LUNA: Alpha’s Soulmate from Another World

During breakfast, neither Luna nor Alkrevas spoke. While the man was busy feeding himself, Luna was preoccupied with her thoughts, thrilled at the prospect of leaving the palace gates, walking through the bustling festival, and experiencing the imperial festival, which had a different atmosphere from the festivals she had seen in New York or elsewhere. However, the one thing she was most excited about was meeting Ghea. She didn’t even protest and allowed Alkrevas to do whatever he wanted with her, such as helping her bathe, get ready, and brush her hair.

Luna thought it was all worth it for the permission he granted her to leave the palace gates. She observed Alkrevas standing behind her, busy brushing her hair, and noticed his mysterious yet perfectly matched outfit-a black outercoat and waistcoat, a white shirt with a white cravat adorned with a black gemstone pin, breeches, and leather boots. Coupled with his handsome face and neatly styled hair, it was no wonder Alkrevas was the center of attention for all the women in the empire.

Hell, if he existed in her world, Luna was sure Alkrevas would be a celebrity or actor with many fans. Luna smiled, imagining all this. What would Alkrevas’ reaction be if he were chased by paparazzi or invited to TV shows he didn’t like?

“Why are you smiling?” he suddenly asked. His brown eyes were still fixed on her strands of hair, but as if he had a third eye, he could guess that Luna was watching him. Luna blinked and chuckled softly, then glanced at her maids lined up on one side of the room.

“Nothing,” Luna replied nonchalantly.

“Why are you doing all this? Let my maids handle it. I know you have a busy schedule.”

“Sigmund can handle them all, as can Savon and Mathias.”

Luna sighed heavily. “How long are you going to brush my hair? This is more than enough,” she said, lifting her hand and touching a few strands of her hair, which felt so soft from being brushed so carefully by Alkrevas. Hearing this, Alkrevas’ hand stopped moving.

He lifted his head and looked at Luna’s reflection in the mirror. For a moment, a flicker of emotion that Luna didn’t recognize filled his brown eyes, but it quickly disappeared, replaced by the familiar look she knew. Alkrevas put down the brush he was holding, but he didn’t stop there; he also styled Luna’s hair into a simple braid. Once finished, he stepped back and smiled in satisfaction at the result, which Luna admitted was better than her attempt.

“Something’s missing…” he murmured softly. Then he walked to the accessory storage, opened one of the drawers, and took out a silver hairpin with flower-shaped crystal petals, matching the pastel yellow dress she was wearing. Luna watched as Alkrevas approached her and pinned it in her hair.

“It seems you enjoy dressing me up more than I do myself,” Luna commented, seeing the emperor’s expression as he stood behind her.

“Besides, I’m going out. Why all this luxury?” Judith suddenly gasped, causing Luna to turn her head toward her maid.

“What’s wrong, Judith?” Judith shook her head, murmuring an apology while bowing her head. Luna sighed softly and looked back at the psychopathic emperor, who was still watching her closely. “Why?”

“Your appearance is fitting for a future empress, Luna. What I did is simpler compared to other noblewomen,” Alkrevas commented casually. “And yes, I enjoy dressing you up.”

“If so, you could change your profession to a beauty stylist.”

Alkrevas frowned in confusion. “What?”

“Nothing,” Luna hurriedly said. “Aren’t you leaving soon?” Alkrevas took a pocket watch out of his waistcoat pocket and nodded.

He approached, giving her a brief kiss on the lips, causing the maids in the room to buzz with excitement before he left. After Alkrevas left, Luna sat back down at her vanity and was immediately surrounded by her maids.

…

Luna’s excitement and anticipation slowly diminished during her carriage ride to Mylonas City Square. Her eyes stared out the window with a vacant look. Her mind was filled with various thoughts, making her less enthusiastic about the city’s beauty compared to before.

Luna shifted her gaze from the window and noticed Judith sitting calmly and elegantly across from her, wearing a hat. Luna looked down and played with the edge of her cloak, mumbling, “Will Anne arrive at the square on time?”

“Of course, Luna. She will arrive on time.”

Luna nodded and looked back out the window. Her diminished excitement had a strong reason.

Some time ago, while she was strolling in the emperor’s private garden, a thought occurred to her. For some reason, the thought suddenly came to her. After all, Alkrevas was a man who strictly upheld his words and was very possessive.

So, it was strange for Alkrevas to give her permission to go out without him by her side. Although the guards accompanying her were numerous, it didn’t change her suspicion. Thus, Luna made a new plan before heading to the festival. “Luna, would you like to go to the bridge?”

“Is it allowed?”

“Of course. The second day of the festival is the perfect time to go there. There are few young couples yet so that you can see the Fritz River during the day. Although not as beautiful as at night, I think the view will still be stunning.”

