CHAPTER 139: WHISPERS AND STARES

"Where are we going?" Pandora asked Raven as she noticed some people walking in the same direction as them. She was curious.

They were no longer in the other building anymore, as they were now at another stand-alone building on the other side. It had different doors, and people were moving toward them.

"We are going for breakfast. After that, we’ll go bring a new typewriter for your book."

Pandora’s eyes widened at his words. She jumped softly, clapping her hands as her smile spread with joy.

She could not believe he really was going to get one. Walking beside him now instead of staying behind, she showed her teeth brightly at him her eyes glinting with pure happiness. Raven’s eyes widened slightly at her behavior—he noticed she was becoming freer with him.

Pandora was full of joy, unable to wait for them to finish eating so they could get the typewriter.

She walked beside him as they entered through the door. Little did they realize the stares from many soldiers, curious to see what a lady was doing in the soldiers’ eating quarters. Though the hall was divided into different rooms, each dining room held about twenty soldiers. So today, it would be twenty-one in Dining D, since Pandora would be joining them.

As they entered, the soldiers stared at Raven. He noticed but chose to ignore them, already knowing what was going through their minds..he didn’t need to think twice.

They stood in the last line. The reason it was separated that way, twenty soldiers per room—was because if all were made to stay in one place, before they finished dishing, those meant for their shifts might be late. This arrangement made sure everything ran smoothly, as the guards and soldiers were always needed.

Pandora stood at the back while Raven moved forward. He stopped, then turned and spoke to her.

"Wait, I’ll be back," he said.

She nodded with a smile. He shifted his gaze, not noticing the small smile that had already rested on his own face.

Pandora turned and noticed some of the guards looking her way. She hadn’t realized it before—she had been too focused on Raven. Now, realizing their stares, she quickly looked down.

All she wanted was for Raven to return so she could be with him. She realized he was the only one she was truly comfortable with. When he was around, she didn’t care about the people around her. In fact, she felt like herself—and smiled which was suprising.

In fact, he was the first person she had ever stayed with in the same room without feeling cautious or scared. In fact, she had slept so well last night, she had never even stayed with anybody before.

Then, she felt a hand tap her shoulder. She turned quickly, only to realize it was Raven. A smile stretched across her lips as she stared at him the light in her eyes now returned. He was holding two plates. She realized he had left to get food for both of them. Her heart warmed as he handed her one plate, which she took.

They walked calmly. She then turned to him and spoke softly.

"Raven... this place is so organized and quiet."

Raven nodded calmly. He knew why. Normally, people would be talking, but because of her, the room was silent. Everyone was curious about her being with Raven, knowing he was not the type of person to take people with him. Not to mention, they had seen the way he carried a plate for her—knowing how Raven usually was, this was unlike him.

Raven moved closer and whispered to Pandora. She turned to him, no longer facing the line.

"Why are you whispering?" she asked curiously as she tilted her head to the side.

Raven’s eyes widened. Of course many had heard—who wouldn’t, when the room was so silent?

Raven could not believe this woman. It seemed she couldn’t even read the room. He wouldn’t blame her,..she probably thought this was how the place normally was. If only she knew she was the reason.

Pandora had no idea she was drawing attention. She was now wearing the creamy-colored long gown Raven had given her that morning. Her hair was tied in a ponytail, and even though it was a ponytail,it was smoothly silked back, she failed to realize how attractive she looked. Not to mention her blue ocean like eyes, perfect freckles, and lips that always appeared glossy and pink, even without applying anything.

Raven knew that mermaids were known for their seductive beauty, but he had no idea they were clueless as well. He finally decided to tell her what he wanted, knowing he might forget later since he always had other things to do—and it might slip from his mind once more.

He leaned in and whispered,

"You will be moving to the maid quarters. Lydia will be guarding you."

But to his surprise, Pandora shook her head. She didn’t want to go—she was already comfortable with him. She was comfortable staying with him.

