*********** Three years after ***********

I am wearing my blue robe with gold embroidery over it. I roll the sleeves back. My hair hangs loosely around my shoulders; it is shorter now since it's harder to train with long hair. A thin golden chain hangs by my neck with a tiny crystal hanging on it.

It was a celebratory gift from Caius as we started our plans. Caius promised that if all goes well, not just a Luna, but I will be the Lycan Queen of Dunkerson Kingdom. Truthfully, Caius said that we needed another year to prepare our plan, but I told him I would rather die trying, than live another day waiting for vengeance for the humiliation done to me! Besides, instead of one year, it has become three years already!

And so, I roughly bite on the meat and swallow in anger. We are within the Dunkerson Kingdom. The subject of my vengeance is close!

Suddenly, Caius chuckles beside me. I glare at him, but he only teases me. "You are eating like a peasant. Maybe that's the reason you were cheated on?"

I smack his hand away when he tries to reach for my food. We are currently in one of the restaurants. "Oh really? Don't tell me you're giving out insults again just because you treat me to a meal this time?" I ask.

Caius beams. With the glamour around him, no one would know that he is a descendant of the original vampires. I remember when I first met him. He looked so beautiful with his blond curls and white-gold eyes. He is elegant and regal, even without his crown or robes. It is so hard not to stare at him. Besides, I've always been appreciative of beauty, and unfortunately, Caius has a few features that are considered attractive.

He gives me a sidelong glance. "Your glamour is working perfectly."

I grimace. "Of course it will work. For the past few years, I have mastered using glamour. Even when I am unconscious, it will never break." He laughs, and I give him an annoyed look. "I'm serious. Do you doubt my skills?"

"Well then, maybe my glamour ain't very good. When I am unconscious, it will revert."

I roll my eyes in exasperation. "Did someone ever tell you that your skills are any good?" I ask.

"Well, none yet," he starts. "But complimenting myself ain't that bad."

His grin grows wider as he chews on the juicy pork on his fork, his sharp fangs visible.

"Enough with the gloating," I say, my voice tinged with anxiety. "Your fangs are showing," I warn him.

Then one of the servers approaches us. Caius looks at her with a hungry gaze, and she stammers while asking if we have any additional orders.

"My lady, would you like to go outside with me?" Caius asks.

"Excuse me?" the waitress responds.

"I will pay triple your daily wage. All you need to do is play with me."

I groan at the same time that the server understood Caius. She blushes and makes a brief nod. Seems like I will be alone in my room tonight.

Caius stands up. He drapes his arms over the woman and says to me, "Register for that magic competition. I will meet you tomorrow morning."

I nod.

And the next thing I know, I am standing under a tree, feeling a chilly breeze brushing against my skin. I look at the magicians queuing up for the competition. They all look excited, just as I was when I joined four years ago - all done so my husband, the Lycan King Gideon, will notice me. Not knowing that it will be my downfall.

A couple of minutes pass before a voice calls out, "Next! Who's next?!"

"It is Hera of the Liddicoat Kingdom," I answer.

"You plan to become a citizen here?" A young man asks with suspicion in his eyes. "Tired of all the vampires there?"

"Yes," I answer. "And maybe," I add.

"What kind of spell do you use?"

"Mostly elemental spells. Potions."

"How about combat?"

"Not much."

"What do you mean by 'not much'? You're not even carrying any magical weapons." The guy rolls his eyes and takes a note on his sheet of paper. "I will let you join, but are you really sure? It will be a crazy competition," he warns. "You know how popular the Lycan king is. Most female mages want to be the new Luna."

I nod, perfectly knowing how popular Gideon is. He is so popular, in fact, that he will cheat on a wife who's done nothing but to love and serve him.

"That's why there is a competition, right? To decide who deserves him."

The man behind the table snickers, "Well, that is, if he will ever be at home for the new Luna."

I frown. "What do you mean?"

Gideon is a lazy man. He enjoys staying at home and drowning himself in all kinds of luxury and pleasure. The only thing he really ever loved-that is productive-is combat. He said it keeps him fit.

The man leans forward and says with a sly grin, "Well, you are from Liddicoat, so you still don't know, but the Lycan king has been traveling for the past two years to search for his Lost Luna. You know, that plain-looking woman with massive magic and insane, god-like skills."

"What woman?" I ask, pretending not to know.

