Ensnaring his Dark Moon-Chapter 359: The heavenly stars

"Your Majesty,’’ Luciana curtsied to the King once she stepped inside the sea court.

Rezeph nodded at her, ’’A lot has transpired in the Norwell family during these weeks and I do not need to elaborate on them again. How have you been lately, Lady Norwell?"

’’I am doing well,’’ Luciana smiled gracefully, her expressions a façade that hid the turmoil wrenching her heart.

Rezeph nodded, ’’Take a seat. I have summoned you all here for a reason.’’

Summoned you all?

Luciana did not move but from the corner of her eyes, she could see two of throne chairs on her right being occupied by Aleister and Esme.

And as she slightly tilted her head to the left, she spotted Cardan. Her heart ached at the sight of the man and she immediately averted her gaze.

Elder Hall sat closest to the King’s throne, two tall stairs down.

Luciana picked her gown up slightly and curtsied to the King before she made her way towards Esme.

’’Not there,’’ Rezeph spoke up, halting her movements, ’’With your father gone, I would want you take his place.’’

Luciana stopped in her spot, her eyes widening in disbelief as she looked at the man, ’’Your Majesty, I do not think I am capable enough for a position like that.’’

’’Are you questioning my decision?" the man frowned.

’’I...’’ Flustered by his question, Luciana ended up shaking her head.

’’Your father did the brainless works for me. He did what he was told and he needed someone to lead him by his finger which is why he ended up being led by your evil and ambitious uncle,’’ Rezeph said, propping his face on his fist as he crossed one of his legs above the other, ’’I see the same ambition in your eyes that I saw in Jeremiah when I made him the heir apparent with hopes that he would get rid of the evil and become a worthy man to become a part of this sea court. But, unfortunately, a man cannot shed his skin off like a snake.’’

’’Hence, he met his fate. While you, Luciana Norwell, are intellectual, powerful, ambitious and courageous, upright,’’ Rezeph tapped the side of his forehead with the tip of his index finger, ’’And strategic. The sea court will be blessed to welcome you here. While you will be assuming your father’s place, your position will be way above his and so will be your influence.’’

Luciana lowered her gaze as she spoke, ’’Your Majesty, I have stopped craving powers a long time ago. Your kindness and trust are all that matters to me.’’

Rezeph nodded, ’’Elder Hall will be making the arrangements for the rituals before you assume your position. And we can get to it tomorrow,’’ he paused for a moment, his gaze tracing over the other the three people who sat still in the throne chairs, Cardan with his gaze never once shifting from Luciana, Aleister and Esme who whispered to each other while his daughter’s eyes sparkled in excitement for her friend.

How long will this happiness last, that was now a question in his head. Rezeph sighed before he continued speaking, ’’Because, today, I happen to have a more significant matter to discuss.’’

Luciana nodded and stepped back to assume her position. As she sat right next to Cardan, she could feel his burning gaze on her but she did not look his way even once.

She exchanged a look with Esme who looked at her with concern and excitement, the concern was probably because of her slightly emaciated and excitement for the powers and position that was bestowed to her by the King.

’’Have you all been to heavenly realm?"

Rezeph’s question got everyone’s attention except for Cardan who did not look away from Luciana.

Rezeph’s eyes narrowed. Young people. Shaking his head, he emphasized, ’’I believe you must have been to the heavenly realm before, Your Highness Prince Cardan?" he mocked.

’’I was born and brought up there so yes, you can say that,’’ Cardan responded calmly, his gaze tracing Luciana closely. She looked pale, beautiful but sick, thinner than he last saw her. She looked like she would crumble and break if he touched her.

Worried that she would not want to see him, he stayed away from her for the past weeks yet what had she turned herself into? He kept his distance from her to give her the peace of mind. Since she abhorred the sight of him, he did not show up in front of her despite wanting to do it so desperately. Yet, she looked like an injured fawn, so fragile, so weak.

A vein twitched on Rezeph’s forehead when he heard Cardan’s off-handed response, ’’Then, tell us about it.’’

Cardan frowned. A sigh of displeasure slipped from his mouth as he turned to look at Rezeph, ’’Your Majesty, you might have been staying in the mortal realm for a bit too long but I don’t believe that your memories of heaven have gone that hazy that you want me to help you recall how it used to be... unless it is your old age working up.’’

’’Cardan,’’ Aleister called his name, voice thick with warning.

Cardan glanced back at his brother leisurely with a gaze that shouted ’He is your father-in-law, not mine. I have nothing to fear.’

Aleister narrowed his eyes but before he could say anything, a deep chuckle reverberated in the sea court.

Rezeph wiped a tear from the corner of his eyes as he looked at Cardan in amusement, ’’My old age does not wander that far off from your father’s. How about you point your finger at him first before coming at me?"

Cardan stiffened before he closed his mouth.

The smile in Rezeph’s eyes died, ’’While I am very fond of it when you children are being humorous and playing around, but now is not the time for me to appreciate your humour. I have called you here with a purpose,’’ Rezeph glanced at Cardan, ’’Since Prince Cardan claimed that he was born and brought up in the heavenly realm, he must know everything about the history of that place. How about you tell us the reason there is no moon in the heavenly realm, why is it just the stars that you see?"

Cardan’s brows tugged together the moment he heard that question.