Winter

Chapter 1: Winter

I hurriedly packed the red candies into the basket for Scarlet. We've become closer, the last few visits. She seemed to trust me even more. More open. She even started talking about her personal life. This time, I'll make sure I'll get her complete trust. I want to make her my friend, under the disguise as my pet.

"I see that you and your pet are becoming close." I jumped so abruptly that I dropped the basket. The red candies scattered across the carpeted floor. I made no move to pick them up, instead I turned around and saw Levana sitting on a divan. I'm confused. I didn't expect her to return back to Luna once her groom was kidnapped. But I wave it off.

"Yes. I guess we are," I said with suspicion. Levana doesn't just pay regular visits. She always has a purpose for everything. I started getting suspicious. So far, I wasn't enjoying her visit. "Why have you come here? You don't visit me often," I asked, suspiciously.

She just sat there, crossed legs, examining her nails like a carefree teenager. But I know that she's actually calculating her next move, trying to make it as painful as possible. Finally she replied. "I came here to ask you of something, my dear Winter." I was taken aback. Never has Levana ever showed so much attention to me. Nor has she ever called me "dear". Either it's one of her schemes, or something else. My suspicion grew, like a fire spreading.

"Go on," I uttered, reluctantly. I feel my fingers trembling, so I locked them behind my back. I made my face a mask that shows no emotion. I braced myself for whatever comes next.

She stood up, and started walking towards me, slowly. "As you know, I have waged war against Earth." With each word she got closer, and the more I stared the more inhuman she got. Her skin started to stretch taut over her bones, tinged with a sickly green color. I froze with fear. All I can do was stare. "Emperor Kai has been kidnapped, by Selene and her band of insurgents. And now they have become more of a threat then ever." There are only several inches separating us now. She started circling me like a predator. Her hair had become unruly and wild, her pupils dilated, and her nails became razor-sharp claws. This is the monster that Levana really is, beneath her glamour. What's she's been hiding all these years. "And I can't fight in this war alone." She gave me a sinister smile.

"What do you want?" I demanded. My voice was full of fear. And my breath came in short bursts. I was terrified.

"What I want," whispered Levana, turning so her mouth is brushing my ear. "Is a lieutenant. And what better candidate than my own daughter." I stumbled backwards, my hands covering my mouth, trying to hide the shock. I looked back at Levana. I slowly drew back my hands.

"Why?" I panted. My face twisted with confusion and dread.

"You are the only heir to the Lunar throne-"

"Selene-"

"Silence." I bit my lip, and squeeze my eyes shut.

"When we're done with Selene," she continued, "There will only be one heir left." She paused, trying to get the message across. "And you need to be prepared in order to become queen. Learn war tactics, and law, how to be a fair ruler. And this war is the perfect chance for you to gain that knowledge. You will become a fair queen, and follow in my footsteps."

I know that she's merely asking, and I'll have to take the job eventually, but it still felt that she was threatening me. "I-I'll consider i-it," I stuttered.

"Good." Then, she strided out of my chambers. I slowly got up from the floor. It hasn't occurred to me that I've fallen. I put my head in my hands, and took deep breaths. I felt indecisive.

My eyes scanned the room. Then, out of the corner my eye, I saw a glint. It was coming from the divan. It can't be a mirror, maybe jewelry? I slowly crept up to the divan, and wedged my hand in between the cushions. When I grasped something hard, I pulled back and a chip rests in the palm of my hand. I stared at it, examining it from every angle. This wasn't here before. This must be Levana's.

I heard a knock. "Princess Winter. It's time for your daily visit to the cages." It was my escort. I can't visit today. Not with what just happened.

"I-I'm not feeling well, I don't think that I'll be able to visit today," I called back, trying to sound as sick as possible. I coughed loud.

"Shall I call for a maid to get you medicine?" asks my escort.

"No. That's all right." I yearned for him to leave.

"All right." I didn't move until I couldn't hear the echo of his footsteps anymore. Then, I quickly scurriedto the nearest netscreen and inserted the chip. In an instant, I saw a little circle rotating in the center of the screen. I gasped. This was a direct-communication chip, and I'm about to meet who's on the other side of the link.

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So if you read chapter 8, then you know why I rewrote this chapter. And for those of you who are reading this for the first time, then that's great for me! Basically I felt like I really need to up my game on this story, so this is it! BUT DONT WORRY, I'll be making the other chapters better, so you won't be thinking negative things about me!!! So yeah, that's all I got to say. MAN, WAS THIS SHORT! Remember to comment, review, and follow me!

See you next time aboard the Rampion,
FanGirlfortheLC

(P. S. THANK YOU FOR OVER 3.5K READS! THATS AMAZING YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!)