[redith].
Draven’s eyes snapped to mine. Silence pressed between us, heavy, suffocating.
In that mont, both of us understood that this wasn’t an accident or suicide. This was sothing else.
Sothing that terrified a grown woman into complete silence. Sothing lurking inside this house. Sothing close to Xamira.
A heavy silence lingered after my last words, about fear so deep it could silence a scream.
Then I drew in a slow breath and asked quietly, "Who else knows about this? Besides us?"
Draven didn’t hesitate. "Dennis. And the guard who found the body."
Only three people.
"And your father?" I pressed. "Or anyone in authority? You don’t want to tell them?"
His expression hardened. "Tell my father?" He almost scoffed.
"redith, he hates humans. He doesn’t care if they live or die. What do you think will happen if I tell him the human nanny of my human daughter fell from a balcony?"
I exhaled softly. He was right. Nothing would happen. Nothing would change—no justice, no investigation, just... indifference.
Draven continued with a low tone. "He would dismiss it. And if word spreads, it puts Xamira in even more danger. People already talk quietly. I won’t give them fuel."
I understood painfully well.
"Still," I said, straightening, "we need to find out why she died, and how. This isn’t sothing we can ignore."
Draven nodded. "I’m on it already."
A small weight lifted from my chest. But another instantly replaced it. "Draven, if sothing truly frightened that woman... what if Xamira is in danger?"
His jaw clenched, and I knew the thought had been haunting him, too.
"Keeping her locked in that room all day won’t help," I added softly. "She’s a child. She needs people. Sunlight. Company."
I was t with silence, then I told him the truth, settling in my heart. "I want to see her."
He t my gaze—calm, inscrutable, and ultimately nodded. "Go ahead," he said quietly.
It wasn’t just permission, it was trust. And I intended to protect that child with everything in .
---
Xamira’s bedroom door was slightly ajar. I knocked gently anyway and stepped inside.
Lucy, the new nanny, was standing behind Xamira, carefully brushing out her dark hair. The mont Xamira saw , her entire face lit up like sunrise.
"My lady!" she squealed.
Before I could react, she hopped off her little stool and ran straight into my arms. I bent down and hugged her tightly.
Lucy bowed deeply. "Good morning, Luna."
I gave her a small nod. "Good morning."
My attention returned to Xamira, who clung to with so much innocent joy that my heart squeezed.
’Look at her... so harmless. And yet Valmora bristles every ti this child is near .’ I still didn’t understand why.
I took Xamira’s hand and led her back to her seat. "Have you eaten breakfast?"
She shook her head, her cheeks puffed a little. "No. I just woke up. Lucy is about to feed ."
"I see."
Lucy resud brushing her hair, dividing it neatly into two pigtails. Xamira dug into a tiny basket beside her and pulled out several colourful hair ties, then presented them proudly to .
"My lady, pick one!"
I smiled. "Hmm... this one."
She giggled as Lucy used the chosen tie to secure her hair.
While they finished, I looked around the bedroom—and irritation pinched the back of my mind. The plain walls. Not a single toy, not a single colour suited for a seven-year-old child.
This wasn’t a room for a little girl. It looked more like a guest chamber soone shoved her into as an afterthought.
I had completely forgotten to bring this up with Draven earlier.
"Lucy," I said, turning to her.
She straightened imdiately. "Yes, Luna?"
"Please inform Mada Beatrice that I want this room redecorated appropriately for a child. Also, tell her to send a team. I will personally select the décor and items."
Lucy nodded. "Of course, Luna."
Xamira gasped dramatically and flung herself at again, arms wrapped tight around my waist.
"You are the best!" she squealed.
I laughed softly and smoothed her hair. "Are you really that happy?"
She nodded enthusiastically. "Yes!"
I cupped her cheek gently. "Do you know what else will make you happy?"
She tilted her head. "What?"
"I will be spending a few hours with you today. And afterwards, you will co with to have lunch with your daddy and the others."
Her eyes went wide—pure, unfiltered joy shining in them.
"Really?!"
"Yes, really."
She bounced on her toes, nearly vibrating with excitent.
Just then, Lucy stepped away from the vanity and uncovered the plate on Xamira’s little table. A gentle wave of warm oats and honeyed pancakes drifted into the air.
"Sit, sweetheart," I told her softly.
Xamira obeyed imdiately, hopping onto her chair and swinging her legs as she picked up her spoon.
The first bite made her hum in satisfaction—the innocence in that tiny sound pulled at sothing in my chest.
Lucy quietly busied herself—folding blankets, smoothing pillows, straightening the small shelf near the window. Her steps were soft enough not to disturb us.
As Xamira ate, she looked up at with sparkling eyes.
"My lady, we can do a lot of things today," she announced proudly. "We can read, or draw or—or we can knit!"
I raised a brow, amused. "Knit? Do you know how to knit?"
She nodded so eagerly her pigtails bounced. "Lucy is teaching ! I already learned how to make a straight line. Look!"
She mid the motion with her spoon—two tiny hands flicking forward in a clumsy imitation of knitting needles.
I smiled despite myself. "Is that so?"
"Yes!" Her grin widened. "After I finish eating, I will show you everything I learned."
Her excitent was so sincere, so bright that for a mont, I simply watched her—watched the way she leaned toward . Watched how freely she chattered when she was comfortable. Watched the pure trust she placed in without hesitation.
And sothing inside softened.
This little girl had already lost too much, plus the chance to be a normal child in a ho where many would hate her for her bloodline.
Xamira didn’t need a Luna right now. What she needed was soone to shield her from this world.
My heart tightened as she took another bite and swung her legs gently.
’I will protect you,’ I promised silently. ’No matter what Valmora thinks. No matter what danger lurks here. No matter who dislikes your presence.’
Xamira glanced up at mid-bite and smiled again—innocent, trusting, unaware of any darkness. And I smiled back.
Today, she would have a good day. I would make sure of it.
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