Rebirth Of The Rejected Luna Chapter 65: Women Of Noble Houses 2

**Theo’s POV**

Her eyes locked with mine for a split second before returning to the tablecloth. She let out a nervous laugh that sounded more like a squeak. "I… guess so."

I became silent after that, drumming my fingers on the table while watching her squirm under my gaze.

"Tell me," I said after a moment, "how do you envision your future as a Luna?"

Her head snapped up, panic flashing across her face. "M-Me? A Luna?"

"Yes," I replied. "Surely you’ve thought about it. If you’re sitting here, I assume you know the purpose of the days and in case you are chosen, you’re prepared for what it entails. The responsibilities that come with the position…"

She opened her mouth to respond but closed it again. Her hands twisted in her lap, and I could practically hear her thoughts scrambling for a coherent answer.

"I… I think… I mean, I will try my best," she finally whispered.

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table. "Trying isn’t enough, Lydia. A Luna must lead with confidence. Can you do that?"

Her breathing quickened, and for a moment, I thought she might burst into tears. "I… I don’t know," she mumbled.

"Honesty," I said, leaning back in my chair. "It’s a start."

The door opened before she could respond, and Peter stepped inside, "The time assigned for this is over. You have a ten-minute break, Theo."

"It seems our time is up," I said, rising from my seat. Lydia looked both relieved and devastated.

I gave a sigh of relief and decided to take a small walk to stretch my legs. Only two dates in, and I was already done with this nonsense.

The guards of course had to accompany me per my father's instructions which was annoying.

"How did the dates go?"

"The first one is too bubbly and unnecessarily enthusiastic," I rolled my eyes. "She was trying too hard."

"And this one? She looked scared like a mouse, what'd you say to her?" He asked with a grin.

"Nothing actually. She's naturally shy and I just asked a few questions..."

"And embarrassed her?"

"Not exactly," I smiled wryly and narrated how I had asked how she grew her roses.

"You are not nice," Peter grinned.

"I believe it is time to return to the dining area, Your Majesty," a guard said. "Lady Vanessa would be waiting."

"Right?" I sighed, rolling my eyes and then walked briskly back to the dining.

I should have known this wasn’t going to be a simple date when I entered the room to find the woman already halfway through a glass of wine. She was leaning back in her chair, one leg crossed over the other, with a confidence that practically screamed, "I own this place."

"Ah, Your Majesty!" she exclaimed, her voice loud enough to echo in the room. She didn’t bother standing. Instead, she gestured dramatically to the seat opposite her. "Come, sit. Let’s not waste any time."

I arched my brow, fighting the urge not to call her out on her rude and too-forward behavior as I took my seat. "Lady Vanessa, I presume?"

She grinned, flashing teeth so perfect they could’ve been carved by a sculptor. "Indeed. Though I prefer just Vanessa. There is no need for formalities between us. After all, we’re here to bond."

Bond. Right. This was going to be interesting.

"Tell me, Your Majesty," she began, swirling her wine in the glass. "What do you look for in a Luna?"

I blinked, caught off guard by her forwardness. I was certain this was the way Lydia felt when I asked her about being Luna. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," she said, leaning forward and staring at me in a way that was slightly terrifying. "What qualities are you seeking in a mate? Leadership? Intelligence? Beauty? Or perhaps…" She paused, lowering her voice dramatically. "Loyalty?"

I suppressed a smirk. "I’d say all of the above would be ideal."

Her grin widened, and she clapped her hands together. "Wonderful! Because I happen to possess all of those qualities."

"Do you know?" I asked, leaning back in my chair. "That’s quite the claim."

"Oh, it’s not a claim, Your Majesty. It is a fact." She said with a very confident smile. "I’ve managed my father’s estate since I was fourteen years of age. I have also negotiated trade deals that doubled our profits. I never stay idle."

I raised an eyebrow. "Impressive. And yet, here you are, at a matchmaking lunch."

She waved a dismissive hand. "Well, even the most accomplished women need a partner, don’t they? Besides, I figured you could use someone who can match your energy. A true power couple."

Power couple. She said it like we were discussing a business merger.

"Tell me, Vanessa," I said, "what do you enjoy doing in your free time?"

She laughed. "Free time? Oh, Your Majesty, when you’re as ambitious as I am, there’s no such thing as free time. Every time is an opportunity to achieve something great."

"Sounds… exhausting."

"Not at all!" she said. "There's a thrill I derive from it. For example, just last week, I drafted a proposal for a new trade route that would revolutionize commerce in our region. I could share it with you if you’d like."

I stared at her, unsure whether to be amused or horrified. "We’re at lunch, Vanessa, not a council meeting."

"Exactly!" she said, her enthusiasm undeterred. "And what better way to get to know each other than discussing strategy? I’ve even drafted some ideas for improving border security. Shall I fetch them?"

Before I could respond, she was already rummaging through a satchel she had hidden under the table.

"Vanessa," I said firmly, "this isn’t the time for policy discussions."

She paused, looking genuinely confused. "But isn’t that what you need in a Luna? Someone who can think ahead, plan, and execute? Imagine the legacy we could build together!"

I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to suppress a chuckle. "I appreciate your enthusiasm, truly. But I’d also like to know who you are beyond the strategies and policies."

She leaned back, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Ah, I see what you’re doing. You’re testing me. Very well, Your Majesty, I’ll play along."

"Testing you?”