Miraの小説

Lila’s POVI woke with a heavy body, clouded mind and sore fingers, but I noticed the rash and itching reduced.Slowly and carefully, I sat up then made my way to the bathroom where I took a quick bath before stepping out. I reached for a gown in the most delicate of pale blues—one I recognized would better compliment my eyes. I told myself, It isn’t as if I want to impress him; I merely wish to look presentable. But the truth was buried down deep somewhere.I dressed for him.For Adrian.Thinking of him was treason itself. I bit my lip as I tugged on the ribbons at my waist. He wasn’t mine. Never could be! The very thought of his voice u as he defended me, with calmness and command, like yesterday in the hall, had sunk into me deeply; I wanted to be around him again, even if it means just breaking my own heart a little.When I got mixed up with breakfast, following Sophia and my mother in my half-formed plans, a miniature dining chamber greeted me with only Adrian present.For a mome

Lila's POVThe preparations for the welcome feast continued into the next day. Sophia was carried away by her tutors, seamstresses, and advisers until I hardly saw her from one lesson to another-etiquette, dance, and ways of a Luna.Adrian too went missing. The palace should have been humming with life, but somehow it felt weirdly empty.Victoria saw to it that I got busy real soon. The first sting was flowers."Lady Lila," she said my name with a sweet tone I knew well enough not to trust. Whatever came next was meant to cut. "Be useful, will you? These are wilting roses. Arrange them before our guests arrive." I turned toward the towering vase, with its marble base shining and its roses drooping. The heads hung low, near my waist. Just looking at its height made my arm ache."Yes, Luna," I muttered.The rest of the workers in the hall exchanged glances but dared not speak. I felt my heart wildly beating in my chest as I crouched there, pulling thorns and adjusting blooms with fin

Lila's POV.Before I could utter a word, someone knocked at the door.A maid looked in, low-bowed, then announced that Luna Victoria requested to speak with Lady Sophia."Again?" Sophia said with laughter. "Perhaps the Moon Goddess herself does not want me to hear whatever it is you want to tell me because every time you open your mouth, someone calls me away."Her eyes were soft and teasing, if only she knew the words I would utter would crush her. She bent down, fingers brushing mine. "Promise me you'll tell me someday, whatever it is."I nodded, though I could not even utter a word, my throat was very dry.She smiled in happiness and left with mom following shortly after. The door swung shut with deep silence lighting upon me like a thick cloak of weights.Left all alone, I curled up on the bed, hugged my knees, and looked with no real aim at the faint light from the window. All was quiet in the palace; my mind was a mess. Ethan turned me down, picked someone else over me, and the

Lila's povAdrian's voice came behind me before I completed the excuse. "I brought her here", he said, "to learn more about my Luna."His words hit me rather hard, inert.Sophia blinked, surprised; her face reddened then she looked down before she could look at him again. "But... I told you everything last night."The voice had gone low, shyer; it made my stomach twist, it weighed heavily on my chest, and the jealousy cut deep inside. Last night. Just them. Was he touching her like he did me? Kissing her with that same hunger, whispering to her those same words whispered in my ear?I had to look away and instead tried to concentrate on the swaying roses beside the wall.Adrian showed no sign of concern at all. He moved a little closer to Sophia, his eyes shining with joy. "Why are you here, then? Did you miss me?"My heart skipped a beat further."Sophia!" Adrian said with a little anger, while her cheeks were flushed to reveal her sheer enjoyment of the joke. "You can't say that wit

Lila’s POV"What do you want to chat about?" I asked, acting cool, but my heart didn't play along. It beat so loud, I thought he might hear it.Something moved in Adrian's eyes, something deep that made the air heavy. "You know what."I went stiff, gripping the strap of my work bag tight. I shook my head a bit, faking a confused face. "I don’t."His look stayed strong. It seemed to cut through my act.Taking a slow, deep breath, he said again, this time softer but clear, "Please come with me. I'm serious.""Why?" I shot back fast, pulling my bag tight to me as if it could protect me.His mouth twisted in a small, cold smile. "Maybe I should just say it now... in front of all."I felt a tightness in my throat. The last thing I wanted was for others to hear hints of our error, a night that was a big mistake. Already, some of the palace helpers had stopped working, feeling the tension in his words. They looked back and forth between us, eyes wide and keen. Heat rushed to the back of my n

Lila’s POV“What’s that, Lila?” Mother asked, and Sophia stared into my soul with her eyes drilling straight through. I wanted to answer but the words were stuck in my throat. I opened my mouth to speak, but a knock suddenly rang through the chamber. The big door was slowly opened, and a young maid walked in, her head lowered.“My Lady Sophia,” she said with great deference, “the Alpha wants you.”Sophia cast a glance my way that was difficult to decipher but felt like a promise. She smoothed out her gown, gave me an assessing look, and kissed both mother and me goodnight. Then she glided out with the maid.The sound of the door closing rang deeply. The room felt bigger and colder now."Well," she finally said, adjusting her shawl. "What was the matter you wanted to discuss, dear?"It was the truth, and it hung in my throat like a piece of filth ugly and bitter. I should have spit it out, but I swallowed it again. My eyes had now fallen to the ground as my fingers twisted together.

