“It truly is beautiful, isn’t it?”

A flat voice praised Sel.

Lavi turned around sharply, brimming with hostility.

Eric approached him, holding a champagne glass.

Behind Eric, noblewomen’s eyes clung to him with intent.

For some reason, Eric had always been popular with married women.

“Oh, if it isn’t Count Eric Tylen.”

“Pleasure to see you, Duke Lavirus Penhac.”

They exchanged polite, insincere greetings and shook hands.

It was their first meeting since the last campaign.

The gathering of two tall men drew the attention of the young ladies in the room.

“Is your sister alright? She’s over there crying.”

Lavi gestured toward Eric’s sister, Lauren.

Lauren stood in the corner of the banquet hall, wiping away tears.

“Ah. She’s been like that ever since she found out Her Highness is a woman. Something about the novel being ruined or whatever. Don’t worry—those fools will handle it.”

As if on cue, Eric’s eldest brother, a businessman, and his second brother, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, rushed in like ghosts to attend to Lauren.

“That aside, you bastard—don’t you have something to say to me?”

Lavi’s expression twisted as he stepped closer to Eric.

Since Lavi’s possession had ended, Eric had lost interest in the world and now snorted dismissively.

“There’s nothing in particular I want to say. You’re no fun to watch anymore.”

Despite his words, Eric’s eyes looked somewhat sad.

Lavi leaned in, his mouth close to Eric’s ear.

“When did you find out Sel was a woman?”

His quiet whisper was sharp with tension.

He was furious that Eric had known and said nothing.

“I was more surprised that you figured it out. Guess you’re not a complete idiot.”

Eric brushed the ear Lavi whispered into with a scowl.

“Let me warn you—don’t even think about pursuing Her Highness.”

“What the hell are you mumbling about? Take off those glasses. Can’t you see what’s going on around you?”

“I’m going to propose.”

Pfft—Eric spit out his champagne mid-drink.

Lavi lightly dodged the spray with astounding footwork, not letting a single drop touch him.

Eric calmly took out a handkerchief from his br*ast pocket and wiped his mouth.

“You’re serious? What is this all of a sudden…”

“Why so shocked?”

“It’s the most surprising thing I’ve heard since your ‘I’m gay’ comment.”

“I was prepared even when I thought she was a man. What’s there to be scared of now?”

“Oh, come on. Are you going to make a whole scene when you get rejected?”

Eric had already assumed Lavi would be turned down.

Compared to Lavi, who was basically a lunatic, Sel was far too precious.

He had known Lavi had shown some interest in Sel during their time in the mercenary corps, but he hadn’t expected such single-minded audacity.

“Don’t tell me all that weird behavior back then was because of Her Highness.”

Based on the behavior patterns of Observation Subject No. 1, it seemed likely that the reason for his whining was rejection.

Seeing the tips of Subject No. 1’s ears turn red confirmed it.

Oh ho. Eric tried not to laugh, but the corners of his lips twitched upward.

Excited, Eric pulled out his notebook. It had been ages since something was this fun.

“How many times?”

“What?”

“How many times have you confessed and been rejected?”

“What the hell are you saying? I’ve never been rejected, alright? My feelings just didn’t get through!”

Lavi growled, even though he’d been turned down at least three or four times.

“Most people would call that rejection. But if that word bothers you, I’ll rephrase it. How many times have your feelings not gotten through—”

“Shut up.”

“Wonderful.”

“What?”

“It means you still have some shame. I’m relieved you know embarrassment.”

Eric clicked his tongue, remarking that continuing to chase someone after being rejected so many times just looked pathetic.

“Even if I’m rejected ten times, the owner of my heart will never change.”

“That’d sound like a noble vow on the battlefield for one’s country, but when it’s about a woman, it’s just creepy.”

Like a stalker.

“Are you trying to piss me off? Wait—what are you writing?!”

Eric scribbled in his notebook: Estimated to have been rejected at least three times.

Lavi’s face contorted in frustration.

“If you’re planning on getting rejected a fourth time, send me an invitation in advance. I’ll come cheer you on.”

With a charming smile, Eric tucked his notebook away and disappeared.

Lavi stared blankly at Eric’s retreating back.

***

“Oh my, you’re wearing glasses today. You look splendid, Duke Penhac.”

A middle-aged nobleman offered Lavi a sly greeting.

Sigh. Lavi turned his head, eyes clearly full of irritation.

It was Count Mosca.

The Mosca family, who ran a large factory for magical machinery, mainly produced firearms.

The Desert Eagle Lavi had once gifted to Sel was also one of their products.

‘For Her Highness’s sake, there’s no need to make enemies.’

Lavi offered a friendly smile and a nod.

“Good day, Count Mosca.”

“Yes. We’ve recently developed a new rifle, and it’s been well received. All thanks to your advice, Duke Lavirus.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t go so far as to call it advice.”

“The one who actually developed the prototype is my daughter.”

“Come on, greet him!”

The Count pushed his daughter, who had been standing behind him, forward.

She appeared to be about Sel’s age and stood modestly with her hands folded. She looked intelligent and poised.

“Good day, Duke Penhac. My name is Emily Mosca.”

“I see, Lady Mosca. A pleasure to meet you.”

Lavi’s interest was in the family’s business, not in the woman.

He offered a perfunctory farewell and turned to leave.

“Duke, I heard the news about Flora.”

Lady Mosca stopped him in his tracks. Lavi’s brow twitched.

“You must be mistaken, My Lady. That woman and I have no particular relationship.”

