Chapter Sixty-three

Rosie hoped that it was truly just Luna Claire being exhausted but she wouldn’t be taking any chances still, she didn’t want the Queen falling sick. “Of course, do you mind if I wake you up for lunch?” She offered.
Claire considered it, “I’d like to have lunch in my room.” She said after a brief while.
Rosie nodded, already making mental notes. “Certainly, Luna Claire. I’ll leave you to get some rest now.” She added, already stepping backward.
“Wait, Rosie?” Claire stopped her from leaving, partially stepping out of the room. “Seeing as my schedule for the day is cleared, you can close up early.” She said kindly.
Rosie hesitated, “But I don’t mind working till late, plus it is much easier now that I live in the mansion.”
Claire waved off her protests, “No, no, those books in your room aren’t going to read themselves. Take an early day off, grab some ice cream, and treat yourself, those are my orders.” She tagged on, a faux serious expression on her smiling face.
Rosie couldn’t protest any further so she graciously accepted, “Thank you, Luna Claire.” She smiled brightly, slowly backing away.
Claire gave her one last comforting smile before stepping back and closing the door. She sighed and got out of the clothes she had on to get into pajamas. She had no intention of leaving her room after all, pajamas were the way to go.
Claire didn’t want to think about what had happened in the driveway because it made her head hurt and left a sour taste in her mouth. It was why she had to leave, she had no idea how Lukas handled it after she left but she found that she didn’t have the energy left to care.
Claire padded to the bathroom to splash some water on her face before she slowly got on the bed, bundled up in the sheets. Mercifully, sleep came quickly, claiming her in a short while.
She slept without interruptions until well into the afternoon, it wasn’t exactly a fitful sleep but it was better than nothing.
Rosie returned right on time to rouse Luna Claire for lunch, she didn’t bother knocking, not wanting to interrupt her sleep so crudely.
She had already gone ahead and taken the liberty to get Luna Claire’s lunch from the kitchens. She balanced the tray easily on one palm as she quietly stepped into the room. Rosie dropped the tray on a side table and then proceeded to gently wake Luna Claire up.
Claire woke up easily, heading to the bathroom to relieve herself and splash some water on her face. She stared at herself in the mirror, splashing cold water had helped bring down the puffiness that sleep caused.
She felt a little better than before she slept but she knew that she would feel much better after eating something.
She thanked Rosie one more time, waiting for her reliable assistant to leave before settling in to eat. She browsed through some shows while she ate but nothing seemed to be any good to her.
After Claire was done eating, she felt sleepy again, and she didn’t fight it. It was her goal to get as much sleep and she was right on track.
Dinner followed pretty much the same routine but after dinner, Claire found that sleep eluded her. That was to be expected considering how much she had already slept before it was even dark.
She was too restless to sit still though and there was nothing to occupy her. After spending about fifteen minutes thinking of what she could do, an idea hit her. Her mom did say she should get some air after all, and what better way to do that than to go on a midnight drive?
With her mind made up, she shot out of bed and hurried to the closet to grab a coat to protect her from the evening chill and then she put on shoes and left the room.
Her plan was to kindly ask one of the bodyguards to take her on an evening drive, surely, she was allowed to do that? Well, she was about to find out.
She padded down the hallway, maids bowing to her as they walked past, none of them questioning her choice of outfit.
She had left her phone behind in the bedroom because she didn’t want any distractions, she just wanted to enjoy the city lights and the cool evening breeze.
Claire startled the bodyguards stationed outside when she showed up, two of them immediately hurried up to her, concern written on their faces.
“Luna Claire, is there something you need?” The stockier bodyguard asked, looking like he would move a boulder for her if she asked
“Could I trouble you to take me for an evening drive?” She asked softly, pulling the lapels of her coat tighter around herself.
Both bodyguards shared a confused look, the first one that had spoken before taking the lead again. “Are you sure you want to go on an evening drive, Luna CLaire?” He repeated, like he hoped he had heard wrong.
“Yes, please,” Claire smiled a little, “I feel a little under the weather so I hoped that getting some air would make me feel better.” She explained patiently.
She had expected a reaction just like this. There was a very high chance that Lukas had prohibited them from letting her out at night or something equally as ridiculous.
“Pardon me, Luna Claire but as per orders I have to inform Alpha Lukas.” The speaker said again, pulling out a phone deferrently.
Claire just nodded, there was nothing more that she could do, they obeyed Lukas’ orders and not hers after all. *‘What was the worst that could happen? That Lukas would deny her permission?'*
Actually, now that she thought about it, it was a likely possibility. He would do it solely to spite her-
“Please come with us, Luna Claire.” The bodyguard spoke to her after ending the call.
Claire hadn’t been paying attention to the exchange he had on the phone so she was a little confused. “What?”
“Alpha Lukas gave us permission right away so if you’re ready…” He trailed off gesturing in the direction of the car that the second bodyguard was already firing up.
Claire blinked slowly like she was trying to process what had just happened. Lukas was actually letting her leave the mansion at night without him being present? It was a little hard to believe.
She followed the bodyguard directions however, waiting for him to hold open the door for her so that she could get in.
Claire didn’t fully relax until the car was smoothly driving out of the high gates, she had still expected Lukas to show up last minute and try to sabotage her peaceful drive but there was nothing.
She sighed and sank into the cushiony leather seats, relieved that she had thought to bring a coat because there was a slight chill.
“Where would you like to go, Luna Claire?” The stocky bodyguard that had taken on the role of mediator asked her when they cleared the tall gates.
Claire actually had nowhere in mind, she didn’t even know enough of the city to have a choice. All she had seen of the city was the newly established public library and the hotel Killian stayed at.
“Could you drive around some scenic routes? I’d really like to see some pretty lights.” She asked gently.
The stocky bodyguard immediately nodded, “Certainly, Your Highness. Please enjoy the ride and don’t hesitate to ask if you need anything.”
Claire did as he said, having to energy no caution him from referring to her as ‘Your Highness’. It always caught her off guard whenever the title was used for her.
She leaned back in her seat and looked out the window, the drive was just starting but already felt refreshed. She should really do this more often.