Luna sat on her bed, staring at the ceiling. Her thoughts were like a storm she couldn’t control. She had just returned from the hospital, and the weight of everything that happened was heavy on her chest.
Aurora’s pale face flashed in her mind, the sight of her lying so still making Luna’s heart ache all over again. “Oh, Aurora,” she whispered to herself, clutching her dress. “I wish I could take your pain away. I wish I could fix everything.”
She leaned back on the bed, her eyes focusing on the ceiling. But even as she tried to think about Aurora, another thought kept creeping in-Raphael.
Luna frowned as her mind replayed their recent conversations. He had been so kind to her, even gentle. But the way he looked at her sometimes, the way his eyes lingered, made her feel strange.
“Why is he so interested in me?” she murmured. She shook her head, trying to push the thought away. “Maybe he’s just being nice. Maybe I’m imagining things.”
But deep down, she couldn’t ignore the way her heart sped up when he smiled at her, or how she felt nervous whenever he was near.
“Focus, Luna,” she scolded herself. “Aurora is the one who needs you right now. Not these silly thoughts.”
She closed her eyes, trying to calm her racing mind. But before she could find peace, there was a soft knock at her door.
“Who is it?” Luna asked, sitting up.
“It’s me,” came the voice of one of the maids. “I have a message for you.”
Luna stood and opened the door. The maid was standing there, her hands clasped nervously. “Mr. Raphael wants you to join him for dinner,” the maid said quickly.
Luna’s eyes widened in shock. “Me?” she asked, pointing at herself.
The maid nodded. “Yes, he asked for you specifically.”
Luna’s heart raced. Why would Raphael want her to eat with him? She was just a maid. “Are you sure he meant me?” she asked, her voice uncertain.
“Yes,” the maid said firmly. “He said your name. He’s waiting for you in the dining room.”
Luna bit her lip, feeling nervous. “Okay,” she said softly. “I’ll go.”
The maid gave her a small smile before walking away. Luna closed the door and took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.
“Why does he want to eat with me?” she whispered, her hands wringing together. “This doesn’t make any sense.”
She looked at herself in the mirror, smoothing her dress. Her simple uniform suddenly felt too plain, too unworthy of sitting at the same table as Raphael.
Shaking her head, she pushed the thought aside. “Stop overthinking,” she told herself. “Just go and see what he wants.”
With one last look in the mirror, she opened the door and headed toward the dining room.
The hallway felt longer than usual as Luna made her way to Raphael. Her heart pounded with every step, her mind filled with questions.
When she reached the dining room, she paused outside the door, taking another deep breath. Then, gathering her courage, she stepped inside.
Raphael was already seated at the table, a glass of wine in his hand. When he saw her, he smiled warmly. “Ah, Luna,” he said. “Come in, please.”
Luna hesitated, her hands twisting nervously. “Sir, are you sure you want me here?” she asked softly.
Raphael chuckled, setting his glass down. “Of course,” he said. “Why wouldn’t I?”
Luna fidgeted, feeling out of place. “I’m just a maid,” she said. “It doesn’t feel right.”
Raphael waved her concerns away. “You’re not just a maid,” he said firmly. “You’re someone who cares deeply for Aurora. That makes you important to me.”
Luna’s cheeks flushed, and she lowered her gaze. “Thank you, sir,” she said quietly.
“Sit,” Raphael said, gesturing to the chair across from him.
Luna obeyed, sitting down slowly. She folded her hands in her lap, unsure of what to say.
Raphael leaned back in his chair, studying her. “You’re too quiet,” he said, his tone playful. “Are you always this shy?”
Luna shook her head quickly. “No, sir,” she said. “I just… I don’t understand why you’re being so kind to me.”
Raphael smiled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Do I need a reason to be kind?” he asked.
Luna hesitated. “No,” she said softly. “But it’s unusual.”
Raphael chuckled, taking a sip of his wine. “You’re different, Luna,” he said. “There’s something about you that makes me want to know more.”
Luna’s heart raced, but she tried to keep her expression calm. “I’m just an ordinary girl,” she said.
“Ordinary?” Raphael repeated, raising an eyebrow. “I don’t think so. You’re kind, loyal, and brave. That’s not ordinary.”
Luna looked down, feeling her cheeks heat up. “Thank you, sir,” she said.
Raphael leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “Tell me something,” he said. “What’s your dream, Luna? What do you want in life?”
Luna blinked, surprised by the question. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “I’ve never thought about it. My only goal has been to survive.”
Raphael’s expression softened. “That’s a sad answer,” he said. “You deserve more than just survival, Luna. You deserve happiness.”
Luna looked at him, her eyes wide. No one had ever said something like that to her before. “Happiness?” she repeated.
“Yes,” Raphael said firmly. “And I think you’ll find it one day.”
Luna felt a small smile tug at her lips. “Thank you, sir,” she said quietly.
They ate in comfortable silence for a while, the tension easing as they shared the meal. Raphael continued to watch her, his admiration for her growing with each passing moment.