Chapter 73: Two in the grass

The last light of the sky lanterns still floated in the night sky.

“Did they reach the stars and the moon…?”

Luna looked up at the sky and took a small breath.

It felt as if the heart that had just sent up her wish was still somewhere in her chest, warmly sparkling.

“From where I’m standing, I think they’ve already arrived.”

“Really…?”

“Yeah, by now the stars and moon might be fighting over who gets to grant Luna’s wish? Haha.”

“……”

It was a picturesque night.

The moonlight was soft, the surroundings warm, and it was a happy night holding hands with the one she loved.

– Snug.

Luna nestled into Sihyun’s embrace, who always readily cherished her feelings.

‘Sihyun’s embrace… it’s warm.’

Cradled in his warm and cozy arms, it felt as if this happiness would last forever.

Luna wiped away the tears she unknowingly shed, making sure Sihyun wouldn’t see.

It was obvious he’d worry again if he saw them.

‘Sihyun… he’s such a fool who only knows me.’

The silver-haired girl subtly raised her head and looked at Sihyun, who was holding and patting her.

“Are you finally looking my way, Princess?”

“Oh, huh…? You were watching me the whole time…?”

“How could a guard ever take his eyes off the Princess? Haha.”

“……Sihyun is a fool…”

“I think I’ve heard ‘fool’ more than a hundred times now?”

“Even in Seleneum… and here… Sihyun truly is a fool who only knows me. Hehe…”

She thought he would be admiring the beautiful night sky where the sky lanterns were slowly rising.

Yet his eyes had never once strayed from the princess with golden irises.

Like a guard truly committed to protecting a precious being.

‘I don’t want to lose this incredibly happy moment…’

The distant sounds of wind chimes and music.

The happily laughing people and orange lanterns were truly so beautiful.

‘Sihyun’s deep eyes, looking at me, are filled with love… so why do I keep feeling like I’m about to cry…?’

An odd sense of unease continued to spread through Luna’s chest, as if someone had dropped a drop of black ink into the princess’s heart.

Just as she felt like she might collapse and burst into tears,

“Luna.”

Sihyun’s voice called out to the girl softly, as if he had read her mind.

Luna looked up at him with slightly teary eyes.

“Luna, I told you earlier, didn’t I? There are two big events at the Mid-Autumn Festival.”

“There’s something else besides the sky lanterns…?”

“There’s still a very, very wonderful and beautiful highlight left.”

“I’m curious…! Tell me what it is!”

“Hmm… that would be—”

Sihyun leaned closer to Luna’s ear, who was still in his arms, and quietly whispered.

“It’s a secret, Princess.”

“Ehh?? W-what kind of thing is that!”

“Hahaha! You didn’t tell me what your wish was earlier, did you? I just tried to imitate you.”

“That’s too much! A guard has to obey the princess’s orders! Tell me what it is!”

“Mmm~ Should I tell you or not~?”

“Tell! Me!”

The girl gently tapped Sihyun’s chest with her delicate hands, resisting slightly.

‘Haha, is this what it feels like when a cat kneads?’

Sihyun chuckled softly and pulled Luna back into his embrace.

“Luna, do you remember the name of the flower that blooms exceptionally beautifully under the full moon in Seleneum? A truly pretty flower that sparkles with silver light.”

“Yes, it’s the Full Moon Flower. Sihyun’s favorite flower.”

“I liked it even more because it resembled Luna’s silver hair. Just like that Full Moon Flower, there’s a very special flower here too. It’s a flower that blooms in the sky, only visible at night.”

“A flower blooming in the sky… it sounds incredibly beautiful!”

“That’s the second event I prepared.”

– Flash!

Sihyun’s golden eyes gleamed as he lifted the excited Luna in a princess carry.

“I’ve also found a prime spot for flower viewing! Shall we go together, Princess?”

“Ahem…! O-off we go, my guard!”

Luna, embracing Sihyun’s neck, tried to hide her embarrassment and commanded like a princess.

