episode_0013

I left the moonflower by the window in the room.

The one basking in the sunlight exudes its subtle beauty.

Perhaps because of that, it felt like the room became a little brighter.

“It’s really amazing.”

As I gazed at the flower, which looked unexpectedly beautiful, such thoughts came to mind.

From its name, it’s a moonflower. It blooms widely when night falls, embracing the moonlight.

However, ironically, it seems it cannot live without the sun’s warmth.

I couldn’t understand whether it only receives from the sun and gives its beauty to the moon.

The sun even seemed a bit pitiful.

But if you were a moonflower.

I would rather be the sun than the moon.

Even if you don’t look at me, I can always shine on you from my place.

I don’t seek any reciprocation.

I’m content with being a little pitiful.

Still, if it’s okay, could I bloom while looking at the sun just once?

Thinking this, I cautiously caressed the moonflower’s blue leaves with my fingers.

Eventually, I started writing a letter.

After all, I bought the moonflower as a gift for her.

I’d like to go and give it to her right away, but even for an engaged person, visiting suddenly wouldn’t be proper.

[To the beloved Luna Princess….]

Rip-.

I crumpled the paper after writing just one line.

Beloved? When did I start using such phrases?

I hope Luna doesn’t see it as disdainful.

Moreover, she only got engaged according to her family’s wishes, so saying “beloved” might feel burdensome to her.

I tossed the crumpled paper aside and moved the pen again on a new sheet.

[To the most beautiful Luna Princess in the world….]

Rip-.

[To the esteemed Luna Princess….]

Rip-.

I realized.

I’m not good at writing letters.

Every attempt turned out like this, making me angry at myself.

But I didn’t want to ask anyone for help.

Even if I couldn’t do it properly, I wanted to do it on my own.

Fortunately, there is plenty of paper.

Scratch-.

The pen moved again, and the pile of crumpled papers grew on the floor.

In the process, I realized that fancy rhetoric is meaningless.

I simply write down my emotions with a pen in a plain manner.

For a moment, as if possessed, I moved the pen, but in the end, I had to crumple the paper once more.

I wrote too much, even though it’s not a lot.

Thankfully, I came to my senses midway; otherwise, I would have ended up writing a thick book instead of a letter.

As expected, I had no talent for writing letters.

* * * * *

After many twists and turns, I succeeded in sending the letter.

It’s unbelievable that it took me three whole days to write just one letter, but I didn’t feel too bad because I was somewhat satisfied with the result.

Now all that’s left is waiting.

I’m nervous.

Writing a letter to you. No, it was my first time writing a letter in my entire life.

So, it might be a bit strange.

There might be passages that could furrow your brow.

Still, I hope you’ll accept it gladly, as I did my best.

So, the days passed amidst tension.

The moonflowers bloomed and withered repeatedly.

I wonder what your reply will be like.

With such thoughts, I also harbored expectations.

And finally, that day arrived.

It was an ordinary day, just like any other.

After finishing training with my father and returning to my room, Melina came to see me.

“Young master, a letter has arrived for you.”

“Here, give it to me!”

I received the letter from Melina.

The envelope felt luxurious from the start.

The iris crest of the Peacock family was embossed in red wax.

Without a doubt, this was a response to the letter I had sent.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

“Uh, yeah. Thanks.”

Melina carefully closed the door and left the room.

I immediately took out a letter opener from the drawer.

I carefully slid the knife under the wax and opened it.

My heart raced.

The thumping sound seemed too loud, almost making my head ring.

It might seem a little pathetic to make such a fuss over just one letter, but at that moment, I couldn’t care about such things.

Soon, the envelope was open, and I took out a neatly folded piece of paper from inside.

I deliberately turned my head, fearing there might be writing on the back.

If there were negative words written, I felt like I couldn’t even open the letter.

Whew.

I took a long breath to calm my nerves.

Why am I more nervous than when I spar with Father?

It feels like my pride as a man will be hurt.

Yeah, it’s just a letter.

What’s the big deal?

Thinking that, I unfolded the letter.

With trembling hands.

[To Mr. Albert.]

It was just one sentence.

As soon as I read the sentence written in such beautiful handwriting that it could be called beautiful, something inside me suddenly snapped.

The letter she first gave me in a past life.

The letter filled with her worries that I received just before going to the battlefield came to mind.

[Albert, be careful.]

No matter how many times I’ve read it, it still feels like I can see those words clearly in front of me.

Your handwriting is really beautiful, then and now.

Thinking that, I continued to read the letter.

“I have read the letter you sent me carefully. Thank you for writing it so sincerely.

The weather has gotten hotter here lately. Still, it’s nice to see the forest being dyed in a refreshing light.

When I look at the forest from my room, it seems like the garden I saw that day is still flickering in front of my eyes. It was a very beautiful place, wasn’t it?

When I asked the landlady, she said it’s okay to visit anytime.

I’m looking forward to the day we meet.”

“Ha, hahaha….”

After reading the letter, my eyes suddenly became warm.

It feels like my efforts haven’t been in vain.

I’m grateful that I can exchange letters with you like this.

The fact that I, who was a fool, can share love with you in an ordinary way, touched me deeply.

With a choked-up emotion, I closed my eyes.

And I thought.

You liked moonflowers.

But I won’t make you wait like their meaning.

Gradually, the emotions faded away.

After storing the letter in the drawer, I sat down immediately and started writing a reply.

Maybe because I had tried it once before.

The pen didn’t feel heavy anymore.

The words flowed naturally onto the paper.

When I finished writing the letter and stood up from my seat, a smile slowly spread across my face.

I realized it belatedly.

Luna never once reproached me, no matter how lacking I was.

Even when I was a good-for-nothing and lacking, it was thanks to her that I was able to do my part.

Because she believed in me and waited for me to slowly rise.

It’s both surprising and pleasant to realize once again that I received your help.

Indeed, it seems I can’t do without you.

* * * * *

Luna received a letter from Count Albert.

There were many words, but the content was simple.

He wanted to give something, so he would come by for a moment.

Without hesitation, she conveyed this fact to Duke Iris.

There was no need to hesitate in the first place.

In this family, there was nothing one could do according to their own will.

A puppet moving as directed.

That was exactly Luna’s position.

“Well, isn’t it nice. Come whenever you want.”

Duke Iris readily accepted.

On that day, Luna’s expression seemed bright after taking a walk with Albert.

Of course, it could just be a misunderstanding, but there was no particular reason to refuse either.

After hearing the duke’s response, Luna left her study.

And whether by chance or fate, she ran into Rachel.

“Isn’t that nice?”

Once again, it was a mocking remark filled with disdain.

She didn’t particularly think it was nice.

It would be more accurate to say she had no emotions.

After all, she didn’t know what the feeling of “nice” even was.

She was just a doll.

“Hah, really. What am I saying to a mute person.”

Rachel sighed and left with a nod of her head.

Luna expressed her agreement with a slight bow of her head towards Rachel’s retreating figure.

Then she headed straight to her room.

She had to reply to him.

She grasped the pen and wrote familiarly.

Before long, she finished the letter and put it in an envelope to send.

Not long after, another letter arrived.

It said it’s not as hot here in the north, and that the flowers in the garden have been blooming a lot lately.

There were meaningless words written.

“The flowers in the garden.”

Was the small plant called “morning glory” that she heard about still alive?

The book said it was a sturdy plant, so as long as there are no major issues, it should still be alive.

Luna thought she might miss that flower a little and wrote a reply.

And before long, the day finally came.

“Master Albert has come to visit.”

Her fiancé had come.