Chapter 7: The Witch I Had Always Known

"Princess Deva," Sophie said my name with the excitement of a top-tier actor as soon as I got to the top of the staircase.

"Luna Sophie," I gave a curt nod.

She took my hands and pulled me to her with such force that I almost tumbled, just for me to be embraced with enough grit to strangle me.

"Finally, I get to meet you," she said, leaving me breathing heavily. She faked panic. "I'm sorry, I had no idea that I hugged you so firmly. You must be so fragile," she said her last sentence with a hint of mockery.

I know what you're trying to do, Sophie. You want to look as good as you can possibly be to the public eye while you torment me in the best way you can when no one is looking. But two can play your game.

"No, it is fine," I pulled her into another embrace, biting my fingers into the back of my corset. A tinge of pain should let her know; I am nothing close to fragile.

Her smile twitched as I let her breathe. "I'm so happy to meet you."

"Me as well."

"Come, let me lead you inside. Your people will be taken good care of," she turned to Henry. "You can go now, Henry. Aaron must need you."

"Is that okay?" The Beta asked me. Does he know that she is a witch?

"Yes, please. Assist the alpha." What did they expect me to say? That he stays with me knowing there could be underlying issues in the pack? I wasn't that selfish.

Inside, the halls breathed warmth without fire. Velvet drapes, distant laughter, and the soft hum of strings greeted me with ominous music fitting the atmosphere with Sophie and me. We met not long ago, and this animosity that was always going to be between us surged with no resistance.

Sophie left me midway at the arrival of a noblewoman. Something I was grateful for. I stared down at my heels against the shiny marble floor, looking at my reflection.

It's going to be hard having to look at myself in the mirror. Not because Deva's body wasn't an embodiment of beauty, but because this wasn't the face I knew to be mine.

Every night it becomes harder to sleep because I am afraid I'll sleep and won't wake up to my second chance at life. Moreover, I'm scared that I won't do this right. I dismissed the entourage that accompanied me and sat in my serene chambers, surrounded by delicate florals and plush velvet drapes in midnight blue. The air was heavy with the scent of old books and jasmine; Aaron must have asked for what Deva enjoys. Books and the scent of jasmine. I sank into the armchair, lost in a worn leather-bound tome, as a crystal chandelier cast soft light across the room. The gentle ticking of a grandfather clock soothed me, a reminder of time's gentle passage. I didn't hate it; rather, it looked too good. I'm afraid that Sophie planted something in here to kill me.

You can't keep living in fear, Lana. I cautioned myself. It was hard not to be afraid when I remembered all Sophie had put me through for four years before passing away in my old body.

The sky got darker, and I had no reason to keep my torment of a gown on. I didn't bother to call any of the maids to help with my clothing and felt the need to handle it myself.

I slipped into my nightdress. The only one that wasn't transparent or left nothing to the imagination. Jade, Deva's mother, must want me to birth grandchildren for her as soon as possible. It was a beautiful long gown, mostly blue, with a tie-dye pattern that shifted from lighter to deeper shades as it went down. The top had a lovely ruffled design around the neckline and down the front, which added a nice touch. There was a soft tie at the waist that gently pulled it in, and the skirt flowed out, wide and graceful, with ruffles bordering its edges. The sleeves were long and loose, echoing the soft ruffles elsewhere on the dress. It felt light and elegant, much better than the heavy dress.

I moved across the room to pick up a book that Shakespeare wrote. I loved to read once, too, during my free time, but without the means, singing became my only hobby.

Through Deva's diary, I read about her, her likes, dislikes, how she would sniff an old book or a new one, embracing the feeling of having a piece of art for her to study and engrave into her memories. Her lover used to bring her books that she kept away in a stash. Deva was kind, enough that her body was given to me. It was for the best that she passed away not having to continue breathing in a life this sorrowful.

I was determined to handle Aaron's Luna, but would she have been able to cope with that along with her broken soul?

A knock on the door of my room made me put the book back on the shelf.

"It is Sophie. May I come in? Now, this is what you call speaking of the devil.

"Yes, please."

She still hadn't changed out of her dress but instead came with a tray of fruits for me.

"I heard you hadn't taken a morsel of food since you arrived, and I was worried."

Worried that I didn't feed on your plot to die?

"I do not need you to worry about me," I sharply spoke back.

"Hm, could it be that you noticed my beauty and hope to attain it by starving yourself in hopes that you could look like me?" There it was, the real attitude of the witch I had always known.

"Where has this sprung from?" I eyed her with anger.

"What else am I supposed to think? You've refused to feed your stomach. What is Aaron going to think of that?"

I do not care.

"What are you? Aaron's servant and personal reporter?" I said with a smirk. I couldn't before because I was bound to my people, but with a new identity, I had nothing to lose. The servants behind her watched in awe.

Has no one ever had the guts to stand up to this woman?

"I am his Luna, you are a mere side piece. I just came to tell you, do not think that you can win his heart by being a slut with it," she told me. "I prefer to tell things as they are so that you do not get your hopes up. I don't want you running back to your kingdom when he refuses you.

I leaned back against the shelf with a sly grin. "I suppose I should take your words as they sound as though you speak from experience."

"Do not speak to me like that!" She raised her voice.

"Did I hit a nerve?" I continued to push her buttons. Why does she act so insecure? It can only make me wonder, if Aaron gives her all his affection, why does she look desperate to eradicate every obstacle that could stand between them? "Are you truly secured in your position, Sophie?"