(Lunavia pov)
The news from valkan Empire left me trembling,I walked home with a heavy heart accepting my cursed fate.I heard from the market gossips that duke hastlings was the one who suggested the search to be carried out it was discussed at the imperial court,surprise is an understatement of what I felt in my heart I knew my father disdained me but I wasn't aware his loathing towards me was so much.He didn't only suggest the search he was also the one who said sacrificing me to the gods is the greatest atonement I could render for everything I have done the sins I had committed,the death I had caused and the calamity I have brought upon valkan empire.I also heard about lady Dian she was summoned to the imperial court for questioning about my whereabouts which she denied flatly,
(In valkan Empire)
"Lunavia is cunning as a vixen how can a weak helpless widow know where she is"she said feigning tears"you are her foster mother how can you not know where she is Lunavia may be a cunning vixen as you said but she will never abandon her dearest mama will she ?"a court official asked "During matters concerning ones life and safety one tends to forget the hand that feeds them"lady Dian answered silently praying for the officials to let the issue slide."lady Dian I advise you to think wisely about this issue you are an aging woman I would hate to see you suffer any cruel treatment so I beg of you to answer me with clarity and sincerity lest I treat you badly "the emperor warned "go ahead your majesty I lady Dian of the Darwin household shall say nothing but the truth "said lady Dian she knew what the emperor was about to ask her she also knew the consequences but she was prepared"do you know where Lunavia is hiding or perhaps you ar able to communicate with her "the emperor asked"your Highness ever since Lunavia eloped I have not seen neither have I communicated with her by any means possible "said lady Dian trying to swallow her fear"lady Dian I'm sorry to tell you I don't believe you so you are to be imprisoned at the order of Justice and interrogated by the general duke hastlings "the emperor proclaimed.The air became silent most official taught the emperor was being cruel bit there is nothing that anyone could do ,to oppose the emperor means certain death one could be beheaded so nobody dared to beg for lady Dian her fate was decided ,she was taken to the order of Justice (where imperial officials and people of substance were interrogated when accused of a crime) and locked in a cell waiting for the arrival of the duke.
IT took the duke three days before starting the interrogation,he did it to instill fear in her hoping she won't give him a hard time."Lady Dian we could just forget about the whole interrogating process of you could just tell me where Lunavia is "said duke Hastings "I can't tell you where she is if I don't know"said lady Dian "It is obvious you like Lunavia so it only natural you protect the one you love"said the duke "don't give me lectures about love when you are bad at it"lady Dian spat out receiving a slap in return "Lunavia is a curse she is a jinx she is not meant to be loved or Cherished don't you understand ever since she was born she had only caused troubles and nothing else"the duke shouted angrily "it is not Lunavia fault her mother died when given birth to her some women die during childbirth so why is hers so different?"lady Dian asked softly trying to make the duke see sense in what she was saying."my wife spent several hours in labour only to give birth to a curse don't you see her appearance it's not normal try to understand me she will bring you nothing but pain and emptiness "said the duke "have you ever try to reason it from a different perspective maybe she isn't a curse but a blessing even if she is really a curse maybe she is a reward for all your evil deeds "said lady Dian with a smile"Lunavia has brought nothing but joy and happiness to me it is you that is trying so hard to turn her into a jinx just to clear the guilt you have in your heart for the death of your wife,deep inside you know you are the cause of your wife death she was not in a suitable condition to give you your desired heir but you pushed her the only regret you feel is that Lunavia is not a male"said lady Dian bluntly.Her words was like knife piercing the duke conscience"thank you Dian for proving your point "said the duke ,he slapped,kickedand punched her severally releasing the anger he had been keeping within himself.When he was done with his brutal treatment lady Dian was barely breathing"I will hunt her down with everything in me and will make sure to bury her next to you her sweet mama"he said smiling with disdain,he left her in the cell with her life hanging on a thread but he didn't care as a high official in the imperial court he could easily manipulate the emperor into believing his lies.
(Lunavia pov)
The animosity between us was already at its peak there was nothing on earth that could resolve the resentment I felt for him,he took the only person that truly ever cared for me,I couldn't even cry only anger welled in my heart not sadness.I was angry for not being able to do anything I was angry for being helpless, there was no way I was going to sleep peacefully with the fact that I was the cause of lady Dian death.I wanted to set a tombstone in her name and pay my last respects but it will only endanger my life , if I set a tombstone for her in the forest it would only give the valkan Empire the idea that I was still alive and they won't stop searching for me so I dismissed the idea instead I weaved a wreath of flower for her.I placed it on the lake knowing it would float ,I payed my last respects and also prayed to the goddess gravenna for the safety of my mother soul.I was reluctant to leave the forest due to the situation I had to ,I burnt the cabin and threw the ashes in the lake clearing any evidence that someone lived there after that I was free to leave the forest.I didn't carry any of my belongings only money which I stashed neatly in my head widow attire,I headed for the border after wards ready to go as far away from valkans reach from duke Hastings reach.
Everything seemed fine until I arrived at the border the soldiers there demanded a full body check before allowing safe passage,there was no other routes to leave the kingdom only the border "why is my life so hard"I muttered to myself praying for a miracle as the soldiers approached me "you will have to remove you scarf we need to check your eyes and hair before passage"the soldier informed.My heart was pounding with fear I kept my eyes low thinking of what to say to escape this predicament "madam you....."said the soldier getting impatient "she is with me a husky voice said,the voice sounded familiar but I didn't dare look at the person"she is my brother widow lady Gayle how shameless of you to ask a widow who is in mourning to do such"the voice asked"s.. sorry sir we are just following rules "the soldier stammered.
I was certainly going to be in much trouble of this man was Lord Jaxon ,lady Gayle is the widow of Lord Joshua a powerful Lord .The man took my hand and led me to a boat "sorry lady Gayle for the delay "said Lord Jaxon,the pounding in my heart increased this man thought I was his sister in-law.