episode_0037

Jealousy ultimately stems from greed. It’s a reaction to not being able to monopolize something due to the desire for it.

I know.

This shouldn’t continue like this.

It’s not the position to be greedy.

Perhaps it might be better for Luna this way. After all, it was a marriage chosen solely for the sake of the family’s prestige.

Rather than suffering with the Marquis Mangnani, it would be better for both Iris and her if she were on good terms with the prince.

Then, how can I push them together?

Because the prince is superior to me?

Or because in a previous life, we were close?

“No, absolutely not.”

Reason clashes with emotion. My mind was colder than ever, but my heart was warmer than ever.

However, intoxicated people tend to be emotional.

My steps quickened due to uncontrollable emotions.

As those watching the situation began to murmur among themselves, I silently continued to move forward.

Not a single drop of emotion was left for such useless matters.

However, Luna moved her head at the commotion.

Her gaze slowly turned towards me, and our eyes met momentarily.

But it was just for a moment.

Luna lowered her gaze, blatantly avoiding mine, as if she had committed a sin.

Why? This is just…

It’s distressing. It feels like a heavy rock has been placed on my chest.

However, I didn’t know how to stop my steps, and soon I was in front of her.

There were so many things I wanted to ask.

Emotions seemed like they would burst out of my mouth at any moment.

After gazing at her with those feelings for a moment, I bowed my head towards the prince.

“Albert of Duke David greets the little sun of the empire.”

“Please raise your head.”

A gentle voice, an attitude that respects those below.

With just a few words, one could discern his character.

The empire where the new sun shines will surely be bright.

I raised my head as he said.

Up close, the prince’s face was truly handsome.

Women must surely adore such looks.

In contrast, I was sharp in appearance, enough to feel threatened just by making eye contact, so I couldn’t help but sigh.

“Master Albert, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I am the First Prince, Asilir Alexander.”

The prince reached out his hand for a handshake, and I accepted it as politely as possible.

I wondered if this was right, but when the prince offered his hand, I had no choice but to take it.

“You have a lot of calluses on your hands, don’t you?”

“Yes, I developed them while learning swordsmanship from my father.”

“I see, then your hands will become those of a swordsman in the future.”

“I will strive for that to be the case.”

His hand was truly different from mine, rough and rugged. It felt similar to Luna’s.

Not only that, his hands were small in size, making me think that he was not a man to be taken lightly, despite receiving protection. It was truly absurd to think that one word from him could move the empire, yet here he was receiving protection. It was a ridiculous thought, but it was mine.

Anyway, since we had finished the greetings, it was time to move on to the main topic.

“Your Highness, may I ask an impertinent question?”

“Yes, please go ahead.”

“Has anything happened with the princess? I’m concerned because she is my fiancée.”

I didn’t need to say the rest, but it slipped out of my mouth unintentionally. Perhaps I wanted to firmly establish Luna’s and my relationship.

It seemed like I was talking nonsense; maybe I had drunk too much.

“I merely caught her as she was about to fall. There is nothing more to it.”

“I see. Thank you for helping the princess.”

I bowed my head to express my gratitude.

I had thought we were just having a chance conversation, but apparently, something had happened.

Suddenly, I felt even more uncomfortable.

However, it was all my fault.

I had left Luna’s side to gather information from the reformists.

“Well then, enjoy yourself at your leisure.”

With those words, the prince left.

He left a truly good impression from start to finish.

As I watched him walk away, feeling frustrated, I turned to look at Luna.

She was still looking down as if she were a sinner.

What should I do?

There were many things I wanted to say, but it felt like they were stuck in my throat.

“Luna, would you like to have a glass of wine with me?”

After calling her name, Luna raised her head and slowly nodded in agreement.

I decided not to talk about what happened today.

Jealousy doesn’t look good on a man. If I talk about it, I’ll just end up looking pathetic.

Having organized my thoughts, I received a glass of wine from the servant and handed it to Luna.

The gorgeous yet elegant dark red color seemed to suit her well.

“To be honest, I find these social gatherings a bit tedious. They’re too flashy and sometimes hurt my eyes.”

Perhaps I’ve been influenced by Luna.

They say couples grow alike. Maybe that’s what’s happening to me.

Luna fidgeted with my belongings while holding a wine glass in one hand.

It seemed she was trying to take out a pen, but having only one free hand seemed inconvenient.

“It’s okay. Just having your company is enough.”

We continued to sip our wine as a form of conversation.

I was the only one speaking, and Luna responded by nodding or gesturing with her head.

But this moment felt so special.

It felt like we were the only ones left in the vast and glamorous ballroom.

Unintentionally, I found myself talking more than usual.

I might have had a bit too much to drink.

Time passed, and before we knew it, the social gathering was coming to an end.

We stepped out onto the balcony.

To escape the dull social event and sober up a bit.

The breeze felt truly refreshing, if only for a moment.

Suddenly, beautiful music began to play.

As I turned my head, I saw some nobles dancing beyond the balcony’s windows, moving gracefully to the music.

Dancing was also part of the nobility’s refinement. At least one should be able to dance when asked.

Thinking this way, it seemed that the nobles were quite busy as well.

To a commoner caught up in the daily grind, it might seem amusing.

Anyway, everyone seems to be dancing.

There was nothing we couldn’t do.

“Luna.”

I knelt down and reached out my hand to her.

With a slightly trembling voice, I said,

“Would you like to dance?”

Luna hesitated as she approached.

For some reason, she seemed uneasy.

I felt the same way.

I worried about making a mistake.

But in times like this, shouldn’t we support each other?

I reached out my hand and took her hesitant hand.

If I had done this to someone else, it would have been considered impolite.

Of course, I wouldn’t ask anyone else to dance.

Besides, aren’t we somewhat special?

I stood up and smiled at her.

“What does it matter if we don’t dance well? We don’t have to show it to anyone.”

We just need to enjoy ourselves.

Nodding, Luna’s head moved ever so slightly.

Perhaps due to the alcohol, her slightly flushed cheeks looked lovely.

Eventually, she and I started dancing to the music.

On a balcony with no one watching.

Bathed in the soft moonlight.

Our feet and hands synchronized every move, understanding each other’s thoughts, becoming one.

I wondered if she could read my mind, and my heart fluttered inexplicably.

Being so close that I could feel her breath, I worried if the smell of alcohol might be too strong.

Oops!

While we were dancing, Luna stepped on my foot.

She looked a bit startled.

I responded with a smile as if it was nothing.

Mistakes like stepping on someone’s foot can happen anytime.

Such trivial things cannot shatter my happiness.

The dance resumed.

The warmth transmitted through our joined hands was comforting.

It felt like we were the only two people in the world.

I will never forget this moment.

Not long after, the social gathering came to an end.

Since we didn’t have any close friends there, we didn’t exchange greetings with anyone and got straight into the carriage.

Only the sound of the carriage creaking in the silence.

However, it didn’t feel unpleasant.

The discomfort had somehow settled into a calmness.

So, without saying a word, I was looking out the window.

Tap, tap-.

Luna very carefully tapped the back of my hand.

“Albert, I have something to say.”

“Yes, please go ahead.”

“By any chance, about the prince….”

The prince?

My heart fluttered for no reason.

However, what Luna wrote was the end of it.

She shook her head from side to side over the hastily written note.

“No, never mind. I’m sorry.”

Luna had intended to convey that the prince seemed to be a woman disguised as a man, but she decided to think a little more.

It’s not good to jump to conclusions without solid evidence.

Of course, there was no way Albert could know about Luna’s thoughts.