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People Will Talk
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2024-07-21 18:15:40
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Will Bear the Moon Unpleasant Exchanges
*Admiral Nugen*“Where are you?” Admiral Nugen was growing a little frustrated, finding yet another room empty. I can’t even find that lazy maid of hers. It was like the two had vanished in thin air.No, I must find her. He would not give up. It was imperative that he did.Because something told him that the longer he waited, the worse things would get.Not that it’s not already bad. Admiral Nugen took another corner. It still bothered him. The armory was so poor and ill-equipped. A country is only so good as its weapons. But the state of the armory right now was disturbing.“We would barely strife off an attack if it were to happen tomorrow.” It wasn’t an idle threat. Things were that bad.But why? How could things slip this far?Even if Ana knew about the cuts, she wouldn't have known how severe they were. Surely, notAdmiral Nugen held the ledger close as he turned the hall. He would try the library next if Ana weren’t in her study. And if not there, then-“Maybe the garden?” Wh
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-07-21Will Bear the Moon Is That Green I See
*Ana*“I don’t see why you are so obsessed with these damn things?” Behind me, Naska kicks another rock to make more noise. “It’s just a bunch of leaves and sticks.” “It’s not leaves and sticks, Naska.” She has quite the attitude today. But I ignore her.It’s too nice to be inside today. The winter chill has lifted, and the sun is out. Besides, I wanted to gauge the new growth. I look around the walls. Everything is green and full now. Spring is almost here.“Well, they look like twigs and leaves.” Naska goes again.“Naska,” I take a breath. She really is quite the sour sport today, isn’t she? But I can manage myself. She will not make me go any faster.“Well, they are not.” I touch a new leaf. “They are roses.”“Roses?” Naska pulls her lip up. “No way, roses are pretty. And these are-“She shakes her head.These can’t be roses. I know what a rose looks like.“You're lying. ”“Since when do I lie?” But Naska just shrugs.“Well, they are.” I defend. “And they’ll be in bloom soon
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-07-28Will Bear the Moon Thorns
*Ana*“Ana?” Mykhol stands waiting with a measured smile. “Am I interrupting something?”“Not at all.” I go simply. “Sir Pendwick is on a walk. We stopped to chat.” “Yes, I was on a walk,” Pendwick adds, stepping a little closer. “For my health,”“Is that right, a walk?” Mykhol lifts his chin as if to stretch. It makes me notice his gown.Again, I seem to be the only one dressed down today.As always, Mykhol is dressed sharply. His hair is combed and parted to the side, and his golden earrings shine in the sun. He also has another new gown on.However, Mykhol does not look like he is dressed for a walk any more than Pendwick is. But I push the odd note aside. Who am I to question people’s preferences? My favorite color is purple, after all. “Yes,” I answer. “It is a good day for a walk like Sir Pendwick was just telling me.”“Yes, I was just-”“So it is.” Mykhol cuts over, only looking at me. “ And You both happened to want to go on a walk today of all days? At the same time?”