"Luna Serra Lore-Dunkerson. Although, she's Mage Serra now if she's still alive. You might have difficulty earning the Lycan king's love if he is still searching for his Lost Luna."

"Oh," I mutter. Thankfully, my glamour is of a different woman.

The other man on the table nudges him. "Stop that. You know how crazy the Lycan king gets when that mage becomes the topic." He shifts his attention to me and warns, "He doesn't believe that she's dead so she's looking for her. So, you be careful about discussing that too. Mage Serra is currently a hero in this kingdom. The Lycan king insisted on that."

My frown deepens. Caius never told me about it. Besides, he is supposed to tell me everything about the Dunkerson kingdom! He left out this massive information from me!

And so, once I confirm that I am registered, I make my way toward the inn. There are a couple of inns in the town, but I know exactly where he is. The tiny crystal he gives me is a pair. He has one as well. It's so we can communicate with each other anytime, including finding each other wherever we are.

I enter the inn and climb up the stairs. When I reach Caius' room, I grab the doorknob and push it open. My lips turn up at the sight. Caius lies naked on top of the bed. He looks like some kind of ancient warrior god, both very handsome and muscular. And between his legs is the female server in the restaurant, her head bobbing up and down as she sucks on him.

The naked woman looks at me and shrieks. Caius shifts his attention and looks at me. He sighs as he watches the woman hide her naked self. She frantically puts on clothes while pulling a blanket around her body.

"What are you doing here?" he asks.

"Ask your lover to leave the room," I say. "We need to talk."

"Can you please wait?" He points at his erect manhood and adds, "I am still enjoying myself."

"No."

Caius groans. He runs his fingers through his blonde hair and shifts his attention to the young woman. "Lydia, I am sorry, but you need to leave. I will find you tonight, then we can continue."

The woman named Lydia nods, and she moves toward the door. Once it's closed again, I activate my magic and create a sound barrier. That way, none of our conversations will get out of the room.

On the other hand, Caius gets up from the bed and takes his clothes. "What is this about, Serra?" he asks, annoyed. "You know exactly what I am to do when I invited that woman. I've told you multiple times to find lovers while we are traveling. That way you won't disturb my fun times."

I snort. "You forgot to mention that Gideon's traveling to look for his Lost Luna," I say, ignoring his complaints. "He has been searching for me."

Caius audibly groans as he turns his back on me and wears his clothes. "Why is it important? You think he's fallen in love with you while you were gone? Just because he is searching everywhere for you? You never thought that maybe, he just plans to properly kill you this time? Or maybe, he lost his mage pet so he wants it back? Or maybe he realizes that he is insufficient without his mage with the insane magic?"

I bristle in anger, "You promised you would tell me everything happening in this kingdom!"

He turns towards me and sits on the foot of his bed. "Look at you now. This is the reason I don't want to tell you. Now that you know that he is looking for you, what will you do? Return to his loving arms?"

I glare at him. "So, you intentionally lied to me," I accuse him.

"What do you expect me to say?" He rubs his forehead. "His traveling and searching for you means nothing."

"It means that it will be easier to win him over once we reveal that I am his Lost Luna!"

"And then what?" he asks, crossing his legs. "Make you lax and believe he will really fall in love with you?"

"That is not-"

"Really, Serra? Just hearing about it, you come running here, even if you know exactly what I am doing with that young woman. You are already panicking at the thought that maybe... there is a chance that he actually loves you." Caius shakes his head and sighs. "If I told you, it would endanger our plans. That man will only love himself. Don't make yourself believe otherwise. Or you will end up like last time."

"You really are an asshole," I mutter under my breath as my anger rises again.

He shrugs his shoulders. "I am just being honest with you. Besides, I am your only friend in this world, Serra. Even if, until now, you don't believe that."

"You are just like him!" I shout at him and run towards the door. I deactivate the sound barrier and slam the door in his face.

I stand in the center of the arena, surrounded by dozens of other competitors. I close my eyes and reminisce about the feeling of standing in this exact same spot four years ago. Back when I was gullible and oblivious to the world. However, now, I don't feel the same jitters and excitement. No more sense of anticipation and trepidation.

I open my eyes. On the banners, on the stage in front of us, are the written words 'Luna Festival Competition', the same contest that will decide who will be the next Luna for the Lycan King of Dunkerson.

Then the announcer's voice booms out from the loudspeakers, which echoes across the arena.