"But I don’t want to go. I want to stay with you," she said as she moved holding his large and withe her small soft ones.

Raven’s body stilled as eyes were already beginning to turn toward them in surprise. Soldiers who had been eating paused, some still holding their spoons halfway, while others froze mid-bite and even the ones in line as them. Before Raven could stop her, Pandora added, completely unaware of what was happening around her:

"But we slept together..."

Raven’s body stiffened as all eyes now rested on them in shock as the silence became thick.

"I want to keep sleeping with you."

One of the soldiers’ plates slipped from his hand and fell to the floor with a loud crash.

****

Inside the dining room, Lady Emberg, Lady Stephanie, and Queen Ariana sat together as the soft clinking and clanking of cutlery echoed through the air.

"Oh, thank goodness Lady Stephanie is acting ladylike today. Usually, she would have been working on one of her silly concoctions... Luna Ariana, you wouldn’t want to see that." Lady Emberg spoke gracefully.

Ariana laughed, while Stephanie looked at her great-grandmother with a glint of satisfaction as she replied,

"I’m afraid you spoke too late. I already taught the Queen some of them the last time I visited."

Lady Emberg looked at Stephanie and shook her head in mock disapproval.

"Oh my, better luck next time for me then," she said with a smile.

Ariana laughed, and soon, all three broke into lighthearted laughter.

Ariana sliced a piece of meat and ate softly, enjoying the rich nourishment.

"Luna Ariana, how is your leg?" Lady Emberg finally asked, curious.

Ariana smiled as she answered softly, "Thanks to the oil and drink, it is healing faster. I can now move my thighs, though my legs still feel numb. But with time, I’m sure I’ll be all good and walking."

Lady Emberg smiled warmly at her words. "Glad to hear that."

"Grandmother, before I forget—Luna Ariana and I spent some time in the garden last evening, and we realized you might know about a certain flower. It’s black. I’ve never seen anything like it—not even in your garden," Stephanie said.

Lady Emberg’s eyes widened. She looked at Stephanie, then at Ariana.

"Are you sure about this? Luna Ariana, is this true? I’m certain my great-granddaughter is playing one of her silly pranks on me."

Ariana chuckled lightly and shook her head. "No, she isn’t."

Lady Emberg dabbed her lips with a napkin, her expression troubled before returning back to normal. Ariana grew curious at her reaction.

Lady Emberg lifted her glass of water, took a slow sip, then placed it back on the table before speaking.

"What you saw must have been the ’Owl of the Night Sky’ flower. It is rare..very rare."

Ariana nodded, then said thoughtfully, "I’m guessing that’s the reason we only saw one yesterday."

Stephanie nodded in agreement. "Yes, Luna Ariana."

Lady Emberg laughed softly. "Finally, I can say my great-granddaughter is wrong about me not having all the flowers."

Stephanie smiled proudly. "I knew that, great-grandmother. Even though I’m not a flower type, I still knew it."

Lady Emberg set down her fork as Ariana took a sip of water. "I have all flowers except three, and the Owl of the Night Sky is one of them," she said.

"Does it have a rare ability as well?" Ariana asked curiously.

"Not entirely so," Lady Emberg replied, "but it is a powerful flower. It is known not just for its rarity but for its ability to bring good luck."

Ariana nodded, now understanding why it was so rare.

"And it usually blooms during snowy weather. Seeing one now must be a good sign," Lady Emberg added.

Ariana smiled warmly at the thought.

They were done eating. The maid assigned to Ariana stepped forward and bowed.

"Let me go to my room now. I am already missing my little daughter, Lady Emberg, Lady Stephanie." Ariana spoke.

They both nodded with a smile as the maid began to wheel Ariana’s chair carefully. Lady Leah was upstairs watching over the little one.

As they moved down the hallway, Ariana’s eyes drifted to the forbidden door. She was still curious about what was inside. Just as she was about to turn her gaze away, her eyes widened—

The doorknob moved.