Chapter 32: Gone Rogue

“Well,” Luna insisted, seeing how he remained silent, his teaspoon resting in a delicate balance on the edge of the plate. “It looks like you do not wish to share Milo’s whereabouts, so I will start with a confession of mine.”

Sebastian’s head shot up, and he stared in disbelief at the charming lady. A charming lady with charms, she called herself, and at times, Sebastian thought that there was something about her, playful and mischievous, that he couldn’t quite pinpoint. If that were the case and her true self was this quirky side, his mother would never confer with Luna Celeste. That made as good a reason as any for her to hide that part that seemed so inclined to games and whatnot.

He waited patiently. To show that he was in no hurry to divulge anything that would put Milo in harm’s way, he leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms, all the while eyeing Luna carefully. Something in her beautiful round face always brought appeasement. Still, Sebastian usually fought that sensation, as he found it unsettling to lose control over his own will in such a flighty manner.

“You’re so like your mother, stubborn to a fault, but your heart, just like hers, is still in the right place.”

He scoffed at that. Of course, Luna would think nothing else of Reya, and that was why they were thick as thieves. All the more reason for him to keep his guard up and not allow her to see inside his heart, not for a moment if he could help it. Reya wanted the good of Ifigia, and in that, there was simply no room for affection toward a son who existed only so that he could serve the said good.

“I wished for you to find love,” she said.

“And I did, didn’t I?” Sebastian replied curtly. “Pepin--”

Luna raised her hand and cut through the air. “Enough, Sebastian. Don’t take me for a fool. The last time you visited me, I wished for you to find love and put my wish in the charm I gave you.”

Sebastian stared at the empty plate in front of him and frowned. The mark on his skin where the Uxilan dagger had stabbed his body while Kai was still in it itched, and he had to use all his willpower not to touch his chest. Was this woman so wicked as to curse him?

“You,” he hissed. “You made it so that I was cursed to travel to that strange world!”

She served him an amused smile as her eyes lit up with interest. “Sincerely, I thought you were having emerging feelings for your new concubine and hoped to nudge you in the right direction. If that had failed, it would have confirmed that Pepin should still be the one for you.”

Sebastian frowned. “You’re playing with things that don’t concern you,” he said thickly. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”

To his dismay, Luna placed her chin in her right palm and looked at him with loving eyes. What was she playing at now?

“I do. I finally helped you realize your deepest wish, Sebastian.”

He grunted as he pressed himself back into his chair more. “And what would that wish be if you don’t mind my asking?”

“To love and be loved back,” Luna replied matter-of-factly like he should have known that already.

He looked away and worked his jaw. “That is preposterous,” he denied. “What would love,” he spat the word like it was poison in his mouth, “bring me? I have everything.”

Luna sighed, seemingly from the bottom of her twisted heart. If she wanted to fool him into thinking that she was on his side, she had to do better than that.

“I kept telling your mother,” she started, “that she should allow you to feel happy. And she kept telling me that you were perfectly fine.”

“I certainly was,” Sebastian shot back.

Luna shook her head. “No, my dear boy, you weren’t fine at all. You weren’t living, not completely.”

“And how is this,” Sebastian replied and grabbed his chest, “any living? This ... this pain--”

“It’s living,” Luna contradicted him and nodded all knowingly. “It cannot have been too long since you were forced to part ways with your chosen. Don’t you remember the joy, too?”

He stopped the flow of words he wanted to hurl at her. Of course, he did remember the joy, but it was because he remembered that, pain existed, too, and their mingled effect was just too much to bear. “That is not important.” All that sighing coming from Luna was starting to get on his nerves. “Why do you pretend to be so concerned? And Milo is not anywhere in the palace or near it.”

“That much I gather.” She continued to examine him with keen eyes. “What is this talk about a strange world?”

So Luna didn’t know she had sent him into a world so different from theirs that he had no idea where to start. But then, how had her charm worked? Did she have no control over her own crafty magic?

“You should know,” he gave a vague reply.

“I don’t. But when I saw Milo--”

Sebastian tensed. “Where and when did you see him?” he asked through his clenched teeth.

Luna rested her lily-white hand over her mirror to the souls of humans, as she called that implement. “Here.”

He frowned. “How?”

“Your replacement walked into my quarters, in search of answers.”

Sebastian could feel his jaw hurting. Just how much damage had that bumbling idiot done? “And you found it not in the least strange that he wasn’t me?” he asked.

“Ah, I was almost fooled for a moment. But unlike you, he gobbled down the cake I gave him without pretending that it’s not the most delicious thing he ever had. I was intrigued, of course, especially since I sensed that he was developing feelings toward Pepin. Imagine my surprise.”

Sebastian chose to look sternly at her. “I have my doubts you were that surprised.”

Luna laughed her silver bell laughter that, just like her confectionery, could lull his mind into a pleasant state that he tried to chase away as misleading and ill-intended. She was his mother’s closest confidante, and he should not forget about that if he wanted to keep Milo safe.

“Very well. Not that surprised. But I did see Milo, and his strange attire confirmed to me that he must be somewhere a long way from Ifigia. And where he was when I saw him, you had to be, too.”

