episode_0027

She ran away.

When she conveyed that fact, I was a little surprised.

It was Luna, after all.

She had always firmly shut the door to her heart and refused to accept emotions.

So, it was unexpected that she felt something strong enough to run away.

I was truly ashamed.

Because the reason you felt such emotions was because your vase was broken.

You must have been hurt enough to run away, yet you were happy about valuing the gift I gave you.

However, those feelings didn’t last long.

It would be more accurate to say they were buried by another shock.

She said she would be staying with us for a while.

That’s what Luna said.

She had an indifferent expression as if nothing had happened.

Perhaps because she had finally let out her pent-up stories, she seemed a bit relieved.

But I wasn’t feeling that way.

My heart started to flutter.

Just the thought of spending more time with you made me excited.

What should we do from now on?

As I imagined that, a smile naturally spread across my face…

“Albert, can I take Luna for a while?”

My mother, who came out of the study, said with a big smile.

Thanks to her, my raised corners of my mouth fell back down.

“Yes, that’s fine.”

“Oh, thank you. Luna, could you spare some time for me?”

Luna, who was alternating between looking at me and my mother, slowly nodded her head.

She seemed to not understand the situation, but for now, she seemed to accept it as my mother’s request.

But, do you understand?

I had no idea why my mother was taking Luna.

Honestly, I wanted to refuse.

As her fiancé, I hadn’t even spent time with her yet, so how could my mother send her away first?

But I couldn’t refuse.

I shouldn’t refuse.

After all, my mother is the true master of Duke David.

If I refused the request here, there was a high chance that tomorrow’s swordsmanship training would become very difficult.

“Alright, let’s go.”

My mother led Luna somewhere.

But why does she seem so happy?

It’s so different from usual that I’m starting to doubt if she’s the same person.

“Perhaps you’ve been feeling a bit lonely.”

Just as children grow by consuming their parents’ love, parents also feel joy and fulfillment from their children’s love.

However, could it be that the only son, who is unable to express his feelings, is just too shy?

Moreover, having grown up as a good-for-nothing, even that might have made Mother feel lonely.

No matter how many times I apologize and express gratitude to my parents, it’s never enough.

My debt is deep, but it’s still not deep enough.

“But then, this is also Father’s fault.”

It wouldn’t be strange for a daughter, but isn’t it unusual for a son to frequently express his feelings?

In that case, it’s right for Father to make more effort so that Mother doesn’t feel lonely.

“Otherwise, even if it’s a younger sister…”

As I was thinking such thoughts, Father came out as the door of the study opened.

Caught off guard, I was startled and couldn’t speak.

Upon which, Father smirked, narrowed his eyes, and glared at me.

“Have you committed a sin? Why are you so surprised, my goodness.”

“I’m sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment, so I didn’t expect you to come out.”

“Enough, come in for a moment. I have something to tell you.”

“Yes.”

I followed Father into the study.

Lately, as I had been assisting with the estate affairs and learning at the same time, it wasn’t as awkward as before.

After we naturally took our seats facing each other, Father spoke.

“Marquis Arus mentioned that the development of the hot springs is going quite smoothly. He said the books and materials you provided were very helpful.”

“I’m glad they were helpful.”

There was hardly any information on hot springs in the empire, so I had hired someone to obtain materials from a neighboring country.

For things that couldn’t be found no matter how hard I searched, I had recreated them based on memories from a past life.

The methods that had already achieved success were bound to be helpful.

“So, what I’m saying is, don’t you have any intention of going on an inspection with Luna?”

“Are you talking about Lady Luna…?”

I was taken aback.

It wasn’t Mother, and yet Father was saying this.

To me, Father had always been a quiet and stern person.

“I can see your reaction. You’re probably going to be evasive and hesitant anyway.”

“How could that…?”

“Think about who you are the son of. Is it not often the case that we resemble what we are told not to? It brings back old memories, and I cannot just stand by and watch.”

The father who spoke thus let out a sigh.

Perhaps he was recalling old memories, as he had a wistful expression.

It might have been that the father, too, was regretting the past.

At any rate, there was no reason to refuse the father’s suggestion.

Surely, riding in the carriage and touring the village with Luna would be enjoyable.

“Well then, tomorrow I will go to the village with Lady Luna.”

“Good, but do you still call her ‘Lady’?”

“…Yes.”

At my response, my father let out a hollow laugh.

Then, as if disgusted, he shook his head from side to side, abruptly stood up, and smacked my head.

