episode_0032

Even the joy of waking up Ora was short-lived.

When I came to my senses, I found myself getting ready to go out.

Melina, who had been fussing over my hair for a while, said, “Do you like it?”

“Yeah, it’s nice.”

The reflection in the mirror looked much better than before I got dolled up.

Melina’s skill was becoming increasingly impressive.

“Luna should like it.”

As I brushed my bangs aside, I worried whether Luna would approve.

But there was nothing I could do.

There was no point in meddling; it might only lead to an unsatisfactory result. Trusting and leaving Melina’s choice was the best option.

Still, I wasn’t overly worried.

A woman understands another woman’s heart the best.

Melina’s choice couldn’t have been wrong.

Yet, despite being unable to help worrying, I absentmindedly twirled the ends of my hair and got up from my seat.

As I left the room, Luna happened to be coming out of her room as well.

By chance, our eyes met as we stood in front of the door, gazing at each other.

“Why is she so pretty?”

Her braided hair, which my mother had done, was beautiful, but the lightly wavy hair suited her just as well.

How much of a new look was she trying to show?

My heart never seemed to settle at moments like this.

Suddenly, Anne peeked out from behind Luna.

Embarrassed at having been caught staring at Luna, I belatedly averted my gaze.

It was embarrassing to realize I had been staring at Luna.

But now, every minute and second was precious.

Even in the moment of turning my gaze away from Luna.

So, I looked at Luna again.

My heart still raced at her beauty.

I felt a slight tremor in my words.

“Shall we go…?”

Luna nodded.

Finally, we stood side by side and took our first steps together.

It was the first day we were going on a date after meeting you.

* * * * *

Clunk-.

Feeling a slight vibration, the carriage started moving.

The mansion outside the window gradually receded, and with it, the excitement in my heart grew.

Albert pretended to look out the window and glanced at Luna sitting across from him with her usual dry expression. Sometimes he looked out the window, but mostly he stared blankly ahead. Seeing this, Albert inwardly sighed. Excited about their first date, he naturally smiled, but she seemed indifferent, not even bothering to pay attention. It felt as if he was the only one excited.

That’s when it happened. Their eyes met. Luna looked at Albert, who, startled, fixed his gaze outside. He worried that getting caught peeking would be unpleasant. However, Luna, unaware of Albert’s thoughts, couldn’t understand why he was behaving this way. Just as she thought of saying something, “I want to say thank you, but…”

While Albert was training in swordsmanship, a piece of a broken sword flew towards him, and it was Luna who saved him from it. At the time, he was too preoccupied to realize, but he should have been grateful.

Their eye contact was for that reason. She wanted to express her gratitude belatedly. But before she could show any action, he avoided her gaze, not even looking back at her from the window. As a speechless Luna, it was frustrating. Writing, bowing—all were only possible when his gaze was on her.

Finally, Luna reached out towards Albert. Even if it was just this, it was the only way she could get his attention. However, her hand never made it. Hesitantly reaching out, it returned to its place just before touching Albert. Her clenched fist rested on her knee.

“Why does this feel so uncomfortable?” Luna felt puzzled by her own feelings. It wasn’t that difficult. Just lightly tap him and convey gratitude, wasn’t that all she had to do?

How is such a simple action so difficult?

I really didn’t know anything.

Even actions that I had never thought of were popping up.

Even the simplest actions made me hesitate.

Even my own heart.

I didn’t know anything at all.

If someone knew what this heart was, I wish they would tell me.

Thinking that, Luna reached out to Albert once again.

Using her emotions as an excuse, she couldn’t avoid doing what needed to be done.

And for some reason, she wanted him to look back, just a little.

Just before Luna’s hand touched Albert, who had been staring out the window the whole time, he turned his gaze toward Luna.

“Luna, about the… ”

Boldly starting to speak, Albert soon found himself at a loss for words.

It was because an incomprehensible situation was unfolding before his eyes.

Was Luna blinking with her hand reaching out?

Moreover, her hand was directed towards herself.

“Do you have something to say?”

Nodding—.

Luna hastily withdrew her hand and vigorously nodded her head.

The speed of her nodding seemed faster than ever, making him feel a bit flustered.

Did she have something she desperately wanted to say?

‘What a fool.’

Rather than making Luna happy, the fact that he left her alone felt truly pathetic.

At the same time, it was pleasing.

Just knowing that Luna wanted to talk made him happy, and his mouth twitched into a smile.

Luna gripped the pen.

And she wrote in the air.

[It’s late, but thank you for saving me.]

“Saving me? Are you talking about me?”

[Yes, you saved me from a shard of a sword during sword training.]

“I should say it’s my fault. It’s something I caused, so I should apologize instead. I’m sorry for startling you.”

[I said thank you, why are you turning it into an apology?]

“It’s not something to be thankful for, is it?”

[Then it’s not something to apologize for either.]

“It is something to apologize for.”

[Then it’s something to be thankful for.]

The carriage rumbled on.

Albert spoke with a smile, facing each other.

An ordinary conversation.

Luna thought every moment was truly special.

Having lived a life far from the ordinary, it was the ordinariness that seemed extraordinary. However, apart from that, it was repulsive. It is proper to accept gratitude appropriately if it has been expressed. It is enough to decline out of courtesy just once. How can one not say a single word about it? However, if you don’t like it, it wasn’t so. Rather, it should be said that I don’t like it. It seemed to become more and more similar to him. “My life was in danger, how can that not be something worth apologizing for?” “Ultimately, it wasn’t dangerous. Because you saved me. Not a single wound remains on my body.” “As important as the result is the process, isn’t it?” “If it’s the process, I’m not worried at all…” Process. Suddenly, Luna remembered Albert’s talk about the process. Albert running with a determination to save himself. Albert showing a smile as if to reassure. There was no sense of unease in any scene. Rather, it should be said that it was strange. There was a continuous tingling sensation in one corner of her heart. With an unfamiliar feeling, Luna eventually erased the written text and wrote a new sentence. “Anyway, thank you. I won’t accept apologies.” “Huh, how contradictory is that? Then I’ll apologize too. I won’t accept thanks.” Albert and Luna glared at each other. In the sweet and sour silence, only the rustling sound spread. Just like that. Puff-. Albert broke the silence. Her stubborn appearance was so cute that I couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “Why are you laughing?” “Just because this situation is so enjoyable. If you felt bad, I’m sorry.” “You said you wouldn’t accept apologies.” “Was that still valid?” “It’s a joke.” Luna said that and turned her gaze out the window. Albert looked at her and smiled. This moment will be remembered as special and precious to both of them. * * * * * The running carriage slowed down and eventually came to a complete stop. As the carriage door opened, humid air rushed in. We had arrived at a place where hot spring development was in full swing.

I just wanted to introduce Luna, and I also wanted to see the progress with my own eyes.

It was when I got off the carriage first and was escorting Luna by holding her hand.

“Boss?”

The voice I least wanted to hear reached my ears.