My Marked Luna (Apphia and Nicholas) novel Chapter 32

“I don’t have money to buy jewelry, Lily,”

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Apphia, you don’t need to worry about money hereafter,”

“I do, actually. I need to find a job to make my own money. I don’t want to depend on anyone,

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“I say.

Lily sighs, looking annoyed. ” Apphia, you are our responsibility, and we shall take care of all your needs.

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I appreciate that, but I would like a job. I’ve told you this before,” I tell her calmly.

“We’ll discuss that later. For now, everyone is waiting for us to start dinner,” Lily dismisses the topic quickly.

We leave the bedroom and head downstairs. My heartbeat is racing with every step I take.

“Nervous?”

“Uhm,”

“Breathe in and out. Don’t worry about trying hard to make a good impression or things like that; just be yourself.”

Lily opens the double doors that lead to the dining room, and I follow her in. The dining room is warm and lovely. A large chandelier hangs over the rectangular marble dining table. Leondre is at the head, his wife is at his right hand, and Nicholas is at the other end.

Everyone I met today is seated, too, conversing. They all look proper. I’m flustered.

Nicholas is the first one to notice us. He gets to his feet immediately and walks to me. The burning in his gaze makes me shiver to the bone. He extends his long hand, and I reluctantly take it. I feel the spark with him again, going down to my stomach. He pulls a chair out for me to sit beside him.

“I’m sorry. I hate being late,” I apologize, my voice quiet and nervous.

“You could be as late as you want. I’ll always wait for you,” he says, looking at me intensely. His words sound like a promise he’ll hold on to. Goosebumps rise on my skin, and my heartbeat picks up. I’m the first to break eye contact.

Drake smiles charmingly at me. He’s sitting directly across from me. I smile back, but he wilts. I follow his gaze and notice Nicholas is glaring at him. Why is he suddenly antagonistic to his Gamma?

A line of servants walks in, carrying trays of plates. They are all dressed in similar uniforms: white smart shirts and black pants.

They put plates in front of us. It smells delicious.

The dinner is pleasant. The sound of laughter filling the walls makes my heart warm—I’ve never experienced it before. They are talking about a game they recently watched and making bets. Everyone is amiable and loving, occasionally bickering with each other. This family is perfect–the picture–perfect

kind.

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Chapter 32

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After our dessert bowls are cleared away, Emiliana insists on giving me a tour of the castle. Nicholas. frowns at his little sister after her suggestion; however, oblivious to her brother, Emiliana rises and grins.

“Let’s go, Apphia,”

“Excuse me,” I say, following Emiliana out of the dining room.

The castle is magnificent, and I marvel at it. Learning my way around will likely take me months. It has four floors, and the royal family occupies the top floor. Then the beta and gamma take the third floor.

“How many rooms do you have in the castle?” I ask as we make another turn across the broad corridor. My legs hurt already.

“I’m not sure, but there are over two hundred, including royal guest bedrooms, three penthouses, offices, conference rooms, ballrooms, recreation areas, and a library. We even have a spa, cinema room, three gyms, and an indoor pool on the third floor,‘

“A library?” I mutter.

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