Moon's Embrace

Eve sat in the princess seat and looked down at the unopened book on the table in front of her. The tutor had said that she should turn the pages so they can begin but Eve would not comply. She could not help but think about what he said earlier and it made her upset. If not for Isabel, all she wanted to do at the moment was get up and walk out through the door then changing into her simple cloth and sitting on the hill. But that can't happen.

"Princess?" Moon called her attention from where he was and then asked, "are you not feeling well today?"

Eve looked up and stared right ahead of her.

He spoke again, "We can continue tomorrow if you need to rest."

"I'm fine," Eve said. "Shall we begin now?"

She turned the pages of the book and the lesson started. As Moon taught and explained, Eve started to zone out until the words the tutor spoke were like bare whispers to her ears. Her thoughts were not about herself this time but they were about Maidservant Ann. It has been two days now that she barely stepped out of her room and would not see anyone. It was very unusual for her to stay indoors. Even the times she was ill, she would still walk out and about the house, inspecting and making sure everything was in order.

What could be wrong with her?

Moon, who had been teaching all along, got to a part where he asked a question and was answered with silence. He softly sighed and closed the book before bringing his hand down to rest on his knee.

"Is my teaching not to your liking?"

Eve blinked away from her thoughts and moved her eyes to look at the tutor through the covering. She couldn't tell what his expression was, but from the way he asked, it seemed as though he was a little upset.

"You are barely paying any attention and I don't see any more thing I can do to keep you focused. Why don't we call it a day today?"

Eve could hear the sound of clothes ruffling and she saw the tutor trying to get up to leave. She pulled her brows and questioned him, "Are you going to walk out when the lesson has not ended?"

Moon who had his back was pushed up as he was about to start leaving, stopped and furrowed his brows before sitting back down. He let out a soft sigh again and said, "What can I do when my student is not responsive?"

"Isn't it your duty to make sure your student is focused? Or are you lacking in what it takes to be a teacher?" Eve fired back without thinking about the actions of her words.

Silence fell in the room and Eve felt a little bit of tension surrounding them.

Moon didn't expect the princess to speak to him in such a manner and he lowered his eyes, thinking about what he did wrong to have made her upset.

"May I ask why the princess is acting this way towards me?" he decided to ask. "We had our first lessons and I even spoke to you as I walked you home because I want us to have a good relationship so why are you doing this? If you don't like my teaching then tell me where to adjust."

"No," Eve said as if she was speaking to herself, "I hate it." The skin on her forehead crumbled as she said, "I hate that I am doing this. These teachings about how to live my life, I hate them all. Is the princess life much better than a servant's? Why would I leave here and be back in another cage again? Do I not have at least one chance to decide how I live? It's just too suffocating…and unreasonable."

She brought her hand up to wipe the tear that had escaped from her eye and she breathed slowly to calm her nerves. She didn't know when she overreacted, but she felt she needed it. There are things that are being done that she doesn't consent to but has no say in them all because she has been reduced to a servant. It isn't fair that Isabel was making her do this and she was right by saying the princess life isn't much better than a servant's. With everything she has learned from the former governess and what the new tutor would teach again, it made Eve realize how hard it is being a royal daughter. She would never choose this kind of life where you have to play by what the book is saying. All Eve wanted was a normal life, with normal people regardless of class or standards. It was why she feels for Jomei every time she sees him chasing after what he can't have.

In here, love isn't what defines who you are and who you can be…it's a book…old traditions passed down from generations after generations and yes, she hates it so much that people don't get to have a chance to live the way they want. Even the princess hardly sees her own father. Then where is the love?

"Teacher," Eve called softly and asked, "can I ask a question?"

Moon who had not said a single word for a while now finally found his voice and he responded, "Please, ask."

"Why did you choose to come here? Seeing how good you are, you could have taught in any other place. Was it a choice you had or was it unavoidable?"

Seconds passed and when Moon would not give an answer, Eve said, "Then you shouldn't go about telling people they had a choice, because a lot never had one after it was taken from them."

Eve exited the room and Mina when Mina who had waited for her outside saw her, she hurried towards her and stopped. Sensing her mood, she looked at the back and returned her eyes to her. "Did something happen in there?" she asked, curious.

Eve heaved a sigh and nod her head as she said, "Mina, this is the last time."

"Huh?" Mina raised her brows and then raised her eyes immediately. "A-are you sure? This is really the last time?" she asked, a little excitement in her voice as they now walked.

"Yes," Eve said, determined.