“Then hold on tight, Princess.”

“Okay!”

****

The black-clad guard, holding the Moonlight Princess, arrived at a small rocky hill overgrown with green trees behind it.

It was too gentle to be called a cliff, yet too special to be just an ordinary hill.

“How is it? This is a spot I specially reserved just for you, Luna.”

“Wow! It’s much prettier than where we released the sky lanterns earlier!”

Luna, excited, hopped out of Sihyun’s arms and wandered around the hill.

In front of her, the sky pouring down starlight and the night sea came into view, while behind her, she could hear the fragrant scent of grass and the rustling of leaves.

– Twirl.

Luna, as if dancing slightly, spun around once then approached Sihyun again.

“Sihyun, how did you find a place like this? It’s so beautiful, and it’s amazing that we’re the only ones here!”

“This is a magical place that you can’t enter without Luna. I made a special request to the god who manages this place, so we could only enter today.”

“Eh… really?”

“Of course, really! Even the god allowed a beautiful princess like Luna to enter, you know? Haha.”

Of course, what Sihyun said was a joke, but it contained about half-truth.

‘This is private property of the Moon-Viewing Pool Villa. I nearly broke my back renting this place, even emptying out my bonuses.’

[The god who manages this place = the landowner]

[Magic that prevents entry = rented for a day]

Sihyun had once again cleverly deceived the innocent princess.

‘No one was harmed, so my lie is innocent, innocent!’

Pure Luna, of course, didn’t know Sihyun’s dark intentions and was simply moved.

“Hehe… Sihyun is so romantic…”

“It’s only natural to do this much when I’m loved by the most beautiful princess in the world. Shall we go to our seats now?”

“Yes!”

Sihyun carefully picked up Luna and then seated her on the wooden chair with the best view.

The bright moon floating in the sky appeared so large and beautiful that it gave the illusion it was casting its moonlight solely for the two of them.

The wind was pleasantly cool, and the surroundings were a space filled with the scent of trees and grass.

“Hey, Sihyun.”

The princess, emitting a uniquely sweet fragrance there, asked Sihyun, her golden eyes sparkling.

“When do the flowers in the sky appear?”

“They appear when the most beautiful flower on earth genuinely smiles happily.”

“Hmm? So I just have to wait—”

As if not understanding the meaning of his words, Luna tilted her head slightly.

Sihyun stopped explaining and met Luna’s eyes directly.

“Luna.”

“Yes?”

“Do you remember? What I said about wanting to make a promise to you someday under the beautiful moonlight.”

“A promise…?”

With those words, Sihyun took out a small ring box that shimmered subtly in the breeze.

A faint silver ring, like moonlight, lay quietly nestled inside.

– Slide.

Sihyun opened the box and gently took Luna’s hand.

“…Si, Sihyun…? This…?”

“……”

Sihyun silently and carefully slipped the ring onto the girl’s left ring finger.

“Luna, I promised, didn’t I? To spend my life with you, the most precious person, under the moonlight.”

“Huh, huh…?”

Sihyun smiled gently and looked at the girl.

“Marry me, Luna.”

“…!!!”

Luna felt her breath catch at his short confession.

She had thought he might have forgotten.

She had been worried she might burden him by bringing it up unnecessarily.

‘Sihyun… he didn’t forget… he had been preparing to propose all along…’

– Drip.

The girl’s eyes trembled slightly, then clear, transparent tears flowed.

Tears of pure joy, containing not a single drop of sadness.

Along with them, a gentle yet radiant smile bloomed on Luna’s lips.

“Yes…!”

Finally, the purest and happiest smile in the world settled on the girl’s face.

“I… I want to marry Sihyun…!”

– Pop!

At that moment, the first firework exploded directly behind them in the sky.

Blue flowers, red flowers, and golden spirals dyed the night sky.

– Pop! – Pop!

Colorful fireworks bloomed like flowers, beautifully coloring the black night sky.

“Fl-flowers in the sky…?!”

