Luna's room _____
The room was dimly lit by floating lanterns that shimmered like soft starlight. Luna entered, her steps tired but her heart racing. Behind her, Meli gently shut the door as the fairies fluttered in, glowing with joy at their regained freedom.
Meli (smiling softly):
"You're safe now. At least, for now."
Lira (spinning mid-air):
"It feels like forever since we could breathe freely!"
Sira (landing on Luna's shoulder):
"Luna, we missed you so much! You don't know how much we worried."
Vina (twirling above):
"We were trapped in that cage for days! Days! My wings were aching."
Floe (snuggling Luna's cheek):
"But seeing you again… it made everything worth it."
Myra (hovering near Meli):
"And Meli… thank you. You helped her, right?"
Meli (quietly):
"I only do what I must. Luna… I couldn't leave you to suffer."
Sole (crossing her arms):
"Hmph. We still don't know if we can trust you, Meli."
Crysie (giggling):
"Let's not fight. We're finally all together!"
Luna tried to smile, but her heart was heavy. The warmth of their presence clashed with the storm brewing in her mind. She sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers knotted together.
Luna (softly):
"I… need to tell you something."
The room quieted instantly. Every eye turned to her. The fairies fluttered closer. Meli tilted her head slightly.
Luna (voice trembling):
"Azrael wants me to marry him."
All the fairies:
"WHAT?!"
Lira (gasping):
"That demon?!"
Sira (angrily):
"He can't do that! He can't force you!"
Vina (shocked):
"Why would he even say that?"
Luna (looking at her hands):
"He threatened your lives. He said… if I don't agree, he'll kill all of you."
Myra (whispers):
"Luna…"
Sole (furious):
"I swear, I'll burn his entire throne room down!"
Crysie (crying quietly):
"But… Luna, what are we going to do?"
Floe (hugging Luna's finger):
"We'll protect you. Somehow."
Meli (stepping closer, firm voice):
"Are you planning something?"
Luna raised her head slowly, her expression cold and clear for the first time.
Luna:
"I'm going to escape."
A heavy silence followed.
Lira:
"How? He's watching everything."
Luna (whispers):
"I don't know yet. But I'll find a way. I won't let him use me—or hurt you."
Meli looked away, hiding her reaction. Sole clenched her tiny fists. The other fairies nodded, more serious now.
Without another word, Luna stood up and walked toward the door.
Myra (worried):
"Where are you going?"
Luna (without turning back):
"The library. There's something there… I need to understand."
The door creaked open and closed quietly behind her. The room was left in stunned silence as the flicker of her presence faded down the dark hallway.
Library ______
The grand doors of the library creaked open once more. Moonlight streamed in from the stained glass, casting shifting patterns on the dusty marble floor. Luna stepped inside quietly, her soft footsteps muffled by the ancient rugs.
It was cold and silent, just as she remembered. She raised her hand, summoning a gentle orb of white light that floated beside her. The shadows retreated, revealing the towering shelves and familiar corner where she had found it…
Luna (murmuring to herself):
"It should still be there…"
She weaved through the bookshelves until she reached the one with the small hidden space behind the scrolls. Her heartbeat quickened. Reaching in carefully, her fingers closed around the small, ornate jewelry box she'd seen before.
Last time, she hadn't had the chance to take it. The moment had been interrupted. But now…
She pulled it out and sat quietly in the corner chair. Her hand went to the inside of her gown and she retrieved the hidden photo she had taken before—of the woman who looked so much like her.
Luna (looking at the photo):
"White hair… cream eyes… But why does your face feel like mine?"
She set the picture in her lap and slowly opened the box.
Inside, the same breathtaking bracelet lay waiting—silver and gold twisted into crescent moons and suns, inlaid with rare and glimmering stones. Among them, the same black diamonds she had seen in the Hall of Origins.
Luna (softly, tracing a moon-shaped charm):
"You belong to her… or to me?"
Suddenly—
Creak.
The door opened again. Luna's breath caught, and she quickly covered the box with a fold of her dress. She turned, expecting a guard, but—
Zeph (stepping inside, his tone casual but curious):
"…You again?"
He walked in, hands in his pockets, his eyes adjusting to the soft glow in the library.
Zeph:
"I didn't think anyone else would come back here. What are you doing?"
