This is the tale of a journey that takes Luna not only to discover the world beyond Narnia's borders; she will find a purpose that goes deeper than protecting her king.
» That's why. I can't protect you the way I should... « As she looks into his ey...
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As the two young women reach the end of the staircase, they can hear music, voices, and merry laughter already. To their left, the ballroom opens through high doors. At the thought of going in there and being seen by all those people in this dress that reveals more than it covers, Luna shudders involuntarily. It will be fine, the words from earlier echo through her mind. She realizes she needs the encouragement just as much as Lucy needed it a few moments prior. Somehow, she wishes Melian wouldn't have left the two to enter the feast by themselves - their friends are probably already mingling inside. Lucy and Luna exchange a glance, they know they have to show their best side tonight, for the alliance's sake. Silently, they agree to watch each other's back as good as they can. Then, Lucy goes ahead. She floats into the ballroom, head held high like the queen she is and always will be. Luna follows a few steps behind her as a lady-in-waiting would. The room seems to quiet down at their entrance, Luna doesn't like the whispering one bit and is tempted to just turn and leave again. The things she does for the royals!
It takes only a few moments, and Lucy and Luna are swarmed by people. Luna has to hold her own to stay close to Lucy, so there is no time to look for the kings, Eustace, Reepicheep and the others. The women are caught in conversation with a few nobles. Well, Lucy is while Luna has to stand idly and at least pretend to listen. Luna hates the eyes on her; they don't make her feel beautiful. Quite the opposite, actually. It feels as though the looks stick to her skin, crawling all over her. Suddenly, something touches her back. She freezes, immediately tensing as goose bumps run over her entire body. She lifts her shoulders slightly, looking for a way to step away. There is none, she is caught in place.
» Good evening, « a voice says next to her. Luna just knows it belongs to the same man who has his hand on her back. Yes, of course it's a man. No woman would touch another like this.
» Who is this beautiful lady without company? « The stranger asks. Luna turns her head to look at him. It's a middle-aged man, a little smaller than Luna. His face is clean-shaven, and his long hair is held back in a low ponytail. There is something in his eyes that sends another shiver down her spine. They are green and sparkle hungrily. Luna has never felt so uncomfortable in her life, dirty and like prey. If it wasn't for the good of Narnia, she would have broken his hand by now. As one can see, Luna isn't one for politics and the life of nobles is strange to her. She gulps.
» Now, my little bird, did my appearance startle you? « The man asks,
» My humble apology. « He bows his head ever so slightly, but his eyes wander over her as his hand on her back moves downward.
» I'm not without company, « she manages to say, cursing her voice for betraying her fear. Would her thoughts not seem stuck on the question what to do without attracting too much attention, she would have cursed herself for freezing in a situation like this, freezing when politics are concerned, freezing up at all. She should be able to do better!