"Welcome, audience, judges, and competitors, to the Luna Festival! This year's competition will be even more spectacular than four years ago! You will be tested in every aspect of your knowledge and skills, from the warrior's arena to the alchemist's laboratory. But before we begin, let us remember why we are having this contest: to earn the right to be the next Luna who will stand alongside our very dashing Lycan King Gideon Dunkerson!"

I snort at that. I glance at the empty chair on the stage. No Lycan King is present. He doesn't care, just like four years ago. In fact, he hates this competition. It makes him seem lacking as the Lycan King.

"Now, without further ado, let the competition begin!"

As the announcer's words echo around the arena, a roar rises from the crowd. They are excited to replace their previous Luna, hoping they won't get the same plain-looking Luna. I smirk. They are in for a massive disappointment.

The sound of a gong reverberates, and I watch the other competitors form an orderly line in front of the stage where everyone will have the chance to be interviewed. I follow suit. When it's my turn together with the other nine participants, I step forward. I am determined to win, just like four years ago.

"Ah, Hera, the woman from the Liddicoat Kingdom," the announcer greets. "We heard you will take Dunkerson citizenship if ever you win?"

"Yes," I say. "I am hoping to win this competition."

"Like all the other competitors!" he exclaims. I nod, and the announcer continues, "You are pretty. Are you sure you are not running away from some ex-lover?"

"I am not escaping from anyone," I answer. I may have chosen a pretty face that is far from how I really look like. However, it makes me confident. I want to look pretty, even if it's fake and only for a short time.

And so, the announcer continues to talk to the other participants. Since there are hundreds of competitors, they want to take out ninety percent of the participants during the first challenge.

"Should we start the first challenge?" The announcer says, allowing the audience anticipation to build.

I glance at Lady Marinella Dunkerson, Gideon's mother, the closest I had to a friend inside the castle walls. However, blood still runs thicker for her, and she chose her son over defending me, even if she knew that her son was the one at fault.

"Oh, this is an interesting challenge."

I shift my attention to the audience. I can feel the tension in the air as the crowd holds their breath, wanting to hear what the first test will be.

Finally, the announcer continues, "The first challenge will be to construct any magical tool using only the materials provided."

A gate opens on the side of the arena, and a servant appears, pushing a cart of different items. It's Caius' doing. He ensured that there will be a task of tool invention. That way, people will feel like I am the same hopeful Serra. I fake a smile. Right now, there's no need to hope. I am certain I will win not just this part of the competition, but the entirety of it.

"This challenge falls under the previous Luna's set of skills," the announcer remarks as the items to create different magical tools are being organized. "To ensure that the one fated to win this competition will continue what the previous Luna has been doing before."

I stop myself from snorting. He meant when I was being taken advantage of?

And then, the announcer booms, "Good luck, and may the best competitor win!"

The crowd erupts in applause again. I rush to the center of the arena and grab various materials on the ground. Sitting on the side, I block out the noise and excitement of the crowd.

My mind runs through all the details of the design. This is already well-planned, and I will see it through. So, I work quickly and efficiently. A few months back, I already repeated this design over and over.

After half an hour, I had already created a small, intricate magical device that searches for people within a limited radius. To demonstrate, the announcer gives out a name that the tool should search. I push my magic into its small hole, and it hums.

"Oh wow! That is amazing!" The announcer praises. "Congratulations, Hera! You have successfully completed the first challenge in record time!"

I smile and make it seem as awkward as possible. Caius says I need to show vulnerability. These people don't want a steadfast, unfeeling, unsmiling, not-so-feminine Luna, just like I was back then.

And then my smile suddenly vanishes. On the stage, my husband, Gideon, is making his way toward his appointed seat. Lady Marinella points at me, and Gideon's eyes fall on me. However, instead of the flirty look that he reserves for all beautiful women, he glowers at me-even if I'm wearing the prettiest glamour that I could ever conjure.

My stomach twists, and I clutch it. As he continues to stare, I unconsciously touch my cheeks, as if checking if my glamour is still there. Realizing the action, I slide my hand to touch the side of my neck instead.

And when I stare back at him, I feel so small. Under his gaze, the feeling of insecurity still persists in my chest. I feel so lacking, trash, hideous. Someone who has nothing else, but her magic. Someone who cannot be loved, no matter how much effort I put in to compensate for my plainness.

And so, to hide the pain, I bow my head to him and hide my face. I turn around, hoping that when I meet him in close proximity, I will be able to calm myself and not attack him in anger.