Chapter 10 - Thrice

[Drifting in and out a dreamless night, Luna had returned to the world. Fond of the gift given by the Goddess Nevira, Luna now held numerous new issues she needed to have dealt and even more than that, she had been informed by Envy at Nevira's warning.]

"("This can't be undone... She and I -- we are forever bonded as one. Nothing else -- not even death can save her life... Sister Keily, you have up so much... Why? ") "

[Tossing in her firm bed while resting in a small cottage home beside what remained in the Trost Forest, Luna glanced towards Envy as she slept without the slightest of sounds and still gripping her stainless steel sword.]

"(When was it... That I stopped talking to my family... Ever since mother had died and passed on the title as the next head of the clan, I never wanted to be compared to her and my great ancestors... I can hear what the other clan members talk about me behind my back -- such vicious and disrespectful words about giving myself to the one man whose family our clan has hated the most.. ") "

[Standing up, Luna wraps herself on a thin, silk-light blanket and wanders over to the window with each step. Standing before a breathtaking, artificial garden, Luna held no light within her eyes. Clenching at her chest as if clenching at her heart, Luna felt a deep yearning for something that she instinctively felt was missing.]

"(It has been only a day and already -- I feel pike I failed... Sister Keily did destroy a mass of the Trost Forest and yet-") "

"You still can forgive her -- right, Sister Luna? "

[Turning abruptly, Luna's hair gently danced amid the glistening pond behind the window-frame. Glancing toward Envy as she had met her eye from beside the opposite doorway. Envy held a distant glare toward the floor as she only took one glance at Luna and hid away her gaze without needing a single word.]

"You heard me -- for how long? "

"Long enough... Sister Luna -- this is dangerous. I know it is not my place to argue, let alone complain... But please, reconsider our conversation from earlier. "

"Enough. I already decided I will live to protect Sister Keily... And as well as our clan and our people. "

[Standing in a rush, Envy raise dher tone as she pleased with Luna.]

"Please, Sister Luna! Please, reconsider -- your life is more than just your own! There are more than just the two of us, people, our people have been wanting to cross the borders from the other regions after news of your highness ailment! Emperor Iviet has been keeping the other clan heads at bay with just his word however, how long do you suppose that will last!? "

"Stop! I don't need you to hold my hand like when we were kids anymore, Sister Envy, please. Respect my decision. My family may have once lead the other clans, but it was my ancestors decision to leave the main branch of the family and live a life of isolation within the Trost Forest that was given to us. "

"Even when you yourself could die at any moment!? No! I refuse to acknowledge any old testimony that say you are not allowed to live your life! Sister Luna, I have watched you for a very long time. We grew up together. Me, you and Kavi. Why is it hard for you, why are you the only one who must sacrifice everything and then become a sacrifice for the clan!? "

[Collapsing to her knees, Envy's genuine tears never stopped flowing before Luna. Luna grasped a quick breath as if to rebuke Envy's words yet, froze as she herself could only turn and remain silent for several seconds until finally sending Envy away in the sence of letting her get some rest.]

~~~

[Later that morning, Luna rined wide awake as she gleamed over to the ceiling and pondering her life from what it had once been to where she was now and where she will be going in the future. Lost, alone and under a great pressure, Luna finally accepted the only answer she had ever known which was to fulfill her promise to Iviet in return for saving her clan as well as the people in her village.]

~~~

"Please, wait here as his majesty is finishing up his work at the New Capital. "

[Taking a seat beside a pearly green and white jaded short table, Luna held an air of confidence as Iviet stood at the door upon hearing Luna' request to see him.]

"My beloved, what are you doing here? "

"Emperor Iviet, I understand you took great care of my clan after I was... Erm, out. I have but a few things to clear with you today. Thank you for protecting my kin then and for all you have done since then. "

"No... "

"... "

"I mean, not like this. Obviously, I have a come to a new understanding, Luna. When I met your eye the day before, I was, overjoyed when I saw you standing. Awake, breathing with the same composed air as all those years ago. "

"Yet? "

"Yet, when I met your eyes, I felt no soul within them. Sure, you are awake now... it hurts every time I see you. It is as if -"

"I am missing a piece of myself? "

[Astonished yet, unphased by Luna's sharpness, Iviet cotnonued in a low tone.]

"As you know, I have never taken a single woman before I met you. Of course, none of them ever really captured my eye, unlike you did when you saved me. You see, every day, I met many of my Generals daughters, nieces, and family members. Beautiful, smart, and stunning creatures that can and have captivated any and every man from her all the way round Yurin. "

"Even if that is so, you need not explain yourself to me. "

"Right. Because you are different... Luna. You are nothing like them. Many scheme, plot elaborate plans and ambushes just to speak with me or sleep with me... I hate that, I utterly despise all of it, like as if it was all a bad dating sim without an ending screen! "

[Raising her brow, Luna did not understand the last part Iviet had said yet, before she could ask, Iviet stood up and met her eye with a firm conviction.]

"Luna, I know you are amazing, I also want you to know that what I said that day at the palace was just a spur of the moment. But, Luna. I do genuinely care about you. I had many men hired to find you and your village and only after a few months ago, did you appear before me after all this time and you had grown into a beautiful, strong woman. "

"Why... When I sought your help, you teased me and more than that, your family was partly the reason our clan went into hiding! You and the other clans were all our ancestors enemies! "

"You are right. I was only seven when I learned about the last great war between our two lands. The Trost Forest acted like a border between our two countries four hundred years ago. It was my ancestor that led war and bloodshed for many years. I can't apologize for my ancestors tyranny, I am sorry. "

"Save it... Since you know, I don't have to pretend. Emperor Iviet, as per our agreement, I, Luna of the Luminous clan offer myself to your Highness in return for curing our people. If there is anything else, I shall be at my chambers. No need to send anyone to how me the way, I already know where it is. "

[As Luna left, she herself felt doffremt from how she was before. No longer childish or naive, it was as if Keily's mature nature had affected Luna's personality. Luna stood tall as she lightly smiled at the thought of Keily leaving behind such a present for Luna be it coincidence or something else entirely.]

"What a day... Argh! "

[Collapsing on one knee, Luna raised her gaze toward the sky as she grasped her chest. "]

"They are coming... They are already nearly here! "

[Within the bright blue hue of the sky, thre bright and ever growing stars shone elegantly as they drew closer to Yurin. The crushing weight inside of Luna suggested that she was running out of time. Feeling a misty haze guide her eyes, Luna soon found herself at the stone platform that had all but been nearly wiped away as she collapsed onto the platform without her being entirely conscious.]

~~~

[A bright light soon appeared to shoot high into the sky. As the bright light only shone for several seconds, the light disappeared as Envy arrived at the platform to find no trace of Luna.]

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