Always
by Afuhfuihgs
Time flowed, and finally, the day of the new Emperor’s enthronement ceremony arrived. Today, the capital was transformed into a city solely for the enthronement ceremony. Accommodation in the capital was fully booked for two weeks, with countless people from all over the continent filling the city, and the roads were packed with endless crowds.
As it was a glorious and monumental day for the enthronement of the new Emperor, the festive atmosphere was in full swing. The sweet smell of spices and the aroma of soy sauce and fried food caught the attention of passersby, and the newly painted buildings and the magical decorations for the enthronement ceremony made the streets look completely different from just a week ago.
All those with noble status gathered in the capital. Naturally, Luna’s family also came to the capital for the enthronement ceremony. It was impossible for a great noble from the East to be absent from the new Emperor’s enthronement ceremony.
I had a light meal with Luna’s family, who had come to the capital, before the enthronement ceremony. Luna’s brothers still guarded me with fierce eyes. Fortunately, I had made a good impression on Luna’s parents during the last incident, so the meal wasn’t uncomfortable.
Then, we headed to the entrance of the Imperial Palace to watch the enthronement procession. As befitting a great noble from the East, we had a designated viewing area. Everyone seemed excited with anticipation for the new Emperor.
Finally, as magical fireworks rained down colorful flower petals over the Imperial Palace, the tightly closed gates of the Imperial Palace opened.
Starting with the Imperial Knights on horseback, dancers danced on a giant platform floating in the air with magic, and Imperial magicians appeared, waving ornate staffs and scattering golden powder.
As if representing the prestige of the Empire, all sorts of rare animals and giant structures, and a splendid procession using artifacts continued, and finally, the new Emperor Bella appeared on a magnificent golden palanquin.
She looked just like the beautiful doll I had seen before. People were mesmerized by Bella’s gorgeously adorned beauty and stared blankly before belatedly coming to their senses and shouting cheers to announce the beginning of the new Emperor.
As the Emperor’s palanquin passed in front of us, Bella turned her head and glanced at us for a moment before turning her head again. As the palanquin moved away, Ruinen patted my shoulder with a happy smile. It seemed he thought that the reason Bella deliberately turned her head during the procession was because of me.
After all the processions ended, a festival commemorating the enthronement ceremony was held. Fireworks exploded everywhere, and magic soared into the sky. The local nobles, who had gathered in the capital after a long time, scattered to have secret talks with those they knew, and nobles flocked endlessly to forge ties with the Grace family, a great noble family from the East.
Before the streets became more crowded, Luna and I returned to the Academy. Thanks to Kane being holed up in the alchemy workshop making magic stone bombs, only Luna and I were in the club room.
As I pulled Luna, who naturally snuggled up to me on the sofa, into my arms, Luna, as if it were natural, kissed me and continued the kiss for a while before parting her lips and saying.
,My mother told me to go home together today. She wants us to be with family until the end of the vacation. Since we’ll be separated again when the opening ceremony is held, I think she wants to spend time together.”
Perhaps I made a disappointed expression at those words, as a faint smile appeared around Luna’s lips and eyes as she looked at my face.
,You’re still sad even though we’ve been together all this time?”
,Of course. I don’t want to be apart even for a little bit.”
As I said that and hugged Luna tightly as if pressing my whole body against hers, Luna, who let out a soft moan, brushed my bangs back and kissed my forehead.
,Me too. That’s why I promised to take the last portal back, to be with Ross even for a little longer.”
The feeling of experiencing joy and sadness at the same time was truly strange. I buried my face in Luna’s fair neck as if trying not to forget her warmth and said.
,How about going tomorrow instead? The night is dangerous.”
,Then I won’t go back tomorrow either, because I don’t want to be separated from Ross, so I’ll just make up some reason, so no.”
It was such a realistic answer that I couldn’t help but laugh and say.
,I’m confident I can be persuaded by any reason.”
,That’s why I said no.”
Luna, with a playful smile, slowly stroked my face as if handling a precious object and said.
,My parents know that a vigilante group called Lily has appeared in the capital. That’s why they’re even more worried. They’re worried that something dangerous might happen to me.”
At Luna’s words, I frowned slightly and said.
,They say Lily only targets bad people.”
With Modest’s help, rumors quickly spread that all those killed by Lily were villains. Because Modest had secretly planted the evidence he had collected near the bodies, those with connections to the Imperial investigation team knew that the rumors were true.
Luna brought her face closer to me instead of answering. Sweet breaths mingled. As I was about to lean in for another kiss, Luna gently pushed my shoulder and said.
,I’m not a good person either.”
,…You?”
The kindest person I know is Luna. But she says she’s not a good person, I tilted my head at the incomprehensible words, and Luna, who blinked her eyes cutely, touched my lips with her finger and opened her mouth.
,I’m only nice to Ross.”
,…Well, that’s enough.”