Luna (gently, calm):
"I didn't get to finish reading earlier. I like the quiet."
Zeph's eyes moved to the folds of her dress, but he said nothing. He didn't push, just nodded slightly.
He turned to leave, then paused.
Zeph (without looking back):
"…Is Sole okay now?"
Luna (quietly):
"She's fine. Still furious with you."
A pause. Then, a faint flicker passed across Zeph's face—a tiny smile, the kind no one notices.
Zeph (almost amused):
"She always is."
Without another word, he left, the door softly clicking shut behind him.
Luna looked down at the bracelet again, the light reflecting off the black stones. Her fingers curled around it protectively.
Luna (whispering):
"There's more to you… I can feel it."
Luna's Chambers _____
The door creaked softly as Luna stepped back into her room, the silver bracelet now hidden under her sleeve. The moment she entered, she was greeted with warmth and excitement.
Vina (rushing to her):
"Luna!"
Floe (grinning ear to ear):
"You won't believe what happened while you were gone!"
Before Luna could ask, all seven fairies surrounded her, pulling her into a tight group hug.
Myra (squealing):
"There's a letter from Lunaria!"
Crysie (eyes gleaming):
"They're coming for us, Luna! They're planning to save us!"
Lira (holding out a beautifully sealed parchment):
"Read it! Hurry!"
Luna took the letter, her eyes scanning each word carefully. Her heart pounded faster with every line. It was real. Her people were coming. Hope surged within her like fire in her chest.
Sole (crossing her arms, but a tiny smile playing at her lips):
"So… can we finally leave this cursed palace?"
Luna (thinking, then speaking calmly):
"Yes. But not directly. Sira, write a reply. Tell them we'll meet them near the borders of the Molgarin Kingdom."
Sira (nodding, already pulling out parchment and ink):
"Got it. But… won't that be dangerous?"
Luna (soft but determined):
"It's our only chance."
Vina (tilting her head):
"But how will we even get out of here? We can't exactly walk through the gates."
Meli (stepping forward quietly):
"I'll help."
Everyone turned to her in surprise.
Meli (meeting Luna's gaze):
"I know this palace. Its passages, its shadows. If there's anyone who can get you out… it's me."
Floe (clasping her hands together):
"You'd really do that?"
Meli (nodding):
"I've made my mistakes… maybe this is how I start to make them right."
There was a pause. Then Luna walked over and placed a hand gently on Meli's shoulder.
Luna:
"Thank you. I trust you."
Sira sealed the reply letter and handed it to a small, glowing messenger wisp that vanished out the window.
Crysie (wringing her hands nervously):
"But still… how will we escape the palace without anyone noticing?"
Luna (turning toward the window, her eyes sharp with resolve):
"I have a plan."
Sole (raising a brow):
"Of course you do."
Without saying another word, Luna turned and left the room once more, the bracelet warm against her wrist. The others watched her go in silence, a mix of awe and hope building in their chests.
Azarion's Room____
The day had grown heavy with silence. As twilight spilled its indigo hue across the palace walls, Luna stood before Azarion's door, steadying her breath. After a brief knock, the door opened as if it had been waiting for her.
Inside, the room was dimly lit. Azarion stood by the window, watching the moon rise beyond Duskvaria's shadowed mountains. When he turned, his dark eyes softened at the sight of her.
Azarion (calmly):
"I was wondering when you'd come."
Luna (lightly, stepping in):
"Did you miss me already, Your Majesty?"
Azarion (small smile):
"Every silence in this palace reminds me of you."
He gestured toward the seat across from him. Luna walked over and sat down, her expression unreadable. For a moment, neither spoke — only the crackle of the fireplace filled the room.
Azarion (finally breaking the quiet):
"The marriage ceremony… it's in a few days."
Luna looked away, her fingers tightening slightly on the fabric of her dress.
Luna (quietly):
"I know."
Azarion (watching her carefully):
"You haven't said much about it. Are you… unhappy?"
Luna (forcing a faint smile):
"It's not about being happy or not, Aza. Sometimes we walk paths chosen for us. Even if we don't want to."
Azarion (stepping closer, voice low):
"But I never wanted to be another chain around your wrist, Luna."
Luna (softly):
"You're not the chain. The world is."
