Wishes Carried to the Night Sky
The night sky hung dark and sunken, but in stark contrast, the streets were bathed in warm light. It was that lingering evening hour when the sunset hues hadn't fully faded. Narrow alleyways were lined on both sides with vibrant street stalls bursting with color. The scent of freshly baked fluffy bread, the rich aroma of grilled squid, the sweet melt of cotton candy—all mingled in the air.
"Mom, that looks yummy!"
"Son, running in the street is dangerous."
"Hehe, got it!"
The cheerful voices of happy families rode the sea breeze, spreading far and wide, wrapping the festival in an even cozier atmosphere.
"This place is really pretty... First time at the Moon-Watching Festival, but coming with you makes it even better."
"Worth the hassle to reserve, huh? Hahaha."
The tender words of lovers, lost in each other, warmed the festival streets further. Above people's heads, faint crimson lanterns dangled in strings, swaying gently with the breeze and spilling soft light. That glow quietly colored shoulders, hair, and hearts alike. Everyone walked hand-in-hand with their beloved, wandering aimlessly wherever their feet or hearts led, pausing now and then to savor the festivities freely.
A night where no one felt alone. Right in the heart of a festival where no one seemed destined to cry, two figures walked pressed close together—a man and a woman.
"Si-hyun's hand... so warm and big..."
"Luna, we might get separated in the crowd, so hold on tight today."
"Y-Yeah...! I won't let go no matter what!"
The festival's most beautiful girl and her ever-present knight in black held hands affectionately as they wove through the crowd. With every step, Luna's pale pink skirt fluttered softly. Her silver hair danced in the gentle night breeze, and her golden eyes shone brighter than the lanterns.
—Squeeze.
Luna gripped Si-hyun's hand even tighter.
Today's Si-hyun... he's so proactive and cool, my heart's in danger...!
Back at the inn, he'd confessed his love without hesitation. The silver mask half-hiding his face, the sharp line of his jaw peeking out, the wooden sword in his hand. Every gesture, every look made the girl's heart race.
"Si-hyun... you're super cool today... hehe."
"Haha, getting praised by the world's most beautiful princess feels pretty good."
Si-hyun turned to gaze at Luna, then spoke in a low, solemn voice, like a true knight addressing his princess.
"Princess, may a mere guard like me love a girl as beautiful as you?"
"...!!"
"I confessed to you under the moonlight just now, but my overflowing feelings won't be contained no matter how much I say. With you so radiant before me tonight, how could I possibly hold back?"
"S-Si-hyun... s-suddenly saying that... w-what am I supposed to...!"
Luna clutched her flushed cheeks, fidgeting anxiously. Si-hyun, finding her utterly adorable, chuckled softly and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her into his embrace.
Smack.
"...!!"
Without a second's pause, he kissed her cheek. Before the warmth of his lips faded, he spoke again.
"If you're too shy to speak, just kiss me back. That'll tell me the princess loves me too."
"H-Hwahhh...!"
Luna could barely think straight amid Si-hyun's sudden earnest tone and affections.
Hmm, better stop here for now. Any more and her legs'll give out.
"Hahaha, our princess has weaker defenses than I thought? Though that's part of your charm."
"Chii... It's 'cause Si-hyun's extra cool today."
"Got it, got it. Shall we keep walking then?"
"Yeah! Hehe."
His actions always carried a hint of playfulness. But tonight, even Si-hyun himself wasn't sure where the teasing ended and the sincerity began.
Probably sincere from the start... Luna's extra beautiful today, and even I'm swept up... haha.
The words he tossed "playfully" to Luna, the hand he offered "lightly"—they'd always hidden deep love. Tonight, that love could no longer stay buried.
Guess I'm disqualified as a guard? Falling for my protectee princess and all.
Si-hyun smiled faintly and stroked the upturned face of Luna gazing at him, pouring in all the love he'd kept hidden until now.
Orange lanterns floated in a row down the alley. Street food stalls and sweet scents unfolded on either side. Under the night sky, Luna and Si-hyun looked like lovers straight out of an old tale. Side by side in the moonlight, they formed a perfect scene, a living painting.
"Whoa... look at that couple over there. They're stunning."
"Oh my... really..."
Festival-goers turned again and again as the pair passed, murmuring in admiration. Men were captivated by Luna's beauty; women by Si-hyun's stoic coolness.
"S-Si-hyun... people are staring so much, it's a little embarrassing..."
"Hmm... 'cause you didn't wear a mask, Luna?"
"It's not that... I was Selenum's princess, so I've always been used to stares since I was little. But right now, the embarrassment is because..."
Luna ducked her head slightly, fiddling timidly with Si-hyun's sleeve.
In Selenum, the gazes on her had been awe, admiration, or mere gossip. But now was entirely different.
The reason their stares embarrass me now... is they're looking at me as Si-hyun's lover... hehe...
Envious eyes for Luna, beloved not as a princess but as one man's partner. The feeling was so novel, so joyful, it sometimes overwhelmed her to the point of breathlessness.
"The reason I'm embarrassed now is 'cause Si-hyun's by my side... 'cause my beloved Si-hyun's right here... hehe."
"......"
—Squeeze.
Si-hyun quietly enveloped her hand. Luna gasped at the mere touch of their fingertips but never let go.
