271

Harlyn

"I know and I am grateful for it. Only you can make him agree to something like that and I am truly happy that he found you now. The side of my baby brother I see every day these days even with everything going on pleases me and I have you to thank for bringing that side of him out."

There she goes again with all the thanks as if mating with Bernardo didn't change my life more than it did his.

"I am glad too."

I told her because I didn't want to argue his importance and just what mating with him has done for me. I am sure Leah already knows that.

"Okay, let's get you dressed. Ladies, let's see what you got."

Leah called out to the two women who quickly started pulling out things that they had come up with. Leah pushed me gently into one of the chairs in the huge room and made a stay-put gesture before walking over to the women.

I glared at my reflection in the mirror in front of me. I have seen myself in mirrors lately but every time I see myself, I see a whole new person. There seems to be a permanent smile on my face and I really like how I look. I liked the woman in the mirror so much which was a really big improvement if I want to compare it to how I saw myself not too long ago.

"Luna? What do you think?"

I turned at Leah's voice and smiled when I saw the dress that she was holding up. It was one of the seven main traditional dresses that the queens of the crimson moon wore. I know because the queen mother already told me about the seven of them and what occasion they were worn for. Of course, there were plenty of other attires but those seven stand out because they were worn on seven different occasions and the dress Leah lifted up was a dress worn to celebrate victory which was the perfect dress for the event that was about to take place.

I can't wear the mourning dress because we won't be mourning the demise of Sean and his son but we will be celebrating. The celebratory dress was a pretty patterned dress that was in the shades of white and navy blue. I nodded.

"You know the significance of the dress, don't you?"

Leah asked as she walked back to me holding the dress.

"Yes, I know."

She cocked her head to the side.

"Have you been studying on your own?"

I shook my head at her question.

"Then how do you know?"

I smiled.

"I was pretty close to the queen mother when she was still with us and she kind of told me a lot about the queens of the crimson moon and she explained the significance of the seven dresses."

Leah smiled sadly.

"I wish she was still here, it would have been so much better to learn directly from her. She already loved you so that's not even a question. The thought that if that bastard didn't mess with her, she would have still been with us makes me so mad."

Leah lamented. I felt the same too. I hated how that bastard murdered her and no one even knew about it because we all thought she died of an illness related to old age. I wish she was still with us. I wish she was here to see her prophecies come true. There was no bringing her back so I can only hope that she sees me from above and smiles proudly.

"I feel the same, Leah but we can't change the past. We can only do our best to make sure that we make them proud."

Leah nodded in agreement.

"You are already so wise. I don't want to take credit for your good manners and your being well-spoken but I can be proud of you, right? After all, you are my student."

I smiled and nodded.

"Of course you can. You are doing a really good job."

I assured her.

"Thank you, Luna. It means so much to me. I really didn't think I would get to pass down what Grandma taught me to the next queen but here we are and I love it. I love you and everything you stand for."

Her words were so pure and genuine. I kind of wished I got closer to her earlier but she didn't live in the palace then if not, I am sure we would have gotten along.

I wonder if she and her family will leave the palace again now that there is no threat anymore. I kind of wish they wouldn't, I really want everyone in the royal family to live in the palace. It was a big place and everyone had their own space. We can all live together.

"You should try it on to make sure it fits perfectly and if it does, then we can work on your hair and makeup before you wear the dress again."

I stood up at her words and followed one of the women into the changing room.

"You are beautiful."

The woman complimented when it was just the two of us. I smiled.

"Thank you, Patricia."

She looked shocked that I knew her name.

"You know my name."

She said in whispered excitement.

"Of course I do, I was here when the queen mother employed you and she introduced us,"

I said and turned for her to help me fix the dress.

"I didn't think you would remember."

I laughed.

"I have a really sharp memory and your name is very lovely. I don't know the other woman's name though, she is new, right?"

I asked her.

"Yes, she came in just when you became Luna. She is your first official staff. Her name is Silvia."

I memorized the name and thanked Patricia before pushing the curtain open to show the princess the dress which fitted perfectly well on me as if it was made for me.