Sophia’s POVA complex network of emotional warmth and affectionate bonds filled the hospital room alongside muffled laughter sounds. The walls which once stood as sterile cold barriers now embraced the comforting presence of my family—our family. The monitor's steady beep became a distant hum beneath the hushed voices and the tiny surreal weight cradled in my arms.Noah.People whispered his name and marveled at it repeating it endlessly as if speaking it aloud would somehow solidify the reality of this moment. Noah Alexander Richmond. Our son. My eyes fell upon him where his minuscule fingers gripped the blanket fabric which enveloped him securely. His delicate features combined with a soft pink skin tone and tiny lips that remained slightly parted created an intricate image as he slept soundly against my chest. The newborn possessed Alexander’s nose alongside my lips while sporting an incredibly thick mane of dark hair unmatched by any infant I had seen before.My father abruptly

(Alexander’s POV)A sudden scream from Sophia pierced the silent bedroom air and abruptly ended my sleep. My eyes burst open and my pulse raced uncontrollably while I turned to see her clutching her belly with her entire body trembling. Her face contorted by agony twisted upon itself while her breath emerged in uneven ragged gasps.An ancient and fundamental terror gripped my being.“Sophia? My voice emerged roughened by sleep yet upon witnessing the sheer panic within her eyes I became fully awake.She emitted another sharp cry while curling inward and clutching the sheets as if they were her sole safeguard against falling to pieces. A-Alexander she whimpered her voice barely a whisper. It’s—oh God—it’s time. ”Time.The word sent a jolt of electricity down my spine. This event did not represent yet another misleading signal. This was happening.I launched myself from the bed reaching for my phone with one hand while my other smoothed back her damp hair. Hold on baby. Just breathe—”

(Sophia’s POV)An unsettling quiet enveloped the house, disrupted solely by sporadic fireplace crackles and the steady tick of the antique clock. The snow-covered streets outside transformed into a shimmering spectacle under streetlights creating an artificial winter wonderland. A turbulent storm brewed within me.I adjusted my position on the couch while a dull ache spread through my lower back causing me to grimace. An incessant discomfort had persisted throughout the day which prevented any genuine relaxation. My hands moved without conscious thought to cradle my belly as I sensed the subtle movements of life inside me. The baby exhibited unusual activity levels that suggested he sensed his imminent arrival.Alexander positioned himself next to me while his watchful eyes followed my actions and each of his movements displayed a silent worry. His hand stretched toward a pillow which he then awkwardly positioned behind my back.“Better? His voice was low, soothing.A deliberate breat

(Sophia’s POV)The external atmosphere presented a sharp quality infused with pine essence and the aroma of newly deposited snow. An unnatural winter wonderland emerged within the grand wedding hall where magic and reality blended into an ethereal realm. Golden fairy lights hung across towering Christmas trees lining the aisle while their glow reflected on crystal icicle decorations suspended from the ceiling. The white-carpeted aisle's edges hosted flickering candles that projected a dreamy haze across the breathtaking scene. The atmosphere carried an intricate blend of cinnamon roasted chestnuts and subtle vanilla notes which emanated from the towering white and gold wedding cake that stood proudly at the hall's distant end.In the bridal suite before a majestic mirror I stood while my hands lay upon my swollen belly and I observed my own image. The dress I wore transformed into a winter dream—an elegant long-sleeved lace gown adorned with intricate snowflake embroidery along its sh

Sophia’s POVThe wedding hall pulsed with energy creating a tangled disorder as people rushed in every direction ensuring each detail found its place for the upcoming major event. Florists positioned extravagant bouquets featuring ivory roses alongside gold-dusted lilies and crimson orchids upon the grand tables. The decorators busily fixed shimmering silk drapes to the ceiling while their golden threads gleamed under the crystal chandeliers. A delicate melody unfolded in the background as an instrumental love song version played which immediately caused my heart to ache with nostalgic longing.From my distant corner seat I observed events unfold before me while Valerie sat beside me displaying complete disinterest. Everyone else engaged in frantic movements to double-check and perfect every ceremony element while I remained a mere observer."This situation is intolerable," I whispered while awkwardly adjusting my position in the chair.“Are you referring to the act of sitting down an

Sophia’s POVWhen the woman entered the room an unnatural silence descended as though a heavy curtain had fallen. All dialogue ceased while utensils remained suspended in mid-motion. My breath caught in an unnatural pause when I beheld her presence.The reality of her presence defied my initial expectations.The woman before us appeared entirely different from the youthful seductive image tabloids crafted in their grainy misleading photo. She existed as an older woman whose grace manifested through silver streaks that ran through her impeccably styled dark hair. The eyes she possessed showed intelligence and discernment yet bore the burden of experience instead of the playful mischief I had once envisioned. She displayed the sophisticated grace of a self-made empress whose presence demanded immediate respect upon her entrance into any room.I swallowed hard my stomach twisting with guilt.In what ways did my actions reach such levels of foolishness? How could I so readily question the