episode_0009

Tap-tap-.

Amidst an awkward silence, only the sound of footsteps echoed.

It could be expected for the atmosphere to be awkward on our first meeting, but the prevailing silence was entirely my responsibility.

I was the one who suggested going for a walk, and I was the only one capable of speaking.

However, I couldn’t bring myself to say anything at all.

“What do you want to say?”

Back then, I had the courage to strike up a conversation, but now I felt utterly pathetic and cowardly.

No, perhaps it was the same back then too.

I was foolish, unable to even hold hands in bed and spending sleepless nights.

But it couldn’t continue like this.

Feelings can only be understood when expressed.

I had to force myself to speak no matter what.

Yes, since it’s our first meeting, it would be good to lightly compliment her appearance.

Her clothes were quite elegant, so by praising them, I could save face and gain some benefits.

“But would she like that?”

Luna preferred a modest style over flashy attire.

Yet, her current outfit was remarkably extravagant.

Naturally, it suited her well and looked beautiful.

But it seemed she wouldn’t be pleased to receive compliments.

Instead, she might feel burdened.

“So, what should I say…”

As the sound of footsteps continued to echo, I pondered further.

How much time had passed?

I hadn’t spoken a word yet, and suddenly we were almost at the garden.

Feeling impatient, I stopped racking my brain.

Let’s take the direct approach for now.

There must be a reason for it.

“Um….”

Even to me, it was an unbelievably small voice.

I had definitely married the same person in a past life, so why did I get so nervous?

Fortunately, due to the quiet hallway, my voice reached Luna.

She turned her head and met my gaze.

Without even the slightest hint of a smile, she simply looked at me.

Our eyes met, and my heart pounded once again.

Summoning my courage, I said, “…You look beautiful.”

Many flowery phrases came to mind, but none made it past my lips.

I felt it as I looked into her eyes.

She seemed to lack any pretense.

Luna nodded lightly in thanks.

Her expression remained dry, so I couldn’t tell if she liked it or not.

But why?

It didn’t feel like she disliked it.

Maybe I just made it seem that way because I wanted it.

Walking through the corridor in silence, we eventually arrived at the garden.

The lush greenery and the profusion of colorful flowers were quite beautiful.

The harmonious cultivation of distinctively individual flowers was awe-inspiring in itself.

“This is our pride as gardeners. How do you like it?”

Being a place filled with memories of her, it gave me a comforting feeling.

Thanks to that, my words came out a little more naturally.

Luna slowly nodded her head.

Her gaze remained fixed on the flowers.

I felt a little disappointed that she wasn’t looking at me, but I didn’t really mind.

If you’re happy, then I’m happy too.

“There are many other flowers inside. Take your time and look around.”

Nodding, Luna leisurely began to stroll through the garden.

I silently watched over her by her side.

She might have become a bit more reserved, but Luna was still Luna.

That fact oddly made me feel good.

As we strolled through the garden together, suddenly Luna’s steps came to a halt.

Wondering if something had happened, I looked and saw a bee circling around her.

Because her dress was bright, it looked like the bee mistook her for a flower.

She could have been scared, flinched, or run away, but she just stared at the bee expressionlessly.

Is she trying to have a staring contest with the bee?

It doesn’t seem like it’s going to run away just because of that.

Thinking that if I left it like that, the bee might end up eating its friend, I waved my hand roughly.

The startled bee quickly flew away at high speed, and my pupils followed its back.

“Are you okay…?”

Suddenly lowering my gaze, my train of thought came to a halt.

Because our eyes met while I was getting closer to her to chase away the bee.

I see myself reflected in her blue eyes.

The natural atmosphere that had become relaxed once again becomes awkward.

So let the silence flow for a moment.

She nodded her head slightly to express gratitude.

“It’s not enough to receive thanks.”

All I did was fidget my hands, that was all.

We, who had momentarily paused due to the commotion of the bees, started walking through the garden again.

The awkward atmosphere gradually softened.

I thought we would never walk together in this garden again.

The fact that I am walking with you like this suddenly felt deeply moving.

What used to be taken for granted now feels special.

At this moment, without any other worries, only she filled my mind completely.

As we strolled slowly through the garden, we had almost completed a full circle before we knew it.

The time that seemed eternal now drew near to its end.

When I saw the entrance to the garden far away, I felt a sense of regret for no reason.

Suddenly, Luna stopped again.

I wondered if perhaps the bees had appeared again this time.

Following her gaze, I saw a small flower bud.

Despite the sunshine in the middle of the day, the flower proudly held its beauty, refusing the touch of the bees.

It was a moonflower.

It seemed that you were interested in this flower again.

“Do you happen to know what kind of flower this is?”

Luna shook her head.

With a smile, I said to her, “It’s a moonflower. Just as its name suggests, it blooms only at night. Its language of flowers is waiting.”

