The Sickened Luna's Last Chance novel Chapter 410

**The Perfect 410**

**Chapter 410**

Alexander blinked, his gaze momentarily lost in thought before he managed to clear his expression, a faint smile emerging on his lips. Yet, there was an unmistakable pallor to his complexion, a drawn look that suggested he had spent the night wrestling with his thoughts, perhaps even his demons.

“Good morning,” he greeted softly. “Breakfast?”

I stole a glance at the spread laid out on the table, but an instinctual urge to distance myself from him surged within me, especially after witnessing the way he had looked at Lucien moments before. Thinking on my feet, I replied, “Actually, I was hoping to visit Anya’s new family cottage this morning to try on my wedding dress. I thought it would be nice to bring Lucien along.”

His expression shifted slightly, as if he understood the unspoken implications of my words. “Oh,” he said, a hint of relief in his voice. “Right. That sounds like a good plan.”

Nodding, I turned on my heel and made my way out, pausing in the hallway to bundle up Lucien in his warm jacket. A short while later, I found myself walking towards the quaint, picturesque cottage nestled at the edge of the estate grounds. The morning air was crisp, and wisps of smoke curled lazily from the chimney, mingling with the sounds of laughter that floated through the air.

I entered without knocking, immediately enveloped by the warm, inviting aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sweet cinnamon rolls. Anya dashed toward me, her face lighting up with joy as she enveloped me in a tight embrace. “Ella! You made it just in time! Come in and grab a cinnamon roll. My dad baked them this morning!”

With a smile tugging at my lips, I followed her into the kitchen, where her parents and brother were gathered around the table, their conversation flowing effortlessly. They barely paused to acknowledge my arrival, simply sliding coffee and plates of food in my direction. Anya’s mother scooped Lucien into her arms, bouncing him gently on her knee while letting him taste the sweet glaze from her fingertip.

For those fleeting moments, a sense of normalcy washed over me. We shared breakfast, exchanging light-hearted banter about the mundane aspects of life—no talk of curses, conspiracies, or the weight of life and death. Afterward, Anya led me to her room, which was still a work in progress, and unveiled my half-finished wedding gown.

“It fits like a glove, Anya!” I gasped, turning to admire my reflection in the mirror. The silk caressed my waist, flaring beautifully around my hips, and I felt a wave of emotion wash over me. “It’s absolutely stunning. Just what I envisioned.” Tears glistened in my eyes. “Thank you so much.”

Anya’s face lit up with pride. “I think I’ll want to make a few more adjustments, and I haven’t even started on the beading yet,” she said, carefully helping me out of the gown. “There’s still a long way to go before it’s truly finished, but I’m relieved it fits you so well.”

“I could wear it right now and be completely happy,” I replied, a smile breaking through my worry.

When I finished, her brow was furrowed in thought, and she settled onto the edge of the bed beside me.

“Interesting… Have you ever heard of the Viridian Crystal?” she asked, her voice laced with intrigue. I shook my head, and she continued, “Some say this rare crystal has the power to cleanse any dark energy. There’s only one in the entire world.”

“Oh, Mama, that’s just a fairy tale!” Anya interjected, rolling her eyes.

“Stories don’t emerge from thin air,” her mother countered, wagging her finger playfully. “You never know what truth lies within them!”

Anya groaned, but I felt a spark of curiosity ignite within me at her mother’s words.

“The Viridian Crystal,” I echoed, turning my attention to Anya’s mother. “What more can you tell me about it?”