The Omega Luna: All she wants is revenge

Elana's POV

"It's none of your silly business," the guard gritted out, his eyes burning as he glared at Elana.

"Respectfully speaking," he added as an afterthought, as though he was just remembering whom he was speaking to.

His voice was laced with venom, so the disrespect was still much clear.

Closing her eyes, she let out a small breath as her stomach clenched in another wrenching pain.

Ugh. She felt too tired to even let out a scoff. Opening her eyes, her gaze followed the guard as he walked away, leaving her at the bottom of the staircase.

All she had done was ask about the whereabouts of the alpha; her husband.

"Unbelievable," she muttered.

"E-excuse me, Luna," a frail voice pulled her attention away, making her turn her head.

A maid was looking at the floor, her shoulders lowered in a submissive stance.

Elana looked at the maid, "Yes?"

"I saw the alpha go to the study room,"

"Is that so?" offering a small smile, Elana nodded. "Thank you,"

The maid shifted uneasily on her feet, waiting.

"Is there a problem?"

"It's just...upstairs..." the maid stammered.

Tilting her head, Elana nodded as understanding dawned on her, "Is he with my sister again?"

Darius had given the order that he was not to be disturbed, especially when he was with Thalina, her sister.

Well, that order didn't apply to her.

"It's alright," she waved off the maid, "I'll go there now," she added as she made her way up the stairs.

Ever since Thalina had gotten back from the Northern Capital, it seemed like Darius had forgotten he was an alpha with responsibilities. The amount of time they spent together was enough to elicit improper rumours amongst the pack mates.

It was nice that they had a blooming friendship, but that would have to stop. She would have to caution Thalina to tone it down. Such actions by an unmated she-wolf could tarnish-

"Arg--" Elana bent over, her hand clutching the staircase rails tightly as a sharp pain pierced through her stomach.

She took a deep breath before releasing it slowly as her hands rubbed her tummy. Then, she resumed her walking.

Darius had told her to ignore the pain, but it was only getting worse. She couldn't hope it could be a baby, especially after the many failed tests, but..

Just maybe.

Biting her lips, she sighted the door to the study.

"It's all your fault," Darius' voice broke out.

Elana paused her steps as she found the door to the study slightly open.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she hesitated to step forward. Instead, she peered into the study through the space.

"What do you mean?" Thalina whined, coming into view.

Elena's mouth dropped as she sighted Thalina, naked with a barely-there blanket wrapped just around her hips.

Why would Thalina be naked–?

"If you hadn't gone for that stupid bridal contest," Darius' voice interrupted her thoughts, "the accident would have killed your sister, and you would be my Luna by now,"

"The alpha king was searching for a bride! Of course, I had to go! It was my duty!"

"Duty? To whom?" Darius marched to Thalina. He had only his boxers on as he grabbed her chin, locking it in a possessive hold. "You belong to me! It was you I was supposed to marry." He growled.

"Not that wood!" He spat.

Elana's heart cut at the words he used to describe her. Still, she couldn't tear her gaze away from what she was seeing.

Thalina let out a giggle, her finger ran down Darius' bare chest, "Okay, I'm sorry," she said, "You already have me now. But, why did the accident fail?"

"It didn't," a smile spread through Darius' lips, "It achieved something even better."

"What do you mean?"

"When that woman was about to wake up from her coma, we put her back to sleep...and removed her womb,"

Shock sliced through Elana, her legs grew weak at the revelation. At the last second, Elana caught herself from staggering back as her hands went to lips.

"What? That's so evil!" Thalina gasped, her tone carrying excitement, "I love that. Serves her right."

"Sure you do," Darius turned away from her, "Now, she thinks every little pain she feels is a sign of pregnancy. Ha! That fool."

"Darry!" Thalina drawled, "I think it's time we frame her for something! I'm more than ready to be your lunal!"

Bang!

The door opened as Elana stepped in, her trembling hands on the door as tears ran down her face.

Thalina let out a gasp before fleeing to hide behind Darius while he stood there with his brow arched.

Locking gaze with him, Elana fought to read his eyes. There was no surprise or regret in them. Just cold eyes staring back at her.

"My accident last year..." Elana started, her voice low and shaky. "Was it planned?"

"What's this thing doing here?" Darius thundered, his eyes fixed on the door, "I said I didn't want to be disturbed!"