Si-hyun glanced around briefly before turning back to her.
"Luna, if the stares embarrass you—"
His voice was low and calm, yet it lingered clearly in her ear.
"Just look at me."
"...!!"
"Ignore everyone else. Fix those shining golden eyes on me alone. Then you won't feel shy anymore."
—Plop.
With those words, he gently placed his hand on her head. His deep black eyes held only her, as if vowing to see no one else in the world.
"...!"
For a moment, Luna forgot to breathe. The stares remained, but they no longer mattered.
"Yeah...! I'll only look at Si-hyun...!"
Because he'd told her to look only at him.
Because he'd said he loved only her.
—Thump thump!!
W-What do I do... m-my heart's pounding so fast...!
To hide her racing heartbeat from him, Luna buried her flushed face against his arm as they walked. Amid the bustling crowd, only Luna and Si-hyun seemed in their own serene bubble, wrapped in quiet warmth. The festival raged on, but nothing reached them. In that moment, each was the other's entire world.
"Luna, feeling better now?"
"Omnom... mmm...! Sweet stuff hits the spot! Hehe."
Luna thought she'd hidden it well, but Si-hyun had long noticed the love bubbling uncontrollably from her.
Pink hearts practically flying everywhere—that's how obvious it was.
To ease her tension, Si-hyun bought her a huge pink cotton candy from a stall.
"What do you think, Luna? Like eating a cloud, right?"
"Yeah! It melts in your mouth so smooth—sweet and fluffy... just like Si-hyun."
Genuine happiness lit Luna's face.
I wish time with Si-hyun like this could last forever. If this joy continued every moment...
Even after the festival ended.
Even as seasons changed.
Even if the world ended and began anew.
As long as I could smile by your side, Si-hyun...
I'd need nothing else.
As the girl sank into faintly sad thoughts, "Luna."
Si-hyun called her gently, as if reading her heart.
"You know the Moon-Watching Festival has two big events?"
"Events...?"
"First is the sky lantern ritual—write your deepest wish and send it to the heavens."
"A wish... to the sky?"
Luna echoed softly, her golden eyes tinged with anticipation.
"Yeah. It can carry the wish in your heart up there—maybe even to the stars and moon."
"Then the stars and moon grant it...?"
The truthful answer would be "no," but Si-hyun wasn't that kind of fool.
How could I shatter such a pure soul like Luna?
—Squeeze.
He pulled Luna, clutching his collar, into his arms.
"For a princess as beautiful as you, the stars and moon would fight over who grants it first."
"Hehe... I hope so."
"Luna, wanna go make our wishes together?"
"Yeah...! Let's go!"
Clinging to him, Luna followed the crowd to the lantern release area. The distant golden glow sharpened and brightened as they approached.
Moon-Watching Night Festival: Write your wish on a lantern and send it to the sky!
"Wow... Si-hyun, this is so pretty...!"
"First time seeing lanterns launched too... it's gorgeous."
A small hilltop plaza. Dozens of sky lanterns glowed in people's hands, some already floating heavenward. People painted their dreams on the black canvas of night with golden lights. Amid the rising clusters, a bell tolled softly like a quiet prayer, echoing down the alleys. As if by unspoken agreement, everyone looked up silently at the lights.
"Luna, wait here a sec."
"Hwaaa... mmm...!"
Si-hyun set down the mesmerized Luna and fetched two lanterns from the booth.
"Luna, write on this, and it'll carry your wish to the moon."
"...Really?"
"Haha, would a guard ever lie to his princess?"
Luna took the lantern carefully. What to write first? The space was too small for such fervent, loving wishes, but she penned her heart one character at a time.
—Scribble scribble.
Soon, she set the pen down after the final stroke.
"Luna, all done?"
"Yeah...!"
"Come closer here. It's nearest the sky, so your wish-lantern reaches the stars first."
Standing side by side, they lifted the lanterns gently.
"Luna, on three, we release together? One, two, three!"
"Three!!"
As their hands opened, a soft breeze whispered between them. The golden flame rose into the night, flickering somewhere between stars and moon. Luna stared intently at hers, then bounced in place, waving at the sky.
"Please deliver my wish to the stars and moon!"
"Luna, what'd you wish for?"
"S-Si-hyun, you first!"
"Hmm, I wrote: 'Please make the world's prettiest princess the happiest in the world.'"
"Hehe... Si-hyun really loves me..."
Luna beamed up at him.
—Stroke.
Si-hyun naturally patted her head.
"Now, what about our princess's wish?"
"My wish is..."
Luna hesitated a touch, then poked his cheek to draw him near. As he leaned down, she whispered in his ear.
"The princess's wish... is a s-secret! Hehe."
"Hahaha! You told me not saying it makes it more effective, huh?"
"Yeah...! So my wish is a secret...!"
"Our princess is so cute, I'll let it slide specially."
Si-hyun just chuckled at her secrecy. They tilted their heads back to watch the sky. The night remained dark, lanterns drifting far on the wind. When hers shrank to a speck amid the starlight, Luna murmured inwardly.
Stars, moon... please. Just a little... let me stay by Si-hyun's side a little longer...
—Drip.
A clear tear welled in her golden eyes and fell.
That tear held a tiny, sorrowful plea. The lantern grew smaller with distance, but the girl's heart lingered in the sky like a new star.