“Is that so? But that name was enough to stop your steps and make you turn around. That alone is enough for me.”

For now.

Lady Mosca curtsied lightly.

Behind her, her father couldn’t hide a greedy smile.

‘Nothing good comes from getting entangled with a lady like that.’

Lavi quickly escaped the scene and headed toward the platform where Sel stood.

That space was already crowded with nobles waiting to greet Sel—especially men.

Removing his glasses, Lavi swept his hair back and threw a sharp glare at each of them.

Startled, the nobles parted like the Red Sea, making way for him.

“I greet you, Princess Selestia.”

Lavi knelt gracefully and bowed. Then, he extended his hand toward Sel.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Duke.”

Sel responded politely and reached out her hand to place it over Lavi’s.

But before she could touch him, another hand snatched Lavi’s first.

“Oh my. Your hand’s become quite rough, Lavirus.”

“…Your Majesty?”

Lavi grimaced and pulled his hand away from the emperor’s grip. Despite the potentially rude gesture, the emperor burst into hearty laughter.

“What do you think you’re doing, Your Majesty?”

“Interfering.”

“?”

“My little sister’s hand is honey-coated, you see. No one else should grab it so carelessly.”

With a smirk, the emperor raised one eyebrow, echoing the exact words Lavi had once said to him.

The sly look in the emperor’s eyes clashed fiercely with the sharpness in Lavi’s. The surrounding atmosphere instantly turned cold.

***

“You summoned me?”

Lavi entered the emperor’s office and greeted him.

The emperor, who had been staring at documents, set down his pen and leaned his elbows on the desk.

His face was full of worry.

“Thanks to you, my sister’s investiture ceremony went very well. So well, in fact, that I received a lot of praise for the heavy tension you brought to it.”

The emperor sarcastically commented on the warlike atmosphere, but Lavi just smiled innocently.

“You were the one who picked the fight first, Your Majesty.”

“So petty. Anyway, I called you because I have something to say and something to ask. Which should come first?”

“What would you like to say?”

“I imagine you suffered a lot because of my father.”

“!”

The emperor removed the golden crown from his head and gestured with his hand.

The attendants guarding the office quietly stepped out.

“Now that my memories have returned, I realize what a wretched father he was. He hurt me so deeply that I lost my memories. I still resent him.”

“……………”

“Not knowing that, I kept going to you on every new moon, possessed, asking about the future. Every time I spoke with that spirit, I felt something nostalgic, something warm.”

Ha… The emperor laughed softly, gazing into the distance as if counting and recalling each of those days.

“At the end, during the succession ceremony, he advised me not to look back but to move forward. Looking back now, he was telling me to forget him and live on. Even to the end, he was a harsh man.”

“He must have done it for Your Majesty.”

“…Yes.”

The emperor ran a finger across the crown lying on the desk.

The gleam of this crown passed down from his father felt unusually sorrowful today.

“Lavi, I know how much you’ve suffered because of the possessions. I know how much inner pain you endured. I also know that you kept the spirit’s identity a secret for the honor of the imperial family…”

The emperor’s gaze landed on Lavi, standing silently before him.

He must have gone through countless hardships, yet he stood there today, still unshaken like a tree that would not fall. That unwavering strength made the emperor’s heart ache even more as he continued.

“I’m sorry. I am sorry—and I always will be. And…”

The emperor, who had been staring at Lavi, briefly lowered his gaze. A shimmer of moisture filled his eyes.

“Thank you.”

“………”

“For taking in my sister who lived in a remote cabin… for enduring my father’s spirit… for finding the fragment of the moon and recovering my mother’s remains. It was all because of you.”

“I didn’t expect to be thanked by Your Majesty.”

Lavi scratched his cheek with a finger. That cheek was visibly red.

The emperor burst into a pleasant laugh—the sight reminded him of a younger Lavi.

“Haha! I’ve even set aside the crown, yet you’re still so reserved. Have you finally matured?”

“I’m just embarrassed, that’s all.”

“The royal family of Latrancia owes you a great debt. I want to offer you a fitting reward.”

“I don’t really need anything… Oh.”

Lavi’s pure, childlike eyes suddenly sparkled.

It was the look of a seasoned mercenary commander who had seen it all.

“What is it? You’re suddenly making me nervous.”

“Then grant me one wish later, brother.”

The emperor frowned as Lavi suddenly called him “brother” and spoke in a familiar tone. Somehow, the title felt layered with hidden meanings.

“I suddenly don’t like this. The tone makes it sound like an outrageous request. Strangely unpleasant.”

“I’ve achieved something really big this time. So big that you could grant me a dozen wishes. I pulled it off, brother.”

Lavi wasn’t wrong. The emperor reluctantly nodded.

Satisfied with the answer, Lavi smiled and swiftly changed the subject.

“Well, that aside. What did you want to ask me?”

“About the moon fragment you brought. According to legend, it should look like a full moon. But something seems odd. Was it originally shaped like a half-moon?”

The emperor narrowed his eyes and beckoned with a finger.

“…As long as the treatment worked, does the shape really matter, Your Majesty?”

“Why are you suddenly speaking so politely?”

“Well, it’s a moon fragment. And moons wax and wane, right? So maybe the fragment changes shape depending on the phase.”

“You didn’t tamper with the imperial tribute, did you, Lavirus?”

“Of course not. That sounds more like something Eric would do.”

“Sigh. I was foolish to ask directly.”

The emperor massaged his temple and waved Lavi away.

With a bright smile, Lavi left the office with a cheerful stride.