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-07-28Will Bear the Moon Delay
*King Alexander*It’s going to take more than a day to wrap up everything—a week at best, maybe?Yeah right. Alexander sank, looking over the stacks of papers. Who am I kidding?Even if I worked straight through the day with no breaks, or sleep, I still wouldn’t finish. “I know I was gone awhile, but how could there be so much?” Just looking at them made him exhausted. I want to go back to Nochten. Alexander couldn’t stop feeling restless. He didn’t mean to stay this long.But the paperwork- Alexander leaned back to press the space between his brows. “I thought Belinda was taking care of all this?”“I’m sure she was, Your Highness,” Johan went with a measured air, “On top of planning his majesty's birthday, entertaining the guests, and her Majesty Hildenberg.”“All by herself, I might add.” Johan’s last statement made Alexander flinch.“Right,” Alexander shrank, feeling the blow. “Guess Belinda has been a little busy.”“It’s not a guess, sire,” Johan went, looking out the wind
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-08-04Will Bear the Moon Murder
*Admiral Nugen*“The bookkeeper is dead?”Admiral Nugen felt the air push out from the bottom of his stomach.Nugen did have suspicions, but he still hoped he was wrong. He hoped the man hid himself away or fled to another country. I was too optimistic. Nugen could not help but drop at the news. His last line of evidence was gone.He had nothing again.“And the spare ledger?”“We could not find it, sir.” The subordinate sounded generally sorry; he was one of the few honest vampires Nugen trusted. “The room was ransacked.”“A robbery gone wrong?” “It does appear so.” Nugen could feel his doubt show. But he managed to keep his sarcasm at bay. “That’s terrible.” “He was a good man,” the subordinate continued. “He had a wife and child.” Ana’s face fell a little when he mentioned the child.“I will make sure they receive his pension.” Ana closed the report silently. “You are dismissed.”“Yes, Your Empress.” The subordinate bowed and left to return to his post outside. Nugen watched
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-08-04Will Bear the Moon Brewing
*Alexander*Alexander flicked his eyes up to find Julia. She looked content, standing by with the other servants. But unlike them, Julia wasn’t chatting aimlessly or forgetting herself.Julia was vigilant. She stood alert and ready. It was clear how dedicated she was to her role and master. Too dedicated. Alexander sank into his chair. Belinda chose well with her.But that made things harder. Someone so dedicated would never voluntarily give up anything. That left Alexander with two hard choices. Confession by torture or being caught in the act. And Alexander was not keen on the first option.So, all the more reason, he hoped she would slip up. It would make things so much easier.But if she doesn’t, Johan will find another way. Even now, Johan was at work. While Alexander sat with everyone outside for tea, Johan was using the chance. He and his men were going through her room for clues.But if he finds anything, King Alexander stopped the thought. Right now, it did not seem like
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-08-12Will Bear the Moon It Gets Worse
*Ana*“A letter?” Something perks up. Is it from Father? Has he written to say he’s coming back?“Is it from the king?”Admiral Nugen, meanwhile, sounds just as optimistic.Could it be Nicoli? Something jumps in my stomach. I love Father, but a letter from Nicoli would be -“It is not.” Aunt Funda lowers the tray like my hopes. I spy the sunflower yellow wax of Almony. “That’s… kind of Hidi.” She did say she would write. I do my best not to be disappointed.Admiral Nugen, however, does not restrain his.“That’s all you have?” Admiral Nugen looks over the tray. “You don’t have anything else? Are you sure?”“I know how to do my job, Admiral Nugen.” Aunt Funda says curtly. “Doesn’t mean you can do it right.” Admiral Nugen meets her tone.Aunt Funda lifts her brow at that. She looks after him before I see fangs come out. “Are you suggesting I—” “Thank you, Aunt Funda,” I cut over. “You can go now.” “Yes, Your Empress,” Aunt Funda bows stiffly. She makes to leave, but not before gi
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-08-12Will Bear the Moon It Gets Worse and Then Some
*Ana*“Your Empress! We need justice!” “I understand that, but-” “Why are men dying from dirty bandages?” “Can’t you get them medical supplies, at least?”“I did-” But again, my words are swallowed up in the noise.“The Bulgeons are laughing at us- they’ve made songs.” “We want blood!” It’s almost in unison. “But the Bulgeons-” My words will not reach them. “Kill them all.” They chant together. “Kill the Bulgeons!”“Quiet,” Admiral Nugen booms over to cut them off.I didn’t think he could get so loud. But I am grateful. At least that stopped them.“Please,” I finally take a breath. “I understand everyone is upset. But we need to keep order.” I look over the crowd.”We can’t get anything done otherwise.” A few nod at my words. Most, however, are only waiting. Like fireworks, they only need a new spark to start again. I must work quickly, then.“Admiral Nugen,” I turn. “what do you have to say?”“Your Empress, this is-” Admiral Nugen starts, but as soon as he does, the spe
