The Hidden Luna Queen 2

Maeve POV

I was not sure what-or who-to expect when my mysterious knight in shining armor burst through the bathroom door.

My first instinct was that it might have been Xaden, having somehow found out about my sudden dilemma through our deep, mystical bond, and that he would swoop in to save the day like all those heroes I'd read about in fairytales... but even I had to admit how outlandish the idea was, however romantic it might have been in my mind.

Or perhaps his Prime Beta had arrived on Xaden's behalf and would rush me to his side, ever the reliable right-hand man.

Instead, however, a young woman entered the bathroom. Judging by the immaculate white brilliance of the tea-length dress with delicate patterns and short, lace bell sleeves, and an elegantly styled updo that enhanced her youthful beauty, she was no omega servant. She came from wealth.

"Is your name Maeve...?" she repeated, still struggling to catch her breath. "Please tell me it is..."

I regarded her warily, unsure if she was an acquaintance of Isabelle's." How do you know that name? Did someone tell you-?"

All of a sudden, she grabbed me by the hand and led me out of the bathroom, taking me by surprise, completely disregarding the guard that had been waiting outside for me. To avoid an incomplete reading experience, visit Jobn'i'b.com. "I'm sorry for the rush!" she apologized loudly as she hurried me down the palace hallways. "We really don't have the time to stand around-and you can't face the Alpha King looking like that!"

My mind whirled. What on earth was going on?!

Was she some sort of magical fairy godmother who did not like taking shortcuts? Or perhaps a witch who lacked the skills to conjure up a new dress?

Regardless, she definitely knew more than she was letting on!

"Who are you?" I questioned again as best I could, trying to ignore the sudden whiplash I felt. "And how do you know my name?"

"Xaden's Prime Beta passed on a message to me," she answered without a hitch, peering at me over her puffed shoulder while expertly navigating the hallways all at once. "He asked me to help you however I could."

I blinked. "Xaden? How do you know him?"

She skidded to a stop in front of a door in the middle of a private corridor. "He's my older brother," she said with a breathless smile.

Brother? I thought, baffled. But that would make her...

"Y-You're Princess Charlotte..." I stammered, growing hot as I quickly dipped into a low curtsy. "I-I'm so sorry for speaking so harshly to you..."

She, however, was quick to stop me and pulled me back up. "Please, you don't need to do that," she urged with wide eyes. "I didn't agree to help you and Xaden for any special treatment in return."

I was confused. "Then why...?"

Charlotte gave me a friendly smile, leading me into her gigantic, clean room decorated in white, gold, and pink furniture more lavish and elegant than anything in Sarah's room. "He might come across as intimidating to some, but he's fiercely loyal and protective of the ones he loves," she said. "He's a kind-hearted brother and an even better man."

She gazed at me knowingly. "That's why, as soon as he asked me to help you, I knew you were somebody special."

I blushed. It was one thing to hear it from a psychic and another thing to hear it from Xaden, but it was something else entirely to hear it come from someone as close to him as his sister. That somehow made it seem more genuine. "He's the best man I know," I admitted. "He helped me and believed in me when no one else would. I... don't know where I'd be without him."

As we spoke, it was like any worries I had melted away. She was surprisingly kind and considerate, more than I expected a princess to be, and it made our conversation flow as easily as a breeze. This was one of very few times when I felt close to another girl. It felt... really nice.

Charlotte was even sweet enough to offer to help me get out of the dirtied dress, which I accepted. It wasn't until after the dress had already been removed that I remembered my small baby bump. I registered the moment she caught sight of it, and the subsequent widening of her hazel eyes.

Startled, I hid my belly behind my hands as best I could. "I-It's still early..."

She sparkled with excitement. "Does Xaden know?" she asked.