“Do you really want to become the Moon Goddess?” The Grand Elder looked at her with concern. “Being the Moon Goddess is not an easy task. Many people have unrealistic fantasies about deities, and you need to understand that you don’t have to respond to everyone. If someone’s expectations are not met, negative emotions will arise, leading to complaints, disappointment, and even hatred. Hatred might be the most impactful emotion that can affect you. Once it spreads, you’ll face backlash you can’t imagine.”
Every race couldn’t escape the erosion of greed-greed that could build towering structures and, at the same time, bring them crashing down.
Maggie had been hearing similar words lately. “It’s okay; I know I’m not the ideal candidate for the Moon Goddess in everyone’s eyes. I didn’t want to become the Moon Goddess initially, but the power chose me, and destiny chose me. People shouldn’t evade their destiny. If I feel that I shouldn’t succumb to the disasters destiny has given me, I’ll resist it.”
The elder looked at her determined eyes and felt a sudden sense of emotion. “Though you and Grace are two completely different individuals, sometimes, I don’t know why, but when I see you, it’s like seeing Grace by my side. Once a decision is made, there’s no turning back. Your eyes are always full of radiance, and you tirelessly work for others.”
At that time, Grace had never expressed regret. She hadn’t regretted coming to him, and even when she went back, she hadn’t said she regretted it. Even in what he thought was their last meeting, as Grace cried and called out to him, she hadn’t expressed regret. It seemed that in her view, once something was done, there was no room for turning back, and therefore, no need for regret.
Maggie rarely heard people talk about Grace. It was a topic that wasn’t discussed much, as if it was a taboo. She had only heard a few words about her from Aldrich and Marvin-incomplete, like a portrait missing half a body and a face.
“I rarely hear people talk about Grace.”
“That’s normal. Grace’s experiences were tumultuous. While everyone respects her, they also fear her. No one can be like her, going from a regular guard to a prince’s partner and then leaping to become the Luna of the pack. Eventually, this Luna even abandoned her pack. Her achievements are undeniable, but as a person, she, like most of the Barrett family, is controversial.”
“I want to learn more about her.”
Wanting to understand Grace wasn’t because she was once Aldrich’s partner or because people associated Luna with Grace. Maggie genuinely considered Grace a friend. Grace never played games; she was sincere and straightforward, and Maggie liked that about her. So, she also wanted to become that kind of person.
The Grand Elder slowly recounted Grace’s past.
“I don’t know why she chose that path in the end. She could have lived the life she wanted.”
Urania still held her hands together, not participating in the conversation. However, only she knew how Grace was contaminated by another bloodline. It wasn’t because she couldn’t conceive with Aldrich; it was because she accidentally discovered that she was tainted by vampire blood and couldn’t bear children with Aldrich.
She couldn’t reveal the truth and chose to bear the blame.
However, none of this mattered. When Grace returned home, she would be willing to speak, and telling everyone wouldn’t be a bad thing.
When it came to Grace, the Grand Elder’s most pressing question emerged. “Grace, where is she? Have you found her? Is she okay?”
Maggie assured him, “Don’t worry. Though she was taken by Ethan, she’s still alive. I saw her being held in the basement of Ethan’s castle. We haven’t been able to contact her temporarily, but we’ll keep trying.”
The Grand Elder sighed in relief. “That’s good. I always worried she might take extreme measures.”
Urania, who had been gazing out the window, turned back. “Now, can you tell us how you got injured? There are no outsiders here, and your concerns won’t reach anyone else. Who exactly wanted to sabotage the ceremony the Elder Council was preparing for Maggie’s inauguration?”
“It was Ethan.”
Urania clicked her tongue. “I figured it was that deceitful kid.”
“He brought Grace to see me and demanded that I publicly declare Aldrich an incompetent partner at the Elder Council. This way, Aldrich’s reputation would take a severe hit, affecting his future approval ratings. Initially, I refused,” the Grand Elder said, still regretful and pained at the memory. “But Grace was in his hands, and I wanted him to release her. So, I later pretended to agree to his request, but he had to unlock the collar around Grace’s neck first. He agreed, but instead of unlocking it himself, he made me personally free Grace. He said it wasn’t a very difficult magic. I did as he asked.”
Afterward, he felt an attack, and then he fell into endless dizziness. When he woke up, the recent events had unfolded.
“My only mistake was turning my back on him. I guess after that, he took Grace away again. I thought he might kill her; fortunately, he didn’t.” When he woke up, the fear of witnessing Grace being harmed by Ethan filled his heart. Although he didn’t know why Ethan didn’t go through with it, this outcome brought him some comfort. “Grace has been with me for a long time, and she’s my favorite. My only wish is for you to bring her back to me, and I don’t need her to achieve anything significant; I just want her to be safe.”
Maggie nodded solemnly. “I will definitely bring her back safely.”
Urania smirked. “Little one, you used to swear to me that you didn’t need family, that you could face death alone. How long has it been?”
The Grand Elder thought this woman had lived for too long, making her somewhat psychologically twisted. She could remember a casually spoken sentence for fifty years.
“Back then, I was always wandering alone, solitary, and being a bit pessimistic about life was quite normal, right?”
Urania shrugged. “I’m not trying to mock you. She is indeed an exceptional child, and anyone who meets her will like her. I just randomly remembered that statement, so I mentioned it. Having someone to rely on by your side makes me a bit more at ease.”
The Grand Elder turned to Maggie again, inquiring, “How is Aldrich? Is he okay, unaffected?”
“Aldrich is fine. He has been busy with Elder Council matters lately because the other elders are still deciding who should become the acting Grand Elder. Since that decision hasn’t been made, he’s handling various trivial matters.”
The Grand Elder sighed, “He’s really been through a lot. Originally, this had nothing to do with him, but he still took on this mess. Even if he handles it well, people will only say it’s what he should do as a candidate for the Wolf King. If he doesn’t do well, they’ll gossip behind his back, and he won’t gain any benefits. It puts him in a difficult position.”
Maggie tightly gripped his hand, “Please don’t say that. This is what Aldrich should do. He’s well aware, and he has this responsibility.”