Hades' Cursed Luna novel Chapter 145

Eve

The knocks on the door startled me. It was noon; no one ever came at noon. I got up to answer it, trying to swallow my trepidation. No one knew about the memory card, I was sure. I would receive a phone soon and find out what I needed to see before promptly destroying it.

The door swung open to reveal familiar hazel eyes and a signature warm smile. "Hello, princess," Lia greeted.

For a moment, I could only stare, my mouth agape. I threw my arms around Lia without thinking. Her body tensed beneath my touch, and I felt the hesitation in her stillness.

Just as I started to pull away, afraid I’d crossed a line, Lia’s arms wrapped around me, firm but gentle.

"It’s good to see you too," she whispered.

I held on for a moment longer before stepping back. Lia’s smile hadn’t faded, but there was something unreadable in her eyes.

"Come inside," I said softly, stepping aside to let her in.

We took the positions we used to take back when she was here every day. It felt familiar and nostalgic in a sense. There was no awkwardness as she jumped straight into a conversation.

"I heard you have been doing well," she all but gushed. "You’ve even picked up self-defense."

I couldn’t help but smile sheepishly. "Yeah, it’s been a rollercoaster."

She nodded. "You even made a friend."

My stomach tried not to turn at the mention of Jules. I kept my smile in place. "I have come a long way."

"You have," she whispered. "You really have. I am so proud of you."

Heat flooded my face. "Thank you," I murmured. "I could not have done it without you."

"Don’t downplay it," Lia interrupted gently. "You did this, princess. I just nudged you in the right direction."

Her gaze softened, and for a brief moment, the weight I hadn’t realized I was carrying lifted. I missed her.

I shifted in my seat, fiddling with the corner of my sleeve. "It’s been hard," I admitted quietly.

Lia leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "I know," she said. "But you never stopped moving forward."

I glanced at her, wondering if she truly understood how much her words meant.

"Jules…" I hesitated. "She’s been a good friend. I didn’t expect that."

Lia’s expression remained unreadable, but she nodded as if she knew more than she let on. "Sometimes the right people show up when you least expect them."

Silence settled between us, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. It was the kind that felt full—like nothing needed to be said for it to make sense.

"Are you staying long?" I asked, trying to keep my voice casual, but the hint of hope betrayed me.

Lia’s eyes flickered with something fleeting before she smiled. "For a little while."

I nodded, pretending that answer didn’t feel heavier than it should.

"That’s good," I said softly, as if saying it aloud would make it true. The question that had plagued me for a while, before the usual issues in my life had distracted me, came back to the forefront. "Why did you stop coming?"

I watched as her expression fell, and the unease at the base of my stomach grew.

"His Majesty thought you needed space," Lia said softly, her voice careful but firm.

I frowned, the words settling uneasily in my chest. "Space for what?"

Her gaze didn’t waver this time. "For real life. For things that mattered beyond me, princess."

I opened my mouth to argue, but Lia continued before I could speak.

"I was only supposed to help stabilize you. That was the plan."

My hands curled into fists in my lap, frustration rising before I could stop it. "Stabilize me?" I repeated, the word leaving a bitter taste. I guess I was a loose cannon back then. A shiver ran down my spine when I recalled that cold blade on my wrist.

I swallowed painfully. "I understand."

She smiled before reaching out and clasping my trembling hand. "Of course, you do," she replied. "You always do. Princess, may I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

"What happened on Wednesday?" she asked.

"The date?" I asked, the lump in my throat hardening.