episode_0009

Ttogak ttogak-.

In the awkward silence, only the sound of footsteps echoed.

They say the atmosphere was awkward because it was their first meeting, but it was entirely my fault that there was silence.

I was the one who suggested that we go for a walk, and I was the only one of the two who could talk.

However, my mouth never left my mouth.

‘What are you talking about?’

At the time, I had the courage to speak to him, but now I was a truly shabby coward.

No, in a way, it was the same back then.

He was an idiot who stayed up all night without even being able to hold hands in bed.

But it shouldn’t have been like this.

Because the heart is something that cannot be known unless expressed.

I had to squeeze out the words somehow.

Okay, since this is your first meeting, it would be a good idea to lightly compliment her appearance.

The clothes are quite luxurious, so if you compliment them by pairing them with them, you will save face and kill two birds with one stone.

‘But will you like it?’

Luna preferred to be neat rather than flashy.

In comparison, the current clothing was very flashy.

Of course it fits well and is pretty.

But I didn’t think she would be happy to hear the compliment.

It felt like it would feel burdensome.

‘Then what should I say… .’

With only the sound of footsteps echoing, I continued to worry.

How much time has passed like that?

I couldn’t say a word yet, but before I knew it, we were almost ready to reach the garden.

I became impatient and stopped thinking.

Let’s go to the royal road first.

Because there is a reason for the royal road.

“Hey… .”

Even when I thought about it, the voice was so small that it was ridiculous.

I was obviously married to the same person in my past life, so why am I so nervous?

Fortunately, the hallway was quiet, so my voice reached Luna.

She turned her head and made eye contact with me.

He didn’t even make the slightest expression, such as tilting his head, but just stared.

Our eyes meet and my heart starts pounding again.

Squeeze out your courage.

“… You’re pretty.”

Words full of flowery language appeared in my head, but they were never said out loud.

I felt it as I made eye contact with her.

Even rhetoric of any kind is not enough for her.

Luna lightly bowed her head and expressed her gratitude.

The dull expression was still there, so I couldn’t tell if she liked it or not.

But, why?

It didn’t feel like she hated it.

Maybe it just seemed that way because I wanted it to.

We walked down the hallway in silence and eventually arrived at the garden.

It is full of fresh green and the colorful flowers in full bloom are quite beautiful.

The harmonious arrangement of flowers, each with their own unique characteristics, was awe-inspiring in itself.

“It’s the pride of our duchy, how do you like it?”

Perhaps because it was a place full of memories with her, I felt at ease.

Thanks to this, my speech came out a little more naturally.

Luna nodded slowly.

Her eyes were fixed on the flowers.

I felt a little disappointed that he didn’t look after me, but I wasn’t particularly dissatisfied.

If you like it, I like it too.

“There are many other flowers inside. Let’s take a look around slowly.”

Luna nodded and began to leisurely walk around the garden.

I watched her in silence from the side.

Although she was just a little younger, Luna was still Luna.

That fact feels strangely pleasant.

While looking around the garden together, Luna’s steps suddenly stopped.

When she looked to see if something was going on, she saw a bee circling around her.

The dress she was wearing was so bright that she seemed to have mistaken it for a flower.

She seemed scared and could have flinched or run away, but she just stared at the bee with an expressionless expression.

Are you trying to have a snowball fight with a bee?

I don’t think he’ll run away though.

Thinking that if I continued like this, I could end up eating my friend and bee, I waved my hands roughly.

The startled bee quickly moved away, and my eyes followed its back.

“It’s okay… .”

Suddenly, I looked down and my thinking circuit stopped.

Because we made eye contact while the distance between us and her was close to drive away the bees.

I am reflected in her blue eyes.

The once natural atmosphere becomes awkward again.

Let the silence flow like that for a while.

She bowed her head and expressed her gratitude.

“Not enough to be audited.”

Because all I did was wave my hands.

After stopping for a moment due to the bee disturbance, we started walking through the garden again.

The awkward atmosphere gradually becomes softer.

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

The fact that I am walking with you like this is something that I am deeply moved by.

Something that was taken for granted feels special.

For now, I had no worries whatsoever, and only her was on my mind.

As I slowly walked around the garden, I had already made almost a full circle.

The time that seemed like it would last forever is now nearing its end.

When I saw the entrance to the garden in the distance, I felt a sense of regret.

Suddenly, Luna stopped again.

I wondered if a bee had appeared again this time.

I followed her gaze and saw a small flower bud.

Even on a sunny day, a flower refuses to be touched by bees and still embraces its beauty.

It was an evening primrose.

You seemed to be interested in the flower again this time.

“Do you know what kind of flower it is?”

Luna shakes her head.

I said with a smile.

“Evening primrose. As the name suggests, it is a flower that blooms only at night. The language of flowers is waiting.”

