Torment ( Book Two )

Chapter 32

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This one's a little short but at least it's something, right? :c

I'll try to update faster.

I wanna hear what you think about Luna having a daughter :3

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Chapter Thirty-Two

Amber watched with a frown as Oliver growled at a rabbit in the backyard.

"Leave it alone."

Oliver whimpered and tried to suppress his growling as the rabbit darted in front of them.

It was mid-August and the weather was perfect: not too hot and not too cold. The backyard was practically glowing under the sun. It was a picturesque scene that Amber was slowly taking in.

Luna was busy with her royal duties and Amber's parents were beginning to get upset about Amber leaving for college soon. Joel and Samuel were busy preparing their wedding and Eva was helping them. Asher was at a skating park with his friends and Hailey was still visiting her mother.

That left Amber and Oliver alone.

She watched as visiting subjects snapped pictures of the outside and praised the bright flowers and glowing grass and running fountains.

Amber smiled with pride. The outside of the castle was prettier than the inside and Amber felt blessed to live in such a place.

Amber was in such a peaceful state that she was startled when Luna showed up next to her.

"Oh, hey, Luna."

Luna smiled and the girl's hands interlocked almost automatically.

"Hello, Amber. It's a beautiful day."

Amber nodded. "Are you done with your work?"

"For now, yes. Someone somewhere is bound to need something from me soon, though," Luna said with a roll of her pink eyes.

Oliver suddenly became aware of Luna's presence and he darted toward them and excitedly jumped on his hind legs, clawing at her and panting.

Luna, however, wasn't so excited. She inhaled and stepped back from the dog, clutching her long dress. The red fabric had been torn where Oliver had jumped on her.

"Are you serious?" Luna groaned angrily before glaring at the dog. "Bad!"

Oliver whimpered and ducked down, his ears hanging.

"He's pitiful," Amber cooed.

"He ripped my dress!"

Amber bent down to scoop Oliver in her arms. "He didn't mean to, baby."

But Luna was still glaring. Her dress was ripped badly but surely she could afford multiple pairs of the same dress.

"Have his claws cut," she said sharply.

Amber took a step back. "Fine."

Visitors scurried over to them and asked for pictures with the queen. Luna was appalled and made them take the pictures above her waist so the tears in her dress wouldn't show.

After the crowd had dispersed, Luna's face tightened.

"Can I ask you something?"

Amber instantly thought it had something to do with Caroline. Should she act like she didn't know who she was or should she admit Hailey already told her?

"Of course."

"What do you think about waiting another year before you go to college?"

Amber was surprised and relieved.

"I never thought of doing that. Why should I wait?"

Oliver began to squirm in her arms so she set him back down on the path they were walking on.

"It's really because of my new royalty. I know it's a strain on our relationship and your life in general. I think a year would give you time to get used to it and not let it distract you in college. Also, we already hardly get anytime to speak anymore. With you gone and me running the kingdom, when are we supposed to talk?"

Luna had obviously been thinking about this for a while. Amber knew she was right that it would be for the  best. The idea of college did seem a little rushed due to her busy life. Classes started in a few weeks, though. If she wasn't going to attend this year, she needed to decide soon and let the school know. Waiting a year was an option to consider.

"I'll think about it, Luna," Amber promised.

Luna's expression softened. "Thanks."

Amber was going to carry on the conversation about college but was interrupted by one of the officials who had approached them.

"Excuse me, my Queen," he said with a quick bow. "Mr. Klune needs to know if you'd like the same glass to replace the window your sister broke."

Luna glanced nervously at Amber, who was suspicious. "Uh, yes. The same kind will do."

The man nodded, smiled, and left, leaving the two girls in an awkward situation.

Amber hadn't been told something. She knew Alice had to have visited. It had simply been too long since her first visit for her to not come and tease Luna more.

Amber stared at Luna, trying to silently force the truth out of her. However, Luna was avoiding eye contact.

"Who broke your window?" Amber eventually asked. She wanted to know what happened while she was absent.

Luna sighed heavily, indicating the news wasn't good.

"Alice broke it," she admitted. "She broke through my window and asked if I made up my mind yet."

"Did she hurt you?"

"Not anymore than she already has," Luna replied solemnly.

Quiet settled between them before curiosity took the best of Amber again.

"Well, have you made up your mind yet?"

Luna's heels clicked against the pavement at a steady pace while the two girls walked.

"No," Luna practically whispered.

Amber decided to play dumb. "I don't know who this Caroline girl is, but I don't think you should give up your throne for her. You're a terrific queen and Alice would destroy this place."

Luna glanced at Amber, her curled black hair dangling down past her shoulders. "You think I'm a terrific queen?"

Amber nodded confidently. It was true, after all. Luna was doing much better than Amber expected.

"I'm surprised to hear you say that," Luna said with a smile. "But thank you."

Amber smiled back but was disappointed. Luna was still dancing around the subject of Caroline. She wasn't going to tell Amber who she was. But why? Did she fear that Amber would leave her after finding out Luna had a child?

Luna thought that college and royalty was creating a strain on their relationship when in reality, the only thing damaging their relationship was all the secrets they kept from each other.