As he did so, he said,

“Hey, you rascal. I wasn’t like that. Get a hold of yourself.”

My father must have put some strength into the blow, but I, who received it, still couldn’t recover from the shock.

My head was spinning, and my vision was flickering.

Even if I tried to resist, it was futile.

Was it because of the blow to the head?

I ended up saying something I shouldn’t have to my father.

“I… wish I had a younger sister.”

In the face of my father, who regained his composure, countless question marks poured out from his expression.

And then, I received another blow.

* * * * *

“Hmm, this one seems to suit you better…. Or does it? Maybe this one?”

Daisy held out her dress to Luna and said so.

Bright colors were good, and so were plain ones.

She was even more troubled by the fact that she was the one choosing, as every outfit seemed to suit her well.

Luna silently watched Daisy’s dilemma.

If she had to choose, she would pick the plain one, but she was cautious about whether it would differ from her choice.

The reason the two were choosing clothes was simple.

It was because the dress Luna was wearing was a mess.

There were stains everywhere, and she couldn’t continue wearing a dress that was even torn, especially not at her own estate, let alone her fiancé’s estate.

However, Luna couldn’t easily voice her thoughts.

It was enough to cause trouble just by being in the new position.

But isn’t it the Duchess who should have suggested it first?

So I accepted gratefully.

Of course, I didn’t forget to refuse once.

That’s how it continued.

Daisy took out a new dress and said to Luna, “How about this?”

“If it’s something the Duchess chooses for me, then I’m fine with anything.”

“Yeah, that’s what I mean.”

Daisy twinkled her eyes and looked at various clothes.

To be honest, she enjoyed it.

If you’re a woman, you’d probably have such thoughts.

Choosing clothes with your daughter, braiding your daughter’s hair.

Thinking of doing things only a daughter and mother can do together.

Daisy felt the same way.

When her daughter was born, she thought they would have such joyful times together.

However, after the birth of her first son Albert, the situation in the estate worsened.

She couldn’t bring herself to ask for a second daughter.

Instead, a wonderful daughter-in-law like this came along.

She felt a little sorry for Luna, wishing she could have played a little more with her.

Living with two gruff men was a bit lonely.

Thinking this, while Daisy was looking at the clothes, Luna reached out as if drawn by something.

Why was that?

I don’t really know the reason.

It’s better to say she was just attracted.

But because it didn’t seem proper, she quickly withdrew her hand and bowed her head.

“Do you like this?”

Daisy said, taking out the dress.

It was a truly plain dress that was hard to find any splendor in.

However, it seemed like it could brighten her appearance instead.

Nodding slightly, Luna agreed.

The color, the texture of the fabric – she liked every part of the dress, but there was a feeling that drew her even more than that.

“Then let’s go with this one.”

Daisy readily accepted.

After all, if she didn’t like any dress, it was meaningless.

Then Luna, with Daisy’s help, changed into the dress.

From the start, their body shapes were almost identical, so fortunately, the dress fit well.

“Hmm… it seems like the hairstyle is a bit plain. Should I braid it?”

At Daisy’s words, Luna nodded.

Honestly, it didn’t matter how her hair turned out. Luna sat in the chair while Daisy carefully started braiding her hair from behind. As they did, they exchanged ordinary, everyday conversations. The relaxed atmosphere felt quite awkward to Luna, as it was something she had never experienced before. However, she liked it so much that she wished it could stay that way forever. As time passed and they finished braiding her hair, Daisy and Luna headed towards the dining area where Joshua and Albert were waiting. As they got closer, Luna nervously checked her clothes and fidgeted with her hair for no apparent reason, feeling a bit anxious. Upon arriving at the dining table, Luna faced Albert. An awkward atmosphere filled the space between their intersecting gazes. Suddenly, Albert spoke, “Luna, it suits you well.” I couldn’t say anything as I faced Luna. Even if my mouth closed on its own due to her beauty, it would be fine. As I absentmindedly admired her, my mother passed by and poked me in the side, clearly meaning for me to give her a compliment. But what kind of compliment should I give? Any praise would surely fall short of expressing her. As I pondered this, I finally spoke, “Luna, it suits you well.” Suddenly, I recalled the words my father had said and refrained from using the title “Princess.” Feeling embarrassed, I couldn’t bear to look at Luna. And so, I kept turning my gaze here and there until suddenly, in one corner of my vision, I saw a small ear tinged with red.