"I am your wife!" She roared, hitting her chest, "Tell me it isn't true? My baby..."

"What baby? You never had one!" He spat.

"You removed..." bile rose in her throat as she struggled to complete the words.

Shaking her head, she forced herself to continue, "No. During the accident, you said you didn't want to lose me..."

"Of course I did. Who else would handle all the work concerning the pack?"

"At least, that's one thing you're good for," he muttered.

"Thalina," she called, snapping her head at the coward that was still hiding behind her husband, "How could you? You're my sister, my...!"

"Don't blame her!" Darius cut in, coming to her rescue like the knight he could never be.

He never did that for her, not for all the years they had been together.

"Blame your father for pushing you to me,"

"Pushing?" Her eyes widened in disbelief, "Is that what you thought?"

"All this while, I have tolerated all the disrespect your pack has shown me..."

"Tolerate?" He tilted his head, his stare sharp, "You're an omega. What wolf would see you as a real Luna? You're nothing."

Anger shot through her whole being as she took a step forward, "Give me my womb...argh!" Elana staggered backwards, her hands going to her stomach, clutching it hard.

Fresh tears brimmed at the corner of her eyes as she cried, "Why does it hurt so much? Aggg!"

The pain was unbearable now.

"That's the aftermath of the procedure," Darius answered, a smile tugging at his lips, "You didn't heal properly, not that an omega would ever recover from that."

"You don't need a womb," he continued, walking towards his desk, "Thalina will bear my heir, not you."

"It's good things happened this way," He wore his trousers and shirt while Thalina had the decency to wear a robe.

Walking towards Thalina, he murmured, "I'm sorry, baby but I have to do this,"

Wide-eyed, she stared at him, "What-- thwack!"

Elana flinched at the sound, her eyes widening. Her husband smacked Thalina, whose head hit the floor with a thud, "I'm doing this for us," he pleaded.

"No," Thalina held up one hand while the other touched her cheek.

Glancing at Elana, she continued, her voice dark, "That won't be enough."

"What is this? Are you crazy?!" Elana screamed, "What kind of sick play is this?"

Thalina walked over to the desk and pulled out a knife, holding it towards Darius, "Use this instead. It's coated with silver,"

"This is madness," Elana muttered as she watched the scene before her.

"I can't hurt you," Darius shook his head, taking a step back.

"I will heal!" Thalina seethed, "I'm a better wolf than her,"

"Thalina, are really going this far?" Elana cut in.

"Oh shut it sister! I've had enough of your goody-too-shoes attitude. Watch," she grabbed and raised the knife, "This is your handiwork,"

She sliced through her arm, blood spilling out as she let out a scream.

"Guards!" Darius thundered.

In a flash, about three guards had entered the study.

"The Luna who was supposed to protect her pack has hurt one of her own. She's erratic and losing her mind. Arrest her!"

Immediately, the guards grabbed her arms roughly.

"How is that possible? The knife is in her damn hands," she screamed, looking up at them, "Do you really believe him?"

They made no move to let her go. Instead, their grip tightened, and their eyes were filled with disgust, and a bit of pleasure at her demise.

Suddenly, the veil of ignorance that had covered her eyes was removed. They never recognized her as their luna. She was so stupid to believe she could earn their love and respect.

Of course, no one was on her side.

Her knees buckled under her at the realization.

"Take her away," Darius commanded, "She will be severely punished,"

His words ignited another surge of anger within Elana as tears brimmed at the corner of her eyes.

"How could you do this to me, you bastard!" She thrashed against their hold. "I'll make you pay!"

Sending a glare towards Thalina, "You–arg!" Her words were cut short as pain sliced through her, forcing her to fold into herself.

"Argghhh!" She screamed as her vision blurred.

The guards dragged her away from the room as another pain hit her.

'Oh goddess! What was this pain?' she wondered as she lost consciousness.

ONE YEAR LATER

_Kuuf! Kuuf! _

Elana groaned as a dry cough wrecked her body, making her lean against the wall of the old restroom as she gathered her strength.

Raising her head, she took a look at herself in the mirror. Gone was the lively woman she once was.

Now, she was just a shell of her former self. Red eyes, thin face, sickly pale appearance- like a ghost.

Taking a napkin, she wiped her lips and stood straight. Glancing down at the napkin, she noticed red stains on it–blood.