If that’s the case, then I acknowledge it. It’s enough if she’s only nice to me. Luna is mine, and I can be infinitely kind to Luna, except for the nights when it’s just the two of us.
Luna, who was tracing the lines of my face with her fingertips, blinked her big eyes and met my gaze before saying.
,I know that Ross’s activities as Lily are necessary. But more than anything, I don’t want Ross to get hurt or have a hard time. I don’t want you to overdo it, and I don’t want you to be sad.”
I raised my hand, clasped Luna’s hand, and said forcefully.
,I’m okay. I really am.”
It’s for our happiness. Killing villains every day for that is not difficult at all. If I could see Luna’s happy smile, everything would be okay.
But it seems my answer didn’t completely erase Luna’s worries. Luna looked at me with a serious face, as if making a vow, and said.
,The words that I’m only nice to Ross are sincere. I’m going to act that way from now on. Even if everyone in the world turns their backs on Ross… Even if Ross makes the wrong choices, makes mistakes, or fails, I’ll always be on Ross’s side.”
These aren’t just words spoken in a drunken stupor of love. The sincerity in Luna’s eyes makes me feel vividly that those words are completely sincere. So, I inadvertently gave a stupid answer.
,You can’t possibly know what I’m thinking like Bella, can you?”
Luna blinked at the out-of-context words. I narrowed my eyes suspiciously on purpose.
,Seeing you always say the words I need when I need them… I can’t help but be suspicious, can I?”
Luna, who let out a shallow sigh at my joke, ruffled the back of my head.
,I always want to be helpful to Ross.”
,So that’s why you always speak so beautifully?”
At my immediate answer, Luna smiled pleasantly and leaned her face against my neck. And she murmured quietly.
,Because I always want to be loved by Ross.”
At those words, I couldn’t hold back any longer. At the same time as my hand subtly moved downwards, Luna’s and my eyes met. The moment our hearts aligned, we kissed passionately without either of us making the first move.
Several hours later, we had a late dinner at a fancy restaurant we had reserved. It would have been impossible to reserve a restaurant on the day of the enthronement ceremony without Modest’s help.
We left the restaurant in time for the last portal to Star Fallen and headed to the portal station, holding Luna’s hand.
Luna, who arrived at the entrance waiting line, let go of my hand and turned around to hug me tightly. I also hugged Luna tightly, filled with regret.
,Come back soon. I’ll be waiting for a day like it’s been years.”
Luna, who looked up at me from my arms, wore a lovely expression. But the blue eyes that looked at me gradually began to fill with tears. It seems that Luna, like me, is not getting used to parting.
Luna, who stared at me silently for a while and pursed her lips, moved her lips.
,…Thank you always. For loving me so sincerely that I’ve never imagined, for making me happier than anyone I know. So, I’m really going to work hard too. So that I can give back as much love as I received from Ross.”
Luna, who slightly raised her head and kissed me, whispered softly.
,I’ll always walk with Ross.”
At those words, I smiled brightly as a habit. It was my smile that only Luna could see. It was a smile that I couldn’t imitate even if I tried to make it on purpose while looking in the mirror.
,I love you. Forever.”
There must have been a better answer. But that was all that came to my mind right now. Luna leaned her face against my chest instead of answering.
Following the guide’s words to enter the portal, Luna stepped out of my arms and walked behind the people who were lining up. And just before she completely disappeared, she turned around and said to me.
,Ross, I love you the most in the world!”
It was a loud voice that I don’t usually hear, loud enough to echo off the walls. Without paying attention to the heartwarming gazes of the people who witnessed the parting of a young couple, Luna, looking straight at only me, smiled the most beautiful smile I had ever seen.
,Always.”
With the following words, I couldn’t help but become the happiest man in the world. Towards Luna, whose figure was not visible beyond the wall, I belatedly gave an answer that would not be conveyed.
,…Yeah, always.”
***
On January 21, 623 of the Imperial Calendar, at approximately 01:40 AM, a citizen discovered an overturned carriage on 13th Street in Star Fallen. The carriage was presumed to have departed from the Star Fallen Portal Station and was heading to the Grace family’s mansion.
The coachman, Kelton (43) – a Grace family exclusive coachman with 18 years of experience – died instantly on the spot with a broken neck, and the body of Luna Grace (21) – a student at Transcendence Academy and the youngest daughter of the Grace family – was found inside the carriage.
The investigation team’s investigation revealed that the shock-absorbing artifact installed inside the carriage seemed to have prevented the impact at the time of the accident, but there were traces of forced entry from the outside on the carriage door.
Luna Grace’s body had defensive wounds all over her body due to fierce resistance, and her death is presumed to be due to multiple fractures and cerebral hemorrhage. The street where the carriage overturned was a busy area, but no one heard any noise or witnessed anything.
Kelton’s body was handed over to the investigation team for investigation and an autopsy was performed, but no special findings were found. Luna Grace’s body was handed over to her family.
Luna Grace’s funeral will be held quietly with the attendance of family and friends.
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