Chapter 54
Luna. The daughter of the Noctus viscount's servant couple, she hadn't liked Mars from the start. She had only shown appropriate goodwill because he was the future head of the house she was meant to serve—nothing beyond loyalty, no real affection or favoritism.
Curiously, young Mars seemed to sense that too. He never pointed out or scolded her attitude, treating her as if she were there or not, maintaining an utterly ordinary relationship.
And that made sense. In his early childhood after reincarnation, Mars was still grappling with the remnants of confusion, struggling to accept the reality of his past life. Stuck in a child's body that could do nothing, everything felt unbearably boring. Thanks to his adult knowledge and cognition, he breezed through this world's education, but it all came across as dull and awkward. To Luna, his demeanor just looked like a lazy slacker kid lording it over her because he was a bit smarter.
Realizing the master she had to serve was this kind of person hit young Luna hard. Naturally, she lost interest in improving their relationship, and they'd stayed indifferent to each other ever since.
Or they would have. If not for that incident.
“Luna? What are you doing here...?”
Curly pink hair cascading to her shoulders, sharp eyes that looked fierce, and that trademark little mole by her lips—it all confirmed this was the Luna I knew.
“Why so surprised? Is this a place I can't come to or something?”
“Strictly speaking, yeah, it kinda is...”
Amor Academy wasn't off-limits to commoners, but it wasn't exactly easy for them to just show up either. Unless they had exceptional talent in swordsmanship, magic, or even arts, politics, or business—which the Luna I knew had zero interest in.
“So what? You don't like me being here?!”
“Huh? No, that's not it. I'm just happy to see you here.”
I was close with Polo, sure, but Luna—living in the same mansion and having grown up together her whole life—was just as precious to me. Back in the day, influenced by my past life, I'd avoided people and didn't have many friends, so having someone I could call a friend like her meant even more.
“R-Really...? Th-That's... good, then.”
For some reason, Luna looked embarrassed, twisting the strands of hair that had fallen over her shoulders.
“Hah. Hiring someone on a whim just to satisfy your personal whims and bringing them into the academy. Even if she's the Saintess, isn't this going too far?”
Then our princess, clearly annoyed, shot Luna a wary glance before addressing the Saintess in a soft murmur. Her tone was quiet, but the subtle dissatisfaction laced through it made the atmosphere feel tense.
Was the princess mad at the Saintess for dragging Luna here by force? But her expression toward Luna wasn't exactly friendly either...
“N-No way... I just wanted to repay Brother Mars's kindness—”
“Your Highness, the Saintess did suggest I accompany her to the academy, but it was only a suggestion. I chose to accept it myself.”
At that moment, Luna stepped forward, facing off against the princess. A commoner confronting nobility she might see once in a lifetime, yet Luna stood tall without a hint of trembling.
Come to think of it, she'd always had guts like that since we were kids.
“I don't know what part bothers you, but the Saintess was just being considerate, asking if I'd like to stay with my longtime acquaintance, Mars. So if you have complaints, direct them at me.”
“...”
The princess seemed caught off guard by Luna's boldness, looking flustered.
“N-No, that's not it. I was too sensitive. I jumped to conclusions assuming there might've been some coercion. Sorry, Saintess.”
“N-No, it's fine. You didn't know the situation, so a misunderstanding is understandable.”
Thankfully, the princess backed down first with an apology, and the rising flames subsided. I was struck by how scary women's subtle power plays could be, relieved at the sudden firefighting success.
“...Mars, do you have plans with the princess?”
“Huh? No? We just ran into each other.”
“Good. Then can I borrow her, Your Highness? We're acquaintances, and since we reunited at the academy, I thought the girls could have a little gathering.”
Ah, this must be that pajama party thing I'd heard about. At their age, it made sense they'd crave that kind of event. Even with sparks flying earlier, they probably wanted to get closer deep down.
“Sure. I can't crash a girls-only hangout anyway. Nice to see you all trying to get along.”
“Wait, I didn't agree— Whoa!”
With muscles honed from years of housework, Luna effortlessly dragged the princess and Saintess away. Watching their backs, I hoped they'd be friendlier next time.
“So? Why'd you drag me here? And why is she here?”
Celine couldn't wrap her head around the situation. She'd rushed over at the princess's urgent summons, only to be hauled into the Saintess's room and seated across a table from everyone.
