LUNAFEY

CHAPTER 19

I didn't know when I fell asleep, but I wished Cedric was there. I wondered how he would react, knowing he would do something unpredictable.

As I woke up to the sounds of birds crowing, I realized it was almost sunrise. I hastily left my room to call for Angus, who was already up and about at the far end of the connecting room. I hadn't noticed I was still wearing my long-sleeved chemise.
"Luna, come see," Angus motioned with his hand. I walked towards him, already standing by the window. The sight outside was something that send shivers down my spine, black birds covered the snow.

"What does this mean?" I asked Angus, looking at him, but his gaze remained fixed outside. "Angus," I called, trying to snap him out of it. "Angus!" He finally turned to me, his expression intense. "Luna, get dressed," he said, heading out. I followed him on impulse, my eyes never leaving him. "I'll activate the winter gate," he said. "Winter gate? What's that?" I asked, curios, "It's a portal used by the Harbingers," he replied. My eyes widened in amazement - a portal, how efficient! "Just get dressed," he said, pointing to me as he headed off.

I hurried back to the room, picked out a green long dress, and finished getting dressed. But I was stopped short by Marie's presence. She was still in her underdress, clutching her pillow, and looked like she had come all the way there in that state. "Where's Maël?" I asked, walking towards her with concern. "H-he... I c-can't f-find him," she stammered weakly, before slumping into my arms. "Marie! Marie!" I exclaimed, panicked. What do I do? My head turned instinctively from right to left, thinking of getting help.
We stood there, frozen on the floor, for what seemed like hours. I needed to get help. The day had just started, and everything was already falling apart.

I gently took the pillow from Marie's grasp, where she was still clutching it tightly despite having fainted. I managed to pry it loose and placed it under her head on the floor. "I'll go get help," I said to her, even though she couldn't hear me. I made my way through the hallways and almost collided with Rosa.
"Hey, Luna," she said, her smile seeming fabricated, like it was stitched on her face. She always carried a gust of cold air with her, which filled me with a sense of unease. I felt a pang of disgust, knowing she was hiding something.
"Luna, what's the matter? Your face looks drained," she asked, her concern sounding insincere. I didn't know what to say. "Umm, it's... it's Marie," I stammered.
Her eyes widened even before I finished speaking, the spooky smile leaving her face. "What about her?" she asked, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and concern. "She fainted," I said slowly. "She's in my room. I was going to get help," I explained, but Rosa pushed past me and rushed to my room. "Marie! Marie!" she called, shaking the girl frantically.

Rosa turned to me, still kneeling on the ornate floor, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. "I didn't do anything to her," I said, trying to clarify things, but my words came out stuttered.
"She came here and... and..." Rosa stood up, her movements fluid and intimidating, and faced me. "Maybe you don't like me, or it's something Angus said about me," she said, her voice low and accusatory, "and you didn't even have the soup I was making for you last night."
She moved closer to me, backing me against a corner, her eyes flashing with anger. I didn't even want the soup, I thought, what is she talking about? "But you didn't have to take it out on Marie," she continued, her voice rising. "She's still a child, despite how she looks." Rosa's words infuriated me, and I felt my brow furrow in annoyance.

I thought, my brow furrowing, "Like I said, she came here first. Besides, I didn't ask for soup in the first place".
I clenched my fist and moved to face Rosa, my anger rising. By this time, the sun was already up, casting a warm glow over the room. "All that shouting isn't good for the baby," Rosa said, her gaze drifting to my belly. I instinctively placed my hands on my stomach, as if to protect my child from her gaze.
"I..." I started to say, but was cut off by Marie's weak voice. "Luna, Aunt Rosa?" Marie called out, her voice laced with concern. Rosa rushed to Marie's side, her expression softening. I stood there, frozen in anger, before throwing my emotions aside to help Marie to my bed. "Let's get you to the bed," I said, my concern for Marie's well-being overriding my anger. I needed Angus here, I thought, what was taking him so long?.