episode_0015

Tap-tap.

Tap-tap.

The sound of two footsteps echoes down the long corridor.

The fact that I am walking with you in a new space suddenly feels especially significant.

Come to think of it, you’ve never returned to your hometown after marrying me.

I was too thoughtless.

Just as my family is precious to me, yours must be to you as well.

Surely, there are precious things in this mansion as well.

Once again, I am grateful that you have forsaken those things for me and waited.

“Extravagant.”

I tried to capture the precious mansion with my eyes as much as possible.

It’s so extravagant, to the point where it could be described as the polar opposite of Duke David’s.

Expensive decorations adorn the walls of the corridor, making it a delight to behold from any angle.

However, Luna actually disliked luxurious things.

Even if I gave her rings or necklaces, she never wore them.

Perhaps it was simply a matter of taste, but for some reason, I couldn’t shake off that thought.

Could something have happened—regarding Luna’s past?

Since I don’t know much about Luna’s past, I can’t draw any conclusions right now.

I can only take my time to find out in the future.

Walking along the corridor, climbing the stairs, and then walking down another corridor.

Suddenly, Luna stopped in front of a certain room.

Where did Luna want to bring me?

That thought crossed my mind.

Luna naturally pushed the door open.

As the door opened, the air rushed out, causing Luna’s hair to gently sway downward.

At the same time, a faint floral scent wafted through.

It was a fragrance that comforted the heart while strangely making it flutter.

It even felt somewhat familiar.

It didn’t take long to realize what it was.

Because it was the fragrance Luna was carrying.

She had invited me into her room.

The moment I realized that, my head turned completely white.

All the plans I had made to talk to her today were scattered.

“What on earth…”

A room is an extremely personal space.

It’s where one sleeps, and also where one changes clothes.

Perhaps it could be a space where something is hidden, something one doesn’t want others to find.

Inviting someone into such a place is akin to an infinite trust.

It means I’m okay with showing you everything.

So I asked.

“Th…Lady Luna, I just wanted to ask, did you come to get something?”

Yes, perhaps to get something. If not, then to leave the received potted plant.

If that’s the case, stepping into her room might be impolite in itself.

However, my expectations seemed to miss the mark completely.

Luna nodded.

It meant she was inviting me into the room.

“I see.”

I stammered in surprise.

As happy as receiving her infinite trust, what else could be as joyful?

Yet, apart from that, I couldn’t easily understand her actions.

There hadn’t been any reason for us to become like this.

We hadn’t spent much time together, nor had we expressed our feelings to each other.

Though there is an engagement, it’s a decision made by the family, not necessarily what she desired.

‘What on earth…’

Why is she behaving so awkwardly?

My heart was pounding so hard that I couldn’t organize my thoughts.

Step by step…

Anyway, refusing the invitation would be impolite, so I stepped into the room.

Subtle.

The first impression of her room was exactly that.

A splendid noblewoman’s room, yet it couldn’t be more subtle.

A bed, a desk, a bookshelf.

Only necessary things were left, making the spacious room feel a bit empty.

‘Does she like reading?’

The bookshelf was full, and there was a book on the desk as if she was in the middle of reading it.

Thinking that it would be nice to give her a book as a gift next time, I shifted my gaze.

The curtain by the window swayed as a gentle breeze blew in.

Perhaps due to the atmosphere, it felt somewhat elegant.

The view outside the window was quite beautiful.

The lush forest, the refreshing feeling that had been pent up inside burst forth.

Imagining you looking out the window, my lips involuntarily curled upwards.

Twitch-.

The sound of Luna placing a flowerpot on the desk pulled me out of my imagination.

As she examined the flowerpot, she began to write something in a small notebook.

Then she showed it to me.

“What should its name be?”

Its name?

Was she asking about the name of the moonflower?

Not understanding the meaning of her words, I shook my head, and she moved her pen again.

“I mean the name of that plant.”

It seemed odd to name a plant, but…

“It doesn’t have one yet, but it might be nice to think of something good together.”

There’s no rule saying you can’t insist that something good is good.

I felt a little happy because it seemed like she thought naming it was important.

“Salad.”

“…You might want to reconsider.”

It seemed Luna didn’t have a talent for naming things.

But as it turned out, I wasn’t talented in that area either, so I started to ponder over it.

We sat facing each other in silence.

It was truly a new experience.

When I looked up, I saw you.

Whatever was so serious, the emotion hidden behind your expression felt quite sincere.

It was oddly amusing, and perhaps happy, because I found myself laughing without realizing it.

Luna looked up at the sound of my laughter.

Within arm’s reach, you looked at me.

Reflected in your blue eyes, I seemed happier than anyone else in the world.

“Did it come to you?”

“Oh, no. I just found this situation amusing.”

Who would have expected that our first activity together would be naming a flower?

At least, I didn’t.

That’s why it was even more enjoyable.

After hesitating several times on the small notepad, Luna’s pen moved again.

Scribble-.

Black ink drew lines, and soon the letters were complete.

“Moon.”

“Oh…”

Taking ‘moon’ from moonflower, Moon.

It was such a simple name that I wondered why I hadn’t thought of it before, but it seemed like there couldn’t be a better name.

This should do.

“That sounds good.”

“Then the name of that child is Moon.”

Luna slowly shifted her gaze towards the moonflower, and I too looked in the same direction as her.

The moonflowers swayed gently in the breeze.

Basking in the warm sunlight seemed to put her in a good mood.

I hope she stays beautiful in that spot forever.

Thinking this, I turned my gaze back to her.

“Luna Duchess.”

At my call, she turned her head.

Her expression remained unchanged.

Without hesitation, I continued speaking.

“The weather seems nice. Would you like to go out for a while? I’m curious about the Iris Palace’s garden.”

There wasn’t any grand reason.

I just wanted to enjoy this special day a little more and do various things with Luna.

And I wanted to capture as much as possible of what you loved.

Nod.

Luna’s head moved up and down.

It was a sign of affirmation.

I sprang up from the chair and instinctively reached out my hand towards her sitting on the bed, but I hesitated for a moment.

It was only our second meeting, so I wondered if she would be uncomfortable holding hands with a man.

Besides, there were already rumors circulating about me being a playboy, so I had to be even more careful.

And in the midst of my thoughts, Luna got up on her own.

Her lost hand awkwardly turns around.

You were still such a difficult person for me.

The coward who used the fear of not wanting to be disliked spoke nonchalantly.

“Shall we go?”

Luna nodded and walked ahead, and I followed behind her.

As we stepped outside, the midday sun was shining quite strongly.

It felt hotter than it did in the morning.

“Maybe the next gift should be a hat.”

If we take a walk under this kind of sunlight, Luna’s delicate skin will surely burn.

It’ll turn red and sting later.

Of course, the best way is not to go out while the sun is up, but can we really give up the most beautiful time of the day for the flowers?

“I wonder which hat would suit her well.”

Well, anything will look good because she’s pretty.

Thinking that, I set off with her.

Step by step.

The sound of footsteps echoed in the quiet stillness.

It was just like that day.

There was no conversation between us.

But why?

If that day I was eager to get close to you, today I wasn’t.

I like this peaceful and gentle stillness.

I just wish this moment could last forever.

That’s all I wished for.

Eventually, we arrived at the garden together.

And then.

You grabbed my hand tightly.