Chapter Forty-six

Claire eventually had to say her goodbyes to Rachel, returning to her room. Her parents and Rachel would be leaving anytime soon. It was best that it was done this way, that they left without her seeing them off.
It was almost time for lunch and she still hadn’t seen Lukas. What did she expect though that because they had sex all their issues would be magically resolved? There was no denying the electrifying chemistry they had but outside of the sheets, they went right back to tearing at each other's throats.
Claire felt drained, she bonelessly got into the big bed that now held so many new memories. Falling asleep was easy because her body had yet to recover from the rigors of the week.
She was woken up late in the afternoon by a maid inviting her to eat lunch. Dinner was eaten in the dining room on the second floor with Senite.
“An personal assistant has been hired to support you in your duties.” Senite said with a kind smile, looking up at Claire. “She’ll be over whenever you’re ready so take your time…”
Claire’s attention was piqued, “I have duties?”
“Of course! The human world is eager to see the human Luna Queen.” Senite replied without judgment. “But you still have to rest up some more, you had a most stressful week…” She trailed off, her eyes dropping lower on Claire’s face.
Claire had to fight the urge to blush, it was her reaction whenever someone silently or openly referred to the marks she had. “I’m fine, Senite. Could my assistant be here tomorrow?”
Senite’s brown eyes widened in surprise. “But…” She started to protest.
“I already had the rest of today to rest, I need to keep myself busy and I promise to take it easy at the start.” Claire calmly countered her upcoming protests, “So could she be here tomorrow?”
Senite still looked hesitant but she gave in eventually. “I suppose she could.”

-+-

The next morning, just as Claire requested, a werewolf about her age knocked on the door of her bedroom, poking in her head full of auburn curls when Claire let her in.
“Good morning, your Highness, how did you sleep?” She asked with a smile, walking in with a digital pad in her arms.
Claire had eaten her breakfast in his bedroom and was already all dressed for her day ahead. She was caught off guard by the way the lady who she was guessing was her new assistant had addressed her. “Just Claire is fine.” She quickly corrected, getting up from the bed.
“I’m Rosie, your personal assistant.” The lady introduced herself. She had her auburn curls in a high ponytail and was dressed in professional clothes.
“Hi Rosie, my night was great, thanks for asking. What do we have on the schedule today?” Claire asked, her words sounding foriegn to her own ears.
A few months ago, she was just a college student, now she was a queen with actual duties, a personal assistant and daily schedules.
Rosie beamed, “Right away, your Hi… I-I mean Luna Claire,” The poor assistant stumbled over her words, looking nervous.
Claire didn’t bother correcting her this time, not wanting her new assistant to get even more stressed out.
“Alpha King Lukas told me to include your online classes in your daily schedule so that’s the first on our itinerary…”
Claire flinched when she heard Lukas’ name, luckily Rosie didn’t notice and kept on talking. She had genuinely forgotten that she still had college to attend to, and that if she hadn’t gotten married to a werewolf king, she would be back in college by then as her break was long over.
“And after that?” She asked hopefully, wondering if all Lukas planned for her to do was sit in her bedroom and attend online classes.
Rosie glanced at the pad in her hands, “Well, the Silverfall Book Club is unveiling a new library today and sent out an invitation but Miss Senite directed me to not fill you in for any appointments.”
“I’ll go to the unveiling.” Claire straightened her shoulders to say. “And don’t worry about Senite, I’ll inform her myself.”
Rosie brightened up again, “Certainly! There’s also the small matter of an office being set up for you, if you want it, that is.” She rattled off, looking to Claire for her approval.
Claire’s eyes rounded at this, “An office? For me?”
*‘Was this another of Lukas’ doing?”*
“Yes, I’ll show you if you want.” Rosie held her pad up to her chest. “It would be easier for Luna Claire to take her online classes there, although it’s not required.” She parroted.
Claire wondered who had said that to Rosie first, was it Lukas again? “I’d like that, thank you.” She said to her assistant, following behind her.
Claire herself was dressed in loose high-waisted pants and an intricately designed top made out of satin. For accessories, she had gone for a pearl necklace with matching pearls winking from her ears and wrists.
The maids that had helped her pick her outfit for the day had included her engagement ring in her accessories so she had no other option than to wear the elaborate ring. The rubies and black diamond stood out of her otherwise demure outfit which was an array of soft cream shades.
Her new office was just a couple doors past the receiving room on the second floor, and although Rosie had mentioned the office like it was an empty room waiting to be made into an office, it was already completely set up.
Claire had to school her expression when she was shown the space, it was brightly lit and no expense had been spared on the decor and furniture. Her table was already even set up, complete with a laptop and a new system.
Rosie looked to her expectantly after she toured the room, waiting for her decision.
Claire sucked in a deep breath, feeling way in over her head. “I like it.”
Rosie positively glowed at this, “I’m glad to hear that. My cubicle is just to that corner on the left side, don’t hesitate to call for me if you need anything.” She added, her tone earnest.
Claire gave her a genuine smile, reminding herself that she didn’t have to do this all alone, there were so many people more than willing to help her. “Thank you, Rosie.”
She watched her assistant bow slightly before walking off to her cubicle with soft clicks of her heels. It was a relief that Rosie would be sharing her office with her because the room was truly too large for her to be in alone.