“I told you, didn’t I? That when the most beautiful flower on earth smiles happily, flowers bloom in the sky too.”

Sihyun smiled brightly and stroked Luna’s hair.

“Flowers bloomed in the sky because our Princess is happy.”

“……!!!”

– Thump-thump!!

Every time the fireworks blooming in the sky illuminated his face, Luna felt like her heart would burst from the surging love and happiness.

‘Ah, I can’t take it anymore. I can’t hold back…!!’

– Thud!

“Ugh?!”

Luna lightly pushed Sihyun’s chest, then instantly toppled him into the bushes.

“Lu… Luna?!”

“Haaah… Haaah…!”

Luna, who had climbed on top of Sihyun, had her cheeks flushed red and her eyes half-closed.

Her golden eyes, visible through her half-closed lids, somehow held a dangerous glint.

The girl’s breathing was more rapid than ever, and her breath was hotter than fire.

“Haaah… Si, Sihyun…”

“Luna, what’s wrong all of a sudden?”

“Haaah… Sihyun is bad…! You hugged me, confessed, put a ring on me, and asked me to marry you… so next is my turn… Kheheh.”

“Wait, Luna, calm down a little—”

“Shhh!”

Luna placed her index finger over Sihyun’s lips.

“It’s punishment… for avoiding the most adorable princess’s kiss last time…!”

“Lu— Mph?!”

– Mwah!

Luna’s small, soft pink lips met his.

A sweet scent brushed past Sihyun’s nose, and the girl’s soft lips explored his.

“Haah…!”

Luna began to express the love she could no longer hold back, with intensity.

The kiss soon turned into a deep, passionate expression of emotion.

“Chup… Haaah…”

Her small, soft tongue delved into Sihyun’s mouth.

“Chuup… Sihyun…! Sihyun…!!”

With her small lips, Luna met Sihyun’s breath, swallowing it.

Every small movement of her lips contained all her emotions, all her promises, all her love.

– Stroke.

Far from being surprised by the sudden kiss, Sihyun gently stroked the girl’s cheek and drew closer to Luna.

While he was a little surprised, it was true, he had not the slightest intention of pushing her away or refusing her.

‘It’s a shame I couldn’t be the one to initiate it like a man, but this is good in its own way, isn’t it? By the way, Luna using her tongue… she probably learned that from the Queen.’

Sihyun inwardly thought, ‘Queen, is it you again?’ and let out a small sigh.

– Pop! – Pop!

The fireworks in the night sky were still blooming beautifully, but.

“Haah… Chuup…!”

At this moment, the most dazzling fireworks for Sihyun and Luna were the glances they exchanged, sometimes shyly, as their lips explored each other.

****

The girl, who had been kissing him for almost over 10 minutes, finally seemed satisfied, pulling her lips away and collapsing into his chest.

“Whoaaa… I’m out of breathhhhh…”

“Our Princess, you might need to learn how to breathe while kissing.”

“Ooh…! So from now on, you have to kiss me whenever you get a chance! Because I need to get used to it— Mph?”

Mwah.

As soon as he heard Luna’s words, Sihyun lightly kissed the girl’s lips.

“Like this, Luna?”

“Hunyaaaa…?”

“Hahaha! How can the princess who just toppled me over and climbed on top be so weak in defense?”

“Ughhhh… I don’t knowwww…”

Luna buried her face in Sihyun’s chest and closed her eyes.

‘I’m so, so happy…! Hehe.’

– Nuzzle-nuzzle.

As the girl, intoxicated with happiness, nuzzled her face into his embrace, Sihyun was inwardly sighing with worry.

‘Haaah… How should I tell Luna about this…?’

A small system window floated before his eyes.

Ding!

[Princess of Seleneum, Luna: Your separation is approaching.]

It was announcing that the time for separation, which he had tried to ignore, was drawing near.

‘I’m really screwed, aren’t I? How can I tell Luna, who’s so happy right now, that we have to break up!!’

Just kill me already!