Chapter 08
Aira recalled a secret Luna had once shared with her.
At that time, she only thought Luna had some man she was in contact with. But it wasn’t until the man’s wife showed up, furious, then that Aira realized Luna was involved in an affair.
“Aira, that woman might kill me. Help me,” Luna had pleaded.
Henrik Amstein, a baron who gained his title based on his wife’s status, had given Luna many gifts.
“Oh, that necklace—is it from him?” Aira pointed to the necklace around Luna’s neck.
Luna raised her hand to cover the beautiful jewel necklace around her neck.
Though Luna had reluctantly worn a dull-colored dress to sneak away Marcelline’s treasures, but she likely wanted to show off her beauty through her accessories.
“Yeah, well… but we’re not in… that kind of relationship,” Luna awkwardly explained, glancing nervously at both Xavier and Aira.
“We just exchanged some poetry, you know, a literary relationship.”
“A literary relationship, interesting. What’s his name?” Xavier asked in a curious tone, who had his arm around Aira’s shoulder.
Luna forced a laugh, unable to answer.
When Henrik’s wife caught her, Luna tearfully claimed to Aira that she hadn’t known he was married, but Aira now knew that was a blatant lie. Luna had known all along and still met him and accepted his gifts.
She likely had no moral compass, which is probably why she also had an affair with Xavier.
“Your Highness, it seems Luna is feeling shy,” Aira said, smiling as she turned to Xavier.
“Let us know next time, Luna,” She said to Luna with a smile.
Luna’s lips twitched into a forced smile, but her eyes burned with barely suppressed fury toward Aira.
‘That face, how satisfying, isn’t it, Luna?’ Aira thought smugly.
Luna had often brought up Aira’s past relationships in front of Xavier before they were engaged, trying to unsettle him.
Once, she’d spoken about Simon, a childhood friend Aira had exchanged a grass ring with, and Luna had teased her in front of Xavier that she thought Aira would marry Simon, causing Xavier to leave in anger. Afterward, Luna looked surprised and asked herself if she had made a mistake.
At the time, Aira had dismissed it as a harmless mistake.
“…”
Luna’s clenched fists trembled with anger.
Now, Aira saw right through her. Luna, despite her affair with another man, still harbored feelings for Xavier.
As for Xavier, at least for now, he seemed uninterested in Luna.
“If you ever feel like introducing him, let us know. A double date wouldn’t be bad,” Xavier said cheerfully.
“…Yes, Your Highness,” Luna replied, her voice shaky.
But Xavier nodded happily.
Then, he held Aira’s hand and suggested,
“If you’re feeling good, maybe we can have some tea. I’ve prepared afternoon tea.”
“That sounds lovely, Your Highness. Luna, come with us,”
Aira said to Luna with a cheerful tone, though her face looked like she had eaten something bitter.
Luna forced a smile, still holding her anger at Aira.
“Sure, Aira,”
Luna might take Aira’s place as a scapegoat, but she wouldn’t win Xavier’s love.
A more miserable path awaited her.
The Crown Prince’s palace, known as the Blackbird Palace, stood on the highest ground of the royal complex, offering a clear view of the entire palace from its balcony.
As always, after finishing his training, he stepped out onto the balcony after washing up. Draped in a black robe embroidered with golden dragons, he gazed down.
His black hair was still wet, and in his gray eyes, the view of Julienne Palace was reflecting.
White decorative fabrics swayed gently in the breeze around the round table where several people sat.
Among them, his gaze landed on a woman in a lavender dress with golden hair. Her wine-red eyes were shinning brilliantly, rivaling the finest jewels in the palace.
“…”
She calmly sipped tea beside her fiancé, Prince Xavier.
His eyes briefly flicked to a woman with short brown hair seated across from her, and his brows furrowed slightly.
The three rose from their seats.
A woman in a grand dress approached the trio.
Julienne Amileus, Empress of Kalanta.
Her gaze at Julienne was as cold as her disdain for Luna.
“…”
Aira Marcelline. She no longer recognized him.
“…So, that’s the choice you made,” he thought.
His steely gray eyes gleamed like an icy lake, unreadable and resolute.
Without a word, he left the balcony, entering his room to remove his black robe.
His broad shoulders and chiseled muscles came into view as servants helped him into a finely tailored shirt.
His eyes burned brightly, as he recalled a voice from his dreams.
“I love you.”
Her red eyes were filled with tears, which flickered sadly.
After finishing tea time, Aira and Luna returned home in the carriage.
During the ride back, Luna didn’t speak a word to Aira.
It was because she was feeling sick from the bumpy ride, or more precisely, she was really angry at Aira.
‘Aira… ruined all my plans.’
It was true that Aira had taken the credit for the gift meant for the Empress, but as Aira said, it was for Luna’s sake. Even though the credit had been stolen, Luna thought the song she had sung to Empress Julienne was perfect and that the Empress had liked it.
But what made her more angry was what happened in the Octanius garden.
‘We agreed to keep it a secret…’
Remembering how Aira had told Prince Xavier about her lover, Luna turned to glare at Aira.
Aira, however, didn’t flinch. She sat calmly, staring out the window, unaffected by the silence and tension in the carriage.
Luna had always felt that Aira carefully observed her moods, but now it seemed like Aira didn’t care whether she was upset or not.
“Right, now that Aira is going to be the Empress, I must seem useless to her.”
Luna, who had been staring at Aira, changed her approach. She sighed deeply, lowering her head with a helpless expression.
Aira, sensing her shift, seemed to notice and briefly looked at Luna.
Luna purposely let tears gather in her eyes as she continued,
“I think I was wrong to ever think we could be friends. I’m not like Aira. I’m just a concubine’s daughter… I’m lucky just to be living under the same roof as her.”
To Luna, Aira had always seemed more mature, talented, wise, and understanding. Luna had intentionally made Aira think of her in that way.
Unlike Aira, who had little experience of the world, Luna had grown up outside the noble family, facing many struggles.
Aira, who had never really considered what people liked or how to act to get what she wanted, was too young and naïve.
“…”
Luna wiped away her tears, feeling Aira’s gaze fixed on her.
“Luna, that’s not true.”
Finally, Aira spoke. Luna smiled to herself, pleased.
‘Yes, apologize, Aira.’
Edited By Freya (1-10)
