Chapter 2- Lunaria is devastated

           Lunaria didn't think that Aaron was harmful. He was cute, smart, and funny. He taught her new stuff as well as Sasha did since she never had access to school and he usually brought books for her to read.

And other times, he brought her food and some goodies and In extremely exceptional times, he managed to sneak her out of the house and show her around town.

Lunaria heard a slight knock at her door, she paid no attention knowing that it was locked and after a moment, the door was pushed open and she shrieked seeing Aaron let himself in, "What are you doing here?" She wondered how he even snuck in.

"Who locked you up here?" He frowned fisting his fingers, "No one deserves to live like this, is it Sasha?!"

"No!" She shook my head walking towards him immediately, "You should leave Aaron, you would get me in trouble."

She didn't want him to know what was going on in her house. Sasha had always told her to be mindful of who she confided in as people were dangerous.

"In trouble with who?" He raised her brow, "You are coming with me-you need some air."

"No."

Her no didn't stand any ground as Aaron still managed to convince her and he snuck her out of the house. They left without being seen and he took her out into town, taking her on his scooter to a place where he swore that they had the best spaghetti.

Aaron got her some food and gave her no room to decline, he took her to a private spot where they ate and after that, proceeded to teach her her lessons.

They spent some time together and everything was going smoothly till Lunaria asked that she be returned home as it was getting late.

"Have you ever thought of spending the night with me?" He asked all of a sudden bringing his fingers to her cheek, "Hmm?"

She shook her head, that was a very very odd question and she shifted away from him a bit, "Aaron, Sasha would be home by now, I should get going."

"Text her that you won't be home tonight." Aaron suggested, his hand resting softly on her shoulder, "Tell her you have plans."

"I can't." I shook my head, "I have no plans."

She got up from the grass, brushing at her dress. Her heart rhythm was rising as she watched Aaron, there was a predatory stance to him, he didn't seem like the nice kid she knew moments ago.

"You are so stubborn or clueless." Aaron got up as well, taking steps to close the space between them, "I wonder which it is."

"It's neither Aaron." She shook her head, "Please take me back, I will see you tomorrow."

He didn't heed her request, instead, he lunged for her, grabbing her shoulders and pulling her against him, and then she knew that something was wrong, he wasn't supposed to be near her like this.

"Let me go!" She screamed as his hands roamed her back, "Let go!" She bent her head biting at his arm.

He yelled, cursing and pushing her away from him while she immediately turned on her heels running far away.

"Stupid girl!" He called after her, "You should be lucky that I even desire you, with your hideous form!"

Those words stuck to Lunaria, she had never for once seen Aaron as her prince and so she wasn't so disappointed but she knew now why Sasha had warned her about boys.

She ran all the way home, wishing to go hug Sasha and tell her what had happened. Sasha would comfort her before scolding her and would tell her to be extra careful next time.

Lunaria got to the gates after a while, her sigh of relief manufactured into anxiety as she saw cameras, a whole crowd is people, and blinding lights.

"Oh my God."

"It's her."

"She was never dead."

"She looks just like them, only darker."

"What's that hideous birthmark?"

"Is she the true heir?"

"Who are you miss?"

"What's your name?"

Lunaria pushed through the crowd and hurried through the gates into the premises, she made her way for the doors to the mansion, her confusion rearing its head at what was happening and a dark feeling settled within her when she stepped into the house and was immediately dragged by the guards and taken to the basement.

She was thrown on the ground, her knees and palms scraping against chipped blocks and she winced.

"There she is!" Queen Julia screeched, "The little devil!"

Lunaria got up, her breath hitched in her throat as she took in the sight before her. Her family was standing there, the meanest looks were on their faces and then there was Sasha, tied to a chair.

"Sasha." She called out running towards her but the guards grabbed her holding her back, "What is this about Mother?! Let her go!"

"Don't you mother me!" Queen Julia screeched.

"Father." She turned to Dominic.

"I would smack your teeth out if you address me as such." Dominic spat with venom.

"Sister." She cried towards Sylvana.

"That ugly mouth of yours shouldn't call to me." Sylvana was a perfect version of her mother, beautiful, vile, and cunning.

"You had one instruction to follow!" Queen Julia laughed, "Stay put in the attic. Who knows? I could have given you a treat if you were obedient and I could have even sent you abroad for school?"

"Really?" Lunaria hoped looking at her mother, "I am sorry."

"Sorry for yourself!" Dominic bellowed, "You ran off! People at the party sighted you, wagging fingers and tongues and the press got alerted."

Lunaria gasped.

"Show her the news!" Queen Julia instructed the guard and a phone was out before Lunaria.

She saw pictures of her and they were taken while she was sneaking out with Aaron, the headlines were callous and there were videos of her trying to go through the gates with reporters huddling her.

"You caused us a scandal and pain. You ruined your sister's 24th birthday party. How selfish of you Lunaria?" Dominic scolded.

"Your life being as ugly as you doesn't mean you should make mine ugly as well!" Sylvana screamed at her, "You will pay for this!"

"Of course darling." Queen Julia stated, "She will."

"I am sorry." Lunaria fell to her knees in an attempt to plead, "Please spare me. I will never step foot out again, I will stay in till I die. I would never disobey you." She pleaded and watched Sasha crying, unable to speak, "Sasha I am sorry."

"It's okay my child. I love you." Sasha gave her a sad smile.

Lunaria continued pleading as the Mother brought out a gun and corked it pointing it at her, "Any last words?" She asked her daughter, "I should have killed you a long time ago!"

"Please don't." Lunaria begged, "But if you must, you can." She wouldn't protest if her mother wanted to kill her, her life wasn't worth living.

"Lunaria, no." Sasha cried, "You can't die my child."

"What is this?" Sylvana scoffed, "A soap opera?"

"This would all be too easy." Queen Julia laughed.

Lunaria closed her eyes, the gun went off, Sasha screamed and Lunaria waited for the pain and waited for death but it never came.

She opened her eyes to see that she hadn't been the target, killing her would have been easy but killing Sasha would kill her and torment her.

She yelled freeing herself from the guards as she ran towards the woman who fell to the ground, her hands cradled Sasha's body as she hugged her wailing her eyes out.

"You are responsible for her death just so you know. If only you had stayed put dear daughter." Queen Julia patted her back, "My condolences." She chuckled, "Arrange for the body to be disposed"

Lunaria sobbed into Sasha's neck as she held the older lady close, breathing in her scent, memories upon memories crowded her head as she mourned.

It was a terrible night, the night she turned 22, she had been betrayed by her only friend and lost the woman who she knew as a mother.