“Alright. We can go there after walking around the square and the festival area.”

Soon, Luna heard the sound of horses neighing, followed by the carriage stopping. Luna straightened her hair and cloak before the carriage door opened. Luna smiled as a familiar face appeared behind the door.

“Forgive me for making you leave your important work to guard me,” Luna said, extending her hand to accept the hand of a man who smiled warmly. She stepped out of the carriage, followed by Judith.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

The man-Mathias-chuckled softly and replied, “No, Luna. It is an honor for me to guard and protect you.”

Mathias released Luna’s hand and walked a few steps behind her. Luna turned her head to Mathias, glancing at the sword at his waist before stating her intention to the Gamma. “That’s a great idea, Luna. I also recommend the same as Lady Judith. The Redlouz Bridge is the perfect place to see the beautiful Fritz River.”

“I’m glad you agree, Mr. Orion,” Luna said with relief.

“Mathias.”

“What?”

“Just call me Mathias, Luna.”

“Oh, alright.”

For some time, they walked around the square, exploring the festival market that Luna had yet to visit yesterday, buying food sold there, and then sitting at a small restaurant for lunch. After that, they walked towards the Redlouz Bridge, a tourist attraction for visitors to Mylonas Capital. Upon reaching the bridge, Luna murmured in awe. What Judith and Mathias had said was true.

The view before her was so beautiful, like a painting she had seen in an art exhibition. Luna walked to the bridge’s railing, looking at the calmly flowing Fritz River. Occasionally, a canal boat passed by. Birds flew around, trees and rocks filled both sides of the river, and some trees had pink and orange leaves, adding to the colorful scenery. Leaves and flowers occasionally fell to the river’s surface and floated with the current. The gentle and soft breeze, the sunlight, the bright blue sky without clouds, everything looked extraordinarily beautiful.

Luna looked down and noticed the reflection in the river’s water, which was so clear, like crystal. “Wow, this is the first time I’ve seen a painting in real life.”

Judith smiled and said softly, “I’m glad you like it, Luna.” Luna turned to look at Judith before gazing into the distance again. “Where would you like to go after this, Luna?”

“May we rest here for a while, Judith? I really don’t want to leave such a beautiful view.”

“Of course, Luna.” Judith then stepped back, giving Luna some space to be alone and enjoy the beauty before her, while Mathias chose to stand at a distance with a watchful gaze. He occasionally glanced around the area before refocusing on the woman observing the Fritz River.

However, the tranquility was suddenly disrupted by the sound of a commotion not far from the bridge.

Mathias turned his head towards the source of the commotion. He ordered a few knights nearby to check what was happening and assist if necessary. After giving his orders, Mathias looked back to where Luna was standing. He furrowed his brow when he noticed something different about the woman standing in Luna’s place.

For a moment, Mathias searched for the oddity, then realized it. The scent surrounding the woman indeed smelled like Luna, but upon closer inspection, there was another scent. It was as if Luna’s scent was merely clinging to the clothes, a camouflage, and the foreign scent was the real one. Mathias’ eyes widened, and he ran towards the woman.

He reached out, grabbed, and spun the woman around, and his blue eyes met a different face, one he recognized as one of the palace maids. “Anne,” Mathias growled softly.

“M-Master Gamma, I…”

Mathias tightened his grip on her arm and looked around urgently. He saw Judith helping some children whose goods had scattered before turning back to Anne. “Where is Luna?”

“Luna… she…”

Mathias clicked his tongue and turned just as the knights he had sent to check the commotion returned. In their midst was a man with a battered face. Somehow, he felt that all the events happening around him were related to Luna’s disappearance.

‘Your Majesty, your suspicions were correct,’ Mathias sent a message through the mind link to Alkrevas.

‘I know. You don’t need to do anything, Mathias. Bring that foolish maid to me.’ After Alkrevas said that, the mind-link was cut off, and Mathias sighed deeply and looked at Anne with a sharp gaze. “Where is Luna?”

“I truly don’t know.”

“What do you mean?”

“This morning, Luna sent me to deliver a letter to an antique shop in the Bolmeghan district to meet a woman. After meeting the woman, my mind suddenly went blank, and I only came to when you pulled my hand, Gamma.”

“Damn!” Mathias then signaled his men to apprehend Anne, pulling her along before running his fingers roughly through his hair. He approached Judith and called out to her. “We’re heading back.”

“What? But Luna…?”

“Luna just left for the Vasilos Museum with some knights. His Majesty is waiting for her there. You can return to the palace now, Lady Judith.”

“Oh. Alright then.”

After Judith left, Mathias pinched the bridge of his nose and looked up at the beautiful clear sky. At the same time, he could see dark clouds in the distance, indicating that a storm was coming soon.

…