Selene POV
A small smile settled on my lips as I walked out of the office and ca face to face with Brooke, leaning on the wall that led to the corridor where Noah’s office was.
I was familiar with this scene. When I was married to Xavier, in my weak days, Belinda will co to my room several ti or whatever opportunity she had to taunt . So days, I will try to fight back but will end up getting the brunt of Xavier’s wrath.
She was beautiful, young and satisfied him in more ways than I did so it was only normal for everyone to always take sides with her. Back then, she would self-harm, accuse of insulting her and a lot of unprintable things and no matter how greatly disadvantaged I was back then, Xavier always took her side and would bla .
I raised my chin high, telling myself that I wouldn’t exchange so much of a word with Brooke. I had passed that stage where I should be worried about a man liking or not.
"Hi Luna," She suddenly blocked my path giving a bright smile "I know you’re busy and stuff but can you spare a minute of your ti,".
"Oh, I’m sorry about that," I said with a straight face "I need to go check on my children,".
"Perhaps so other ti or..." she clasped her hand in front of giving the puppy gaze "How about I do dinner with you and your family? Consider it as trying to showcase how I will make a perfect Beta and I’m curious about everything that has been happening in the pack since I was away,".
"I see!" I arched my brow at her "Dinner is by 9pm," I said and walked past her ignoring her repeated thank yous.
I was so wrapped in my thoughts that I didn’t notice I was in front of the girl’s room. As I made to open the door, their nannies ca out bearing trays of untouched food.
"What happened?" I asked them.
"They have refused to it, Luna," Maeve’s nanny sighed "And they won’t stop crying either. I don’t know what the problem is and I have proffered all the solution I can but nothing seems to be working,".
"Sa here Luna," Vina’s Nanny said "May I ask, did sothing happen in school again?"
"Again?" I turned to face her "What does it an again?"
The Nanny looked back at the closed door; I could see fear in her eyes. Straightening and making sure that my voice is audible I instructed.
"Return the food trays to the kitchen, I’ll just go for a stroll in the garden,".
They both nodded with understanding as they went down the stairs. A few minutes later, I was sitting under the Elderberry tree waiting for them. They arrived a short while later.
"Sorry for keeping you, Luna," Vina’s Nanny apologized.
"No, it’s fine," I gave the won a small smile "Now what is it you wanted to tell ?"
"Well, although the young princess asked to keep it away from you because she doesn’t want you to worry or bother but recently, she has been bullied in school both by her classmates and teachers,".
"T-Teachers?" Tears pooled in my eyes "Did you say Teachers?"
"Yes, Luna," Maeve’s Nanny nodded "They told us that everyone hates them in their class and they keep saying a lot of bad words about you. They think your marriage to the King will bring disaster,".
I swiped at the tears that had rolled down my cheeks as I tried not to show my frustration "Who is feeding them with all of these lies? What have I possibly done wrong that everyone hates ? Fine, even if they do but why would they involve my innocent children? They’ve done nothing wrong; they should direct their anger to and not them,".
"Luna, I think the problem is coming from inside," Maeve’s nanny murmured "We’ve worked for you for such a short ti but you’ve treated us better than anyone has in Moon Whispers. Also, it’s easy to sell information to our people and it’s worse because no one can hear your own side of the story,".
"Is there sothing I can do at least? I reported these incidents several tis to my husband but he’s dragging his feet. I will welco any suggestions you give , I promise," I told them.
Both won exchanged a look before they turned to , "There’s this social volunteer group... it’s filled mostly with won from the lower town; that is Ogas and Deltas. Our goal is to raise funds for basic anities that is not accessible to us because of our status and have them built in our settlent. Perhaps, you’d like to...".
"Yes," I nodded before they finished speaking "I’ll try that,".
"But it’s risky, Luna... If they people know you’re associating with us, they might cause a ruckus and I cannot imagine how it will bring both you and the king distress,".
