episode_0025

I was excited by the fact that Luna had come to find me.

The past few days without meeting her had felt quite lonely.

I had already been thinking I should go and see her, but I was so happy that she came to find me at just the right time.

However, I was puzzled.

Why did Luna come to find me without giving any notice?

It was hard to imagine that she, who valued manners, would behave in this way.

Surely there must be a reason, but since it didn’t come to mind, it was frustrating.

So I decided to stop thinking about it.

Good things are good, and since Luna had come to find me, I couldn’t show my troubled state.

I was happy.

I simply accepted it like that.

But when Luna got off the carriage,

I had a momentary sensation as if my fluttering heart had stopped.

It wasn’t because I was shocked by her beauty again.

“Why…?”

Luna’s steps as she got off the carriage were awkward.

As if one leg was uncomfortable.

There were red bloodstains on her dress, and small abrasions on her exposed skin.

In addition, there were traces of blood on her hands.

When I faced her, my head turned white.

My joy-filled heart was confusingly entangled.

What on earth had happened?

Was it related to her coming to find me?

“I don’t know.”

My mind, which had forgotten how to think, couldn’t come to a conclusion.

But even if it had been normal, it wouldn’t have been much different.

It was natural not to know what had happened to her while we were apart.

It was when I was feeling so confused.

Luna spread her skirt to both sides and bowed her upper body.

And.

At the same time, her delicate body lost its balance and staggered.

“Luna, Princess Luna?!”

It was a reflexive action.

My feet kicked the ground and my body lunged forward.

The scenery quickly receded from view, and I drew closer to you.

It was surprising how much I moved on my own.

It felt like I had transcended the limits of my body.

Perhaps it was an “aura” that I had heard of somewhere.

I don’t know.

I didn’t want to know, and it wasn’t important.

I was just worried about you.

What had happened where I didn’t know.

Why were you in such pain.

My head was filled with you.

And soon,

My sight was filled with you.

Thud-.

As I reached out my hand, it touched her shoulder.

A small body without balance nestled into my arms.

Suppressing the doubts trying to burst out of my mouth.

Suppressing the surprised heart.

I utter words to reassure you.

“It’s okay, Luna.”

I didn’t ask if it was okay.

Because you came to me, it’s okay, that’s what she said.

While you’re by my side, I’ll be a wall for you.

I will push away everything that troubles you.

Even if it’s everything in the world.

Luna’s head moved slowly up and down.

In her weaker nod than usual, a sensation as if my heart was being pricked arose.

When I traced the wounds on her body with my eyes, it felt like my heart was tearing apart.

The torment in my heart grows larger and larger.

In the end, I couldn’t bear it and embraced her.

It was worrying enough to wonder if she hadn’t been eating properly lately.

Luna, in my embrace, opened her eyes wide.

In her greatly enlarged blue pupils, I saw myself reflected.

She looked much more surprised than the day I gave her the pen.

Soon she regained her composure and shook her head left and right.

There’s no doubt it meant “please let go.”

Since we hadn’t even properly greeted each other, I was worried.

However, I had no intention of listening to her request.

While holding Luna, I bowed my head to my parents.

“Mother, father, I’m sorry. Please forgive my rudeness.”

I was quite responsible for Luna not finishing her greeting, so it was only right to do.

And if I didn’t do this much, Luna would probably struggle to get down somehow.

Of course, given Luna’s personality, she would apologize to my parents later, but at least for now, I hoped she would stay quiet.

“It’s okay. But Lady, you seem worried.”

“Y-yes. Albert will call the doctor immediately….”

My father and mother were genuinely worried about Luna.

They seemed not to care about not finishing the greeting.

No matter how many times I thanked them, it wouldn’t be enough.

I was suddenly moved by the fact that they cherished the woman I love.

Suddenly, Luna rummaged through my embrace and took out a pen.

The pen I gave her.

A blue line shines in the air.

