Chapter 18: The Dinner

“Are you alright, miss?”
She couldn’t answer the guard or acknowledge his concern. She didn't have the words to express what she was feeling. It was threatening to burst out of her chest. She couldn't face Adolph like this.
"I think you can enter now."
She shook her head, whirled around, and ran back to her room as fast as she could manage. If the soldier meant to follow her, she didn't hear him.
Grief and relief warred in her. If only Adolph had been around to say such things when she was Laura. If only things had been different, they would have been in a completely different place and she would have never had to suffer the last few moments of her past life regretting being luna. The goddess had given her a chance to live again, but the affirmation of her worth and her efforts had come too late. She was grateful that Laura would be remembered by at least someone as having a meaningful life, but it wasn’t enough to lay her to rest.
She reached her room and closed the door behind her. She let the tears fall freely and smothered her sobs in her hands.
Adolph's words swirled in her mind, easing some of her pain and rebuilding the pride she once had.
Adolph was a merciless man, but he was a wise kind. She had known in her youth that he had been an idyllic existence to her. Looking back, those feelings had founded her infatuation with Basil and added to her willingness to shoulder the blame of them not working out and all of her feelings of inferiority.
She was no longer blind to Basil’s faults nor the shallowness of her feelings towards him, let alone her naivete. She'd known then that the ministers are more interested in lining their pockets than serving the kingdom.
Basil had enjoyed his status and position, but he had little interest in the plights of the common people. It had been a harsh realization she was only just now allowing herself to have. Harsher still because of what it could do to her youthful musings about Adolph as a king.
She was glad that her feelings about Adolph had been right and that she could spare just a bit of her youthful innocence from destruction.
She could no longer be luna. She wouldn’t be able to deal with that life again, but she could still assist Adolph as she was.
Perhaps coming to the Imperial City wasn’t a bad thing at all. Maybe she wouldn’t leave after finding Laura’s killer. Even as a maid, she could lead a happy, meaningful life in service to the kingdom.
Exhaustion weighed down her eyelids. As much as she wanted, she was too emotionally drained and physically exhausted to try and go back to the throne room. She would just have to wait to speak to Adolph about the mating ceremony after she slept. She crawled into bed and surrendered to sleep.

It was nearly dark when she woke up. Her stomach rumbled with hunger. She straightened her clothes and exited the room to find Sam and Lynn standing outside the door. They each smiled at her.
“Glad you’re awake,” Lynn said. “It’s time to move.”
“What?” Laurel gasped. “Why?”
“The king’s orders.”
She pouted and glowered at them, “You snitched!”
Sam chuckled, “If only. The king came to visit you but when he saw the room, he was appalled and ordered you to be moved o a better room of your choosing. He didn't want to wake you up, so he ordered us to move you when you woke up and assigned you a few maids. What kind of room do you want?”
Laurel almost groaned. She should have known that Adolph wouldn’t stand for it for long.
“A guest room is fine. Nothing luxurious, but comfortable enough.” Laurel worried her lip and looked at Sam. “Could you… find a maid named Sarah for me?”
Sam nodded, “Of course. I'll ask around. Lynn will show you the way and we’ll meet you there.”
Laurel knew from the past that Lynn was leading her to the guest suites and sighed with relief as they arrived at the blue guest suite. It was one of her favorite guest suites and one she had spent a great deal of time decorating for visiting nobles.
She gasped seeing Sarah there. Her heart was filled with relief though she was troubled. Sam was speaking to Sarah gently, tenderly and it made her smile. Sarah was thinner than she remembered, but she was glad that Tina had not kicked her out of the castle.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Laurel said with a grin. “Tell me about yourself?”
Sarah seemed hesitant, but she put on her best smile and told her that she had once been the lady-in-waiting to the late luna. When Laura died, she had been assigned to do the scrubbing and cleaning of the dungeons and stables. Sarah assured her that she had not resented her reassignment, she only wished she had been able to help Laura in the end or at least say a proper farewell before her death.
Laurel regretted the way things turned out, but she was glad that Sarah had not changed. Her hands had become calloused and rough, but her eyes were clear and honest still. Sarah smiled back at her, and it felt as though she was meeting Sarah again for the first time but without the added pressure of being luna. She had to work hard to prove herself worthy of the position and Sarah's unflinching loyalty, but they hit it off right away.
There was a melancholic glimmer in her eyes as Sarah spoke to her. Perhaps Laurel's similar features to Laura helped ease the way.
“Miss Laurel, the king also extended an invitation to dinner.”
Laurel moaned, “Why would you tell me such a thing *now*?”
Royal dinners usually started very early. She had likely already slept through several courses.
“The king said that you should take your time to prepare,” Sam said.
That was easier said than done. Though Laurel was sure that Adolph had ordered it, she couldn't appear to refuse the invitation.
Sarah was as quick as she remembered. Sarah helped her freshen up and change before sending her off to dinner with Sam and Lynn as her escorts.
The dining room was decorated with all the finery of a grand feast as she hurried in and met gazes with Adolph.
He smiled at her and for a moment she was stunned by his appearance. He had changed out of his armor and dressed in a fine red and gold suit. His crown rested on his brow, barely noticeable but regal.
She'd always thought Basil's crown looked strange on his head as if it were too big, but Adolph's was well-suited.
"Am I late, Your Majesty?" She winced, realizing she had not even greeted him properly, and barged in unannounced.
In the corner of her eye, she saw Basil and Delia seared near the head of the table and felt even more ridiculous. Adolph rose from his seat and rounded the table towards her.
"My apologies, Your--"
"You're not late," Adolph said and offered her his arm. "Shall we?"
She took his arm, hesitantly, and followed him towards the head of the table, his smile had brightened from the moment they touched and she smiled back at him.
He ushered her to her seat, pulled out her chair, and pushed her up to the table with all the grace and courtesy a man of his station should have.
Her face burned with embarrassment though her heart fluttered.
Adolph regained his seat and announced the start of dinner.
She avoided the gaze of Basil and Delia, though she could feel them gawking at her. How was she supposed to know he would stall the dinner until she arrived?
She focused on lifting her fork and knife with grace and keeping the silverware from scraping against the plate. Basil had often criticized her etiquette in her past life, yet he said nothing today and Delia's etiquette was barely elevated above the etiquette of a commoner.
Had he always just been hypercritical of her? Perhaps all of her doubts about her performance were unfounded?
They managed to get through most of the dinner quietly. When dessert was being served, Basil interrupted the quiet.
"Who is this young woman, father?"
She was shocked. The Basil she knew would have used a rude word. Who knew Basil could act like a child on his best behavior in front of his father?
Adolph barely glanced at Basil, "This is my mate, Laurel."
Basil and Delia gasped. Basil's fork slipped from his hand and clattered to the floor. Laurel's eyes widened in shock. How could Adolph just say it so boldly?
Alice hummed, *He's the king*.
"How is this possible?"
"Are you questioning me?"
He flinched, "N-No, of course not, father… is she your second chance mate?
Adolph did not answer.