I thought about it for a while, trying to weigh the pros and cons. The easiest ways to spread gossip has always been through the people, and all I need at the mont was just to spread the news amongst the ogas and let them do their jobs. Naturally, it’ll filter to every other part of the society.
Ogas are mostly used as dostic servants, do odd and nial jobs... so it was a perfect idea.
"What if!" I paused "What if I do not co to these gatherings as the Luna. I could change my appearance,".
"Yes," they nodded with excitent "That will work also. I’ll make arrangents for you for the next eting day,".
"Okay," I nodded "Thank you so much,".
***
"You did what?" Noah’s eyes shone with rage.
We were setting the table for dinner and I had casually inford him that I invited Brooke to co dine with us.
"She as practically pleading. So, I had no choice but to let her,".
"There was a reason why I didn’t allow her to dine with us, Selene. She’s my ex and everything will be so fucking uncomfortable. Why would you even agree to her in the first place? Brooke is like that. To everyone she seems like a sweet, pure soul but I’ve had to put up with that girl several tis in my life before so I know better,".
"I am not disputing that you know better, Noah! If I had rejected her, then I’ll be accused of being bitter or wicked. Already everyone hates so this will be a perfect excuse for them to hate more,".
"So, cuddling up with Brooke will make the problems disappear?" He scoffed "I can’t believe this Selene. How can you do this?"
"I think you’re overreacting," I said quietly setting the cutleries next to the plate "Except you’re scared that she might expose sothing, I don’t see how you’ll be bothered by the issue,".
"Fuck!" He screeched pounding in his hands on the table You’ll not know what I’m trying to avoid until you co close and fit into my shoes.
On cue, a maid ca to us and bowed respectfully before she started speaking.
"Your majesty, a guest is outside waiting for you, she says she was invited for dinner with the family,".
"Yeah," I nodded "Let her in,".
The maid acknowledged before scurrying away. I turned to Noah who had a quiet expression on his face "I hope you do not regret these actions one day," he said and turned on his heels, leaving the room.
A while later, the maid returns with Brooke in her wake. Surprisingly, she was dressed more conservatively down. She had a green calf-length gown and pink slides. Her makeup was minimal and she looked so responsible.
"Luna Selene," she hurried to with a huge smile on her face as she presented with a basked that held three exotic wines "It’s so nice of you to let share in your family’s warmth tonight. Thank you again!"
"It’s a pleasure," I replied pleasantly passing the wine basket to a maid. "I just finished setting the table and it’s not yet dinner so that’s why everyone isn’t here yet,".
"I ca too early, right?" she pouted "It’s just that, I was so excited and since I finished on ti, I decided to co early,".
"That’s fine," I nodded "why don’t we do sothing else why we wait for dinner ti," I asked.
"Woah!" she yelped staring at eagerly "I’d like that. What did you have in mind? A ga? Long discussions... anything I’m down for it,".
"Well, I’ll tell you that shortly," I said with a smile "Co with let’s go to the kitchen and pick up so snacks," I said to her.
When we entered, I could see the shocked expression on the faces of the kitchen staff. I saw recognition flicker in their eyes and just as I expected, Brooke began to show familiarity.
"Hey, Dave," she greeted the chief pastry chef "Longest ti no see... you look good!".
"N-Not as g-good as you, my lady," Dave stuttered eyeing with discomfort.
I waited for her while she greeted almost everyone before I steered her to the pastry table where we selected the snacks we want. By the ti we settled in the small patio that was central in the house so that all the staff could see us, I had a light smile on my face.
I had simply created an alibi in case Brooke wants to play smart.
"So, Brooke dear," I began as soon as we settled on the chair. I leaned forward to grab my cup of latte and took a sip before I turned to face her again not before I saw the disdain in her eyes.
I wonder how she could put on a smiling face when she clearly didn’t like ?
"Can you tell all about you and Noah?" I finished with a perfect smile.
The cup slipped from her hands and fell on the floor into a million pieces and her face had turned pale with shock.
I hid a smile; I was just getting started....
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