Hollow Grounds

Hurt

With Madina's assistance, she changed into common clothes and put on a purple cloak. " Milady, you must be back before midnight."Madina said worriedly. Luna laughed, " what am I? Cinderella?" She laughed at her own joke again.

They sneaked out into the stables where a carriage was waiting for her. As she got in, she turned to look at Madina and assured her that she wouldn't miss her curfew.

She sneaked inside, with the coachman waiting outside the palace entrance. Luna's purple cloak flowed behind her as she navigated the palace's halls. She had been searching for what felt like hours, and her patience was wearing thin. Suddenly, she heard a voice behind her.

"Can I help you, miss?"

Luna turned to face Mrs. Harcourt, Jasper's caretaker. The woman's eyes narrowed, her gaze, a mixture of surprise and curiosity, flicking to the purple cloak before returning to Luna's face.

Mrs. Harcourt's expression turned skeptical. "Milady, what are you doing here?"

"I'm looking for Jasper's chambers," Luna replied, trying to sound confident.

Luna hesitated, unsure how much to reveal but something about Miss Harcourt's kind eyes put her at ease. "I need to speak with him, there was an accident. I need to be sure he's fine," she said finally.

Mrs. Harcourt studied her for a moment before responding."Now is not the right time, today being his mother's anniversary.. you know how he feels about her. Perhaps another time, miss Luna."
She turned to leave but Luna held on to her.

With pleading eyes she spoke, " I just need to see him, know that he's alright. I'll be quick I promise. Please."

Mrs. Harcourt acquiesced. " very well then. Follow me." Luna trailed behind Mrs. Harcourt, her heart pounding in her chest. What would Jasper be like? And what would he say when he saw her?

Mrs. Harcourt stopped in front of a door, " this is where I leave you Young miss." Luna thanked her. Mrs. Harcourt turned and walked briskly away. Luna knocks softly. "Jasper, it's me, Luna. Please let me in."

There's no answer, but she knows he's in there. She can sense it.

She tries the door, and to her surprise, it opens. Jasper's room is dimly lit, the curtains drawn. He's sitting in a chair, his eyes fixed on the floor. He's still in his somber attire.

"Jasper?" Luna says softly, approaching him. He doesn't move, doesn't acknowledge her presence.

Slowly, he raises his head, his eyes locking onto hers. They're dull, lifeless, and Luna's heart breaks. She could see traces of bruises on his face but it had been cleaned and tended to.

"Jasper, what's happened to you?" she whispers.

He shrugs, his shoulders barely moving. "I just need to be alone, Luna. Please leave me alone."

Luna nods, but she knows she can't leave him like this, not after what she went through to her there.

"Jasper, I'm here for you," she says softly. "I'm not going anywhere."

Just then, Jasper pushes her against the wall, his hands on either side of her head, his face inches from hers. Luna's heart races as she feels his warm breath on her skin, his eyes blazing with intensity.

"You shouldn't have come here, Luna," he growls, his voice low and husky. "You shouldn't have pushed me like this."

Luna's eyes lock on his, her pulse pounding in her veins. "I had to come, Jasper," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I had to see you, to know you're okay. Especially today..."

Jasper's gaze drops to her lips, and for a moment, Luna thinks he's going to kiss her but then, he pulls back, his eyes flashing with anger.

"You shouldn't be here," he repeated, his voice firm. "Leave now, Luna before I do something I regret."

Luna's heart aches at his words, but she knows she can't leave. Not now, not when she's so close to breaking down his walls.
" No , I won't" she said stubbornly.

Jasper's eyes narrow, his voice dripping with venom. "You're just a naive little girl, playing at being a savior. You think you can fix me? You think you can save me from myself?"

Luna's eyes widen, her face stinging from his words. "Jasper, that's not fair. I'm trying to help you."

Jasper just sneers. "You don't know what I've been through. You're just a sheltered little princess, living in your perfect little world."

Luna's voice shakes. "That's not true."

Jasper's laugh is harsh. "I'm broken, Luna. I'm beyond repair. And you're just a foolish little girl who thinks she can fix me with her love and her kindness."

Luna's eyes well up with tears as she realizes that Jasper's words are not just hurtful, but also a reflection of his own pain and bitterness.

" Jasper," she says, her voice shaking. " I know that you're hurting but hurting me won't make your pain go away."

Jasper's expression falters for a moment, and Luna sees a glimmer of the boy she once knew but then his mask slips back into place, and he turns away from her.

"You'll never be able to save me. You're just like all the others, Luna. Thinking you're so much better than me with your perfect life and your perfect family but you're not. You're just as fake, just as hollow."

Luna's eyes fill with tears, her heart shattering into a million pieces. She feels like she's been punched in the gut, like she can't breathe.

"Jasper, stop," she whispers. "Please, just stop." But  Jasper just keeps going, his words cutting deeper and deeper.

Luna's eyes widen in shock, her face paling as Jasper's words cut deep.

"You think you can just waltz in here and fix everything with your little smile and your pitying eyes? Well, it won't work. I don't need your sympathy, Luna. I don't need you."

Jasper's voice rises, his words spilling out in a torrent of anger and hurt.

"You're just a reminder of everything I've lost, everything I'll never have. You're a constant reminder of my own inadequacy."

Luna's face crumples, tears streaming down her cheeks as Jasper's harsh words batter her like a storm. She tries to speak, " that's not true..." but Jasper talks over her, his voice drowning out her attempts to defend herself.

"You're nothing but a shallow, selfish little girl, Luna. And I'm better off without you. I hate your kind Luna. I hate you!"

Luna's eyes flash with pain as Jasper's words strike their mark, her face pale and her lips trembling.

"Just leave, Luna," he growls. "And don't come back."

She rushes out, her tears getting the best of her. She can't believe why Jasper would say such words to her, can't believe he'd say such hurtful things.

Mrs. Harcourt's eyes widen with concern as Luna rushes past her, tears streaming down her face. "Luna, dear, what's wrong?" she calls out, but Luna doesn't stop.

The carriage arrives at Hemmet Mansion and she rushes out, her heart heavy with sorrow. She bursts through the door, slamming it shut behind her.

Madina, looks up from her crochet, concern etched on her face. "Milady, how did it go?"

Luna's voice cracks as she speaks. "Just leave, Madina." She leaves quietly. Luna collapses onto her bed, finally allowing herself to release the tears. She sobs uncontrollably, her body shaking with grief.

His harsh words cut deep, revealing the truth - he doesn't trust her, doesn't need her.

As she cries, Luna realizes she's been blind to the truth. Jasper's never going to let her in, never going to love her back. That childhood crush, that had developed. If anything , he hated her and that thought is almost too much to bear.