And wasn't that girl the daughter of the servant couple she'd seen at Mars's house last time?
“Luna... right? What's she doing here?”
“I came because I missed Mars.”
Twitch! Twitch!
Luna inwardly clicked her tongue at the two girls flinching at her words.
‘I knew that guy's the type, but... seeing them flock to him up close is still annoying.’
“Kidding. The Saintess offered me the maid position since she didn't have anyone she trusted to attend her, and here I am.”
“Maid? The Church would send someone right away. Why go to the trouble?”
“Well... things aren't great with the Church... They try reaching out, but I'm still uncomfortable around them.”
“Ah...”
Just weeks ago, the Saintess had endured immense mental torment from betrayal within her own ranks. Accepting reconciliation from those involved would be psychologically tough.
“Anyway, whatever. Why'd you gather us all here?”
“You all like Mars, right?”
A straight fastball, no spin.
“Wh-What?! You commoners must not get it, but we—”
“You fell for Polo at first, then got hooked on Mars instead.”
At her blunt words, the princess and Saintess stammered or blushed, while Luna spoke matter-of-factly, her tone carrying a hint of resignation, like this was routine.
“Wh-Wha...?!”
But the Saintess looked shocked, as if she'd never seen it coming from their reactions.
“...Saintess. You didn't know? About their feelings?”
“Y-Yes... I'm pretty oblivious to this stuff...”
For a Saintess with zero chances to interact with men—or even gossip with women—in the Church, the shift from fighting over Polo to this was astonishing.
“Sigh... That's just how he is. He ignores girls, but steps in kindly when it matters. How could you not fall for that?”
Word was, even back in the barony, he'd charmed plenty that way. Rescuing women from abusive fathers, debt bondage, or abandonment—drawing more romantic interest than Polo.
“But he doesn't get it. He saves people and acts nice without expecting anything, blind to the affection it sparks. He just can't recognize when it's aimed at him.”
Luna had once suspected the viscount couple, but knowing their devoted love for their son, she dismissed it. Maybe Polo dented his self-esteem, but now she chalked it up to his nature.
Thus, Mars's obliviousness to women's advances had left Luna fending them off for years.
“I knew when you two visited the barony. The way you looked at him.”
“Ahem!”
“Mm...”
“But I don't mind much. I'm an adult now, nobles take multiple wives, can't block every girl who likes him—especially not a princess and duke's daughter. But...”
Her expression hardened suddenly, and she fixed the tense pair with an intimidating glare.
“Mars's principal wife is me. That's non-negotiable.”
Declaring the first wife spot as hers, the duke's daughter and princess stiffened, glaring back in a silent standoff over who would claim it.
‘Wh-What are these feelings I have for Brother Mars...?’
And amid it all, the Saintess quietly sank into deep confusion, wondering if her emotions were mere gratitude and admiration—or something more.
Some nobles' maids were permitted outings into the city for errands. To procure ingredients or goods unavailable at the academy, or for personal rest.
“The barony market can't compare. This scale is on another level.”
Having taken the Saintess's maid role, Luna—traumatized from recent events and barely eating—ventured into the city outskirts for fresh, nutritious ingredients.
Fierce-looking but with a servant's true heart, her cooking was top-notch, her eye for quality sharp. She scouted personally for the best.
“Veggies are good here. A bit of minced meat as topping should suffice.”
The Saintess was still clueless about her own feelings, but hearing whispers of her ordeal, Luna pitied her like a little sister, caring for her tenderly.
At first wary of the offer, the Saintess gradually opened up to Luna's sincere attention.
“Getting a little sister at my age. Parents didn't make one, but Mars did.”
It irked her that Mars had saved the poor, kind Saintess—Luna could yield the second wife spot. But not the duke's daughter or princess.
They too had been saved by him, but unlike her long-held, unspoken feelings, they gazed at him with obvious affection right in front of her. Heat rising, she'd declared war.
Sensing her disadvantages in status, wealth, looks, Luna wielded their long history as leverage, boldly claiming the principal wife position.
‘Sigh... That guy. Can't take my eyes off him even for a second.’
Proud yet exhausted by her one-sided love, Luna sighed.
“Miss...”
“Yes?”
A raspy old woman's voice calling from the dark alley depths made Luna turn instinctively.
“You look burdened, miss. Something like... troubles with a man?”
Unable to ignore it, Luna halted and cautiously stepped into the alley.