“Did you see me?” Sebastian asked. Did you even look? Sometimes, such annoying questions came to mind. Whether he returned from war or negotiations with a neighboring kingdom, no one cared about his wellbeing. Except for Pepin, of course, but Sebastian had always had to do his damnest to keep his servant at arm’s length so that he wouldn’t end up making him believe any feelings of a romantic nature would emerge between them.

“No, because, according to my eyes, you were sitting right in front of me. Of course, your replacement confirmed then my suspicions by letting me know that Milo is his friend. Hence, if he were here, you had to be ... where exactly have you been, Sebastian?”

Luna was obviously trying to appear calm and collected, but her eyes shone with curiosity. He didn’t say anything.

“Never mind, then. I believe you would talk when you realize that I’m not your enemy, and I’ve never been.”

“That will never happen,” Sebastian said icily.

“Never say never,” Luna replied. “Now, you came here to ask me something. Go ahead.”

Sebastian pursed his lips in thought. Could he trust Luna not to let Reya know of Milo? She knew and had known for a while, without a doubt, and yet Reya had no idea of the handsome boy Sebastian was in love with.

“Yes, you can trust me,” Luna said with a slight note of exasperation in her voice. “Ask me. Just do it.”

“How is it possible to travel between worlds?” Sebastian asked directly.

“Well, since you are actually the one to have embarked on such an astonishing journey, I was hoping you could tell me.”

Sebastian stood abruptly. “You are of no use to me.”

“Sebastian, wait.” Luna stood, as well, and came around the table and close to him. She placed a hand on his forearm. “Milo won’t be safe. Why don’t you let me help you?”

“The only help I need is for you to tell me how to open the gate to that strange world. It looks to me that you have no control over your own charms.”

“You are harsh, just like her.” Luna raised one hand and caressed his cheek. “I am here for you, whenever you need me. Just make sure she doesn’t catch whiff of Milo being in Ifigia.”

“How do you know he’s in our world?” Sebastian asked, only then realizing that he hadn’t asked the most obvious fact.

“I saw what happened at the Shimmering Cavern.”

He didn’t have to ask how.

“And I know that Milo, along with his friends, didn’t stay with you.”

“How come you don’t see him now?” Sebastian asked, using his coldest voice.

“Quite the strange thing,” Luna replied. “I should have been able, but ... I wonder what magic is stronger than ice.”

She gave him a sided look, but he held his tongue. Clearly enough, she thought of Galien and his mother’s lineage. Despite his cousin’s denial of having any magic of his own, it didn’t mean that he couldn’t enlist his mother’s help when needed. Where Reya had only frosty feelings at best toward her offspring, Fiana’s love for her son occasionally burned a bit too hot. Galien often joked about never being allowed to emancipate from under her wing till the day he was no more.

“They must be with him, then,” Luna said airily.

Sebastian gave her a stricken look.

“Oh, do not worry. I had my suspicions, but I needed the confirmation I see now in your eyes. They’re in good hands.”

“Not for long, I suppose,” Sebastian said.

“I’ll search for your answer,” Luna replied. “I fear someone must have meddled with my magic.”

“That’s quite unsettling, don’t you think?” Sebastian eyed her carefully.

“Indeed,” she admitted with a thoughtful nod. “Until I find what I’m looking for, make sure to stay away from Milo. Reya mustn’t see him.”

“No need for you to remind me that.” He hesitated for a moment. “Why are you helping me? Against her wishes, even?”

Reya offered him a fond smile. “I love your mother, Sebastian.” For one heartbeat, she remained silent. But then, she looked straight at him and right into his soul. “But I love you more.”

He opened his mouth, wanting to ask what she could mean, but she silenced him by pressing her index finger against her lips.

“Now go and have faith. When the time is right, you’ll see him again.”

Sebastian couldn’t say, hand on heart, that he should have felt soothed by those words, but it was a simple truth. There was something more than charming about the charming lady of Ifigia. She could take anyone’s pain away with just a touch.

“Everything looks so cute. I can’t eat! It’ll just ruing them!” Tani exclaimed as Galien’s personnel came and went in a flurry of activity, placing the most exquisite-looking dishes in front of them.

“I can,” Kai replied and eyed everything while licking his lips. “But you should try Pepin’s mini omelets, for real. He makes the best in the world. I mean, the best I’ve ever tasted,” he added.

Compared to them, Milo was a lot more reserved, and he was sitting straight in his chair without letting out any sign that he was as impressed with his surroundings as Tani. He was no longer muttering under his breath so that at least was a good sign.

“Please, enjoy,” Galien encouraged them. “And I am well aware that nothing can surpass the food made by the one you love.”

Kai snickered. “Has Conrad cooked anything for you?”

“I’m afraid we’re still not there yet,” Galien replied affably. “However, I am much interested in hearing more about your world. And Milo,” he added.

Milo remained still, his fork in the air. Kai stared at his friend and watched him swallow a bit nervously. Even if Milo had come to terms somehow that they were in a fantasy land, it didn’t mean that he felt at ease there. They had been given other clothes, so now they didn’t appear as out of place as before. Milo looked quite dashing, Kai had to admit, in a blue outfit adorned with intricate golden decorations, and the same frilly type of shirt that Galien wore was part of his outfit. Not that his dark green suit was any less interesting, Kai thought, but Milo indeed looked handsome in his.