Episode 109 – The Crescent Moon Threat
Crystal entered her room without making a sound.
She closed the door carefully.
Turned the key.
She stood still for a few seconds, listening.
Nothing.
No footsteps.
No sign that Bruno was nearby.
Only then did she take out the transmitter.
She activated it.
A faint pulse ran through the device, and in front of her, the air began to distort until it formed an unstable hologram. The figure of the patriarch appeared little by little. Fragmented. Interrupted by the signal. Behind him, shadows, old wood, and the constant sound of wind hitting something metallic.
Frenchies Island.
Isolated. Distant. Untouchable.
Crystal stood firm.
She knew perfectly well that this communication was not for good news.
"You've talked enough."
The patriarch's voice cut off any attempt before it could begin.
Deep. Heavy. Irritated.
"I'm not interested in your excuses."
Crystal lowered her gaze slightly.
Not out of submission.
Out of calculation.
"Your performance has been… disappointing."
A brief silence.
The kind of silence that doesn't leave room but tightens.
"You were given a simple task," he continued. "Get close to Titus. Bond with him. Bring him into the Two Moons Clan."
The image glitched for a second.
When it returned, his eyes were closer.
"And instead… now there are others."
Crystal slowly clenched her fingers behind her back.
"Others who shouldn't be there," he said. "Others who are advancing faster than you."
Silence.
"Do you know what that means?"
She didn't answer.
It wasn't a question.
"It means you are losing."
The wind slipped into the transmission. A dry thud. Metal against metal.
"And we do not tolerate losses."
Crystal took a deep breath.
"Patriarch, I—"
"Shut up."
The word landed like a direct blow.
Dry.
Without raised voice.
Worse that way.
"You are not in a position to speak."
The signal vibrated slightly, as if something had struck near the device.
"You were given clear instructions from the start.
Any problem… is eliminated."
Crystal raised her gaze, just barely.
Her eyes didn't tremble.
But something inside did.
"Then tell me," he continued. "What are you waiting for?"
Silence.
Longer.
Heavier.
"Does your brother know anything?"
The question came without warning.
Like a clean stab.
"No," she replied.
"Is he suspicious?"
"No."
The patriarch watched her for a few seconds.
Too many.
As if trying to see through the screen… and through her.
"Good.
That means you haven't failed completely yet.
But you are close."
The wind roared again behind him.
"And you already know what happens when someone fails."
Crystal didn't answer.
There was no need.
"I won't repeat myself.
Fix this.
Or you will become part of the problem."
The connection cut off.
Silence.
Real.
Heavy.
Crystal remained motionless for a few more seconds.
Then she closed her eyes.
She didn't cry.
She didn't hesitate.
She only thought.
And this time… she didn't think like a sister.
"Give me your report."
Crystal lowered her head slightly.
"The Duchess… is at the academy."
The patriarch was silent for a second.
"What is the Duchess doing there?"
Crystal pressed her lips together.
"That's not the worst part.
She is preparing a wedding with Titus."
The patriarch's face changed immediately.
"A wedding?
What do you mean, a wedding?"
The air seemed to tighten.
"You were supposed to be the only one to marry him… you.
Is the Duchess preparing a wedding with her daughter?"
His tone was no longer just anger.
It was fury.
"What the hell are you doing?
Don't you understand anything you've been taught?
Anything we've planned for years?
And you haven't been able to follow a single instruction to the letter?"
The patriarch stepped forward in the hologram.
"This is unacceptable.
I'm going to have to send someone else to you.
Someone who can follow the plan."
Crystal lifted her gaze.
"No. Don't send anyone."
"Yes. I am going to send someone.
One of my best men.
One of my best spies, to help you."
Crystal tensed her face.
"You are not sending Crescent Moon here."
The patriarch stared at her.
"Exactly.
I am sending your cousin, Crescent Moon."
Crystal stepped forward.
"No.
No, not her.
Anyone… but not her."
The patriarch's expression didn't change.
"I'm not asking you here.
I'm only telling you what is going to happen.
If you don't want her to arrive…
Do everything you were supposed to do."
Silence.
"You have one week."
Crystal fell to her knees.
Her hands flat on the floor.
"My lord… my lord patriarch… grandfather…"
She breathed.
"I have an idea."
The patriarch watched her in silence.
"Speak."
Crystal lifted her gaze a little.
"He doesn't understand the difference.
For him, this is just a marriage engagement.
He gets married… and thinks everything stays the same.
He's a child.
A child who obeys everything he's told."
Her voice remained steady.
"Even if he marries the sons… or the daughter of the Duchess… that changes nothing."
Silence.
"After that…
We eliminate the Duchess.
We eliminate her descendants."
Pause.
"Only we remain.
Only our bloodline.
For eternity, our clan will be the kings…
Or queens."
Forever.
The patriarch nodded slowly.
Very slowly.
"Very well…
I like your plan.
Make sure you follow it to the letter.
And make sure… that Titus… comes to the island.
It is… the only solution… you have."
Total silence.
"We will… stay in touch."
The transmission ended.
Crystal remained silent for a few seconds.
Then she stood up.
She went to the mirror in her room.
She looked at herself.
"That old man isn't going to get his way."
Pause.
"The throne belongs to me.
Only to me."
Her gaze didn't change.
Not a tremor.
Not a blink.
"And when I am queen…"
Another pause.
Slower.
Deeper.
"The first thing I will do…
is eliminate that old man."
Crystal didn't look away from the mirror.
She raised her chin just a millimeter.
As if she were already wearing the crown.
With a malicious smile, Crystal took out her smartphone.
She searched for Titus's contact.
She had him in favorites, marked with a heart.
She called him.
The phone rang several times.
Until he answered.
"Yes?"
Crystal's voice changed instantly.
Sweet.
Soft.
Almost hypnotic.
"Titus… I want to see you."
Pause.
"I miss you."
"Can you come to my house?"
On the other end, Titus replied:
"I can't today."
Another pause.
"Tomorrow, if you want, after school.
I'm very busy with personal matters."
Crystal insisted, keeping the honey in her voice:
"But, Titus… I want to see you."
"Crystal, I just told you."
A brief, tense silence.
"Tomorrow I'll give you the whole afternoon, if you want."
Crystal breathed slowly.
"Ok…" she said. "Tomorrow, then."
Pause.
"A kiss.
I love you."
On the other end, Titus hesitated.
He stammered just a little.
"I… you too."
The call ended.
Crystal looked at the phone.
And threw it against the floor.
The device shattered.
"Stupid."
Rage broke her voice.
"You're going to pay for this."
Pause.
"All this contempt… you're going to pay for it.
You're going to beg for forgiveness on your knees."
She stepped forward and pressed a bell.
The butler arrived immediately.
"Yes, my lady."
Crystal looked at him with impeccable coldness.
"Get me another phone. Now.
Mine just broke."
"Yes, my lady.
Give me a couple of hours and I will bring you your phone."
Crystal frowned.
"I didn't say a couple of hours.
I said I want it now."
"Yes, my lady.
I will do it as quickly as possible."
Pause.
"Anything else I can help you with?"
"No.
You may leave."