Chapter 93: Fragile Like Glass
Lily winced as she lifted another heavy box, the weight pulling at her bandaged arms. The packhouse buzzed with activity as servants rushed back and forth, carrying furniture and belongings to be transported to the new packhouse.
“Luna Lily, please,” a young servant girl pleaded, reaching for the box in Lily’s arms. “You shouldn’t be straining yourself. Your wounds...”
Lily shook her head firmly and stepped away from the girl’s outstretched hands. She shifted the weight of the box to give her aching arms some relief. The bandages wrapped around her forearms were visible beneath her rolled-up sleeves, some spots tinged faintly red where wounds had reopened during her work.
Martha appeared from inside the house, wiping her hands on her apron. Her eyes narrowed when she spotted Lily struggling with the heavy box.
“For Moon’s sake, Luna Lily! What did I tell you about lifting the heavy ones?” Martha scolded, rushing over. “You’re still healing!”
Lily’s jaw clenched stubbornly. She carefully set the box down to free her hands, signing quickly. ‘I am the Luna. This is my responsibility.’
Martha’s expression softened. “Being Luna doesn’t mean overworking yourself either. There are plenty of strong hands here to do the heavy lifting.”
‘I need to do this,’ Lily signed, eyes filled with determination. ‘I need to show them I’m not useless.’
Lily picked the box back up and walked confidently to where the boxes were to be stored. The bandages on her chest felt tight against her skin. She wouldn’t let pain stop her from fulfilling her duties.
Not now, not ever.
She put the box down carefully before re-entering the packhouse to pick up another one. As she approached the doorway while holding a box, a flash of movement caught her eye. Before she could react, someone’s shoulder slammed into Lily.
She lost her balance. The box in her hands fell, crashing onto the floor with a deafening shatter. Glass shards exploded across the marble tiles, glittering like deadly stars in the morning light.