Chapter 44 CHAPTER 44
Cindy was still thinking about her conversation with Ethan when she stepped out of the bathroom, steam curling behind her like soft fog.
His words echoed in her head -You’ll walk into Lunaris as their princess.
She wanted to believe him. She really did. But the closer she got to her closet, the more that title felt like a dream someone else was living.
The doors creaked open to reveal what little she owned - hand-me-downs from Isabel’s mother, a few faded dresses, and the wrinkled outfit she’d worn from Silverpine. There were also the few pieces they’d grabbed hastily from a shop in the city before leaving. The rest looked too small or too worn to belong in a royal court.
She sighed, tugging at a thread on one of the sleeves. The scent of soap still clung to her skin, and her hair dripped faintly down her back, damp against the towel she had wrapped around herself.
“Maybe I’ll just wear this,” she muttered, looking at her towel. “At least it’s clean.”
She wished she had the courage to ask Ethan for new clothes. But every time she thought of it, she saw his tired smile and the weight in his eyes - the council, the kingdom, everything he carried. Her clothes felt small beside all that.
She was reaching for one of her old dresses when the door burst open.
“Cindy!”
Isabel’s voice rang through the room before she even appeared. Then there she was, bright as sunlight, her cheeks flushed from the walk and her hair a little wild.
Cindy jumped, clutching the towel tighter around herself. “Isabel! You can’t just barge in like that!”
Isabel froze mid-step, blinking at her. “Oops. Sorry. I didn’t know you were… uh… half-dressed.”
“You think?” Cindy said, but her lips twitched into a reluctant smile. “Where did you run off to so early anyway?”
“I went for a walk,” Isabel said, closing the door behind her with a grin that told Cindy this wasn’t just any walk. “Well, more of a mini-tour, actually. With Liam.”
Cindy blinked. “Liam?”
“Yes!” Isabel flopped dramatically onto the bed. “He was outside talking to some guards, and I thought, why not ask him to show me around? He said yes! We went through the west gardens and the training field. The place is amazing, Cindy, you should’ve come!”
Cindy raised a brow, folding her arms. “You went on a walk with Liam? Alone?”
“Relax,” Isabel said, giggling. “He’s a gentleman. Kind of quiet, though. And so serious. But also…” She gave a little sigh. “Hot.”
Cindy nearly dropped the towel. “Isabel!”
“What?” Isabel laughed, throwing her hands up. “He is! You can’t tell me you didn’t notice. That man looks like he was carved from marble and then set on fire.”
Cindy turned bright red. “You’re too young to say things like that!”
“I’m not saying it for me!” Isabel shot back. “I’m saying it for you.”
Cindy’s blush deepened. “Me?”
“Yes, you.” Isabel propped her chin on her hands, eyes sparkling with mischief. “You and Liam would make such a good couple.”
Cindy groaned, hiding her face behind one hand. “Isabel, stop.”
“Why? Oh my God, are you blushing?” Isabel gasped dramatically. “You are! Your ears are pink. Cindy, what are you hiding from me?”
“Nothing!”
“Liar.” Isabel leaned forward, grinning. “Something happened between you two, didn’t it? Tell me!”
Cindy hesitated, her heartbeat tripping over itself. “It’s… not what you think.”
“So something did happen,” Isabel said, triumphant.
Cindy turned toward the mirror, pretending to fix her hair just to avoid her gaze. “It’s really not something I should talk about.”
“Come on,” Isabel pressed. “I’m basically your little sister now. And your best friend. You can tell me everything.”
Cindy let out a slow breath. “Fine. But promise you won’t tell anyone.”
“Promise,” Isabel said instantly, eyes gleaming.
Cindy looked down, twisting the edge of her towel. “A few nights ago, something happened with the pendant. I had… one of those episodes again.”
Isabel’s grin faded a little. “The one linked to Sebastian?”
Cindy nodded. “It was worse this time. I felt everything - like I wasn’t even in control of my own body. I went out to the gardens because I couldn’t breathe. Liam found me there.”
Isabel’s eyes widened. “Oh.”
“He thought I was hurt,” Cindy continued softly. “He tried to help, and I… I think I scared him. I couldn’t control it. When it finally stopped, I felt so embarrassed. He didn’t say anything, he just… stayed.”
Isabel blinked slowly, then smirked. “And you’re sure that’s all?”
“Yes!” Cindy said quickly. “He didn’t do anything wrong. He was kind.”
“Mmhmm.” Isabel’s tone was teasing again. “So that’s why you’re blushing every time his name comes up.”
“I am not blushing!”
“You so are,” Isabel sang, leaning back on the bed with a satisfied grin.
Before Cindy could argue, a knock sounded at the door.
Both girls jumped.
“Uh… just a minute!” Cindy called, scrambling to grab one of her dresses. She slipped it on quickly while Isabel fussed with her hair and tried to look innocent.
When Cindy finally said, “Come in,” the door opened to reveal Thomas, the ever-calm steward, flanked by two maids. Their arms were full - bags, boxes, ribbons, all stamped with elegant designer labels.
Cindy’s mouth fell open. “What is all that?”
Thomas bowed slightly. “His Majesty asked that you both be properly outfitted. These are your new clothes and essentials. The rest of your belongings will arrive later this afternoon.”
Isabel practically squealed. “You mean all this is for us?”
“Yes, Miss,” Thomas said with a polite smile. “Every piece was hand-selected from the capital’s finest boutiques. His Majesty apologizes for the delay - it took time for the orders to arrive.”
Cindy stood frozen as the maids began arranging the boxes across the room. There were dresses of every color, soft sweaters, jeans, shoes, perfumes, jewelry, even handbags gleaming under the morning light. The air filled with the scent of new leather and expensive florals.
Isabel darted from bag to bag, her excitement bubbling over. “Cindy! Look at this one! And this! Oh Moon, there’s even makeup and - wait, this perfume costs more than a car!”
Cindy laughed despite herself, sitting on the edge of the bed as Isabel spun around with a designer blouse held to her chest. “You act like you’ve never seen clothes before.”
“I haven’t seen these kinds of clothes before!” Isabel cried. “This is insane! We could open our own store!”
Thomas waited patiently for the squeals to subside before speaking again. “His Majesty also asked that you, Princess, meet him downstairs when you’re ready. He said he has something to show you.”
Cindy blinked, startled. “Another surprise?”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Thomas said, bowing once more. “He requested you join him in the courtyard.”
As he and the maids left, Isabel turned to Cindy with wide eyes. “Another surprise? What could possibly top this?”
Cindy shook her head, a soft laugh escaping her. “With Ethan, I’ve stopped trying to guess.”
Isabel plopped down beside her, still hugging a pile of clothes. “Whatever it is, it’s going to be good. He adores you, you know.”
Cindy smiled faintly, running her fingers over the smooth fabric of a pale blue dress. “I still can’t believe all this is mine.”
“Believe it,” Isabel said, grinning. “You’re a princess now. Start acting like one.”
Cindy laughed and stood, brushing her hair back. “Fine. But first, help me figure out how to wear half of these things.”
“Gladly!” Isabel said, already diving into another pile of bags.
The room filled with their laughter again, light and easy, the kind that had been missing for years. For a moment, Cindy forgot all her fears about Lunaris and the past.
She held up a dress against her body, catching her reflection in the mirror. The girl looking back at her still looked uncertain, but there was something new in her eyes too - something like hope.
And when Isabel exclaimed, “You’re going to make Liam speechless in that,” Cindy only rolled her eyes and smiled.
Maybe, just maybe, she could start getting used to this new life.