Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Drunken Confession
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She handed me the alcohol, and I nibbled on the snacks.
"Are you okay?"
Maybe it was because I'd already downed four glasses?
My body felt languid, my head foggy, so I leaned back against the sofa.
"Yeah... just... a little dizzy."
I'd drunk strong liquor too quickly, one after another.
"Hmm? Really?"
Luna sat down beside me with a sly smile.
"Want another glass?"
"Ah..."
I couldn't handle any more, but I didn't dare ruin her mood, so I shakily picked up the glass.
"You're really struggling, huh?"
Luna gazed at me intently.
"Ah... no. I can still drink more."
"Hng~ You're such a bad liar..."
-Clink.
She set the bottle down on the table and pressed her body close to mine, whispering in my ear.
"My Aiden? Are you very tired?"
I shook my head slightly.
"No. Not tired at all."
"Hehe, you must be tired though? I fed you that strong stuff on purpose to get you drunk."
"Pardon?"
She'd prepared strong alcohol specifically to get me drunk?
Why?
I felt a chill at Luna's inscrutable intentions.
"That... that expression again."
She poked my cheek with her finger.
"Huh?"
"I'm not going to eat you alive. So don't make that face."
Was it my imagination, or did Luna's face look a little sad?
"Ah..."
"You think I'm scary, right? Me?"
Her words hit the nail on the head, leaving me flustered.
"Ah... no, not at all?"
"Liar, it's written all over your face."
-Smack.
Luna suddenly kissed my cheek.
With a playful expression, she asked,
"Can I ask why you're suddenly scared of me?"
I pondered as I watched her ask like it was just teasing.
Should I tell her? No, I can't. It'll just breed unnecessary suspicion.
I shook my head, forcing my sluggish brain to decide...
"I've never felt that way."
Luna gently gripped my clothes.
"Hng, really really?"
Her eyes sparkled as she acted cute.
"You're really not going to tell me?"
-Thump thump...
What was this? This adorable creature?
The usually beautiful and aloof Luna speaking in a babyish voice made my heart pound wildly.
The cold, haughty woman acting cute?
She was already so pretty to begin with, so this side felt incredibly cute and charming.
No! This is the Grand Duchess's trap!
"You're really not going to tell me?"
Her usually sharp red eyes sparkled like a puppy's, making her look abandoned and pitiful.
Ah... no.
-Smack! Smack!
"Even like this, you won't tell me?"
-Smack! Smack!
"Aiden... you're so mean. What do you think I'm going to do to you...?"
As she said that, Luna grabbed my wrist and pulled it to her chest.
-Thump. Thump...
"How's that? Can you hear it? My heartbeat?"
I stared at her blankly, feeling her pounding heart against my palm.
"I like you, Aiden. No, I love you. So..."
She gently caressed my cheek.
"You don't have to be scared. No matter what you do wrong... no matter what mischief you get into, I'll love you."
Her voice, filled with sincerity, made me flop back and sink into thought.
Can I believe this? Even if it's true now... what if her love fades later?
"Ugh..."
Was it the alcohol? My thoughts weren't turning as quickly as usual.
"Hey!"
"Whoa!"
Luna climbed on top of me.
She looked down at me.
"You still don't believe me? Should I swear it as a knight, then?"
"Swear it as a knight?"
"Yeah. As a knight. Would you believe me then?"
Come to think of it, hadn't she sworn to marry into the Grand Duchy last time or something?
With that thought, I narrowed my eyes.
"I heard you swore to marry into the Grand Duchy before?"
She pouted sulkily.
"That wasn't a real oath. It was just a declaration. Declarations can be retracted."
Are they different? What's the difference?
"Argh! A knight's oath is like staking everything they have! They'd rather die than break it—that's what being a knight means."
"Is that so?"
Come to think of it, other races don't trust humans, but Luna said she did.
Maybe there's some form of trust I don't understand?
"Ahem... I, Luna Valmore, swear to forgive Aiden for any wrongdoings except infidelity and to love him. I guarantee this as the Grand Duchess with my responsibilities, duties, and authority, and stake my entire honor as a knight."
While I was lost in thought, Luna swore solemnly with a serious expression and tone.
"See? I swore it. So don't be scared of me anymore."
She seemed a bit grumpy.
What? She actually swore?
Stunned by the surprisingly simple ritual, I stared at her blankly.