'Whatever,' she thought as she crumpled it and trashed it. 'It didn't matter,'

For the past thirty minutes, she had been seated at the corner of a bar, watching Darius silently.

A smile tugged on her lips when she saw him gulp down his beer–the same beer she had poisoned earlier.

By now, his insides would be burning in excruciating pain.

She had slipped into the restroom, before she would mistakenly expose herself while other things were being set in motion.

A smile grew on her lips at the thought of Darius' destruction.

Finally, it was time for him to pay.

Slowly, she tugged the hem of her shirt down, adjusting it slightly.

A hiss escaped her lips as the cotton fabric moved against the scarred skin on her back–or what was left of it.

Opening the door, she made her way towards Darius, excited to see how miserable he would look.

Her brows twitched in pain when she had added more pressure to her leg as she walked. Sometimes, she forgot that she was limping now.

The bar was empty, his guards already distracted by the other things in play.

His fists were closed tightly on the table, his eyes closed as though he was trying to bear the pain.

"Still trying to act like the strong macho man you're not," she started.

His eyes snapped open, his gaze on her as she limped to the opposite end of his table, and sat on a chair.

"Elanaaa," he growled, his voice low and filled with pain.

Her smile grew wider, "How does it feel, Darius? Like your insides are melting?"

Without waiting for an answer, she continued, "Yeah, I made that specially for you,"

"What is this? How are you here?" he growled, turning his head to the side. His eyes grew wider at the empty bar.

"Whoops, did you just notice you were alone?" A giggle slipped out, "Your business partner won't be coming,"

"You–kuf," His words were cut short as he coughed up blood.

Elana's brows furrowed at the sight. The poison shouldn't be working that fast.

"So, all this was you?" Darius wiped his mouth, shaking his head, "Why?"

"Are you seriously asking me that?" She shot out, unhinged anger bursting within her, "That's just a taste of what you did to me."

"You had them flog me with a whip!" She sneered, her fist banging the table, "A whip with jagged edges as if I were some ordinary criminal!"

Her thoughts wandered back to the punishment Darius had given her that fateful day. Her hands went to her shoulder, "Even as I speak..." she continued, "I can feel my bones brushing against my shirt. After all, there's no skin on my back,"

An itchy feeling crept up on her wrist, causing her to look at it, "And then, there's this,"

With her left hand, she pushed the sleeves covering her right wrist back, revealing a deep red scarred mark, "It looks like a brand now,"

"I still can't believe you used melted silver on me," a chuckle left her lips, " This is a brand I'll never forget,"

"And yet, you're still alive," he gritted out, "So? Is this my punishment? Death?"

"Your death was sealed the moment you took my womb away from me," her hands touched her stomach.

"What you drank was a unique poison, that's why you couldn't smell it. Not even your healing abilities can save you."

"I guess you're satisfied then,"

"No, but watching you die slowly and have your pack, the pack I built up with my blood and sweat," she released a sigh before continuing, "watching it get destroyed...brings just a thin thread of satisfaction,"

"So, that's why you got down and dirty with the outcasts?"

Elana's eyes widened, her brows rising with shock, "How...?"

Clap. Clap. Clap.

"Oh honey!" A shrill voice came from the back of the bar, "Why did you have to spoil it so soon?"

Thalina stepped out, a sick smile on her face as she walked towards them.

"What's going on?" Elana muttered, her heart pounding at the scene before her.

Glancing at Darius, she saw that the pale, miserable look that covered his face was nowhere to be seen.

But that wasn't all. What held her attention was the small bump that Thalina cradled.

Was she preg–?

"I couldn't take it anymore," Darius spoke, his voice strong and steady as he wiped the blood off his lips with a paper napkin.

"Ketchup," he held up the napkin, "Never did like it! Ptueh" he spat, "but, my acting was good though, right?"

"What?"

Suddenly, guards dressed in black rushed in, but Darius raised his hand,"Leave this one, I'll handle her."

"How? We were careful..."

"Did you really think you could trust a group of outcasts, Elana? Your naivety doesn't seem to have an end," he chuckled as he stood to his feet.

Elan moved to stand, but her brows furrowed as she realized she couldn't move.

"Hahahahahaha!!!! Darius let out a deep laugh as Thalina came to stand beside him.

"Who was–?" Elana's question died in her throat as a familiar face trooped into the bar.