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-08-17
Bab terbaru
Will Bear the Moon Chapter 36 Everybody Form A Line Prt 2
“Hidi?” But before I can have a chance to ask any further, Hidi only taps my arm, her fingertips pressing just a fraction too firmly against my sleeve."But we will talk later, as for now—" Her green eyes immediately shift to Nicoli and brighten, like lamps suddenly lit from within. The strange expression suddenly disappeared again, replaced with a mask, so perfectly that I wondered if I had seen anything at all. Her smile is bright and full, with blunt white teeth again, but something about it feels rehearsed, a performance she's put on countless times. Her attention was solely on him, her body angling toward his like a flower turning to the sun."Nicoli, did you see that? Look how helpful I am to our dear Ana." She beams, as if nothing were wrong at all, stepping slightly closer to him than necessary, her arm brushing against his in a casual gesture that somehow feels deliberate. "Our dear Ana" sits strangely in my ears, as if I'm a shared possession rather than a friend. Her voice
Will Bear the Moon Everybody Form A Line Prt I
Ana*“Please, everyone, if you would just-” But it's clear no one is listening. My voice is swallowed up by the cacophony of string instruments and the colliding conversations surging around us like crashing waves. The air thickens with perfumes and colognes—spiced amber, midnight jasmine, and something metallic that clings to the back of my throat. If I ever felt overwhelmed before a court of nobles shouting over each other after some new decree, it's nothing compared to the suffocating pressure closing in now. Actually, I think I'd prefer that over this.I don't even think my coronation was this bad. I recall that, being just a bit more orderly, the crowd maintained a respectful distance that allowed my lungs to fill properly. But then again, Mykhol was pushing them along so I could eat, right? It's a delayed shock of wisdom to realize that it was indeed helpful. I feel ashamed now that I ever thought he was being haughty at the time. He wasn't. His curt dismissals created a buffe
Will Bear the Moon Chapter 34 The Fair Trade Prt 2
Naska stared at the cup instead of taking it, more shocked than surprised at the motion. Someone poured her drink? It was indeed a first. No one had ever done anything for her. She was so used to doing everything for herself. And glancing up, the sight of who did, only made her more confused.It was one of the veiled women—a Bulgeon, a human. Her eyes lined in that inky black shadow seemed to regard her in silence just as she did. Her hand lifted the cup, steady, as if she were still waiting. Naska, not knowing what else to do, took the cup. But her eyes remained glued to the woman. Because of the veil, she couldn’t know what expression the woman was making. Was it friendly? Bitter? What did her face even look like under the cloth?Watching her, the mysterious woman moved with grace. She poured another ladle of blood, not wine, to steam against the glass. Her thin fingers peeked out of her sleeve to swipe a slice of meat to dip in, and she moved to eat under the cloth. Naska raised
Will Bear the Moon The Fair Trade Prt I
*Naska*“What a joke of a party,” Naska muttered, baring her fangs as she leaned against the wall. ”Mine will be so much better.” Her pale red eyes flickered over blue and gold streamers hanging from the center of the high ceiling with a sneer. Ugly colors, she immediately found it stupid. But not as stupid as having to sniffle every other minute. Her nose was irritated and starting to run from all the damn pine scent in the room. Each breath was like choking on a bottle of soap. From the platform near the far wall, the gentle strains of stringed instruments played a song too delicate and indistinct for her to recognize. It filled the air like perfume—pleasant to some, she supposed, but meaningless to her. Light laughter floated between the nobles, punctuated now and then by the sharp clink of crystal goblets. Beneath the noise, however, the pressure in the room was thick. Everyone waited for Her Empress to return. The tension curled under the music like smoke, unseen but unmistakab
Will Bear the Moon Chapter 32 Drinking Buddies
