Alpha King’s Lost Luna

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As Ronald continued to study me. | knew | had to come up with an answer to his question quickly, so without skipping a beat, | flashed him a kind smile and then offered a polite explanation.

“The king simply told me that he was in need of a healer, | said. “So he invited me to come back with him to Yurene”

Ronald raised a dark eyebrow in surprise and tilted his head slightly, a typical gesture in this palace, from what I’d gathered “And you agreed, just like that?” he wondered.

| nodded right away to keep any suspicions at bay. My answers were lies, but what else could | say? | figured that Ronald was probably a well-respected figure here in Viokwell, but | knew there was likely something tricky between him and Kaleb. As much as | wanted to get some useful information from Ronald needed to ensure | was safe before going any further.

So, until | could figure out this strange but polite man’s intentions, | needed to remain vague and guarded.

Ronald didn’t seem to believe me and studied me for a little while longer before releasing a light sigh. Before | could offer something more, he walked over to a bench nearby and rooted through a metal toolbox that sat in the middle. He retrieved a pair of secateurs and turned back to me

“Which color do you like the most?” he asked me, and when | frowned at him in confusion, he gestured at the plants. “The flowers. Which color do you like the best?”

“Oh.” | remarked, and then | glanced around at the variety of blooms around us. | noticed a small section of ivory roses. Their petals were a perfect shade, cream with a faint hint of pink, and they were very beautiful. | pointed to them. “I like

those ones there.”

Ronald nodded and then approached the bush. He used the pruning shears to cut off a few of the flowers and then carefully trimmed the thorns from their stems before handing them to me:

“Thank you,” | said as | accepted the flowers, and | held them up to my nose and inhaled deeply. Though this was all very strange and at least a little awkward, the roses smelled wonderful, and it was a kind thing for him to do.

“Of course,” he remarked, and his soft blue eyes stared into mine intensely. “I can see why Kaleb is interested in you. You're very kind”

Heat spread to my cheeks as embarrassment swept over me. | understood that people would easily assume that Kaleb would have a crush or infatuation with me and that those feelings would be a reasonable cause for him to bring me here. But it couldn’t be further from the truth

“Dit ista’t ike that, | muttered before | could stop myself. “Between us, | mean.”

“Is that sor Ronald asked, and his lips curled into a smile. “Interesting | had thought Kaleb changed He’s never brought a female back to Viok well with him | supposed that he felt something for you.”

“| understant, but you’re mistaken, | replied shonly, and then forced myself to smile The king has no feelings for me Between us. | think he probably overestimated my medal abilities, but i couldn’t deny his offer | was tired of living in Wegalla and the fluought of traveling somewhere new sounded lovely | was ready to move on and try something new. So, |

watty faithu back here to Yurene, and here | am

It was get le had one wided to leave Wegalla and had another late hadice |

moment wed starved but now that | was gone, all

wame was toman Bengage in a torvigu land wat al and couldnt stop dunking of Aster

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11:45 Fri, Feb 23 E

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Ronald laughed lightly and then smirked. “I know what you mean. Change can always be refreshing Besides. | know m cousin well. He has always been a domineering person, and I’m sure it was difficult to decline his offer. But now that he’s returned. I've noticed something different about him. | suspected that he liked you.”

“Something different?” | wondered, and | frowned in confusion

Ronald nodded and then glanced at the roses

“Did you know that roses are the symbol of love and passion?” he asked, and then he continued before | could answer. These are two things that Viokwell is lacking. My cousin as well. But when you two were dancing in the banquet hall. swore | saw a trace of love and passion in his eyes”

My heart skipped a beat.

“It's probably just another misunderstanding | tried to assure him. “He was just being a decent gentleman-

“A decent gentleman!” Ronald repeated back, amused and then he shook his head. Now that is something my dear cousin is not. It's not in his nature to be decent. In fact, he’s quite the opposite, though I'll admit that he’s made some efforts to be a nicer person in the past few years.”

He approached me slowly, and then reached out and touched the flowers in my hands. Moments after he did, the roses fully blossomed My lips parted in surprise at this second display of magic and Ronald smiled at me.

“You must be wondering why | possess this ability?” he guessed, and when | nodded, he smiled. “My mother was a sorceress Since | have half of her blood. | inherited her magical skills. They’re the reason | survived

What do you mean!” | asked, baffled by the hidden meaning behind his words. Was he referring to the war? The one between Dark Abyss and Yurene?

Ronald seemed to read my mind and shook his head. “It wasn’t about the war, if that’s what you're wondering. It was something worse than that awful war, if you can believe that, and not to mention, far more brutal. It’s a tradition of Yurene. one | don’t particularly care for.

My frown deepened.

| was tired of these vague statements. | wasn’t sure if Ronald was being obtuse on purpose or not, but given that | was speaking to a total stranger, | was feeling a touch frustrated. | was tired of being left in the dark and having to guess what every statement meant.

But then again, since | knew so little about Yurene and its royal traditions, | needed to play along and probe further. | needed to know what I was dealing with here.

So | let out a soft breath and then spoke.”And what tradition is that?”

you

know

Ronald smiled at me and ran a hand through his long brown hair. “I'll make you a deal, Cass andra. | can see that very little about Yurene. | suppose that without my cousin’s permission, no one would dare to tell you much about this place. Except for me. | would love to tell you more about Yurene and its king. But in return, | want you to tell me the real reason why Kaleb brought you here.”

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