The Hidden Luna Queen 2

I wished I could say the same, but I felt incredibly conflicted.

There was something about the way he looked down at me that rubbed me the wrong way. Like he thought he had something to gain if I slipped up. I recalled what Xaden had told me the first time he brought me to his mansion... about having family who cared only about ascending the throne, and then, of course, there was Henry's own words from yesterday's meeting, where he mentioned needing whatever leverage was necessary to win.

However cordial he seemed to be, I could not shake that feeling. I trusted Xaden's prior warnings about certain family members and their ambitions, and I refused to give his brother anything that might hurt Xaden in some way.

It didn't matter if he turned on his wife yesterday because of her actions. I couldn't trust him.

However, Henry didn't seem to be finished. "If I may, I'd like to learn more about you, Maeve. Is that alright?"

Uncertainly, I opened my mouth in an attempt to answer, but I was not sure how to say no without offending him.

"Unfortunately, Henry, she was just on her way out," Lucas interjected, pushing himself between his elder brother and me, shielding me from view. "Let's be sure to try this some other time, yes?"

"Yes, of course." His disappointment was plain as day. “Some other time, then.”

And with that, the so-called "hallway meeting" came to an end, with Henry heading off deeper into the palace.

Lucas, however, was kind enough to escort me to the car, ensuring that I wouldn't get any more surprise encounters along the way. My initial instinct had been to decline, but at the same time, I knew my track record for finding trouble was... remarkable. that."

"I apologize about Henry," he said, looking embarrassed. “He and Xaden have practically been at war ever since we began our campaigns. It's nothing personal against you, I can promise you

I slowly nodded. I already gathered as much, but it was sweet of him to try to make me feel better. "Things have been pretty bad, then... haven't they?" I asked with a wince.

"I can't deny that. But Xaden is a tough boy," he reassured me with a small smile, "and he's more than capable of taking on our obnoxious brother. I'll do my best to help him whenever he needs it, don't you worry."

I couldn't find it in me to dump all of my concerns on him, not after all he was doing to alleviate them. So we just strolled alongside each other and made light small talk. His eyes lit up every time Xaden was brought up, which warmed my heart. It was clear how much he admired his older brother.

Maybe it would be nice to try to spend some time with the two of them, so I could see how they interacted. And then I was suddenly reminded of one other person I would love to have joined that gathering. After how readily she had helped me, I would have loved the chance to spend more time with Princess Charlotte.

If I could gain a brother through Lucas, then maybe it was possible to find a sister in her.

It wasn't long before we finally reached the car and I said goodbye to Prince Lucas, who promised to see me again soon.

The moment I walked through the front door of the mansion, I instantly caught sight of Xaden in the great hall, who had not yet noticed me. Just looking at him made my heart skip a beat.

As I got closer, however, I realized that he was, in fact, not alone.

Funnily enough, the person standing beside him, deep in conversation, was none other than Princess Charlotte, and it was she who saw me first.

"Maeve," she greeted, bright and polite, "there you are! I've been waiting for you for a while."

There was something unusual about the way she carried herself today. Her expression, although friendly, seemed a bit stiff, and she was unable to stand still, either adjusting her stance or playing with her skirt. I was immediately put on edge, thinking something was wrong.

What could she have wanted that made her so uncomfortable?