Claiming His Luna

Cercei’s POV

After his little trick, the woman remained silent and composed, refraining from further attempts to engage in conversation with him. She adopted the pretence of busying herself with her mobile phone, not even bothering to finish her meal before departing.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

I can’t help but feel a pang of guilt. She must be utterly mortified. She appeared so genuinely kind and amiable, perhaps merely intrigued by Lucian. The brute seemed oblivious to her interest, or perhaps he simply chose to disregard it.

I spent the day dutifully attending to the customers. Mondays were typically hectic, but I maintained a constant motivation throughout the day. The anticipation of my shift’s end only added to my excitement. Meanwhile, Lucian occupied himself at the café, appearing engrossed in his affairs. He fielded numerous phone calls and diligently tapped away on his laptop.

One couldn’t help but question his choice of venue for such work. A café hardly provides the ideal environment for concentration and privacy. Besides, is his back not suffering from the strain of prolonged sitting?

“Goodbye, enjoy your date,” Claire playfully remarked, winking at me. I shook my head while removing my apron. She spent the entire day teasing me about my supposed romantic meeting.

Yet, it isn’t even a date. Lucian never referred to it as such; he simply inquired about my availability.

After completing my shift, I ascended the stairs to freshen up. Fortunately, our home stood a mere two floors above the café, affording us ample time to prepare.

A steaming hot shower worked wonders in easing the tension in my body.

What should I wear? I should have inquired about our destination. I mustn’t appear overdressed. Is this truly a date? Perchance, he merely wishes to converse or show me something interesting. Surely, had it been a date, he would have explicitly stated so. Dear heavens, am I overthinking about it? Why am I so conscious of his presence? I wouldn’t say I like the effect he has on me.

Ultimately, I settled on a costume consisting of a blue and white checkered ruffle-smocked tube top that elegantly paired with flared white pants. I wore black heels and a matching handbag to complete the look. Additionally, I embellished my attire with the accessories given to me by Aunt Melanie.

As I gazed at my reflection in the mirror, I admitted my little knowledge of makeup. I was still in the process of learning, but I mustered the courage to apply a touch of it today. The result was satisfactory in my eyes. Inhaling deeply, I gathered my will before stepping out of my room.

Thankfully, Mamà and Aunt Melanie hadn’t returned yet. I had no desire to endure any more teasing before my departure.

My heart leapt inside my chest when I caught sight of Lucian across the street from Aunt Melanie’s residence. Wrapped in a baby blue button-down polo shirt, he exuded an aura of casual elegance. The top buttons remained undone, and he leaned effortlessly against his exquisite car.

A radiant smile spread across his face upon spotting me. With trembling legs, I approached him, each step causing my heart to race.

“Evening, gorgeous,” he greeted, his lips pressing a gentle kiss onto the palm of my hand. A blush crept on my cheeks, such an old-fashioned gesture.

“You’re quite the dramatic one,” I remarked playfully, a seductive chuckle escaping his lips.

Gallantly, he opened the car door for me, revealing a bouquet of flowers lying in the passenger seat. A laugh escaped my lips. I hadn’t anticipated his penchant for such cheesy yet endearing gestures.

I read the accompanying note, which proclaimed, ‘Beautiful flowers for my beautiful lady.’ Rolling my eyes, I couldn’t help but smile.

“Do all your ladies fall for these charms?” I curled an eyebrow in jest.

“This is my first time, actually. I’m not much for dates,” he replied calmly, his demeanour remarkably composed. Meanwhile, I was so nervous.

“Where are we heading?” I inquired as he began to drive.

“Don’t spoil the surprise,” he responded, evoking a sense of romanticism similar to novel scenes. I hadn’t anticipated his penchant for tradition and old-fashioned gestures, yet I found it rather endearing.

I simply smiled in response as he drove us toward a port. Once we arrived, he gracefully opened the car door and extended his hand to me. Looking around in confusion, I couldn’t help but ask, “Where are we exactly? Are we going for a swim? Because I certainly wasn’t prepared for that.”

He handed his keys to a man and led me towards an impressive black yacht. Naturally, he owned a billion-dollar yacht.

“Watch your step,” he cautioned, gently guiding my waist. This marked my first experience aboard a yacht, and I couldn’t help but gasp at the sight that greeted me, a lavishly decorated table garnished with delectable food and an abundance of candles casting a romantic glow.

I chuckled appreciatively. Lucian manoeuvred the yacht a short distance away from the port, granting us a breathtaking view of the cityscape from the serene expanse of the sea.

“I must say, I’m thoroughly impressed,” I remarked, my admiration evident.

“I’m glad. Shall we?” he gestured towards the beautifully set table.

The food presented before me was nothing short of mouthwatering. It was undoubtedly the finest and most exquisite cuisine I had ever had the pleasure of tasting.

“Do you enjoy it?” he inquired, and I nodded in response.

“It’s absolutely delicious,” I commented, savouring each delightful bite. As our eyes locked, he smoothly reached for a napkin and gently wiped the corner of my lips. The intensity between us heightened, and a silent understanding passed between our gazes.

“The night is wonderful, isn’t it?” he murmured, his eyes sweeping the surroundings. I followed his gaze, captivated by the beautiful city lights and the gentle crescent moon above.

“Yes,” I replied shyly, my response barely audible. His persistent gaze remained fixed on me.

“When was the last time you went hunting?” he suddenly questioned, noticing my contemplation of the moon. I paused, realising it had been a considerable while.

“I haven’t hunted since I arrived here,” I confessed.

“You do realise the serious side effects that can have,” he said, his tone grave.

“I’m aware, but where am I supposed to hunt? Amidst the buildings? Besides, I was afraid that Vienna’s men might be searching for me.”

“No one can lay a hand on you, not under my protection,” he assured me, his words filled with conviction. I looked at him, struck by the depth of his assurance.

“Why?” I asked, unable to contain my curiosity. Why was he so caring towards me? I had heard rumours of his ruthlessness as one of the toughest alphas, yet here he was, displaying a surprising kindness. Was it all an act?

He appeared momentarily taken aback by my question, hesitating before responding.

“Do you want to take me away?” I suddenly blurted out, catching him off guard. His eyes widened, and then he burst into laughter. I watched him, perplexed by his amusement.

“You certainly have trust issues,” he chuckled, his laughter contagious. I studied his face, noting how much more handsome he looked when he let go of his grumpy and serious demeanour.

“It’s only natural, given our history,” I pouted slightly, my lips forming a playful pout.

“I’m here to create a new start,” he replied with a mischievous smile. I playfully rolled my eyes at his remark. Undeniably, he possessed an uncanny ability to captivate a woman’s attention.