Chapter 54. That Young Man Was Me

Anastasia's POV

"She's a thief and a fugitive from my kingdom Moongrave, Majesty. My father, King Richard, sent a communication to your kingdom last month about our fugitive," Raven remarks haughtily. "Unfortunately, she somehow managed to slip through unnoticed and enter your kingdom's tournament, to try to become Luna queen." Each word from Raven is a blow, a stab in my already torn heart. I feel the king's gaze cross mine, his arms crossed in front of his body, the muscles of his arms tense and bulky, displaying his strength and authority.

My body visibly trembles, and my sweaty hands clench into fists at my side. I try to gather the courage to speak, to defend myself, but the words seem to escape my mind, leaving me only with suffocating panic. Tears silently stream down my face, and I feel like I'm on the edge of a precipice, about to be pushed into the abyss.

"Is there evidence that she stole from you? What ex