiver down my spine.
"Angus, what's the matter?" I asked, my stomach beginning to turn with anxiety. But he brushed it off, saying, "It's nothing. You said Rosa was really good at cooking." He paused, then added, "We'll talk after dinner." I nodded, feeling a sense of unease.

We walked silently to the dining room, where Rosa was already setting the table with a cheerful smile that seemed out of place in the bleak, chilly atmosphere, the entire room felt cold even though the fire was still going on.
As we ate dinner, the only sound was the clatter of cutlery on plates. Angus and I seemed distant, lost in our own thoughts, I hardly noticed what Rosa had prepared for dinner, except for the meat I was eating, again how do they get their food supplies?.

Rosa broke the silence, asking, "Luna, how do you like the meal? You aren't eating much." To my surprise, Angus answered for me, "She isn't feeling too well." I wondered, what's going on? Do I look sick? Is he having issues with Rosa? I smiled weakly and said, "Yeah, I don't feel quite well, thanks for asking." Rosa's expression turned concerned, and she said, "I'll brew you some soup," before heading to the stove immediately.

Angus flashed me a look, then glanced at Marie and Maël, before stopping mid-bite. "I'm going to lock up the castle," he announced, his tone firm. "Wait here," he said to me, "I'll escort you to your chambers", Something was definitely off. Rosa's smile seemed forced as she asked, "Luna, do you have a minute, please?" As I nodded, she turned to Maël and said, "Maël, would you give Angus a hand, please?" Maël followed Angus, leaving Rosa, me Marie who was eating her food alone. I walked towards the fireplace, feeling tensed.

Rosa busied herself adding ingredients to the pot, attempting to make me soup. "It's fine, Rosa," I said weakly, "I don't have an appetite." She chuckled and replied, "Well, you must eat something. It isn't good for the baby." Her words hung in the air like a challenge. I felt that same cold sensation I had experienced earlier, and my gaze locked onto hers as if I'd been struck by lightning. Rosa's expression changed, and she gave a small, knowing laugh.