Chapter 53
Khalid spoke without pretense, as though simply stating what was right and wrong.
Luna blinked her large eyes at the unexpected words. The heat that had burned at her nape rushed to her face, and her pounding heart beat erratically.
Why is this man saying things like that to me? If he confuses me again, I might actually fall for it…
“You don’t look convinced. Then shall I summon Hast, who accompanied us, and ask his opinion?”
“N-no, that’s not necessary. Thank you, Your Highness.”
Luna scratched at her flushed cheek. His words had been so firm and resolute that she had no choice but to nod. But perhaps because of the tightly fitted dress, her chest felt strangely uncomfortable.
“It seems I should order dinner to be brought here.”
“Your Highness, I’m not very hungry. Could I just trouble you for some fruit?”
“Understood.”
Khalid turned and wrote down instructions on the messenger string by the door, then pulled it. Unlike a simple servant’s bell, this magical tool, common in wealthy noble estates, could deliver requests directly.
Meanwhile, Luna tried to breathe a little easier, fumbling at her back with her arms. She wanted to loosen the dress, but unlike the neat front, the back was laden with elaborate decorations, making it complicated to undo.
“Your Highness, could you help me with this?”
“What do you mean?”
Luna turned her back to him and spoke with confidence.
“Do you see the hooks and ribbons tangled near the upper middle? Could you undo those for me? It’s too tight. Ah, just a moment.”
She swept all her hair over one shoulder to make it easier for him. The pale nape of her neck and her shoulder blades stood out, drawing Khalid’s gaze.
“I’ll need to have this altered quickly if I’m to wear it tomorrow. The more I move, the tighter it gets. It’s quite uncomfortable.”
“…”
Though she spoke plainly, silence instantly blanketed the room. Curious, Luna glanced back, only to see him cover his eyes with his arm, as if to block his sight.
“Your Highness?”
“Just face forward.”
Pressed by her urging, Khalid set his jaw and placed his fingertips where she had indicated.
To undo the ribbons tied in complicated knots, his hands inevitably pressed firmly against her back.
Each time her soft flesh dipped under his touch, Khalid’s brows tightened little by little. Though he sometimes glanced at her, she was facing forward, so he couldn’t read her expression—only the occasional flinch of her shoulders.
“Is this because of what I did a few days ago?”
“Huh? What do you mean? Oh, right there! Just one more hook and it should be fine!”
Luna’s attention was completely on the relief of being able to breathe again. It wasn’t until later that she realized he was referring to the time he’d pushed her onto his desk and lifted her arms.
“…”
Khalid hesitated before finally unclasping the hook. Click. The dress loosened and split open at the back.
But then—
He had been so focused on undoing the clothing that he ended up releasing almost everything his hands touched. The dress nearly slipped all the way down.
“…!”
Luna quickly clutched it to her chest, but the cool air sliding down her spine couldn’t be hidden. The dress hung precariously, caught only at her hips.
“D-don’t look!”
“…”
Her eyes trembled endlessly as she hunched her shoulders inward, belatedly protesting.
Khalid hastily turned his gaze away, his throat bobbing. He couldn’t understand why he swallowed hard when this wasn’t the first time he’d seen her exposed form. He immediately unclasped his uniform cloak and draped it over her.
“My apologies.”
“It’s all right. I was the one who asked for help. I feel much better thanks to you.”
Luna forced herself to breathe deeply to hide her embarrassment. As she adjusted the cloak securely, she noticed him watching her.
Maybe this is the right moment to ask about the curse…
Looking at the man who suddenly felt warmer, Luna carefully broached the subject.
“Your Highness, may I ask you something?”
Khalid gestured for her to go on.
“Earlier, Lady Elfreze scolded me, saying I didn’t even know about Your Highness’s curse. I couldn’t answer her then… but as your Grand Duchess, I feel like I should at least know.”
Luna knew well what it was like to live under a curse. That was why she hadn’t asked before. A curse—any curse—was as dreadful as being handed a death sentence. She wanted to tread carefully.
As expected, Khalid ran a weary hand over his face. The warmth in the air froze over when he shifted his demeanor.
“I’m sorry. I cannot answer that question. Will you promise me something? Please do not bring up my curse again, nor ask anyone else about it. I want you to focus only on purification, as we agreed.”
“If you put it that way, I don’t have a choice. I understand. I won’t ask again.”
Luna pulled the cloak tighter, regretting her question. Though it irked her that the red-haired woman knew something she didn’t, she didn’t want to pry forcefully.
“Camilla only found out by accident when we were young. I never intended to tell her.”
“…I see.”
Khalid reached out as if soothing her and brushed her hair. The small lily-of-the-valley ornament pinned in her pink hair slipped free and fluttered down.
He picked it up in his hand and smiled gently.
“You’re doing well—both as Grand Duchess and as a mage. So don’t lose confidence.”
“When did I ever lose confidence? I’m just hungry, that’s all.”
Khalid’s lips curled in a lazy smile.
“You just said you weren’t hungry.”
“Well, now I want to eat properly.”
Honestly, I just want to eat something delicious and cheer myself up.
Luna swallowed down her sulky feelings and avoided his eyes.
“Your Highness, as you ordered, the meal has been brought.”
At that moment, Chief Steward Gérard announced himself. Khalid opened the door to the dressing room, where most of the dishes laid out were assorted fruit delicacies.
“Bring some meat dishes as well. Lamb, if possible.”
“Lamb, sir?”
Gérard found it unusual that his master, who was normally indifferent about menus, specified lamb. Khalid stiffly nodded.
“My wife is in low spirits. She should eat something she likes.”
Late at night.
Gérard entered Khalid’s study.
“My lord, as you commanded, Lady Elfreze will only be permitted to attend the banquet, nothing more.”
“Good. You may retire as well, Steward.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Though he answered politely, Gérard didn’t move.
Khalid, flipping through papers, lifted his head.
“Do you have more to say?”
“In my humble opinion, milord, I believe it would be better for the Madam to know about Bahir’s curse.”
Khalid’s expression hardened. Like a man shrouded in night fog, he set down his papers and rubbed his eyes.
“Can you not break that habit of eavesdropping?”
“My apologies. You were having a serious conversation, so I had no choice but to wait.”
“If she finds out, I won’t allow her to run away. It’s better for her not to know.”
“A truly loving couple should have no secrets.”
Khalid gave a short, bitter laugh. His loyal servant seemed to take their hollow relationship too seriously.
“So—you’re criticizing me for being stubborn?”
“Never, my lord. I only wish for the two of you to be happy.”
“Happy…? How could we be more than this?”
Slumping back in his chair, Khalid gestured dismissively for him to leave. Meaningless talk was of no use to him.
Gérard, however, softened his face. He could see that his master had begun changing, little by little, since meeting the Madam—though Khalid himself hadn’t realized it yet.
“Please rest well, my lord.”
Bowing deeply, Gérard closed the door.
Khalid, sensing his steward’s presence fade, turned to the window. Outside was only pitch-black darkness, without a shred of moonlight.
“…”
If she learns of my curse, she’ll feel as though she’s been plunged into this same abyss. How could I ever tell her that?
“I can never tell her.”
His cold, rigid expression softened.
Luna Bahir.
Even if it’s dangerous by my side, there’s no turning back now. I doubt I’ll ever be able to let you go.
“If you wish to escape me, the only way is to keep looking forward.
