Lucy’s POV
Wrongfully accused once again, I found myself standing before the Luna of Moongrowl, who also doubled as the surrogate mother of the triplets. I clasped my hands together under my blouse. No one had to see just how affected I was.
In the main hall where I stood, before me sat the Luna on an ornate chair, leaning on her fist as though bored. The look in her eyes told me otherwise, though. To my left, sat Annabella, who was now conscious, and Agatha, who hadn’t relented in her accusatory gaze. On my right sat the triplets, all looking confused as to why they had been summoned, although I could tell they were a little worried as well.
Evening was coming already, and outdoors no longer had bright light to send into the room, which meant that the chandeliers came into use, illuminating the room with a light golden glow that added to the luxurious feel of the palace.
“What happened?” Trudy asked, looking from Annabella, to Agatha, and finally to me. Her voice sounded empty, like she couldn’t bring herself to voice out her concerns with the tone in her voice.
“Lucy pushed me,” Annabella said, “I was only asking her an innocent question and she shoved me to the ground and nearly pounced on me lile an animal!” She pointed a dirty finger at me. I could see the layer of dirt underneath her fingernail as she did so.
“Yes, that was what exactly happened,” said Agatha, adding fuel to the flames. In that instant, I regretted having been so happy to see her. I had been the one to remind her who I was. If I had just minded my own business and went on my way, it was highly unlikely that I would have been standing there while she threw accusations t me like I was just a common stranger.
The Luna regarded three of us quietly for a while , before she gave me a chance to respond. I didn’t know if it was to even things out, or to merely prevent this occasion from looking biased. “And you? What do you have to say for yourself?”
“I didn’t do anything to her. If anything, she started it all right frlm the moment she ans Agatha started harassing me.” I fiddled with my thumbs, rubbing my nails against one another so that they made small snapping noises. The sounds distracted me a little bit from my thoughts, so I continued it as discreetly as I could.
One of Trudy’s eyebrows went up. “You didn’t do anything to her? Then why was she reported to have been convulsing and screaming in pain?”
Here, I knew I had two options: to either insist on what I believed was the truth, even in the face of adversity, or to give in. I chose the former because I wasn’t going to relent just because my position looked less believable. “Yes. I did nothing to her. I did push her, but not to the ground. I merely did so because she kept harassing me.”
Annabella gasped, pressing her hand against her chest. “Harassing you? Why on earth would I have done that? I only just wanted your input on things, and you went and pushed me to the floor, threatening the life of my unborn child.” She clutched her belly as she spoke, rising to her feet. “Thank goodness Agatha was here to take care of me. I was so frightened for my little one still in the womb.”
Heavy silence fell over the room as her words sunk in. Annabella, pregnant? If she was even telling the truth, which I earnestly hoped she wasn’t, I didn’t want the father to be someone I knew. I turned to Scott, and for the first time in weeks, I noticed that his expression was covered with something other than blankness. He actually looked surprised.
It was at this point that the Luna clearly became more invested in our situation. She sat up straight, and adjusted her hot pink laced gown. Her hair had been tied into a bun snd covered with a shawl the same colour of her dress, although it was made of a lighter material that looked like one swift breeze would send it flying off her head. She didn’t apply any make-up today, but her skin glowed powerfully. “Annabella, what did you just say about an unborn child?”
As she stood, a soft smile pulled up her lips. She rubbed her hands over her belly gently, looking away from us as though she was a little shy. “Yes, I’m pregnant. I didn’t want to announce it like this, but I really had no choice. Outside, when my whole body was fighting against me, and I felt helpless, all I could think about was what would happen if I died without even getting to let the father of my child know the truth.”
I didn’t like where this whole thing was going, but I maintained my cool. There was no need for any panic just yet. Or so, I hoped.
“And . . . who is the father of this child, Annabella?” asked the Luna slowly and carefully, as though the answer could shatter her composure.
The rest of us watched, pacing our breaths as we waited for Annabella’s answer. My mind kept rolling through numerous scenarios, and each otf them brought an outcome that I didn’t like.
Finally, Annabella turned to where the triplets sat. Her eyes fell on Scott, who already looked as pale as a ghost. “The father of my baby, is your nephew, Scott.”
I took in a shaky breath, unable to do any other thing at first. Oh no, my mind kept replaying over and over again. I couldn’t believe it, and I didn’t want to. How long ago had I seen them in that room together? I didn’t think it was enough time for her to even know for sure if she was expecting, but what did I know? Scott had been so closed off from us that we didn’t even know if he was perhaps still seeing her after that day.
Seth and Shaun both turned to look at their brother at the same time, unable to keep the shock off their faces. ‘How did this even happen?’ their faces read, but all Scott did was simply stare ahead at Annabella, at a loss for words.
Just like that, the conversation moved away from me and the murder attempt that I was being wrongfully accused of. I already knew the kind of person Annabella was, and I hoped with everything I had in me that this was simply a bad dream that I would soon awaken from.
But I didn’t wake up back in my room. This was the reality that we all had to face.
In this season where we were away from home, and in the middle of a growing unease caused my the recent appearance of rogues. Scott was going to be a father.