JULIAS POV,
It is too dangerous to talk about what just happened in the palace so Julias and Gabriel both go separate ways after the talk with Lord Midas. Julias goes to his room and when he lays in bed, he is still stunned by what happened. How can they be so stupid and ignorant and best of all trying to make a deal with Hades? That is just asking for trouble. Julias feels bad for all the people that must suffer the consequences of such a clueless leader. It takes him a long time to fall asleep and he wakes up the next morning with a big headache.
It is still very early when he decides to go have some breakfast but to his surprise, Luna is there as well. He immediately feels nervous and tries to be relaxed when he walks to her.
“Hello, my name is Julias. I don’t think we have met before.”
Luna looks up at him with her big blue eyes and studies him before answering, “Nice to meet you Julias, my name is Luna. I am Lord Midas his daughter. Who are you?”
She holds out her hand to shake his, but his hands are all sweaty, so he just kisses her hand instead. She lifts an eyebrow and looks at him amused and he can’t believe he made a fool of himself within the first minutes of talking to her. She keeps looking at him and he suddenly remembers she asked him something.
“Rrrr… right, I am from the Sea Realm but currently on a business quest with King Gabriel.”
Luna immediately looks more interested, “That is very interesting because we never have visitors from other Realms. I would love to find out more about the Realms!”
Julias smiles because of her enthusiasm, “I could tell you about it today?”
Luna thinks for a moment, “Hmm I have to do my usual rounds today, but you could join me and tell me along the way?”
Julias nods, “Sure what are your usual rounds?”
Luna stands up and walks out of the breakfast room, “You will see. Come on no time to lose.”
He follows her into the city, and they walk to a part he hasn’t been before. The streets seem to get darker, the air smellier and the houses in worser states the further they walk from the castle. Julias looks around in wonder about the difference between rich and poor in Dandion. Luna waves him over, “This is it let’s go in.”
He looks at the sign in front of the large building and it says orphanage. When Luna walks in she immediately gets attacked by children running over to hug her. Julias expected about 20 children, but it seems the number is closer to 100. Luna laughs and says, “Easy there can’t get you presents if you are all on me.”
The kids scream with joy and back off to let Luna open her bag. The whole bag is stuffed with toys and Luna hands them to the children. Then she takes out a book and sits down to read to the younger children. Julias shows the kids some games to play that he learned in the Sea Realm and for about an hour he is just having fun laughing and playing with the children. Luna taps his shoulder and smiles at him, “We should go, but you can come back with me tomorrow?”
Julias his face lights up, “I would love that!”
Before they leave Luna gives some money to the cook to make sure that the kids have enough food for today. They are not allowed to walk out the door before getting a pile of hugs again. “See you tomorrow,” the kids scream happily.
When they are in the street again Julias takes a deep breath and says, “Wow that really gives you energy. That was a lot of fun.”
Luna looks at him kindly, “Yes they are amazing. They are happy with so little. People don’t realize they have so much to be thankful for.”
She shakes her head to get rid of the serious tone and says, “Before our next destination we have to stop at the bakery.”
Julias answers amused, “Are you hungry already?”
Luna giggles, “It’s not for me silly. We are going to visit an elderly home. They love sweet things.”
Julias follows her amazed, this woman is so selfless and pure. He has never met anyone quite like her.
They buy sweets and visit the elderly home where they talk and laugh with people for 2 hours. Just a simple thing as listening to the people already made their whole day a lot better. When they walk out Julias asks, “Why are the elderly so lonely? Don’t they have family that visits them?”
Luna answers sadly, “Dandion has thriving businesses and economy, so the young people work very hard and long. They don’t have a lot of time to visit their family.”
She takes his hand and says, “Let’s go to the market and have some lunch and I have to order some things for visiting the poor families tomorrow.”
The market is in the rich part of Dandion, so it is full of life and people. They buy some bread, wine, cheese, and fruit and walk towards a quiet spot under a tree.
In the sunlight, Luna seems to be a beacon that just radiates light and positivity and his heart beats faster by just looking at her. He decides he can better break the silence before she will think he is a creep that just stares at her. “So, about what would you like to learn more from the other Realms?” he asks.
Her eyes get big, and she leans into him and whispers, “Magic.”
He starts to tell her about all the different magical creatures that exist in the Realms and then tells her about Roan his water magic, Gabriel’s lightning, and lastly about Noelle and the amazing things she can do.
Luna has a dreamy look on her face and sighs, “It all sounds so amazing and adventurous I wish I could see the other Realms.”
Julias immediately feels sad by thinking that no one will ever be able to visit the Sea Realm again. Luna notices his change of expression and asks, “What’s wrong?”
Julias sighs, “You will never see the Sea Realm because it doesn’t exist anymore.”
Luna looks at him confused, “Why not?”
Julias fills her in about what happened since Hades came back and Luna seems shocked. “My dad knows about this?” she asks.
Julias nods, “That is the reason we are here. We need to work together to have a chance to survive.”
Luna stands up, “We should head back but I will try to talk to my dad about it when I get the chance.”
Julias smiles at her, “Thank you.”
They head back to the castle and before saying goodbye Julias says, “I had a great time today, Luna. Thank you for showing me the important things you do.”
Luna looks at him with her big blue eyes, “It was nice to have some company and I expect to see you again tomorrow at the same time.”
The next day Julias joins her again with going to the orphanage and after that, they bring baskets of food to poor families that need some extra support. It is clear to Julias that everywhere they go the people adore Luna. Her positivity and kindness gives joy everywhere they go and Julias grows fond of her more every hour they spend together. However, it does seem like Luna puts too much on her plate because running from charity to charity all day seems to get her exhausted. The third day he goes with her she seems to be in pain and limping a bit. Julias softly puts a hand on her shoulder and asks kindly, “Shouldn’t you take some rest Luna? I am sure the people won’t blame you for resting a few hours a day.”
Luna sits down and seems to be on the edge of crying. Julias sits down next to her and takes her in his arms, “What is wrong? You can tell me.”
She leans into his embrace and sobs, “I am just trying to do as much as I can because, in 7 days, I will have much less time.”
Julias strokes her hair softly and asks, “Why do you have less time then?”
Luna’s voice sounds sad and empty when she answers, “Because I get married in 7 days and I will have to fulfill my duties as a wife then instead of charity work.”
Julias feels like someone just kicked him in the stomach, “Married? To whom?”
Luna can’t hold it any longer and starts crying. Julias holds her tight and rocks her slowly until she calms down a bit. She finally seems to be able to answer him and says, “To Javier.”
Julias his heart sinks to his chest and it feels like the world crumbles around him. He looks at her blue eyes full of tears and feels utterly shocked. He knows one thing for sure and that is that there is no way he will let this beautiful pure woman marry that monster.
He softly asks, “Do you love him?”
Luna shakes her head, “No I don’t but father says to the Kingdom will fall apart if I don’t. Javier has a lot of influence and money. He decided he wants me so that is what he will get.”
Julias grunts, “Over my dead body. I will promise you that I would rather die than watch you marry that man. I will figure something out don’t worry. ”
She leans into him more and whispers, “You are sweet.”
Julias wraps his arms around her and inhales her scent of roses and raspberry. Destiny has brought him this remarkable woman and he will protect her with all he has to give.