Claiming His Luna

Cercei’s POV

“Fuck you!” I spat at him, my anger boiling over as he rudely turned away.

With a deep sigh of frustration, I decided to abandon the entire ill-fated plan. It crumbled before it could even start. My mother remains missing, and there’s no trace of Maria either. The original goal was to approach Lucian with persistent kindness, to gain his trust, and ultimately secure my mother back. Yet, now I know she is not in these walls, so what’s the purpose of still staying here?

My fury was so intense that it felt like plumes of smoke were escaping from my ears. I dialed Vincent to inform him of the abrupt cancellation of our plan, and his disappointment was noticeable, just like my Aunt. Now they’re trying to figure out where in the world Lucian would hide my mother.

Escaping from this place is my only purpose now, although I know all too well that it won’t be a simple feat, given Lucian’s ill temperament recently.

That arrogant scoundrel! I had momentarily believed he had softened when he dispatched Maria to my room, but it was merely a fleeting illusion. Instead, he proceeded to lock me away for a gruelling two days.

I had willingly come here with the understanding that I would be his captive, but I never perceived the reality of becoming his genuine prisoner. Not a single soul has crossed my path for forty-eight hours, and I languish in a room empty of any entertainment. The silence has reached such an extreme that I can practically hear the faint footfalls of ants crawling on the floor.

As I stepped out of the front door, a guard had the audacity to inquire, “Where do you think you’re going?”

With an exasperated eye-roll, I retorted, “Your boss allowed me to step out if you didn’t know.”

“Halt! Wait!” He raised his palms in a gesture to stop me.

Ugh! I felt annoyed.

He proceeded to make a phone call, undoubtedly reporting my every move.

“Yes, Sir. I’ll ensure she remains under close watch,” he dutifully responded before ending the call. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes once more, though the repeated eye-rolling was beginning to make me feel somewhat dizzy.

Since Maria shared the disheartening news about my mother, she hasn’t returned anymore. It’s highly likely that Lucian forbade her from having any further contact with me.

I yearn to escape this place without delay. These walls feel suffocating, and my every second spent here is a moment wasted when I should be searching for my mother.

Lucian stated that I am technically allowed outside, but my freedom is limited solely to the garden. The silver lining is that his “garden” is practically a vast forest, but alas, my every step is trailed by ten relentless men, not to mention the others who keep a discrete distance.

“Can you please leave me be?” I asked, my annoyance bubbling to the surface. I came to a stop, and unsurprisingly, they mirrored my actions, standing there like mindless statues, feigning ignorance of my request. Are these men mere automatons devoid of any ability to understand?Original from NôvelDrama.Org.

“Fuck you, Lucian Red!” If only I had known that my mother wasn’t here, I would have never set foot in this place. We were so certain that he would keep her here, inside his headquarters. Where else would she be if not by his side? After all, she is nothing short of his prized weapon, and we believed he would exploit her to lure in Monsieur.

Once, I found comfort in nature, finding peace in leisurely walks and the simple act of breathing in fresh air. But now, every scenic view is tainted, knowing that I am under the constant surveillance of countless men, observing my every move.

Is it even feasible? Attempting to escape seems like an insurmountable task. This place is situated in an exceedingly remote location, leaving me entirely ignorant of any potential escape routes. Even if, by some miracle, I managed to avoid Lucian’s men, I would be confronted by the towering gate that seemed to desire to reach the heavens. As if that weren’t enough, the tough security measures would undoubtedly electrocute any attempt at breaking free. Escaping would be tantamount to a dangerous and brutal suicide.

My thoughts drift to Maria, and I can’t help but wonder if she is still blocked from seeing me. The uncertainty gnaws at me.

Unable to enjoy the refreshing breeze of the forest due to the ever-watchful eyes, I opt to return inside the mansion to search for Maria. However, I hesitate to inquire with the guards, unsure if they know her whereabouts, and truthfully, I’m not in the mood to engage in conversation with them.

The sheer size of Lucian’s mansion escapes my notice on my initial arrival. It dwarfs Monsieur’s mansion twofold, and I can’t help but imagine the loneliness that must linger being the only occupant of such a vast place. Despite having thousands of guards at his beck and call, there is no family to share his life with.

This may explain why he suddenly changed. His mother was his last connection to a familial bond, a guiding presence in his life. Her absence left him adrift, lost without direction.

I can’t imagine whether he even mourned her sufficiently, for the weight of numerous responsibilities pressed on his shoulders. Not only must he fulfil the role of an Alpha, but he also carries the burden of being the CEO of his vast business empire, all while grappling with the ongoing war.

Regret gnaws at my conscience, realising that I may have been unreasonably harsh, failing to consider anyone’s feelings beyond mine. As I wander through the mansion, I can’t help but notice its emptiness, with plain walls decorated only by large plants and numerous vases. My stare is drawn to a massive painting in the living room, depicting a figure that bears a striking resemblance to Lucian, unmistakably his father. The man exudes an intimidating aura, passing on his traits to his son. Yet, Lucian’s eyes seem to be an inheritance from his mother.

Intrigued, I descend into the basement, which is unlike any typical basement but rather an expansive space similar to another mansion below the ground. It becomes evident that this is where Lucian’s intricate plans are set into motion, teeming with more people than the upper levels. No wonder he spends so much time down here.

Initially intending to return to my room after an unsuccessful search for Maria, I feel as though I’ve travelled every nook and cranny of the mansion without finding any trace of her.

When I walk back through the dimly lit hallway to my room, mysterious noises echo around me. Surprisingly, no guards were present anymore; perhaps they were given strict orders to leave me alone.

Despite attempting to ignore the clamour, the banging on a nearby door grows louder and more insistent. My curiosity was piqued, and I cautiously approached the source of the sound.

The hallway has an eerie, almost horror movie-like scene, amplifying my fear. With each step, the noises become clearer and more discernible. Suddenly, a voice pleads desperately, “Just let me see her, please!”

The voice sends shivers down my spine. It sounds strangely familiar, but such a possibility seems impossible.

Startled, I leap in shock when someone suddenly appears behind me, exclaiming, “Miss Cercei.”

“F-Frank!” I stammer, still shaken by his sudden presence.

“My apologies for scaring you,” he says apologetically.

Recovering from the shock, I take a deep breath and agree as he suggests, “Let me take you to your room.” He guided me in the opposite direction, leading me away from the intriguing door that had captured my attention.

But my thoughts continue to linger on the mysterious voice I heard, leaving me questioning my own perceptions.

Did my ears deceive me, or was there something in this mansion hidden beyond?