He knelt slightly beside her, lifting a necklace from a velvet pouch — the one he had crafted for her.
Azarion (gently):
"Then let this at least be something you choose. A gift… from me to you."
Luna took the necklace, her fingers brushing his as she looked at the moon and sun pendant, her throat tight with emotion.
Luna (barely audible):
"It's beautiful."
Azarion (with a flicker of hope):
"I thought of you while forging it."
Luna gave a soft nod, her eyes drifting to the fireplace. Her voice was calm, but her heart was full of turmoil.
Luna:
"Aza… if I asked for something, would you give it to me?"
Azarion (firmly):
"If it's in my power, yes."
Luna (after a pause):
"One last night out. Just you and me. Before everything changes."
Azarion (smiling):
"Done. Tell me when."
Luna (smiling faintly):
"Soon."
She rose to leave. As she reached the door, she hesitated. Without turning around, she whispered:
Luna:
"Some lies are softer than truth. I'm sorry."
Then she left, the necklace clutched in her hand — the weight of love, duty, and hidden intentions pressing against her chest.
Midnight ____
The room was filled with a quiet buzz of nervous energy. Luna stood near the mirror adjusting her moonflower crown, its small petals shimmering faintly. Around her, the seven fairies were busy readying themselves, whispering final words to each other, while Meli stood by the window, keeping watch.
Suddenly — a knock.
Everyone froze.
Meli (in a low voice):
"…Someone's here."
Luna (whispering):
"Stay calm."
She walked to the door and slowly opened it — revealing Azarion, cloaked in black, his silver eyes amused and soft.
Azarion (with a small smirk):
"When you said 'soon,' I didn't expect this soon."
Luna (smiling gently):
"You said you'd take me out. I trust your word."
Azarion (stepping inside slightly):
"After that night, Azrael tightened security. But I found a way. Not through the gates... through the old caverns."
He then noticed her glowing crown — the gentle sparkles dancing like fireflies.
Azarion (raising an eyebrow):
"…Those lights. That's not just decoration, is it?"
Luna (with a soft laugh):
"Come meet them."
She turned and gently gestured to the room. The seven fairies flew out from behind curtains and shadows, hovering shyly before Azarion, their wings shimmering in pastel hues.
Luna:
"They're not just my fairies. They're my family."
Fairy Crysie (excitedly):
"He's taller than I imagined!"
Fairy Sira (sternly to Crysie):
"Hush, show some respect!"
Azarion (bowing slightly):
"It's an honor to meet those who protect her heart."
With everything in place, they slipped out quietly into the palace shadows, guided by magiclight and soft fairy glow.
Secret Path_____
The journey was silent. The old caverns echoed with the sound of dripping water and faint rustles. Luna held onto her cloak tightly as the cold bit through her. Azarion walked beside her, his hand occasionally brushing hers.
Finally, the hidden tunnel opened to a wide cliff — the sky above was wild with stars, the outer world stretching beyond like a dream.
Azarion (in awe):
"We're out. So… where do you want to go?"
Luna stopped walking. Her heart ached. She turned to face him, her voice trembling slightly.
Luna (softly):
"Aza… I'm sorry."
Azarion (confused):
"…Sorry?"
Before he could react, Meli stepped forward — her eyes glowing purple. She raised her hand, whispering an enchantment.
Meli (firmly):
"Forgive me, Azarion."
A burst of energy hit Azarion's chest. He gasped and fell to his knees, losing consciousness slowly, his eyes locked on Luna until they closed.
Meli held Luna's hand tightly as they looked down at Azarion, now unconscious. The fairies flew in tight formation, ready for escape.
Luna knelt beside him, tears welling up as she gently placed a folded letter on his chest.
Luna (whispering):
"You kept your promise… I'm sorry I had to break mine."
She hesitated, then leaned forward and pressed her lips softly to his forehead.
Luna (barely audible):
"Goodbye, Azarion."
She turned and walked away, her dress flowing like a wave behind her. Meli followed with the fairies, their silhouettes fading into the night.
His eyes opened slowly, and a smirk curved across his lips as he stared into the sky.
Azarion (muttering to himself):
"…You think I didn't see this coming, Moonflower?"
He sat up, holding the letter tightly, unread — but not surprised.