[I’m really sorry.]

[Thank you for worrying.]

[I’m okay.]

Sentences that are completed in succession.

As if something amazing was happening before their eyes, Luna’s parents blinked.

When Luna’s pen, drawing in the air, stopped, her mother spoke with a gentle smile.

“You can explain slowly later. For now, let’s focus on getting treatment.”

[Yes.]

With that, Luna tightly held the pen and embraced it.

I hope she felt this.

That she is worthy of love.

“I will take her to the healer.”

“Alright, go ahead.”

Leaving behind my slightly troubled parents, I lifted Luna and headed towards the healer.

Never had I been so relieved to find the healer at home.

As we entered a building resembling a small annex, a man of my father’s age greeted us.

“Young master? And…”

“My fiancée.”

“I apologize. Lady Luna.”

He bowed and led us to a nearby bed.

Following his lead, I carefully laid Luna on the bed and stood by her side.

Seeing her lying on the bed, I realized once again how delicate and small she truly was.

The healer asked.

“Lady, may I ask how this happened?”

[I tripped.]

The healer’s gaze turned towards me after reading Luna’s writing.

It was an unspoken question.

How could I have brought her here just because she tripped?

Then Luna’s gaze turned to me.

Though similar in meaning, her look contained a hint of resentment.

As if blaming me for not knowing how badly she was hurt from just a simple fall.

Especially since she was limping, it was even more understandable.

Thinking about making excuses, I absentmindedly looked up at the ceiling.

It’s quite old. Maybe I should have it repaired soon.

“It must have been quite an ordeal. But still, it’s fortunate. If it’s just a minor injury, the treatment shouldn’t be too difficult. I’ll make you comfortable in no time.”

The healer reached out his hand towards Luna.

A green energy began to emanate from his hand, soon seeping into Luna’s body.

The wounds on her arms and face quickly healed and disappeared completely.

Even to an outsider like me, his healing magic seemed miraculous.

Well, it’s no wonder they hired a healer in place of the Royal Physician.

I remember hearing that even the emperor felt regret when he said he would retire with his father.

That’s how exceptional his skills were.

I don’t know why he gave up the honor of being a royal healer and resides in Duke David’s estate, but I was willing because Luna could recover quickly thanks to him.

“Is there anywhere uncomfortable I can check for you?”

At the healer’s words, Luna moved her body around.

Other areas were fine from the start, and the problematic leg seemed to have healed cleanly.

A blue line is embroidered in the air.

[No problems.]

“That’s fortunate.”

It really was fortunate as the healer said.

But if she’s all better, there’s no reason to show affection.

I couldn’t help feeling a little pathetic about it.

Of course, the feeling of relief was much greater.

Luna, getting up from the bed, nodded towards the healer in gratitude.

After expressing my thanks to him as well, we slipped outside together.

As we stepped outside, the darkening sky welcomed us.

Perhaps because I was relieved that Luna was safe, the slightly reddish sky looked a bit beautiful.

I turned my head to look at Luna.

She was walking by my side as usual, with an expressionless face.

As if nothing had happened at all.

What on earth happened?

The questions I had put aside began to emerge.

Of course, I would naturally find out during the process of explaining to my parents later.

But perhaps it might be difficult to tell my parents.

In that case, it would be better for me to mediate.

To be honest, it was a selfish desire.

I wanted to know what happened more than anyone else.

So I asked.

“Lady Luna, could you tell me if something happened?”

Luna’s head slowly turned towards me.

The walking speed gradually slowed down and soon came to a complete stop.

Your expression seemed usual, but for some reason, there was depth in your eyes.

Is it something difficult to talk about?

Have you experienced something serious?

Amid such anxious thoughts, Luna slowly began to write with a pen in hand.

It seems that I may have just been overly sensitive.

However, when her pen stopped, I could only feel numb.

[I’m sorry.]

Luna bowed her head to me.

As if she were someone who had committed a crime.