*Johan*As he entered the banquet hall, Johan quickly noticed quite a few things. The first was that King Alexander was nowhere to be seen, though Johan expected that. He must have still been talking with Queen Bratha.What surprised him, though, was that others were missing—two, to be exact. The handsome brunette prince was not in the banquet hall as he thought he would be, considering he did not see him in the lobby or even the line. He was gone, and neither was Ana. Who he did see was just Hidi.The giant queen stood out among the partygoers- not just because of her size. Her very presence seemed to overpower anyone who dared draw near. Those who attempted to pass her either darted their eyes down or weakly bowed before hightailing it inside. Johan could see that even that old coot kept a safe distance if anyone wanted to try to talk to her, like the ever-eager Sir Celbest.The blonde was not pleased about something, and Johan could easily see it. The girl had never been one to hi
Will Bear the Moon Chapter 31 Is This How You Like It
*Nicoli*Nicoli held onto Ana like a man gripping the edge of a cliff—tight, unyielding, unwilling to let go for even a second. The very idea of releasing her, even to their father, was absurd. No. Absolutely not.He had waited too long, ached too much, spent years longing for this moment. And now that she was finally by his side again, he refused to let anything—anyone—take her away. Not tonight. Not ever. So be it if he had to fight off the entire court to keep her close. Vampire, noble, or king, he didn’t care. He’d take them all on.She was his Anastasia. And now that they were together, everything felt right again.A rare, genuine grin tugged at his lips—one that wasn’t for show, unlike the practiced smiles he wore in Dawny. This was different. This was real.But as they moved through the white halls, his excitement warred with Ana’s slow, deliberate steps. Too slow. She still walked like an old lady.Nicoli’s muscles twitched with pent-up energy, his entire body screaming to mo
Will Bear the Moon Chapter 30 Misdirection
*Ana*My body freezes, every muscle locked in place as Nicoli leans in closer. His face is inches from mine, and I feel my breath catch, a whirlwind of confusion and anticipation racing through my mind. What is he doing? Is…he going to kiss me?But we can’t—we shouldn’t. We aren’t children anymore.As children, it was innocent. Nicoli used to kiss me on the lips, but it was always affectionate—nothing more, just like when he would hold my hand or offer a playful hug. It was natural to him, something that didn’t feel strange, something I expected from him without question. But that was then.Now, we’re adults. And that changes everything.We can’t– I try to tell myself that, but something in me hesitates, unsure whether I want him to stop or... not. I’m paralyzed, my heart beating so loudly I can hear it in my ears. As his face nears mine, I feel the world shrinks, the air around us thick with tension. A strange eagerness stirs in my chest—a warmth I don’t understand. It coils through
Will Bear the Moon Chapter 29 Interconnection
*Ana*“Nicoli–” He’s going the wrong way again. I shake my head, the soft chime of my gold chains punctuating my amusement. But he insists on leading, judging by the stubborn set of his shoulders. He’s determined to get somewhere despite having absolutely no idea where that is.For the past twenty minutes, Nicoli has forged ahead with all the confidence in the world, only to crumble in confusion when we inevitably hit another dead end or loop back to the same hall. Left, then right, then left again. Each turn is taken with steadfast determination — and each time, I have to stifle a new laugh as we encounter yet another wall.“Nicoli, just let me show you–” I try, though I’m already bracing for him to ignore me. It would be far easier if he let me lead, though. This is my palace, after all. I know the twists and turns, the subtle variations in the endless white corridors. But he seems lost in his resolve. As if doing this out of spite at the challenge and not wanting it to get the bett
Will Bear the Moon Chapter 28 Not Everyone Can Be Happy For You
*Hidi*“But, what about me–” For once in Hidi’s life, her voice was too soft to hear—lost, swallowed under the sound of laughter. Their laughter. Hidi froze, her breath caught in her chest, her words useless in the space they left behind. Her eyes only widened as she stared after them, watching–watching, but not moving in disbelief.The two of them were running, laughing, hands clasped like children lost in their own world. And she was still standing here.She blinked. Did they really just… leave me?The air seemed too still while everything else moved too fast. Nicoli had been right there. Right there. She could have reached out, close enough to brush her fingers against his sleeve. But he hadn’t even looked at her. Didn’t even voice a hello.Not once.His sapphire-blue eyes had locked onto Ana, and nothing else had mattered.For the second time.A cool flick of irritation ran beneath her ribs, lodging itself somewhere deep inside her. She knew this was their grand reunion, knew th
