Luna had just returned to the main hall after escorting Raphael to his room. She was still thinking about his strange questions when she felt a hand grab her arm gently. She turned to see Madam Catherine standing there, her eyes sharp but not unkind.
“Luna,” Madam Catherine said, her voice low. “Come with me for a moment.”
Luna blinked, confused. “Is something wrong, ma’am?” she asked hesitantly.
“Not at all,” Madam Catherine said with a small smile. “I just want to talk to you. Come.”
Luna followed her to a quiet corner of the hall, away from the other maids. Madam Catherine turned to face her, folding her arms across her chest.
“Now,” she began, her eyes scanning Luna’s face, “what’s going on between you and Mr. Raphael?”
Luna’s eyes widened in shock. “Between me and Mr. Raphael?” she repeated, her voice filled with confusion. “Nothing, ma’am. I don’t understand what you mean.”
Madam Catherine raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile on her lips. “Don’t play innocent with me, child,” she said. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you. And you’re always running around with him these days. Don’t tell me it’s ‘nothing.'”
Luna’s cheeks flushed, and she shook her head quickly. “Ma’am, I swear there’s nothing going on,” she said. “Mr. Raphael is just being kind to me because of Aurora. That’s all.”
Madam Catherine tilted her head, studying her. “Kind?” she repeated. “Is that what you think this is? Kindness?”
“Yes,” Luna said firmly. “Why else would he care about me?”
Madam Catherine chuckled softly, shaking her head. “Oh, Luna,” she said. “You’re still so young, so naive. You have no idea, do you?”
“No idea about what?” Luna asked, her confusion growing.
Madam Catherine leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “I think Mr. Raphael likes you,” she said. “More than he lets on.”
Luna froze, her heart skipping a beat. “Likes me?” she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. “No, that can’t be true. I’m just a maid. Why would someone like him care about me?”
Madam Catherine smiled knowingly. “Oh, child,” she said. “Men like Raphael don’t just spend time with anyone. If he’s paying attention to you, there’s a reason.”
Luna shook her head, her hands twisting nervously. “You’re wrong, ma’am,” she said. “Mr. Raphael doesn’t see me that way. He’s only helping because of Aurora. That’s all.”
Madam Catherine’s smile widened, her eyes glinting with amusement. “If you say so,” she said. “But let me give you some advice, Luna. Don’t act like a little girl who doesn’t know what’s happening around her. If a man like Raphael is interested in you, you should take advantage of it.”
Luna’s cheeks turned red, and she looked down at the floor. “I don’t know what you mean,” she said softly.
“I mean,” Madam Catherine said, her tone firm but not unkind, “you have a chance to change your life. To get out of this mess. Don’t waste it.”
Luna looked up at her, her eyes wide. “You think I should… what? Try to make him like me more?”
Madam Catherine shrugged, her smile fading slightly. “I’m not saying you should throw yourself at him,” she said. “But don’t ignore the opportunity in front of you. Men like Raphael don’t come around often. If he likes you, use it to your advantage.”
Luna frowned, her mind racing. “I don’t know, ma’am,” she said. “It feels wrong. Mr. Raphael has been kind to me, but that doesn’t mean I should… I don’t know…”
Madam Catherine sighed, placing a hand on Luna’s shoulder. “Listen to me, child,” she said. “I’ve been in this house a long time. I’ve seen girls like you and Aurora come and go. But you two… you’re different. Stronger. Smarter. That’s why I’ve always admired you, even if I never said it, and at first i thought you two will just be trouble but I was wrong.
Luna’s eyes widened in surprise. “You admire us?” she asked softly.
“Yes,” Madam Catherine said with a nod. “You and Aurora have a fire inside you. It’s rare. Don’t let that fire go out. If Raphael sees something in you, don’t waste it. You deserve better than this life.”
Luna swallowed hard, her emotions swirling. “Thank you, ma’am,” she said quietly. “But I don’t think I’m ready for something like that. And Aurora… she needs me.”
Madam Catherine smiled again, softer this time. “You’re a good girl, Luna,” she said. “But don’t forget to think about yourself too. You have a chance to make a better life. Don’t let it slip away.”
Luna nodded slowly, though her heart was still heavy with doubt. “I’ll think about it,” she said.
“Good,” Madam Catherine said, patting her shoulder. “Now, go get some rest. You’ve had a long day.”
Luna nodded again, turning to leave. As she walked back to her room, her mind was filled with questions. Did Raphael really like her? Could she really use this to change her life?
She didn’t know the answers, but Madam Catherine’s words stayed with her, a mix of hope and confusion that wouldn’t let her rest.