THE FORGOTTEN LUNA novel Chapter 93

ADESSA.

“Your brothers will be the ones screening all the applicants for the Royal Games. They should know who your ex-husband is.” Father’s words kept resonating in my head, and I was losing my focus.

Father talked about not wanting to meddle with whoever would be joining the games, as he was the one to determine who would take the crown after him.

So he needed not to give any favor to any of my possible husbands.

I still couldn’t understand anything. So, instead, I looked at all the men around the table.

Esmaeel, Eston, and Esriel, the three oldest, listened intently while Esaias, the youngest, looked bored and kept yawning, although he was trying to be discreet about it.

Esegar was playing with a Rubik’s cube and seemed to be in his own world. But he did ask a few questions while Father was reminding all of them when the screening would start, so I knew he was listening.

I did wonder, though, who among them wanted the crown. Maybe I could plead to him or them to let Kael participate in the Royal Games with a promise that I would not campaign to be the Queen of Absalom—if campaigning were such a thing.

I only wanted a peaceful life back in Kael’s pack. I would rather meet everyday the people who were distancing themselves to me but have Kael beside me than be adored by the whole kingdom but married to someone I didn’t want.

“I only want to be assured that whoever Adessa ends up marrying will be capable of protecting her and the kingdom.” I heard him say as he took the folder and opened it.

I held my breath and watched him take out something from it.

Father laid down a copy of our divorce paper. The date where we both signed was encircled. And then he laid down many photos after that. I was left aghast watching him present photos taken days before and after our divorce.

Each photo was stamped with dates.

They were all with Desiree. Some of the photos crushed my heart because they were holding each other too close or they were walking hand in hand.

I didn’t know what I was supposed to think. I knew Kael was confused during that time, and Desiree took advantage of his vulnerable state.

“Tell me, Adessa, when did he change his mind and tell you he wanted you back?” Father asked.

“Two weeks after the divorce,” I answered.

“When did the mark on your back change?”

“I don’t understand the question, Father?”

He laid down another photo, and my eyes widened. It was me in a bikini. I had my back to the camera, and it was only then that I understood his question when I saw my birthmark.

The photo was taken a few months after we married, and the mark on my hip bone was not yet near the shape of a heart. It looked more like an irregular triangle shape.

“During the course of your marriage with him, did the mark change?”