Morning came quicker than Aire had expected.

Madam and the other maids moved quietly around the room, drawing the curtains open so the pale morning light slipped through the tall windows and settled across Aire’s face.

Aire sat up at once.

Fear prickled through her skin when she realized she had overslept. For a moment she expected shouting, orders, or a hand dragging her from the bed.

Luckily, the fear faded slowly when she saw Madam standing beside the window instead of her uncle or Hannah.

Her shoulders eased, and she let out a secret sigh..

The maids bowed slightly when they noticed she was awake.

"Good morning, Miss," Madam greeted, dipping her head politely. The other maids followed her lead.

Aire nodded softly, still not used to the attention or the strange devotion that now surrounded her.

Just days ago, they had scrubbed her skin like she was dirt. Now, they moved around her carefully.

The bath was already prepared.

Steam drifted from the large copper tub that had been carried into the adjoining batthheroom.

"Careful," Madam instructed as the maids helped Aire out of bed.

Aire stood slowly, her body stiff from the night before. The whip marks across her back protested with every movement.

Two maids helped her step into the bath.

The water was warm. Almost too warm.

Aire inhaled sharply when it touched her wounds.

"Easy," one maid murmured, with a gentle voice.

Unlike the previous baths, their hands were careful today. Very gentle.

They worked slowly, cleaning her skin without scraping it raw.

"Use oil on her wounds when you’re done," Madam called from the bedroom. "Alpha Alaric has ordered me to call a doctor after breakfast." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"Yes, Madam," the maid behind her replied.

Aire flinched when the woman’s cloth brushed against the whip marks.

The maid paused for only a second. Then she continued with no apology.

Aire stared at the surface of the bathwater as the oils spread slowly across it.

The scent of herbs filled the air.

It was strange.

Yesterday she had been nothing. Today she was suddenly being treated like something valuable.

She didn’t trust it.

When the bath was finished, the maids helped her out of the water and wrapped her in soft linen cloth.

Another maid began applying oil across her back.

Aire sucked in a breath.

The oil burned at first. Then it cooled her skin.

"Hold still," the maid said quietly.

Aire obeyed.

They dried her hair carefully before leading her back into the bedroom.

The room was already filled with dresses. Several with rich fabrics, silk, velvet, and embroidery had been laid across the bed.

Aire stopped in the middle of the room.

"That seems unnecessary," she said quietly, almost murmuring.

Madam turned toward her. "It is not."

The older woman picked up one of the dresses.

Aire immediately shook her head. "I would prefer something simpler."

Madam didn’t even hesitate to refuse. "No."

Aire blinked, surprised. "No?" she repeated. She had previously thought perhaps she was on Madam’s good side now.

"As the future Luna, you should look your best," Madam said calmly. "The daughters of the other houses will be present at breakfast today."

Aire felt her stomach tighten.

"They will be ready to outshine you."

The maids began helping her into the dress before she could argue further.

The dress was dark. Black silk that clung softly around her waist before falling into loose folds.

Aire frowned at the mirror. "This feels excessive for breakfast." She complained.

Madam stepped behind her and adjusted the sleeves. "Breakfast today is not a meal," she said. "It is a display."

Aire stared at her reflection silently.

Of course it was.

The maids finished tying the back of the dress. Then one of them reached for something resting on the vanity.

Aire’s eyes landed on it immediately. It was a black veil.

Her chest tightened instantly.

"Wait—"

Unfortunately, the maid had already lifted it.

The fabric was thin, and light. It would be used to conceal her silver hair a bit. The moment it was raised toward her head.... A memory slammed into her mind.

.....

Years Ago:

Cold wind moved across the small graveyard. Aire stood between Beta Kole and his wife, Lady Rosamond.

A fresh grave lay before them.

Her father’s name had only just been carved into the stone.

"A lot of things won’t be the same without him," Lady Rosamond said softly.

"Especially for you."

Aire turned toward her in confusion.

Her black veil slipped slightly over her face. It was too large for her small head. Her dark hair, streaked strangely with silver, clung to her cheeks, damp with tears.

"I’m so sorry, Aire," Rosamond continued gently. "I only heard from the solicitor this morning that your father did not regard you as his daughter anymore."

Aire froze. "What?" she questioned, whispering softly.

"On his deathbed," the woman went on calmly, "he wished nothing to do with you."

"That isn’t true." Aire’s voice came out small but firm and certain.

Her eyes darted between the grave and the woman standing beside it.

"He promised to always care for me." She added.

Rosamond turned back toward the grave.

"That’s because he was a kind and noble man who could not stand being cruel," she said lightly.

"However, his love rests on the little wealth he managed to keep in his name even after being a traitor." She shook her head with fake empathy. "There is no mention of you in his will."

"No." Aire shook her head fiercely. "My father loved me."

"I can understand why you believe that," Rosamond replied. "Your mother allowed herself to believe the same."

Aire blinked.

Rosemond read her confession. "He never told you what he did to the Moon Goddess?"

Aire shook her head again. This time, slowly and confused. With less confidence.

Rosamond sighed softly. "I see he left you and your uncle in the dark about certain things."

She joined her palms together. "Your mother was a maid," she continued. "A mistress he kept in secret while ignoring his chosen mate."

Aire’s breath caught. Even at a tender age, she knew that was a taboo.

"She died when you were little," Rosamond said calmly. "The woman you grew up calling mother was actually his mate. She was kind enough to raise you as her own."

Aire’s mind spun.

"That was the beginning of the curse," Rosamond continued. "The gravest of his crimes will not be told to you yet." She ran her eyes through Aire from her head to her toes, then added. "You’re still just a child."

Aire stared at her in silence.

"Now," Rosamond said, brushing imaginary dust from her gloves, "with both parents gone, you’re left with nothing. No money. No title. And no dignity." She thinned her lips, tilted her head, and added coldly. "You are not a part of him."4

Aire’s face went pale.

She slowly lifted her hand and removed the black veil. Her fingers touched the strange silver strands in her hair.

They had appeared, and everyone told her it was because of the curse of her father.

If her father didn’t want her... Then why did she carry the mark?

"Do not worry," Beta Kole said suddenly. His voice was sharp, rusty, and a bit cruel. "We will take care of you now."

Aire looked up quickly. Little Hooe shimmering behind her icy blue eyes.

"You will work as a maid," he continued. "And we will provide shelter and food."

Aire’s mouth fell open. Her eyes immediately became empty.

"But..." she whispered. "But I am the daughter of a nobleman."

She sniffed softly.

Beta Kole’s expression hardened. "A beta who betrayed the Moon Goddess is no beta," he snapped. "He has no title. It was stripped from him and given to me."

His fingers begn to tremble furiously. "You are illegitimate. Being our maid is the best you can hope for."

His eyes dropped to her hair. "Also," he added coldly, "never show me that hair of yours again."

.......

Present day:

"Aire."

Madam’s voice pulled her back.

The veil was still hovering above her head.

Aire blinked. Her throat felt tight.

"I don’t need the veil," she said quietly.

Madam studied her for a moment. Then she lowered it slowly.

"Very well."

Aire released a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding.

The maids finished adjusting the dress, and stepped back.

"Beautiful," one murmured.