Chapter 14
“Giving up?” Ansel asks me. His attention remains focused forward as if the notes from the song as forming in the air in front of him.
The color drains from my face. “I’m sorry. I know I’m not supposed to be in here.” The corners of his mouth turn upward for a moment, leaving me wondering if I imagined it.
“You always were dramatic,” he says. “I told you not to touch the piano, not that you couldn’t come into the room.” He pauses. “This was my mother’s piano.”
“I know,” I whisper. “You used to play it for me whenever I danced.” He looks up and stares at me without breaking his focus. The storm brewing in his eyes almost stopped my heart.
“And I’m playing now. So, are you going to do your part, or have you really given up?” His eyes bore into me, and I know it’s not a real question, but a challenge.
I lace my pointer back up and wince. My ankle is still sore, but his expression lights a new determination in me. This will not be the thing that breaks me, not when I’ve been to hell and back.
“Never,” I say, smiling at him as I return his gaze. Inhaling deeply, I stand up, pushing through the pain. I flex my ankle, and the pain slowly resides. The melody of his music seems to control me, and I dance. I don’t stumble, my pirouettes are perfect, and my movement is as graceful as it’s always been. Ansel returns his attention to the piano keys, and the music gets more intense.
My body draws to him with each step, bringing the smell of cedar and gin to my nose. I need to get closer to him, I need him to see that I’m stronger than sometimes I even give myself credit for.
The lace of the white curtain blows in the wind, and the shining dust cascading from the sunlight illuminate him. It brings me back to when we were kids and the beautifully haunting sound of his fingers on the keys matched the way he watched me when I danced.
“Excuse me for interrupting,” the doctor says from the door, startling us. “Karin, it's time for your injection.” Ansel abruptly closes the lid on the piano, and I can sense his cold nature has returned.
“Don’t let me get in the way,” he says and leaves the room.
The doctor gives me an apologetic look. “I really didn’t mean to interrupt. I heard the music and followed it, hoping I would find you.” He placed his bag on the table and rummages through it. “I never would have expected that it was Sir Ansel playing.”
“It’s okay. He was just helping me to get my rhythm back. I’ve been having a little trouble finding my footing with my new size.”
“Oh?” the doctor says as he prepares my injection. “Is there something going on?”
“Yes. My knees have been bothering me since the new diet. I’ve gained a lot of weight in a short time. Is that normal?”
He looks me over. “Hm. Yes, you might be right. Your body needs time to adjust, but I’m going to monitor it. In the meantime, it may benefit you to continue your dancing that way your can handle the fluctuation better and keep dancing well into your pregnancy.”
“You really think I’ll be able to?”
“I don’t see why not. Unless something unpredicted happens, I think it’s safe to say you’ll be able to.”
Relief washes over me. “Thank you,” I say.
“Of course.” He gives me my injection, then looks at the piano. “You know, I always thought that old piano was just decorative. I don’t think he’s ever played it. At least I have never seen him. I did not know he could play so beautifully.” He packed up his bag. “It’s nice to see some things around here are changing him…some more than others,” he says, and winks at me.
Later
“Ugh,” I grumble as I kick the covers off me. No matter what I did, I couldn’t stop tossing and turning. Ansel didn’t show up again, and it’s driving me mad. I sigh heavily.
Of course, you would take his simple kind gesture and run with it.
I hate that I can’t stop my feelings for him. I scolded Ada for not letting go, but here I am doing the same thing. I miss him, and though it’s hard to admit, the truth is, it’s not just the younger of version him that leaves me wanting to see him. He’s grown to be strong, but under it, I can sense that there is a gentleness. I can tell that he cares about Blood Moon and restoring it to the beauty it once was. I can see that though he doesn’t come out and say it, he values and trusts the people that work for him.
My thoughts sadden me. I wish I fit into that category.
Enough of this.
I got out of bed and put it on my robe. Sneaking out of my villa, I make my way to the manor. I raise my hand to knock, but the door opens.
“Hello Lady Karin,” the butler says to me.
“H-how did you know I was there?”
“Maggie linked that you’d left the villa. Apparently, you were as incognito as you thought.”
My cheeks redden. “Apparently not,” I mumble, embarrassed.
“I’m sorry to say that Sir Ansel is not here. He’s with the King.”
