Chapter 3

"Arthur, that rabbit's fur is white as snow. If you made it into a stole, I'd never be cold in winter."

Helen leaned against Arthur's shoulder, greed glinting in her eyes.

I was dozing at Cynthia's feet.

At those words, every hair on my body stood on end.

That woman was not content with taking Cynthia's things.

Now she wanted my life too.

Arthur looked over, following her finger.

"Its fur really is pure white.

"If you want it, I'll have someone skin it for you."

I stared in disbelief.

Had he lost his mind?

I was a Starlight Rabbit, born alongside the Moon Goddess herself.

Cynthia shot to her feet and pulled me tight against her chest.

"Arthur, touch her and see what happens."

Her voice was quiet, but it carried a force that brooked no refusal.

The temperature in the hall plummeted.

Arthur blinked, caught off guard.

It had been a long time since he'd felt Cynthia's fury.

But he recovered quickly and seemed to find her anger almost laughable.

"Cynthia, you'd really fight me over an animal?"

He took a step closer and stared her down.

"Helen's health is getting worse.

"Ordinary clothes can't keep her warm.

"This rabbit is nothing but trouble. Might as well put it to use."

Cynthia looked at him, her disappointment so thick it was almost tangible.

"Put it to use."

She turned the phrase over slowly.

"Arthur, I put everything I had into saving that life of yours.

"What gives you the right to touch what's mine?"

Arthur's expression went cold.

"There you go again, holding the past over my head."

He said through clenched teeth.

"I've already repaid everything I owed you.

"I'm a god now. If I want a rabbit's pelt, do I really need your permission?"

He thrust out his hand. A powerful force erupted from his palm.

I dug my claws into Cynthia's robes and shrieked in terror.

Cynthia swept one hand outward.

A blade of moonlight severed Arthur's pull.

"You want something to keep the cold out?"

Cynthia took a deep breath.

She reached into her own chest and tore something free.

A pearl glowing with soft white light was ripped out of her.

It was the Moon Soul Pearl.

The loss struck Cynthia at once.

Her face turned the color of ash.

She swayed, nearly collapsing.

"Take it."

She tossed the Moon Soul Pearl at Arthur's feet.

"This is a hundred times more useful than rabbit fur.

"Wear it, and no cold will ever touch her."

Arthur stared at the pearl on the ground, stunned.

He hadn't expected Cynthia to go this far for me.

Helen immediately ran over and snatched up the pearl.

The moment it touched her hand, color returned to her pallid cheeks.

"Thank you, Cynthia."

She smiled sweetly, as though she hadn't just been asking to have me skinned.

Arthur said nothing.

He gave Cynthia one long, unreadable look, then led Helen away.

Night fell.

The temple hosted a grand banquet.

It celebrated Arthur's formal claim to the worship of the entire continent.

Mortal royalty and nobles gathered from across the land.

Cynthia hadn't planned to attend.

But Arthur sent word.

If she didn't appear, she would be insulting the mortal faithful and refusing to acknowledge him as the new god.

Cynthia changed into a gown, gathered me in her arms, and walked quietly into the great hall.

A towering throne stood at the center of the hall.

Arthur had ordered it made.

He and Helen sat upon it side by side.

Helen was wearing a shimmering gown that caught the light with every movement.

It was the Moonlight Gown, the ceremonial dress reserved for the Moon Goddess across the ages.

Only a true goddess could wear it and bring out its splendor.

On Helen, a mortal, the gown looked absurdly out of place.

She looked like a child playing dress-up in her mother's clothes.

The nobles and lords below were eager to curry favor with the soon-to-be god.

They raised their glasses and showered Helen with flattery, praising Arthur's taste.

Cynthia found a seat in a corner and paid the hollow compliments no mind.

The banquet was halfway over.

Helen suddenly stood.

She took a goblet of wine and wobbled over to Cynthia.

"Cynthia.

"Today Arthur became ruler of this land. It's a day worth celebrating.

"I'd like to raise a glass to you."

She held the goblet out toward Cynthia.

She deliberately tipped her wrist.

The wine was about to spill all over Cynthia.

Cynthia didn't even flinch. She simply watched Helen.

Arthur appeared at Helen's side and caught her wrist.

"Careful."

Arthur spoke gently to Helen. Then he turned to Cynthia.

His tone turned cold at once.

"Cynthia, Helen was kind enough to toast you.

"You won't even take the cup? You really don't know what's good for you."

He took the goblet from Helen, refilled it, and thrust it toward Cynthia.

"Now. Toast Helen.

"Consider it an apology for what you've done."

The hall fell silent.

A true goddess was being ordered to offer an apologetic toast to a mortal woman.

The humiliation was beyond measure.

Cynthia looked at the goblet before her. Not a ripple of emotion crossed her eyes.

"And if I don't?"

Arthur sneered, and the weight of his near-divine power pressed down on the room.

"If you don't,

"you'll be telling every believer in this hall that you're jealous of Helen, that you can't tolerate her.

"And to appease their anger, I'll have no choice but to move you out of the main hall tonight."

"Is that so."

Cynthia not only left the goblet untouched, she raised her eyes a fraction to meet his.

"Ahh!"

Before Arthur could erupt, Helen let out a bloodcurdling scream.

Her goblet shattered on the floor. She dropped to her knees in agony and violently retched up a mouthful of blood.

"Helen!"

Arthur's face drained of color. Panic overtook him, and he forgot all about Cynthia. He scooped up Helen's convulsing body and rushed toward the back of the hall amid the shocked cries of the assembled nobles.

I watched Arthur flee in panic.

Cynthia stroked my long fur gently and calmly lowered her eyes.

Only three days remained.