"Theo?"

What was the third-in-command of the outcast wolf forces doing here?

Shrugging, he kept his hands in his pocket as he smiled at her, "You didn't have enough money to convince me otherwise,"

"What about what you stand for? What about Ronan?" She looked sideways at the window where the wolves were supposed to be fighting Darius' guards "You looked up to him, how could you betray him?"

"Shut up!" Darius yelled as he marched towards her, grabbing her neck, "Did you really think that pathetic revenge scheme of yours could amount to anything?"

"If that coward hadn't snitched, you'd be in agony," she sneered.

Fury flashed in his eyes as he released his grip. Taking a step back, he raised his arm and backhanded her.

Elana flew backwards, her back crashing against the wall.

"Arg!" She groaned. With her elbows, she began crawling on the floor as pain wrecked through her body.

"Where do you think you're going?" Thalina screeched, smashing her heels against Elana's back

"Arrhhh! St-Stop!" Elana wailed.

"Yes, this is what I want to see," Thalina tilted her head, a crazy smile on her lips, "This is where you belong, flith!"

With her shoe, she smacked Elana's head against the floor, "Gosh! It's so disgusting to call you my sister,"

Slowly, Elana sat up, resting her bleeding back against the wall as she glared at Thalina, "I should be the one disgusted," she started, wiping off the blood spilling from her lips.

Her hands dropped to her thighs as strength left her body. "I'm the one that carried the burden of being called your sister,"

Bending at the waist, Thalina got closer to her face as she whispered, "Yeah, so what? It's all dear daddy's fault."

"Every fucking time, he looked at me with pitiful eyes. How dare he?" Raising her arm, she slapped Elana.

Elana's head snapped to the side, her cheek stinging with pain.

"He cared you, and this is the thanks he gets?"

"I didn't ask for that!" Thalina shouted as he straightened her posture, "That's why he had to go. Yeah, he was so pathetic, just like you are now..."

"What did you say?"

"That's right," Darius stepped in, grabbing Elana's chin, and forcing her to look at him, "Your old man had to go. Even after doing everything he wanted, he still wouldn't give up the map for the hidden alpha cove!"

"Th-That's why you did this?" Elana turned to look at Thalina, her eyes wide with unbelief.

"Hahahaha," laughter burst out of her lips, "Father never passed the map down. He died prematurely, remember?"

Shaking her head, she added, "My family's cove is lost, it no longer exists."

"Oh, but it does," Darius cut in, "We have already found it. We just need the key."

Elana read his eyes as he glared at her. It was clear to see what he wanted from her, but he would never get it.

With a weak smile, she spat, "Even if I had any idea where it was, I would never tell you,"

Darius grabbed her head and smacked it against the wall, turning her head to the side, "Look at that!"

He pointed to the side. Howls rang from outside the bar with some bodies laid on the floor.

"They are dead because of you. Because of your foolishness!"

Tears flooded the corner of her eyes as she recalled the people that had helped her, saved her in some ways. Her heart broke at the thought. She had led them here, convinced them that...

"Maybe next time," Darius continued, "don't bring people into your games. Oh wait, there won't be a next time, hahaha!"

Darius raised a dagger, "The key is a pint of your blood. Instead of us wasting time searching for you. You came to us,"

"You won't get away..." Elana muttered weakly.

"Oh honey, we already did!" Thalina cooed from the side.

"Ugh!" She gasped as Darius pierced her tummy, her vision turned blurry as the last of her strength left her.

After they were done, she collapsed on the floor, in the pool of her own blood.

"Burn this place down!" Darius ordered

Her last view was of them walking away. The flames of fire rose around as smoke filled the bar.

She had failed. She had failed again

"Oh fate!" She cried out weakly, "Look upon me with pity." She coughed up blood as she moved her fingers to the floor.

"If you hear this, help me. One more ..." she began drawing circles on the ground. The last teaching from her mentor flooded her mind.

"Punish them, let their souls be cursed. Let the cries of my unborn..kuf kuff!"

'Arooo!' Her wolf whined weakly inside her.

"M-Maris." Elana started, her voice growing weaker, "I was too weak. I couldn't avenge us."

"It's not over," Maris, her wolf, muttered.

"I'm sorry," Elana muttered as everything went black.

