Princess Selene (AU of The Lunar Chronicles)

Chapter Three

"My conditions are final." I state as calmly as possible "All of my belongings are in the vessel but I shall not leave unless you agree to the conditions."

"So, my love. Your conditions are that Princess Winter, Her father and guard Evret, and the guard Jacin shall accompany you to Earth and stay with you until you leave?" My mother asks

"Yes."

"Why these people? Why wouldn't you ask for me or your aunt or your maid?" she asks, prying. Waiting for me to take a misstep.

"Well. You obviously cannot leave as you have royal obligations to tend to here. And I'm sure Levana has much to do here as well." I lie not wanting the reaction I would get if I simply told her the truth- that I would hate for her to come, that her or Levana coming are the only two possible ways this trip could be any worse. "And as for my maid she is brilliant as far as Lunar fashions go, but I was hoping to wear some Earthen clothes as I'm sure they will have seamstresses there, for the to-be queen of Luna."

"And as for why you chose the princess who shares no blood to the Blackburn lineage, and two lowly guards?"

"Winter is the closest thing I've ever come to having a sibling and she's my best friend. Her father, Evret, is just that. A father to me. Something you have never been able to provide me with," I internally wince at the misstep of an insult and quickly try to move on, "And Jacin, he's Winter and I's closest friend. It is required I have at least two guards everywhere I go, why wouldn't I select the people I know to already be loyal to me."

My mother ponders this for a few moments. I suspect that she knows I didn't tell the full truth, like how Jacin is coming because of Winter's madness, and Evret is more than willing to go because time without Levana manipulating his mind is a gift.

After a while, my mother finally speaks, "You know, Levana won't be happy you are taking her husband away from her. And this could be a very long trip."

"Have you ever cared about what Levana thinks of your decisions, Mother?"

"Very well." she says with an evil sort of smile, and I know I have won this battle. "I shall send someone to go fetch them they have an hour to pack their things and get loaded onto the ship or else they get left behind."

I simply nod my head to my mother as there is nothing else to be said about the arrangement. I turn around and walk out thinking about my journey to come.