269

Harlyn

"Baby? It's time to go!"

I opened my eyes when I heard Bernardo's whispers and blinked to clear sleep off my eyes. I must have fallen asleep while waiting for him. I don't even know how long I slept. The last thing I remembered was reading through the PDF that Hillan had sent to me.

"What time is it?"

I asked Bernardo as he helped me up.

"Past four pm,"

He told me and helped me fix my hair. He had a look on his face that I didn't like.

"Did something happen while I was sleeping?"

I asked him with concern. He smiled and shook his head but I wasn't convinced. I looked around his office and it was just the two of us.

"But you don't look okay."

I said and reached to caress his face. He touched my hand and held it against his face.

"I know. I am just in my feelings. I guess even though I passed the judgment, I hate to see it happen but I have to be there."

I understood immediately and pulled him into a tight hug.

"Oh baby, but you don't have to be there. You already did your part, right?"

He shook his head.

"I can't back out, Lyn. It's part of the whole being a king thing. There are some things that I can't just walk away from even if I want to. I really want to walk away from this but I can't."

I didn't say any other words, just hugged him close. I know it still hurts him that his once beloved uncle turned out to be his biggest enemy and I know it won't be easy for him to just forget all the good times they shared and all the times that he trusted the old man. Watching him pay for his crimes with his life would break him and I really want to shield him away from that.

"Can I come with you? Will it make it easier for you?"

I asked him and even before I finished asking he already shook his head in disapproval. I pulled out of the hug and stared at him.

"I can handle it. I promise. I just want to be there for you. Those two are getting what they deserve and you did nothing wrong."

I assured him.

"I know I did nothing wrong and I don't blame myself for any of the events that happened."

He told me.

"Good, can I come? I will hold your hands through it all so that you won't be alone."

I offered. I really want to stand with him and make sure he knows that he isn't alone.

"I don't want to expose you to that."

I know he was looking out for me but in this, I won't let him do it alone while knowing how it would affect me.

"You can't shield me from this, Bernardo. In fact, I insist that I stand by your side when the judgment you passed is implemented and I say it as the Luna of the Crimson Moon pack. It's my duty to my people and as your mate, it's also my duty to stand by your side!"

I told him firmly.

"No argument! Just let me do it! You can't shield me forever, you know!"

I let out when I sensed that he was about to argue with me. He opened and closed his mouth. Then cocked his head to the side and regarded me with a look that I couldn't quite explain. Was he proud or impressed? I couldn't tell.

"Don't say no! I won't take no for an answer."

I added it just in case. He smiled. Okay, maybe he was impressed.

"You really want to stand by me?"

He asked after a whole half minute. I nodded without hesitating.

"That's pretty much part of my job description unless you don't want me to do my job and that will be discrimination."

He laughed at my words. Not the happy kind of laugh but it was better than him looking downcast. At least, he looked better than he did when I woke up a few minutes ago.

"There's going to be blood."

He said as if that was going to scare me away.

"Blood of the enemies. Blood of losers who have spent years trying to break our kingdom apart. So, it doesn't matter and it won't scare me either. I know the laws of the crimson moon just like every other citizen."

He let out a deep sigh.

"Are you sure? I don't mind doing it alone."

I made a face at him.

"Okay fine, you can come with me."

I smiled and hugged him.

"Do you have to change?"

I asked him because I know events like the one that's about to happen require him to dress in proper Crimson Moon cultural attire. With his crown and staff of office in hand.

"Yes, I need to and you should too. This will be your first official appearance as Luna and queen of the crimson moon."

Okay, now I might not be ready for the official thing. Plus, I don't think I have anything royal to wear. Oh, wait. I do. I went shopping with Sophie for plenty of royal dresses.

"I will call Leah and have her open the queen dressing room. We have to be ready by six. That leaves us about an hour and forty-five minutes."

He said checking his watch.

"The queen's dressing room? You mean that room?"

I asked him and my eyes widened when he nodded. I have been into the queen's dressing room before. Mainly because the queen mother. Bless her soul, fancied me and always called me to be with her. I guess now that I think about it, she always knew. Maybe she didn't know the full details but she kind of did and she kept telling me that one day, I would become important to the kingdom. I should have taken her more seriously. I would have learned a lot of things directly from her. I mean, I did learn from her but if I had known that I would one day become the queen of the crimson moon, I would have been a lot more focused on the things that she told me.