"Argghhh!" Elana writhed, her body convulsing as pain sliced through her nerves, jolting her awake.

Blinking away the blurriness from her vision, she focused on her environment.

White ceiling.

Kuf!' A dry cough tore from her throat, forcing her to sit up.

"There's no pain," she whispered, her hand flying to her chest.

Snapping her head up, she scanned her surroundings, "And there's no smoke!"

"This isn't the bar," her eyes widened as the realization hit her like a truck.

Scrunching her brows, she studied the familiar environment. "Isn't this...my bed?"

Her heart pounded as she slipped out of the bed and moved towards the vanity.

Stopping short, she glanced down at her legs. There was no pain in her joint or ankle– she wasn't limping.

In a rush, she ran to the long-standing mirror at the corner of the room.

"Impossible," her hands touched her face, pressing her cheeks. "I look younger!" She exclaimed.

But, there was one difference though.

Her brows furrowed as she touched her hair– there were silver streaks that lined her ash blonde hair.

"My back!" She gasped, heart pounding as her fingers went to the buttons of her nightshirt, fumbling with them.

In haste, she yanked the shirt down and turned around, her back facing the mirror.

Flesh! Her skin was in its best condition.

No burn marks. No bone peeking out. Nothing.

Slowly, her hands flew to her lips as she whispered, "I've been sent back to the past..."

"Maris?" She called to her wolf.

But there was no answer.

In the mirror's reflection, she caught sight of a thin, gold ring on her finger.

Shit! It was the ring Darius gave her during their mating ceremony. Damn it! She was already married.

"Ah!"

A familiar piercing pain shot through her stomach, causing her to stumble at her feet. Her hands reached for the vanity, steadying herself before she could collapse.

"No." Tears prickled at her eyes, "No no!" she cried.

Her hands went to her night shirt, as she ripped it open, exposing her breasts and abdomen.

Staring back at her was a finger-length scar across her belly button that would not disappear.

The mark of her accident. It still looked fresh, like it just began to heal.

That meant it wasn't long ago since Darius removed ...

Shaking her head, she pushed the thought away, her nails piercing her palm as she clenched her hand at her sides.

How dare he?

Hot anger surged within her as she adjusted her night shirt and stormed out of her room, her bare feet against the cold floor.

"Luna?" A voice called to her, but she was too lost in her anger to answer.

Where was he?

She snapped her head to the side, searching for him as rage blinded.

'Where the fuck was that animal?' She wondered as she strode across the passageway on the first floor.

The sound of laughter halted her footsteps, drawing her attention towards the sitting room below.

Her eyes widened at the sight before her.

Darius and Thalina.

He was seated close to her on the couch-too close. Their knees brushed, her hand resting on his thigh like it belonged there. His head tilted back in laughter, and Thalina giggled, fingers tracing the curve of his arm.

How could they flirt so openly? Had it always been this way?

Her hands went to her head as she fought to recall their past behaviors.

And why was Thalina still around? She should have gone to the North by now.

Or was it that she never did?

In her past life, it was Darius who told her that Thalina left while she was still recovering from her accident.

What if he lied then?

"Luna!" A voice hissed from behind.

Turning her head, she sighted her maid running towards her with a huge blanket in her hands.

"Dorothea..."

It was her maid she trusted, "You're still aliv..." the words caught in her throat as images of Dorothea's body flashed in her mind.

"Luna please, you're not dressed properly!" Dorothea whispered as she dropped the blanket over Elana's shoulder, covering her up.

"Oh no, luna. Have you been crying again?" Dorothea's hand cradled her face, "The alpha will surely come see you if you tell him that your stomach hurts again,"

"What? Oh..."

Then it dawned on her. In her past life she was a crybaby, still hoping for Darius' love and attention while she was cooped up in her room, struggling with the aftermath of the accident.

Meanwhile, here he was.

Turning her head, she looked down at the culprits as they continued giggling, oblivious to their environment.

"How foolish could you be, Elana?" She muttered under her breath, her hand gripping the staircase rail.

Fate had done her a favor, giving her another chance, and she was about to ruin it by confronting Darius. That snake would only deny it and declare her to be crazy.

Just like before.

"No, never again.." she shook her head.

This time had to be different.

"Did you say something, Luna?"

Turning around, she headed for her room.

"Dorothea, what day is it?" Elana asked as she entered her room.

