Chapter 129

At Liana’s question, Ianheart paused for a moment.

So it hadn’t been intentional cuteness after all.

That makes it even worse, Liana thought with a dry laugh, shifting her weight onto one leg like some sly flirt trying to charm an innocent young lady.

“If you keep acting cute like that, you’re in danger. I don’t know how long I’ll be able to hold back, you know.”

Her teasing tone, paired with a mischievous grin, made Ianheart chuckle. And instead of brushing it aside, he played along.

“Oh my… Just how dangerous are we talking? Now I’m curious. Besides, it’s only the two of us here.”

…Wait. That wasn’t playing along—he had flipped the game.

The sudden shift of control left Liana staring at him, dumbfounded. But Ianheart only smiled wider, gently taking her arm and pulling her toward him.

She could have pushed him away if she wanted to—but instead, she let herself be guided.

Whump.

The next moment, her view tilted.

Soft cushions embraced them, wrapping the two in comfort.

“…This isn’t sitting,” Liana muttered, her voice muffled as she looked up from his embrace.

His chest rumbled faintly with the sound of laughter, deep and soothing, blending with the chirps of birds and the faint hum of insects in the night air.

“You didn’t sit—you settled in my arms.”

“That was supposed to be a joke?”

“Not funny?”

“…It’s so ridiculous I can only laugh.”

“Then I succeeded. As long as I made you smile, I win.”

His ability to twist everything in his favor was honestly impressive. And really, she had laughed—so maybe he wasn’t entirely wrong.

“Look up,” Ianheart murmured, brushing a soft kiss against her forehead. “The sky’s especially beautiful from here.”

Liana turned slightly, resting more comfortably against him.

And then, she saw it.

An endless canvas of midnight-blue sky, studded with countless glittering stars. In its center, a full moon gleamed like a perfect jewel, painting silver light across the night.

“….”

Cradled in Ianheart’s arms, the view above looked more breathtaking than ever before.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?”

Slowly, Liana nodded. A fleeting thought struck her—that she would never, for as long as she lived, forget this night.

Nestling her head against his arm, wrapping her arms around his waist, she stayed silent, staring up at the heavens for long, still minutes.

And then, she turned her head just slightly.

The crimson eyes that met hers weren’t looking at the stars at all. They were looking at her. Sweet, deep, and unbearably tender.

“…You told me to look at the sky,” she whispered.

“I’ve seen it plenty of times.”

“But it’s still beautiful.”

“Not as beautiful as the one beneath it. I was just admiring what’s most precious to me.”

The words landed without a single pause or hesitation, and Liana bit her lip, flustered.

Just as Ianheart still wasn’t used to her physical affection, she wasn’t used to his unabashed declarations of love.

It was her first time truly loving someone, her first time finding a person so precious it almost hurt. Naturally, such raw devotion still felt overwhelming.

…It tickles. It’s too much.

But she knew they had a long future ahead of them—longer than all the days they’d lived so far. This shyness would fade. Eventually.

“…I never realized I could be so easily embarrassed,” she admitted softly, burrowing deeper into his arms.

To Ianheart, who adored every side of her, that little movement was nothing short of a provocation.

By the time they finally rose from the sofa, more than an hour had slipped by. And Liana’s lips were a little more swollen than before.

“Thank you for walking me back.”

Through her bedroom window, Liana let go of Ianheart’s arm. He stood just outside, lingering as if reluctant to leave.

“…Sleep well.”

“You too.”

His voice carried the weight of restrained longing, and hers mirrored the same. They had spent so long hiding their feelings—now that they were free to express them, parting, even for a few hours, felt unbearable.

Are we being ridiculous? Liana wondered. But then she looked at Ianheart and saw the same reluctance mirrored in his eyes. That made her feel a little less foolish.

“I’ll come by in the morning.”

He brushed his hand over hers a few times, as if memorizing the warmth, and whispered.

“Finish your work first. We’ll have lunch together anyway.”

“That’s too far away.”

Their little tug-of-war didn’t last long. In the end, Ianheart gave in to her reasoning, just as he always did.

“…Be careful on your way back.”

“Tell me you love me.”

“…I love you.”

“And I love you.”

The words, exchanged softly in the night, wrapped them both in warmth deeper than any blanket.

That night, sleep came sweeter than it ever had before.

Though she had confessed her feelings and sealed a new bond with Ianheart the night before, Liana’s morning began at the usual time.

Her habit of waking before dawn hadn’t changed.

The only difference was her mood.

She smiled while training with her sword in the cool air of dawn. She smiled as she lingered in a bath longer than usual. She smiled over breakfast.

Naturally, her attendants noticed.

“….”

Did something good happen?

It seems so, doesn’t it?

Laura, the quiet one, simply observed. Betty and Daisy, however, exchanged glances, holding an entire conversation with just their eyes.

Because Liana was smiling too much.

Their mistress wasn’t the type to be cold or stern, but neither was she the type to grin endlessly over nothing.

That could only mean one thing.

Something happened with His Majesty…!

Betty and Daisy reached the same conclusion at once.

After all, who else could shake their lady’s heart so much?

“Your Highness, did something good happen?” Daisy, ever curious, was the first to ask.

Betty blinked rapidly in surprise, and Laura shot Daisy a you reckless girl look.

But even they were waiting for the answer.

“Ah, it’s nothing,” Liana deflected with a light laugh.

The three exchanged glances again.

So there really was something.

Definitely. But whatever it is, she looks happy—so it’s fine.

They were a little disappointed not to know the details, but their mistress’s happiness was enough. Just yesterday, she had seemed oddly troubled, and her gloom had spread to everyone in Emerald Palace.

But before they could ponder further—

“Your Highness, a message has arrived from Ruby Palace.”

The source of their lady’s brightened mood had sent word.

“Let them in.”

Liana didn’t hesitate for even a second.

Moments later, the door opened, and a maid entered, carrying a large box.

It was a strangely familiar sight.

A gift box, delivered openly like this.

“I greet Your Highness.”

“Yes. What brings you here?”

Liana’s gaze flicked between the maid and the box. She already had a guess about what it contained.

“His Majesty has sent you a gift.”

The maid handed the box to Betty, who carefully received it. Surprisingly, it wasn’t very heavy—Betty’s eyes widened at the realization.

Liana, watching, was almost certain she had guessed correctly.

Then, the maid presented something else—a sealed letter.

“This is a letter from His Majesty.”

The yellow envelope passed from the maid to Laura, and finally into Liana’s hands.

“Once you’ve read it, if you prepare a reply, I’ll deliver it back to His Majesty.”

“I see. Then please wait a moment.”

Daisy, quick on the uptake, hurriedly fetched a paper knife. Liana slit open the envelope with a neat sound.

Inside was fine ivory paper with a subtle shimmer.

“…A letter, all of a sudden?”

Since they saw each other daily within the palace, they had never needed to exchange letters before. They could simply meet in person.

Still, Liana unfolded the page. The handwriting was graceful yet strong, a blend of scholar and knight.

[Good morning. I wonder if your night was peaceful. Mine was—though it would have been far sweeter if we had shared it together. I also worry if your lips are all right. I fear I lost control yesterday. But please, forgive me. You were simply too beautiful.]

“…Insane.”

The neatly penned letter began with words so sweet they made her face flush hot.