"Tch... I even swore, and you're still scared of me?"
Luna wore a slightly dissatisfied expression.
She kissed my neck.
-Smack smack.
"What would make our scaredy-cat Aiden not be afraid anymore?"
Her slightly playful tone made me think.
Maybe I should just tell her?
She even swore like that, after all?
The other races who trusted her despite being enemies flickered in my mind.
"Sniff sniff... Is this not enough? What do I have to do for you to believe me?"
Watching her sniff at my neck, I decided to just say it.
"I saw what you did to Jin."
-Flinch.
Luna's shoulders twitched faintly.
I ignored her surprise and continued steadily.
"I heard you'd known Grand Duchess for a long time with him. But seeing you judge him so coldly made me worry I might be next."
Luna broke into a wide smile at my words.
"Aw, Aiden's different from Jin, though?"
"That's because you're in love now—could be the honeymoon phase?"
"Ugh..."
Her cheeks suddenly flushed, and she looked flustered, but I pressed on calmly.
"What if the honeymoon phase ends someday? Things could change then, right?"
"Huh? What?"
Luna kept losing focus.
-Smack!
I kissed the top of her head.
"Sorry... I was thinking about something else and missed it. What did you say?"
"What were you thinking about?"
At my question, Luna buried her face shyly in my chest.
"Hearing you say you love me made my heart race so much... but I didn't want to hear it in a situation like this..."
She scratched her reddened cheek and grinned bashfully.
"Then when did you want to hear it?"
"Just... not in a situation like this..."
Her mumbling felt so cute.
At times like this, she was just like any other girl her age...
Her brutal governance to survive.
She was young back then and had lost control, so she had no choice—but now it's different, right?
"Aiden."
Luna called my name.
With a shy expression, she wrapped her arms around my neck and gazed at me.
"I love you."
-Slurp!
As soon as she finished, Luna hugged my neck tightly.
We shared a deep kiss.
"Mmm..."
-Smack...
Luna embraced me with her whole body.
As if she'd lose me if she let go.
But... I'm getting sleepy now.
Is it because the tension's gone? The alcohol and drowsiness hit me all at once.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Maybe it was because I'd drunk several glasses of vodka over 50 proof?
While kissing, Luna sensed something off.
"Haa... haa... Aiden?"
-Snore... snore.
Seeing Aiden asleep, Luna felt regretful.
It had been about a week since they last had relations.
Having awakened to physical pleasure from sharing his bed every day in the previous Grand Ducal Palace, this situation felt terribly disappointing to her.
But...
'He seems really tired.'
She wanted to do more, but Luna wasn't so inconsiderate as to wake him while he slept soundly.
Luna picked Aiden up and carried him to his room.
If word got out that Aiden had slept in Luna's room, it might spark suspicions about their relationship.
"Ah? Your Grace? Secretary Aiden?"
The soldiers rushed over upon seeing the Grand Duchess carrying Aiden out.
"Your Grace, we'll take the secretary to his room."
"No. I'll take him myself. You all do your duties."
The soldiers nodded and stepped aside at her words, and she calmly arrived at Aiden's room.
-Creak.
Luna carefully opened the window so as not to wake Aiden.
She glared at the window in the room.
'If only the window were a bit bigger...'
This was a fortress prepared for war.
The areas where key figures resided had many guards deployed, and windows weren't made large to prevent potential intrusions.
That was why Luna couldn't visit Aiden's room often.
Of course, she could smash through if she wanted, but she couldn't do that.
With a wistful look, Luna gently laid Aiden on the bed.
She softly stroked his sleeping cheek and smiled.
'He's so handsome.'
Objectively, he wasn't the most handsome, but to Luna, Aiden looked the most attractive and cool.
"Hehe... goodnight, Aiden."
She kissed his cheek.
Luna's face bloomed with a bright smile.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A intense thirst woke me from sleep.
"Mmm..."
I reached out, grabbed the nearby cup of water, and...
Gulp gulp!
"Kah!"
-Clink.
I set the cup back on the table and recalled yesterday's events.
"Yesterday..."
I remembered swearing with Luna, kissing, then passing out from the alcohol.
And then the memories cut off...
"Ah?!"
She probably wasn't mad, right?
I worried inwardly, but a smile crept onto my lips unbidden.
Luna was pretty cute yesterday, huh?