Aurora paced back and forth in her room, her mind racing. Her worry for Luna gnawed at her, refusing to leave her alone. She couldn’t stop thinking about Madam Elena’s words that morning. “Reassigned” could mean anything. She had seen enough here to know that Damian’s whims often led to suffering for others. She clenched her fists, her fear for Luna mixing with a fierce anger. She couldn’t just sit here and do nothing.
Taking a deep breath, she made up her mind. She had to find Damian and get answers.
Aurora left her room, walking quickly down the quiet hallways, her steps echoing off the polished floors. The mansion felt cold and empty in the early hours, most of the servants and girls still busy with their morning duties. She moved with purpose, ignoring the few glances she got from those who noticed her determined expression.
At the end of the hall, she stopped in front of Damian’s door. It was massive, carved from dark wood and polished to a gleam. She knew this door well enough by now, and just looking at it made her anger grow stronger. She didn’t care if he was still resting or if he would be furious. All that mattered was Luna.
Aurora took a deep breath, steeling herself, then raised her hand and knocked. When there was no answer, she knocked again, harder. Still nothing. She was about to give up, but then, in a burst of frustration, she pushed the door open herself and stormed in.
Damian’s room was dimly lit, the heavy curtains drawn across the windows, letting in only slivers of light. The air was thick with the scent of leather and wood. He was sitting on the edge of his bed, looking half-dressed and startled, as if he hadn’t expected anyone to burst in on him. His dark eyes narrowed when he saw her, but she didn’t care.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he demanded, his voice cold and edged with anger.
Aurora took a step forward, her gaze locked on him. “I need to know where Luna is,” she said, her voice strong, though she could feel her heart racing.
He raised an eyebrow, his expression shifting to something almost amused. “And why would you think that’s any of your business?”
“Because she’s my friend,” Aurora shot back, her tone fierce. “And she didn’t do anything wrong. You had no right to move her somewhere without telling me.”
Damian stood up, clearly annoyed by her tone. He towered over her, but she didn’t back down. “You forget your place, Aurora,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “You are not here to make demands.”
“I don’t care,” she replied, lifting her chin defiantly. “Luna was the only person who looked out for me here. And you took her away without telling me anything. So I’m asking-no, I’m demanding-that you tell me where she is.”
Damian’s eyes flashed with anger, and he stepped closer, his presence almost suffocating. But Aurora held her ground, refusing to let herself feel afraid. He studied her for a moment, his expression hard and unreadable.
“You think you can just walk in here and demand answers from me?” he asked, his voice dripping with contempt.
“Yes,” she said, refusing to look away. “Because this place is horrible. You know that. You take people away, you keep secrets, and you think you can just do what you want with our lives. But Luna doesn’t deserve whatever you’re doing to her.”
Damian’s lips twisted into a smirk. “And what exactly do you think I’m doing to her?”
Aurora’s jaw tightened. “I don’t know. And that’s the problem. You’ve taken her somewhere without any explanation. She didn’t even have a chance to say goodbye.”
He let out a dark chuckle, clearly amused by her defiance. “Do you really think I owe you an explanation? Luna is no different from the rest of you here. She serves a purpose, and I decide what that purpose is.”
Aurora felt a surge of frustration. “So you think you own us?” she spat, her voice trembling with anger. “You think you can just do whatever you want, and we’re supposed to sit back and take it?”
Damian’s eyes narrowed, his smirk fading. “Yes, Aurora. That’s exactly what I think.” His voice was cold, as if he were explaining something simple to a child. “You are here because I allow it. You are alive because I allow it. Remember that before you try to test me.”
Aurora’s anger flared, and she clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms. “You don’t scare me,” she said, though her voice wavered slightly.
He raised an eyebrow, looking mildly amused again. “Is that so?” He took another step closer, closing the distance between them. “Maybe I should teach you a lesson about what it means to respect me.”
She held her ground, even as her heart raced. “You’re just proving me right. All you do is use fear to control everyone here.”
Damian’s gaze darkened. He reached out, grabbing her arm tightly. She felt a jolt of pain but refused to let him see how much it hurt. “You don’t get to lecture me about control,” he said, his voice deadly quiet.
Aurora stared back at him, defiance blazing in her eyes. “Then show me you’re not just a monster. Tell me where Luna is. That’s all I’m asking.”
He looked at her, his grip loosening just slightly as he seemed to consider her words. For a brief moment, she thought he might actually give her an answer.
Then, with a sigh, he let go of her arm, taking a step back. “Luna is safe,” he said finally, his tone guarded. “She’s… useful to me in other parts of the estate. That’s all you need to know.”
“That’s not enough,” Aurora insisted. “I want to see her. I want to know she’s okay.”
Damian crossed his arms, his gaze cold and dismissive. “That’s not your decision to make. You don’t need to worry about Luna. She has her duties, just like you have yours.”
Aurora clenched her fists, her frustration boiling over. “You can’t just hide people away like this.”
“Can’t I?” he replied, his voice mocking. “This is my estate, Aurora. Everything here happens because I allow it. And you…you are in no position to make demands.”
She swallowed her anger, taking a steadying breath. “If you really have so much power, then it shouldn’t bother you to let me see Luna. Unless you’re hiding something.”
Damian’s jaw clenched, and she saw a flash of anger in his eyes. But he quickly masked it, his expression turning to one of mild amusement again. “You are a stubborn one,” he muttered, almost to himself.
“I just care about my friend,” she replied, her voice softening slightly. “Please. Just let me see her. I won’t make trouble if I know she’s okay.”
For a long moment, he just stared at her, as if weighing his options. Finally, he gave a slight nod. “Fine. If it will keep you quiet, I’ll arrange for you to see her. But don’t think this means you’re special or that you can make these demands again.”
Aurora’s heart leapt with relief, though she kept her expression calm. “Thank you,” she said, trying not to let too much gratitude slip into her voice.
Damian’s gaze turned hard again. “Don’t mistake this for kindness, Aurora. I don’t do favors. You’ll get what you asked for, but don’t push your luck.”
She nodded, knowing that pushing him further would only backfire. “I understand.”
Without another word, Damian walked past her, signaling the conversation was over. She watched him go, her heart still racing but feeling lighter knowing she’d get a chance to see Luna.
As he disappeared down the hall, Aurora took a deep breath, letting herself feel a small victory. She knew she had taken a risk by confronting him, but for Luna, it was worth it.