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Chapter 8
Aira remembered the secret she once shared with Luna.
At this time, Aira only knew that Luna was exchanging messages with a man.
But later, the man’s wife came to their home furious, and Aira discovered that Luna had been having an affair.
The man’s name was Baron Henrik Amstain.
He had gained his noble title because of his wife’s family’s influence. Aira remembered that he had given Luna many expensive gifts.
“Ah, this necklace was also given to you by him, wasn’t it?”
Aira pointed at Luna’s necklace.
Luna’s eyebrows immediately stiffened.
“…Ah, um… this…”
Luna quickly raised her hand and covered the beautiful jeweled necklace around her neck.
She had probably been forced to wear a dull dress because she wanted to hide the Marcelline family’s treasures.
But she still wanted to show off her beauty with expensive jewelry.
“Yes. But… we’re not really like that.”
Luna awkwardly looked between Xavier and Aira.
“We just exchange poems that we like. You could say it’s… a literary relationship.”
“A literary relationship?”
Aira smiled.
“That sounds interesting. What is his name?”
Xavier, who had his arm around Aira’s shoulder, also looked curious.
Luna gave an awkward laugh.
“Ha… ha…”
But she could not answer.
After Baron Henrik’s wife had discovered the affair, Luna had cried to Aira and claimed that she had not known he was married.
But looking back now, Aira knew that was obviously a lie.
Luna had known he was married.
She had continued meeting him and accepting his gifts anyway.
Luna had no real sense of morality.
That was probably why she later had an affair with Xavier as well.
“Your Highness, I think Luna is embarrassed.”
Aira smiled and looked at Xavier.
“Be sure to introduce him to His Highness someday, Luna.”
She also smiled at Luna.
Luna forced a smile.
But her eyes were filled with anger, as if she wanted to say something harsh to Aira.
That expression is worth all the trouble, Luna.
Aira remembered something else.
Before her marriage to Xavier, Luna had often talked about men Aira had known in the past whenever Xavier was nearby.
Once, Luna had even mentioned Simon, a childhood friend with whom Aira had exchanged simple grass rings while playing as children.
Luna had said:
“I always thought you would marry him because you two promised to get married.”
Xavier had immediately turned around and walked away.
Luna had then widened her eyes innocently and asked if she had said something wrong.
Aira, believing that sweet Luna could never intentionally hurt her, had actually comforted her.
“……”
Luna’s tightly clenched fists were trembling.
Now Aira could see right through her.
Luna was having an affair with another man while also being in love with Aira’s fiancé, Xavier.
At least for now, Xavier seemed to have no romantic interest in Luna.
“If you ever decide to introduce him to us, let me know.”
Xavier smiled.
“It might be fun for the four of us to go on a date together.”
“…Yes, Your Highness.”
Luna’s voice trembled slightly.
But Xavier, completely unaware of her feelings, happily nodded.
He then took Aira’s hand.
“If you’re feeling better now, perhaps we should have afternoon tea. I had it prepared.”
“That sounds nice, Your Highness. Luna, come with us.”
Aira cheerfully spoke to Luna.
Luna looked as if she had swallowed something bitter.
She forced the corners of her mouth upward.
“Okay, Aira.”
Luna would become Aira’s replacement sacrifice.
But she would never receive Xavier’s love.
A much more miserable fate was waiting for her.
✦ ✦ ✦
The Crown Prince’s Palace, also called the Palace of the Black Bird, stood on high ground within the imperial palace.
From its balcony, the entire imperial palace could be seen clearly.
As usual, Walter had just finished training and washing himself.
He stood on the balcony wearing a black robe with a dragon embroidered in gold thread.
His black hair was still slightly wet.
His eyes were sharp, and his nose and jawline were beautifully shaped.
From his gray eyes, the distant view of Julius Palace could be seen.
White decorative cloths moved gently in the wind.
Several people were sitting around a round table.
Among them was a blonde woman wearing a light purple dress.
She had wine-colored red eyes that shone as brightly as the most precious jewels in the imperial palace.
“……”
She calmly drank tea beside her fiancé, Xavier.
Walter’s gaze briefly moved toward the brown-haired woman sitting opposite them.
His elegant forehead slightly tightened.
Soon, the three people stood up.
Then a woman wearing a large, beautiful dress approached them.
It was Julius Amilleus, the Imperial Consort.
Walter’s gaze toward Julius was just as cold as his gaze toward Luna.
“……”
Aira Marcelline.
She had not recognized him.
…So you really chose that path.
Walter’s dark gray eyes moved quietly like the surface of a frozen lake.
Her lips were firmly closed.
She looked like someone who would refuse to reveal the truth even if he held her thin arm and demanded an answer.
Walter slowly removed his arm from the balcony railing.
Then he returned inside.
He took off his black robe.
His broad shoulders and powerful muscles were revealed.
His servants and maids approached him and began dressing him in a shirt made from the finest fabric.
His gray eyes shone sharply as he remembered the voice from his dream.
“I love you.”
In the dream, tears had filled Aira’s beautiful red eyes.
✦ ✦ ✦
After afternoon tea, Aira and Luna returned home by carriage.
Luna did not say a single word during the entire journey.
Part of the reason was that she felt sick from sitting backward.
But she was also extremely angry with Aira.
Aira… ruined all my plans.
Luna admitted that, perhaps, Aira had taken the credit for the bracelet because she wanted to protect Luna, just as Aira had claimed.
Even though Aira had stolen the credit, Luna still believed that the song she had performed for Julius had been perfect.
She was sure Julius had liked her because of it.
But what made Luna the angriest was what happened in the white Octanius garden.
We promised to keep it a secret…
Luna remembered how Aira had mentioned her secret lover in front of Xavier.
She raised her head and glared at Aira.
But Aira did not even move an eyebrow.
She calmly watched the scenery outside the carriage window.
In the past, whenever Luna merely frowned, Aira would immediately notice and carefully ask what was wrong.
Now, however, Aira seemed completely indifferent to whether Luna was upset or not.
“Of course.”
Luna changed her strategy.
“So now that you’re going to become the Second Prince’s wife, you probably think someone like me is useless.”
She stared at Aira for a long time.
Then she lowered her head and sighed sadly.
Aira’s eyelashes moved slightly.
Luna noticed that Aira was finally looking at her.
So Luna deliberately made her eyes fill with tears.
“I think I was mistaken to believe that we were really friends.”
Her voice became weak and sad.
“I’m not even a legitimate daughter like you… I’m only an illegitimate daughter. I should already be grateful just because I’m allowed to live in the same house as you.”
Luna had carefully created this image in Aira’s mind.
To Aira, Luna had always seemed more mature, more talented, wiser, and more understanding than herself.
But Luna had deliberately manipulated Aira into believing that.
Luna had grown up experiencing the harsh realities of the world outside the Count’s household.
Aira, on the other hand, had been sheltered and inexperienced.
Aira had never thought much about what people wanted or how to behave in order to get what she wanted.
She was simply too soft-hearted.
“……”
Luna raised her hand and wiped away her tears.
She could feel Aira’s gaze fixed on her.
Then Aira finally spoke.
“Luna, that’s not true.”
Luna secretly smiled in victory.
That’s right.
Now apologize to me, Aira.
