Luna's POV
I thought being chosen by fate would bring some kind of peace. A purpose, maybe. A reason to finally breathe freely. But the truth?
It only made the cage look prettier.
Ever since the Tree of Fate declared my powers… everything has changed. Everyone knows my name now — lunastia valeska. A name people whisper like it's sacred. A name I barely recognize when it's called out, over and over again, in halls lined with polished gold and smiling strangers.
I have guards now. Not just any guards — a personal group trained to protect me at all costs. And their leader, Sir Kael, is the strictest man I've ever met. He barely speaks unless necessary, and when he does, it's with sharp, commanding words that cut through the air like blades.
"Stand straight, Your Highness." "Don't wander off." "Bow your head slightly when nobles pass."
He's always watching, always alert. Like I'm some glass relic waiting to shatter.
Even the fairies — my sweet little friends who used to play around me, hum lullabies, and braid my hair — they've changed too. They're busier now. Assigned to palace duties, too occupied to sit and giggle with me like before. When we cross paths, they smile… but it's a tired, distant smile. I miss their warmth.
And the lessons… spirits above, the lessons. From dawn until nightfall, my schedule is filled with training — both magical and royal. My teacher, Lady Virela, is the most elegant, merciless woman alive. She teaches me how to sit, how to speak, how to hold a fork, how to breathe like royalty. And if I ever slip?
A tap of her wooden stick on the table. A tight smile that never reaches her eyes.
"This is not a playground, Your Highness," she says. "You are the face of Lunaria now."
I barely get time to understand my powers. I can almost feel the blue energy inside me responding to my emotions — flickers of light when I'm calm, heat when I'm angry. But instead of exploring them, I'm stuck memorizing royal greetings and practicing posture for hours.
I miss silence.
I miss being unknown.
And sometimes, when I look at my reflection in the jeweled mirror, I wonder... is this what destiny feels like?
Because right now, it doesn't feel like a blessing.
It feels like chains.
Author's pov__
The sky was still dark when Luna's eyes fluttered open. Stars still lingered like shy secrets, and the golden city of Lunaria slept beneath a silvery mist. But the palace was already wide awake.
Fairies flitted across her chamber, carrying dresses, scrolls, combs, powders. Most of them were new — unfamiliar faces with stiff smiles and polished wings. Luna blinked slowly. Her bonded fairies — Lira, Vina, Sira, Floe, Myra, Sole, and Crysie — were also there. But something was different.
They weren't laughing.
They weren't singing.
They weren't talking to her.
They worked like silent shadows, heads bowed, expressions serious.
Before Luna could move, the double doors creaked open and in marched Lady Mirsette, her new royal dresser — tall, strict, and terrifying. Her violet robes trailed behind her like smoke.
"Up, Your Highness," she said curtly. "Your schedule begins in precisely forty minutes."
Luna didn't even have a moment to speak. She was lifted out of bed, undressed, scrubbed, powdered, painted. Her body was wrapped in thick silks and stiff jewels. Rouge stained her cheeks. A golden crown pinched her scalp.
When it was done, she stood still — like a statue on display.
Her expression was blank.
Her mind? Screaming.
She looked around at her fairies. Lira used to braid flowers into her hair. Vina would tell her stories while doing Luna's nails. Sira, Floe, and Crysie used to spin in circles until they crashed into pillows giggling.
Now, they were emotionless.
Just… workers.
She couldn't take it anymore.
"STOP IT!!" Luna shouted.
Every movement stopped. Every wing stilled.
All heads turned.
Silence fell heavy like a thundercloud.
Luna's voice trembled, but she stood tall. "Just stop. All of you. This—this isn't me! This isn't us!"
No one answered.
Then, without a word, the maids and Lady Mirsette quietly bowed and left the room.
Only her seven fairies remained.
Luna collapsed into her seat, tears pricking her eyes. "What happened to us? I feel like I'm living someone else's life."
Lira flew over and gently brushed a curl behind Luna's ear. "We didn't want to worry you, Luna. Everything changed so fast…"
"I don't care if I'm a princess now," Luna whispered. "I miss being your friend."
Myra sat on her shoulder. "We've missed you too. We just didn't know how to talk anymore."
Floe gave a soft smile. "Maybe it's time we stopped acting royal for a bit."
Crysie clapped her tiny hands. "Yes! Let's go somewhere! Just the eight of us!"