I am telling you what you told me before.

It was truly a strangely ticklish feeling in my heart.

And although I didn’t tell her, the moonflower had another meaning in the language of flowers.

‘Silent love.’

Did you know that such a language of flowers existed?

Even though you knew, were you too embarrassed to mention it, as if it resembled our relationship?

“Do you like this flower?”

Luna slowly shakes her head.

Her gaze didn’t seem to want to leave the moonflower.

I think she would like it if I made it into a potted plant and gave it to her.

It might be too much for now, but our meeting isn’t just today.

“Well then, shall we go back now?”

Luna looked wistfully at the moonflower and then began to walk away.

Unfortunately, I was a bit of everything, but it wasn’t my place to keep holding onto her.

We’re not married yet.

“When should we get married?”

Timing-wise, it was right after the academy graduation ceremony.

So, about four more years to go.

“To endure that…?”

To me, who had already been married to her, four years felt like an eternity.

Soothing my regret inwardly, we retraced the path we had come together.

Even though we were walking the same path, the atmosphere was somewhat different.

The awkwardness subsided, and comfort took its place.

Occasionally, when I turned to look at her, my heart would pound.

I felt excited at the thought that someday her gaze would be directed at me.

Excitement and comfort, somewhere in between.

These were the emotions I felt for you now.

I hope someday you’ll think of me this way too.

While thinking this, we had unconsciously returned to where everyone was gathered.

It seemed like the discussion about the marriage arrangement had already concluded; the conversation was casual.

The Iris Duke, who noticed us while strolling, smiled kindly and said, “Luna, did you enjoy the walk?”

Nodding slowly, Luna nodded her head.

Was it truly how she felt, or was it just to save my face?

Her expression was inscrutable, but I hoped it was the latter.

“Yes, I’m glad.”

After saying that, the Duke looked at me.

“Thank you, Albert, for taking care of Luna.”

“I am her fiancé. It’s only natural.”

“I feel relieved that Luna has found a good husband.”

“You are too kind.”

A good husband.

It was the first time I had heard those words, even though I had been married before.

It felt so gratifying, my lips involuntarily curled into a smile.

But it was also a statement not easily accepted.

More important than the Duke’s hundred words was how Luna felt. For now, I decided to bear it, although it was regrettable.

In the distant future, when she smiles, I will confidently say that I am a good husband.

Thereafter, the casual conversation continued a little longer, and with each exchange, there were emotions conveyed between us.

Joy, interest, and sometimes sorrow.

Those were elements that made conversations even more enjoyable.

But Luna only nodded or smiled in response to questions.

Even then, if there was a question she found difficult to answer, Rachel would respond in her place.

She showed no emotion outwardly.

Sitting there like a fragile doll made of glass.

You seem to have closed your heart even more than back then.

I thought that, and at the same time, I became curious about what had happened.

It was the first time. The first time I became interested in her past.

In my previous life, I was so happy spending time with you that I didn’t care about looking back, and thinking about the future was so enjoyable that I didn’t feel any interest.

However, as if love deepens with the time we couldn’t meet, I wanted to share everything, including the time you’ve walked.

I want to comfort you in pain and laugh together in joyous times.

It was when I was continuing these thoughts.

Eventually, the time to part ways with her came.

“Well, I should start heading back now.”

“Already? That’s too bad.”

“Yes, I feel the same. If we have the chance to meet again, let’s have a drink and talk slowly next time.”

With that conversation between Iris and her father, everyone got up from their seats.

It was truly regrettable that they had to leave, but this wasn’t a problem that could be solved by being greedy.

If I miss them, I can go visit them.

As we left the mansion to see them off, we saw the carriage they would be taking.

The coachman politely bowed and opened the door of the carriage.

“Well then, until we meet again.”

“Yes, I’ll be looking forward to it.”

After bidding farewell, the lord boarded the carriage first.

“It was a pleasant time.”

Following suit, Rachel politely bid her farewell and followed the lord.

Then it was Luna’s turn.

She gave a polite farewell with the same dry expression as when she arrived.

Clunk-.

She turned and boarded the carriage.

As the carriage door closed firmly, your figure was no longer visible.

Thud-.

The coachman started the carriage.

As the carriage grew more distant, so did you.

Watching the shrinking carriage with a tinge of regret, I turned around and entered the mansion with my parents.

Meeting you today made my life goals clearer.

* * * * *

Clatter-.

The carriage sped up.

The scenery outside the window changed rapidly.

Despite the positive conclusion of the private conversation, a chilly silence filled the inside of the carriage.

No, it was precisely because of that. Because there was someone dissatisfied with the private conversation.

Breaking the silence, Rachel’s voice echoed.

“Hey, wouldn’t that be nice?”

It was a remark full of sarcasm.