The Uncrowned Luna He was Forced to Keep

Celestia's POV

At exactly five in the morning, the speakers connected to the maids' quarters crackled to life, and the voice of our head maid immediately filled the entire room.

“Arise and shine, everyone! It's time to get to WORK!!” she screamed into the microphone.

Thankfully, I had blocked my ears just in time. That was how she was every morning, especially when she didn't want to come down to the quarters herself because she knew some of us would simply go back to sleep the moment she left.

It was no longer anything new to me or anyone else.

Those who were still sleeping groaned as they reluctantly pulled themselves out of bed, while a few others buried their faces beneath their pillows, probably hoping the head maid would somehow decide to spare them today. Which of course would never happen.

“Does she really have to do that every morning?” someone muttered from the other side of the room.

“I'm afraid my eardrums are going to burst if she continues,” another complained.

“But I'm still so sleepy,” someone else whined, followed by a tired groan.

The same complaints filled the room almost every morning, and I couldn't help smiling quietly as I finished buttoning my dress.

Unlike most of the girls, I had been awake for a while. My bed was already made, my hair was neatly tied back, and I had even folded the thin blanket I slept with before the announcement came through the speakers.

“Celestia, you're dressed already… again?”

I turned around to see Elowen staring at me in disbelief.

She was still sitting on her bed with her hair scattered around her face.

I chuckled softly. “Good morning to you too.”

She ignored my greeting and gave me an over look. “How do you always do it?”

Another girl sitting nearby laughed. “Is waking up early your specialty?”

“Maybe she doesn't sleep at all,” someone else added.

Soon, they were all throwing different questions at me, just like they always did whenever they found me completely dressed before they had even managed to leave their beds.

I shook my head, amused by their reactions.

“My brain goes on faster than the speaker,” I replied, giving them the same answer I had given countless times before.

Elowen groaned and finally forced herself out of bed. “You could have woken me up when you stood up.”

“I did Elowen, but you said five minutes more just like always.”

She rolled her eyes playfully “I don't know whether to admire you or be annoyed by you.”

“You can do both.”

She gave me a sleepy glare before heading to the bathroom with other girls.

I smiled and turned back toward my small wooden box at the side of my bed that contained a small crystal pendant.

*******

“Arrrgh come on. We had barely rested after all those washing.”

I heard Elowen complain behind me, a low chuckled escaped my lips as I turned back to her. “You didn't do the washing. The machine did.” I linked my hands with hers so we will walked at the same pace.

She pouted. “I'm hungry.”

“You are always hungry.” I flicked her forehead playfully. “Let go get the new kitchen supplies quickly, so you can fill your belly with food from the kitchen..”

She nodded, snuggling closer as we made our way to the underground parking lot with few other maids both in front and behind us.

—

“The boxes weigh more heavier than they look. It's exhausting.” Elowen grumbled as she balanced the box in her hand.

“Hmmm” I hummed carrying the last box in the delivery van. “Let's go.”

Ahead of us, the other maids made their way through the door connected to the parking lot, heading for the kitchen entrance.

We had barely reached the door when we had the screeching of tires against the ground.

Everyone of us stopped, we knew better than to be seen moving when a royal is near us. Especially if that person is… Lyra Nightfall.

Everyone knew Lyra Nightfall, the Beta's daughter, and every being lower than her when it comes to status, knew better than to cross her path when she was in a bad mood. She had a habit of finding fault with people who were beneath her, and once she decided someone had offended her, it rarely ended with a simple warning.

The moment the maids noticed her, their conversations died. A few lowered their heads as she approached, while others quietly stepped aside to make room for her.

Elowen and I did the same, shifting our boxes to one side, making sure we avoided eye contact.

But just as Lyra passed us, she stopped… right in front of me. I knew because my gaze was on the red stiletto heels in front of me.

I blinked, raising my head slightly only to see her gaze resting on me. I quickly took my gaze to the floor back.

Why was she staring at me? I hadn't done anything wrong. I'm a good girl.

I noticed Elowen shifting uncomfortably in her spot, worried that all hell won't break loose with the way Lyra was looking at me like I had stolen something precious from her.

She took a step closer to me, but before she could take the next, a guard came rushing to her.

“Miss Lyra, the Beta request your presence.”

I felt her gaze on me once more before she retraced her steps and left.

Elowen released her breath. “That was close.”

I glanced at her. “What was?”

"Didn’t you see the way she looked at you?”

I shrugged. “I didn't do anything wrong.”

“Why is she hear?” someone muttered.

“She rarely came to the pack, even though her father reside here. So why did she make it an exception today.”

Lyra rarely came to the pack unless the Alpha was around or something important was happening. Since the Alpha wasn't currently in the pack, there had to be another reason for her sudden visit.

Elowen leaned closer to me “What do you think is happening?”

I shook my head. “I honestly don't know. Let's go.”

She nodded, looking thoughtful for a moment before her eyes widened. “Wait. What if it has something to do with the Luna ceremony?”

I turned toward her “The Luna ceremony?”

“Yes,” she whispered excitedly. “Think about it. Something important must be happening and that is why Lyra is the pack. All other festive activities are still months away, so what imoortant thing could be happening in this palace besides the Luna ceremony and you know how much Lyra has always wanted to become the Luna. Maybe she came to prepare for it.”

As if confirming her thought.

The royal bell suddenly rang across the pack, its deep sound echoing through the courtyard and silencing every conversation.

A moment later, the speakers positioned throughout the pack crackled including the one in the parking lot, and the announcer's voice carried clearly through them.

“The date of the Luna Ceremony has been decided. It will be held on the day of the Full Moon, which is three days from now.” came the voice of the announcer.

Three days. Whispers began flying from different directions and even Elowen wasn't left.

I stared ahead, my fingers slowly tightening around the edge of the box.

“In three days,” I whispered pressing my lips into a thin straight line.