"The-the eleventh,"

'There was still time,' she thought as she glanced at her calendar.

"Just two months after the accident,"

"Luna! Your hair! What did you do to it?" Dorothea exclaimed, closing the door behind her.

Ignoring her, Elana ordered, "Prepare my day outfit, Dorothea. Something simple. I'm going to see the Alpha."

"But you're not well enough!"

"Do it!" Elana ordered as she stepped into the bathroom.

Her memories of the past were still intact. Now, she was going to use it to her advantage.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-**-*-*-*-*-*

Bang!

The door of the second sitting room slammed open. Darius and Thalina had changed locations in the few minutes she had taken to prepare.

Darius's glare was already on her as she stepped inside.

"What are you doing, Elana?" Darius thundered, his jaw tight, "Have you no respect?"

"Hello, dear sister," Thalina waved, perched on the table where Darius was seated; her back turned to Elana.

"Shouldn't that be directed at Thalina?" Elana asked, her voice cool, "It's disrespectful to remain seated while I'm in the room,"

"Oh!" Thalina's cheeky grew red at the correction, "I didn't ..."

"I told her not to stand for anyone," Darius cut in, his hand shooting out to grab Thalina's wrist, stopping her from standing up.

"Besides, I'm the one with the highest authority here,"

"Is that what you're here to say?" he added, a growl in his voice.

Closing her eyes, Elana released a deep breath as she calmed herself. If she was going to do this. She had to do this well.

"I need to talk to you," she started as she opened her eyes, "Alone,"

Darius glanced at Thalina, "Whatever you have to say, you can say it in front of Thally. She's your sister after all."

Thally?

Elana pressed her lips together before a scoff escaped. Pinching her palm to keep herself from reacting, she forced her face to remain neutral.

"I'm sick, Darius..." she started, her voice low, almost pleading.

He rolled his eyes before she could continue, "Look, you're not pregnant, okay?"

"I'm not saying that. I've been working alot. And after my accident, I just..." her voice broke as she wiped an imaginary tear off the corner of her eyes.

"I need a break. To recover. I'll be leaving for the Crompton cabin at the Southern edge,"

His eyes narrowed, "You have duties..."

"I'm already ahead of them," she countered.

Luckily, in her past, she had thrown herself into work as a means to forget the burning pain in her stomach.

After all, it was his suggestion to overwork herself. Who knew it would pay off this soon?

"I want to make a proper recovery to do my duties as a Luna perfectly well."

His eyes narrowed as he studied her, "How long is the break?"

"Darius!" Thalina exclaimed, her voice laced with shock that he agreed.

"Shush!"

"Three months should be long enough," she muttered as she rubbed her stomach.

Darius' gaze followed her hands before snapping to the side.

Hm. At least, he had the sense to look guilty. Even though it lasted for a second.

"Fine. But I can't have any guards go with you. Just take your maid. "

"Of course,"

His eyes widened in surprise. He looked shocked that she didn't argue.

"I'll be leaving now," she turned and walked out from the study without a glance to her sister.

Who cared about his guards? They would only spy on her and report back. With this, she had the privacy she needed.

Three months was more than enough to set everything in place.

This time, she would use everything and everyone for her goal. This time she would be very patient. This time, she would watch them burn and lose everything, just like they did to her.

-- Two and a half months later ---

"Thea, stay behind me," Elana orders.

Dorothea shuffled on her feet, as she wrung her hands together and scanned the bar they had entered.

The bar was somewhat scanty with a few people around. And for good reason.

Leaving Dorothea at ground level, Elana made her way upstairs, towards a quiet section of the bar.

Based on what she had heard from someone in her previous life, her target would be seated at the corner, slowly sipping a beer as though he had no care in the world.

Only those with sharp senses or foreknowledge could tell the true identity of the person she was going to meet.

And there he was, just as she had heard.

As she took a step closer, some male wolves appeared by the corner. One of them clutched his sword that was tucked in his belt. His eyes glowed yellow- a warning to her.

Raising her chin, she walked on, ignoring them as they zeroed in on her every move.

Her heart pounded loudly in her chest as she reached talking distance of her target. Grabbing the hem of her ankle length skirt, she lowered herself, giving a polite curtsey as she bent her knees.

"Greetings, your majesty," she started, her heart in her throat, but her voice steady as she waited for his response.