Sole's eyes lit up. "What about that island we visited once? The one with crystal caves and rainbow fog?"
"I remember that place!" Sira beamed. "It was like a dream."
Vina floated in front of Luna, wings glowing. "Let's go. One day. No guards. No teachers. Just us."
Luna looked around, heart thudding.
Seven glowing faces. Seven hearts that never stopped caring.
A smile slowly curved her lips. "Yes. Let's do it."
And for the first time in weeks… it felt like home again.
Evening Glow____
It was evening, and Luna sat in her grand study, the golden-orange light spilling through the tall windows. Her day had been nothing short of exhausting — an orphanage inauguration in the morning, meetings with noble families in the afternoon, hours of draining lessons, and a thick stack of royal etiquette assignments from her ever-demanding teacher.
She hated almost all of it.
But… there was one thing she couldn't stop thinking about — something that made her heart flutter every time she remembered.
Meeting him.
Prince Sol of Sylorine — the second most powerful kingdom in Lunaria.
His blue eyes had sparkled like calm oceans. He was well-dressed, graceful, and every bit the charming gentleman. Polite, composed, and kind — like someone carved from a storybook. And when he looked at her… Luna wasn't sure what it was, but something about his presence made her chest feel warm.
Now, sitting at her desk, the mountain of homework lay forgotten.
She opened her sketchbook, fingers trembling just a little, and began to draw. Every line she traced brought his face back to her — those deep, royal blue eyes, that neat silver hair, the gentle smile. Her pencil moved swiftly, as if her heart guided it more than her hand.
When she was done, she stared at the drawing for a long second… then, with a soft sigh and a bashful smile, she wrote two small words beside it:
MY LOVE
She pressed the book to her chest, giggling quietly, her cheeks burning. "Ugh, Luna, what are you even doing…" she whispered to herself, still smiling like a fool in love.
Just then — ahem!
Luna froze.
Slowly, she turned her head to the door — and there he was.
Kaelith.
Her older brother stood at the doorway with his arms crossed and the widest, most mischievous grin on his face.
"Well, well… what do we have here?" he said, stepping into the room. "A certain princess sketching a certain prince and calling him My Love?"
"Kaelith!" Luna yelped, quickly slamming the sketchbook shut and hiding it behind her back.
He just laughed, clearly enjoying every second of her embarrassment. "So, my little sister is in loooove? Since when did this happen, hmm?"
Luna's cheeks turned bright red. "I-I'm not in love! I was just... practicing my drawing! That's all!"
"Right," Kaelith smirked, raising an eyebrow. "Because artists always write MY LOVE next to random faces."
Luna buried her face in her hands. "Ugh, please stop!"
Kaelith walked over, leaned down with that teasing grin, and asked in a softer tone, "So… do you love him, Luna?"
Luna peeked through her fingers. "Maybe… I don't know," she mumbled.
He chuckled and ruffled her hair. "Aww, Luna's growing up! Falling for princes now, huh? Should I start preparing for a royal wedding?"
"Kaelith!" she shouted, swatting at him, but he was already backing out of the room, still laughing.
"I'm telling Dad!" he called out as he vanished down the hall.
She groaned, turning back to her desk and dropping her head onto the table. "This is so embarrassing…"
Just then, soft twinkling sounds filled the air as a swirl of sparkles floated in — her fairies had arrived.
Lira, Vina, Sira, Floe, Myra, Sole, and Crysie hovered in, each of them looking way too amused.
"We saw him leave grinning like a maniac," Myra said. "What happened?"
Lira smirked, "Don't tell me Kaelith caught you doing something… adorable?"
Vina floated over and gasped dramatically, spotting the sketchbook. "Is that—wait—is that Prince Sol?!"
"Show us!" Sira giggled.
Before Luna could stop them, Floe zoomed over, snatched the sketchbook, and held it up. "Aha! MY LOVE? Oh Luna, this is so cute!"
"I hate all of you," Luna mumbled, her face completely red as she buried it into her arms.
"You love him!" Crysie sang.
"She totally does," Sole chimed in, spinning midair.
"Did he smile at you? Did your heart skip?" Myra teased.
"I said I don't know!!" Luna wailed, muffled into her sleeves.
The room exploded into giggles and fairy laughter, and though she was dying of embarrassment, a little smile tugged at Luna's lips. Even if they teased her… it felt like home again.