Chapter 25

Elara

It didn’t take long to decide: a picnic would be the perfect antidote to the rough morning.

“Sure, we can have a picnic,” I said, ruffling the girls’ hair. “We’ll make cakes and sandwiches and spread a blanket out in the field.”

Zoe clapped her hands. “Can Clyde come, too?”

“Of course,” I replied, brushing a stray strand of dark hair from her forehead. “We’ll invite the maid, too. I think they both deserve a little break, don’t you think?”

The girls grinned, delighted by the notion of a picnic with some new friends. I rose to my feet and took their hands, leading them toward the kitchen. The girls ran off to invite the maid to our picnic. I overheard them asking her in the hallway, and her confused response.

“You want me to… have a picnic with you!”

“Yes!” Zoe exclaimed. “Mommy said she’s making cakes!”

“Oh… That sounds nice. Sure, I’ll come. I’m Annie, by the way.”

In the kitchen, I got right to work. I squeezed lemons for fresh lemonade, stirring in honey for sweetness. As I sliced bread for the sandwiches, I layered on thin cucumber slices, cream cheese, and a sprinkle of herbs. For a heartier option, I also prepared some chicken salad sandwiches, cutting them into small triangles.

For dessert, I found some miniature sponge cakes in the pantry, which I topped with whipped cream, fruit, and powdered sugar. I arranged them on a plate lined with a doily. The girls gripped the edge of the counter and whispered happily to each other as I worked, sticking their fingers into the whipped cream when they thought I wouldn’t notice.

Soon, we had the perfect spread for a picnic: a pitcher of lemonade, a tin of sandwiches, a plate of cakes, and a basket of fresh berries.

Before I could finish packing the picnic basket, however, I realized something. My clothes were still a mess from gardening. Grace’s chosen outfit had gotten smudged with dirt when I knelt down to tend the flowers.

Good, I thought wryly. Gives me an excuse to change out of this awful outfit.

“I’ll be right back,” I told the girls, kissing the tops of their heads. “I need to change into something nicer. Watch the kitchen for me, alright?”

They nodded, perfectly content to nibble on a spare strawberry I’d set aside for them.

I went upstairs and headed to my room to find something more suitable. As I entered my room, I began rifling through my wardrobe, searching for a sundress I vaguely recalled owning. But Grace had made such a mess of my closet earlier that I could hardly find anything.

A soft knock on the door made me pause. “Come in,” I called out tensely, half expecting Grace to storm in and yell at me. Although I supposed she wouldn’t bother to knock.

The door creaked open to reveal Annie. She held a long dress draped over her arm: a pale, airy sundress made of a light white fabric with a baby blue ribbon around the waist. It looked like something out of those Victorian paintings of women walking along the beach.

“I found this in the spare wardrobe,” she said, holding it out. “Would you like to wear this one, Luna?”

I ran my fingertips over the dress’s fabric, feeling the gauzy softness beneath my skin. It was perfect—not overly formal, not dull, but simple and lovely. “It’s beautiful,” I said, meeting Annie’s gaze with a grateful smile. “Thank you, Annie. I’d love to wear it.”

Her shoulders relaxed slightly, and she offered a small smile in return. “Let me help you,” she said, gesturing toward the vanity.

I stepped behind the dressing screen to change out of the drab clothes Grace had picked out for me and into the sundress. Turning toward the full-length mirror, I couldn’t help but smile. It fit like a glove. I wondered who it belonged to if it was in the spare closet.

When I emerged, Annie nodded approvingly.

“Sit,” she encouraged, picking up a brush and comb. “I can fix your hair, if you’d like.”

Working quickly but efficiently, Annie removed my hair from that awful bun and braided it loosely, leaving out a few face-framing pieces that curled around my jawline. My migraine instantly began to fade now that my hair wasn’t being pulled out of my scalp. She then picked out a straw sunhat and adjusted it on my head.

When she was finished, I glanced into the mirror. The difference was night and day. And I was sure Grace was going to have a fit when she saw me, which was all part of the plan. I wasn’t about to be walked all over by a woman who clearly didn’t want me here.

With that, I headed downstairs. The girls spotted me immediately, their eyes lighting up. “Mommy, you look so pretty!” Zoe exclaimed, running over and grabbing the hem of my dress.

Ella clasped her hands together eagerly. “You look like a summer princess.”

Annie and the girls followed me into the kitchen, where I carefully arranged the sandwiches, cakes, and berries into the wicker picnic basket, tucking napkins and plates around them for safekeeping. The lemonade went in a separate container, which I wrapped in a cloth to keep cool.

But just then, Grace swept into the kitchen, her expression thunderous. Without warning, she tried to snatch the picnic basket from my hands. “What are you doing?!” she snarled.

I tightened my grip, yanking the basket back from her. “We’re having a picnic with Clyde and Annie.”

Grace’s face twisted with disgust. “A picnic? With an Omega maid and a gardener? Do you have any idea how improper that looks? You’re a Luna now, not a servant. This is cheap—low class—and inviting the help is outrageous!”

Annie flinched, her shoulders seeming to subtly curl inwards at those words. I clenched my jaw, furious on Annie’s behalf. I’d spent enough time as an Omega servant myself to know just how difficult it was to put up with the cruel comments.

“If I wish to include the hardworking household staff, that’s my choice,” I said firmly. “I do not intend to live in a household where people are treated as lesser. Without them, this place wouldn’t function.”

Grace’s eyes narrowed, her cheeks flushing with anger as she yanked the basket back from me. “You think you’re making some grand statement, don’t you? Flaunting your so-called compassion after your history as a worthless Omega servant yourself. Isn’t that what you were? Just a lowly, broom-wielding nobody who caught an Alpha’s eye through trickery?”

I stiffened, feeling Annie’s eyes on me, feeling the girls watching from the doorway. My past as an Omega and a servant wasn’t exactly a secret, but the way Grace said it cut like a knife in my belly.

“Maybe I am making a statement,” I said quietly, refusing to raise my voice. “Or maybe I’m simply being kind. Either way, I won’t let you stop me. I’m the Luna, and it’s my decision.”

And with that, I grabbed the handle of the basket and pulled.

We ended up in a tug-of-war over the basket, Grace tugging fiercely at one handle while I held fast to the other. The sandwiches inside threatened to shift, and I gasped, “You’re going to ruin the food I worked so hard to make!”

At that moment, Alaric’s voice sliced through the chaos. “What are you two fighting about now?!”

We froze, turning to see him standing in the doorway. He looked as weary as ever and even more frustrated than earlier. But then, for a heartbeat, his gaze landed on me—on my sundress, my braided hair, my sunhat—and I saw his eyes widen slightly.

But he schooled his features quickly, reverting to his usual stoic neutrality.

Before Grace could speak, I explained, “I’m having a picnic outside, with the girls, Clyde, and Annie. Your mother disapproves. Says it’s low-class.”

Grace folded her arms, clearly expecting Alaric to side with her. “Tell her it’s absurd,” she spat. “A Luna hosting a picnic with servants? It’s shameful.”

Alaric stared at us both for a moment, not saying a word. I stiffened a little, wondering who he would side with: me or his mother.

But then, to my surprise, Alaric stormed forward, snatching the basket away from both of us. He tucked it under his arm and grabbed my hand.

“A picnic is a fantastic idea,” he said, turning on his heel. “I’ll join you. Let’s go.”

And with that, he stormed out of the house, pulling me behind him with the girls and our guests on our heels.