I tell you again what you told me.

It really felt like a strange tickling sensation in my chest.

And although I didn’t tell her, evening primrose had more flower language.

‘Love without words.’

Did you know that there was such a thing as flower language?

Maybe I knew it but I was embarrassed and couldn’t say it because it felt like we were in a relationship.

“Do you like this flower?”

Luna nods slowly.

Her gaze never left the evening primrose.

I think they would like it if I made it into a flower pot and gave it as a gift.

It may be impossible right now, but today is not the only time we will meet.

“Then, shall we go back now?”

Luna looked at the evening primrose with regret and then took a step forward.

It was a shame, but I couldn’t keep holding on to her.

Because we are not a couple yet.

‘When will you get married?’

In terms of timing, it was right after the academy graduation ceremony.

Then there are about 4 years left.

‘Hold on to that… ?’

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

Soothing our regrets, we went back the way we came together.

Even though we are passing the same road, the atmosphere is quite different from before.

The awkwardness subsided and comfort took its place.

Then, when I suddenly turned my head and looked at her, I felt my heart pounding.

I was excited at the thought that one day those eyes would be on me.

Between excitement and comfort.

That’s how I feel about you right now.

Will you someday think of me like this too?

I hope so.

While we were thinking that, we soon returned to where everyone was gathered.

The conversation about marriage seemed to have already been concluded, and the conversation was personal.

Duke Iris, who spotted us while sipping tea, smiled kindly and said.

“Luna, did you enjoy the walk?”

Nod-.

Luna nodded slowly.

Did I truly feel that way, or was it just to save my face?

His expression was so dull that I couldn’t tell his true intentions, but I hoped it was the latter.

“Yes, I’m glad.”

After saying that, the duke turned his gaze towards me.

“Prince Albert, thank you for caring about Luna.”

“You’re my fiancé, aren’t you? I just did the obvious thing.”

“My heart is relieved because Luna seems to have found a good husband.”

“This is too much to say.”

Good husband.

Even though I was already married once, it was my first time hearing this.

It made me so happy that the corners of my mouth twitched.

But it was also something that could not be easily accepted.

How Luna felt was more important than the Duke’s 1000 words, so although it was unfortunate for now, I decided to hold back a little.

In the distant future, when she smiles, I will speak confidently.

I am a good husband.

After that, a little more personal conversation continued.

There was a feeling that was conveyed every time we exchanged words.

Joy, excitement, and sometimes sadness.

Those were the elements that made the conversation more enjoyable.

However, Luna only nodded or shook her head to the questions asked.

Even when a question came up that was difficult to answer by nodding, Rachel answered it instead.

She did not show any emotions outwardly.

It was just sitting there, like a doll made of glass that looked as if it would break if touched.

Your heart is more closed now than it was back then.

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

It was my first time. I became interested in her past.

In my past life, I was just rolling my eyes because I was happy spending time with you, and thinking about the way forward was so enjoyable that I lost interest.

However, as if our love had become stronger as the time we had not met, I wanted to share everything, including the time you walked together.

I want to embrace the pain and laugh together at the happy times.

It was when I was continuing those thoughts.

Eventually, the time came when I had to break up with her.

“Okay, now let’s go back.”

“Has it already been that long? This is really unfortunate.”

“Yes, I feel sad too. If you have a chance to meet again next time, please have a drink and talk slowly.”

After the conversation between Duke Iris and her father, everyone stood up.

It was truly unfortunate that I had to let him go, but this was not a problem that could be solved by being greedy.

If I want to see it, I can just go there.

As I left the mansion to see them off, I saw the carriage they were going to ride.

The coachman bowed his head politely and opened the carriage door.

“Okay, see you next time.”

“Yes, I’m looking forward to it.”

After saying hello, the head of the family got into the carriage first.

“It was a fun time.”

Afterwards, Rachel gave a polite greeting and followed behind the matriarch.

And next was Luna’s turn.

She greeted me politely with the same dull expression she had when she arrived.

Ttogak-.

She turns around and gets into the carriage.

The carriage door closed tightly and you could no longer be seen.

Slowly-.

The driver started the carriage.

The carriage is moving further and further away, and you are also moving further away.

After mulling over my regret as I stared at the carriage getting smaller and smaller, I turned around and entered the mansion with my parents.

Today, when I met you, my purpose in life became clear.

* * * * *

Slowly-.

The carriage runs at high speed.

The scenery outside the window changes every moment.

Even though the marriage conversation ended positively, there was a cold silence inside the carriage.

No, rather, it was cold because of that. Because there was someone who was dissatisfied with the marriage talks.

Rachel’s voice rang out, breaking the silence.

“Hey, that would be nice?”

It was a remark full of sarcasm.