Chapter 60 CHAPTER 60
The city always felt louder than the mountains, louder than the palace, louder than anything Lisa had grown used to at Mooncrest. But walking between Celine and Isabel made the chaos feel almost comforting. Cars hissed down the street, vendors called out from their stalls, and bright signs flickered even in the middle of the afternoon.
They had spent hours moving through shops, trying on clothes, shoes, jewelry, and more shoes after that. Celine had insisted on it, dragging them from store to store with the excitement of someone returning to a world she missed. Isabel gasped at every shiny item, while Lisa moved with quiet awe, still not used to being allowed to browse without caution.
The bodyguards followed from a distance, hands behind their backs, eyes scanning everything.
“Ethan really just gave you a card to use freely?” Celine teased as they left the last boutique, bags hanging from all their wrists.
Lisa blushed. “He said I should learn to spoil myself.”
“Well, he’s right,” Celine said, tossing her hair. “And next time, we’re going for jewelry. That’s a promise.”
Isabel pretended to faint. “We’re going to be broke by the end of the month.”
Celine gasped dramatically. “Broke? Honey, he’s the king. You can’t break him.”
They all laughed as the car pulled up. After a short drive, the buildings changed, becoming older, rougher, the sidewalks cracked. Celine stared out the window.
“Where… are we?” she asked, brows lifting.
Lisa smiled. “This is where Isabel and I used to work.”
“At the café?” Celine leaned closer to the window, fascinated. “You lived here?”
“We lived, worked, survived… everything,” Isabel said with a small proud smirk. “This place raised us…. Well…. me.”
When they walked into Pauline’s café, a soft bell chimed above them. The smell of warm soup and pastries filled the room. Pauline and Alina froze behind the counter for a heartbeat - then burst into smiles.
“Cindy! Isabel!” they shouted at the same time before running over.
Lisa hugged them tightly, her throat tightening at the sound of her old name.
“We’ve missed you,” Pauline said, cupping her cheeks. “Both of you. We thought you’d forgotten us after moving in with your rich brother.”
Isabel snorted. “Forget you? Impossible. I missed your food especially.”
Pauline smiled warmly, “Of course, I know you have a big appetite. Is she giving you a headache with her demands Cindy?”
Lisa tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Actually… my name isn’t Cindy. I found out my real name is Lisa.”
Pauline pressed a hand to her chest. “Lisa… that’s beautiful.”
Alina nodded. “It suits you.”
Lisa handed the shopping bags she was carrying, one to Pauline and the other to Alina. “We bought you something.”
The took reached out excitedly into each of their bags. Inside Pauline’s bag was a beautiful silk scarf and a handbag for Alina – both designer. Pauline gasped so loudly the customers turned to stare.
“Oh my goodness,” she whispered. “This is too much.”
“It’s exactly enough,” Celine chimed in with a wink, already sliding into a chair. “Now can someone feed me? I’m starving.”
Isabel laughed. “See? I’m not the only one who loves food. I found someone just like me in Moon crest.”
They all sat down. Pauline hurried to bring Isabel a bowl of soup before she even asked. Celine wanted some iced tea while Lisa got a coffee. The room felt warm and familiar, like the old days but brighter.
Celine took a sip of iced tea, then looked at Lisa with curious eyes. “So… how did you even find out you were a princess while working here?”
Lisa glanced at Isabel, then answered softly, “Your brother. Liam came in one day, my first day working here actually. He said he could sense something… royal in me. And everything changed after that.”
Celine blinked at her. “My brother came here?” She looked around at the peeling paint and creaky stools. “Here?”
Isabel grinned. “Are you surprised? He is a regular here. Says Pauline’s food tastes like home.”
Celine shook her head, amused. “That I can attest to, this iced it is amazing.”
Lisa laughed.
They talked a little more before Celine suddenly straightened. “Wait. You said Liam and Ethan are visiting Celestine?”
“Yes,” Lisa said. “That was the whole reason why we came to the city.”
“And Celestine’s temple is close to here?”
“Just a few blocks. It’s how your brother became Pauline’s regular. He comes here every time he is visiting Celestine.”
Celine slammed her hand on the table. “Perfect. Take me there.”
Lisa blinked. “Celine… I think Ethan wanted us to stay away because he had important business…”
“So what?” Celine said stubbornly. “We’ll be quiet. I want the priestess to tell me about my future mate and everything.” She wiggled her brows. “She’s famous for that. Don’t you want to know who your mate will be?”
Lisa smiled awkwardly. Celine didn’t know yet that Lisa had already found her mate. They had not yet gotten close enough to share such secrets.
Before she could say anything else, Celine grabbed her wrist. “Come on. Isabel, we’ll be right back!”
Isabel waved them off, already halfway through her soup.
The two slipped out into the street, walking quickly toward the temple. As they approached, the voices inside became clearer - Ethan’s deep tone, Liam’s lower growl, and another calm voice… Celestine’s.
But then Lisa froze.
There was a fourth voice.
Nolan.
Celine didn’t notice the tension in Lisa’s shoulders. She just pushed the door open like she owned the place.
Inside, Ethan, Liam, Celestine, and Nolan turned at the same time, their conversation cutting off instantly.
The air tightened.
Ethan’s eyes sharpened. “Lisa? Celine? Why are you two here?”
“It was my idea,” Celine said with zero remorse. “Lisa didn’t want to come, but I dragged her.”
Liam gave her a flat stare. “Did you finish shopping?”
“Yes,” Lisa said quickly. “We were visiting Pauline.”
Liam nodded too casually, trying to guide them back toward the exit.
Celestine stepped forward calmly. “And why have you come here?”
Celine raised her chin proudly. “I wanted to hear about my future. You know… mates, destiny, the good stuff.”
Celestine took Celine’s hand gently, her expression unreadable.
Her voice softened. “You are in love with someone.”
Celine’s eyes widened.
“But…” Celestine continued, “that person will not be your mate.”
The silence fell heavy.
Celine’s cheeks turned red. She looked at Liam quickly - then away. The embarrassment hit her in a way she wasn’t used to.
Before anyone could speak, she broke the hold on her own hand, grabbed Lisa’s wrist, and whispered hastily:
“Let’s go. This isn’t fun anymore.”
She pulled Lisa toward the door, wanting to escape before anyone saw the crack in her confidence.
Lisa followed quietly, glancing once at Ethan - and seeing the worry behind his eyes.
Then the door closed behind them.
Inside, Liam exhaled shakily.
Ethan murmured, “Do you think they overheard what we were talking about?”
Liam’s jaw flexed. “I hope not. This has to stay between the four of us.”