“Oh no, that’s okay. I actually was hoping to check the ballroom for my pointer slippers. I think I left one in there earlier.” The butler's eyes gleam in mischief, but he doesn’t call me out on my lie. He moves to the side and allows me to enter the manor.
“Please lock up when you leave. Not all visitors are as harmless as you are.”
“I will, I promise.” He nods and then leaves me.
I make my way down the darkened halls to the ballroom. My eyes instantly connected with the piano again. It looks even more beautiful with the moon glowing in its backdrop. I know I shouldn’t, but my feet carry me to the instrument.
It still smells of Ansel. I ran my fingers over the keys, and soon I sit. My hands shake. I know I shouldn’t touch the piano, but it calls out to me.
Let’s see if I still know how to play this.
The chords of Ansel’s song flow in my mind, and I start to play. It isn’t as seamless as his, but it still takes me the memory of us earlier.
The scent of cedar and gin grows stronger from the side of me, and I stop playing. Looking at the doorway, I don’t see anyone.
The Next Morning
“Do you need anything else, Lady Karin?” the butler asks as he serves me breakfast.
“No. I already feel like I’ve been too much trouble. I didn’t mean to stay the night. I just didn’t want to leave out so late.”
He shook head and gave me more orange juice. “You are never a problem. It was better that you stayed.”
I hoped that I would see Ansel, but I didn’t. “Could you turn on the television?” I ask to put Ansel to the back of my mind. The butler turns it on, and I immediately sit up in my seat.
“BREAKING NEWS: We now join Beta Israel for an update on the Alpha David.”
Beta Israel adjust his suit. “I want to thank everyone for their concern for the wellbeing of Alpha David, but I’m here to reassure you that he is in high spirits and excited to continue his work to make Blood Moon greater than it already is.”
The reporters return to the screen.
“If you’re just tuning in, footage was released of the king collapsing at the All Lives toy drive to support the local orphanages.”
They play the video again.
King David stands behind the podium with Edwin to his right and Ansel is not far behind. He doesn’t look as I remember him. He’s smaller and frail, with skin that was blotchy and almost gray. The king opens his mouth, but words don’t come out. Instead, he wobbles and grips onto the podium. The crowd gasps, and I watch as he shrugs off Edwin and reaches out for Ansel, who catches him before he collapses.
Some things never change.
I think to myself. He may have thought that he doesn’t show it, but his preference for Ansel over Edwin has always been obvious. For as long as I’ve known him, Ansel has been under the king’s thumb. I can’t help but think that it also has something to do with how he felt about his mother. She was his chosen Luna; the only woman to conquer the once confirmed bachelor.
I used to think that it was nice and that his father and his relationship were admirable. It reminded me of my father and me. But the closer we grew, the more I realized that it’s nothing like ours. The king was controlling and seemed to want to mold Ansel after a version of himself.
My attention turns when I hear the staff talking amongst themselves.
“The king’s health is declining quickly,” the butler whispers nervously. “If Sir Ansel is going to step into his place, he’s going to need an heir immediately. He maybe the king’s recommendation, but that doesn’t mean that Sir Edwin is out of the running.”
“Oh, he is a vile creature,” one of the maids says. “If he becomes Alpha, he will send Blood Moon into ruins.”
I cover my mouth.
Oh my God.
Ansel needs an heir so that he can solidify his place as Alpha. But why? By all accounts, he is the best person for the job.
“Lady Karin,” the butler says, gaining my attention.
“Yes?”
He pauses as if contemplating if he should say anything. “I hope not to be out of line, but we need to help Sir Ansel. You are his selected surrogate…” he says, and his sentence drags off.
I push my plate forward. “I’ll do whatever it takes,” I reply.
“Thank you. I have a plan. I’ll speak to Maggie about how to execute it. We will need to hasten; Sir Ansel should not know about this.”
I gave him a nod and stood. “I will be in my villa waiting.” I don’t know his plan, but it doesn’t matter. If it will help Ansel become Alpha and get me my freedom, I’m going to do it.
I hurried to my villa, and it didn’t take long before I heard a knock on the door. I rush to open it and see Maggie on the other side.
“Lady Karin, I have brought someone who will help you to seduce the Second Prince,” she says. Before she can get out another word, a loud scream tore from behind her.
“You!” the woman shouts and she covers her mouth.
