“Do you understand now?”
“Tch, what is there to understand… A bookmark is something where the more you have, the more helpful it is.”
“Generally speaking, yes. But if it is a treasure, it is different. …Because they are treasures, I want to cherish them even more. I do not want to dilute the memories myself.”
(Luna…)
Because she used the bookmarks he gave her every day, her intention reached Byleth clearly.
[I want to keep using only these bookmarks.]
[I don’t want to give the same role to any other bookmark.]
She was choosing words that asked him to guess her feelings, likely trying to respect the sentiment of him choosing a gift for her while trying not to be rude.
“Hah… Such childish bookmarks are your treasure? Anyone can see that my bookmark is something much more worthy of showing off.”
“……”
(Tch!)
The feather bookmark, the clover bookmark.
People perceive things differently.
Even knowing that, hearing this impression of a present he chose with such sincerity made his chest tighten.
An indescribable emotion surged up, and just as Byleth unconsciously lowered his gaze—
“…There is no way someone like you would understand.”
“Aah?”
“I should not have shown present from that person to someone like you. That is what I am saying.”
(……)
This was the first time Byleth had heard Luna’s voice filled with such anger.
“W-What are you snapping for? That ‘precious person’ of yours is that rumored guy, right? Don’t get hooked by some child-tricking present. You should understand that, normally.”
“If you misunderstand him, it is no wonder you would perceive it that way, but I am not the kind of human whose heart can be stolen by a single present.”
Luna had been passive throughout the encounter, but now her choice of words knew no fear.
What triggered her anger was obvious from the flow of conversation, and Byleth felt deeply moved by how much she cared.
“…Now then, if you intend to insult him or the bookmarks from him, there is no longer any need for me to pay you respect.”
“Wha- What did you say?”
“Let me speak frankly. If I were to accept your present, you intend to use your status as a Viscount to force through patronizing demands, do you not?”
“D-Don’t go spouting assumptions.”
“It was transparent. This is not the first time I have dealt with someone like you.”
Luna cut him down decisively, revealing a massive amount of confidence.
Based on how persistently he told her to accept it, her sensor must have reacted.
“Therefore, I do not want to receive your present. Though, insulting him makes it out of the question even before that.”
“For a lowly noble… getting cheeky with me…”
“I-Is it not because you disparaged my treasures…? No matter what is done to me, I will absolutely not apologize…”
Here, Luna’s tone suddenly weakened.
—What on earth happened?
Peeking out from the bookshelf to observe, Byleth saw the man clenching his fist tight.
Was he just suppressing his anger, trying to threaten her, or about to give in to his emotions? It was impossible to judge.
Byleth had intended to watch how things played out as much as possible, but seeing this scene changed his policy.
(……)
Frowning inadvertently, Byleth revealed himself. At that moment, Luna, whose shoulders jumped with a start, met his eyes.
Because he was behind the man, the person he most wanted to notice him hadn’t noticed him yet.
“Hey. You’re prepared for crushing my face (reputation), right?”
“…I said those cheeky things with that resolve.”
“Then you have no complaints about what happens next.”
“Yes. However, it appears we will both end in vain. It seems a watchdog has been keeping his eyes on us this entire time.”
“Watchdog… you say?”
“Behind you. To rephrase, my fiancé.”
“Hah?”
Prompted by Luna, the rumored man turned around—and finally, they came face to face.
“Be-Be-Be-Byleth St. Ford…!?”
“Skip the greetings and listen.”
Right now, he was desperate just to suppress his calm demeanor.
“If you cross that line, regardless of threats, I won’t show any mercy.”
“Gh-!!”
If he dared to cross it, no one would have any sympathy for this man.
“But, if you’re willing to rethink things right now, I’ll pretend I didn’t see this. I won’t force an apology from you either, so use that time to cool your head and reflect on yourself.”
“…Y-Yes. Understood.”
It might be a naive way of thinking, but if it could be settled peacefully, Byleth thought it best to urge him in that direction.
Those thoughts seemed to reach the other party safely, and he was able to watch the man bow and leave the place.
“Um, it goes without saying, but isn’t eavesdropping in bad taste?”
“You are truly correct. Haha…”
Alone in the library, Byleth was immediately met with a scornful stare.
“This incident wasn’t a coincidence, was it?”
“Last night, Sia told me about the rumor that you were facing terrible harassment. I never thought I’d run into the scene the very next day, though…”
“You saw a truly embarrassing moment. I have no idea how long you were in the library.”
There must have been words she didn’t want him to hear.
Luna cast her eyes down, her face turning red. Byleth narrowed his eyes and brought his face closer to hers.
“Thanks to that, I was able to hear some happy words. Honestly, I fell in love with you even more, Luna.”
“H-!”
“Ah! That doesn’t mean I prioritized you low until now, okay?! It’s just, how do I put it… I genuinely thought that.”
“…This is me talking to myself, but when you say things like that, it brings me more joy if we share some skinship (physical affection) at the same time.”
Just as she said, it was a small whisper.
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However, unlike someone talking to themselves, Luna glanced at him and held out both her arms.
She had made a similar appeal in the librarian’s office before.
Breaking into a smile, Byleth hugged Luna, pulling her head against his chest.
This was usually what Luna wanted.
Thinking, This must be her favorite form of affection, Byleth stroked her lustrous hair and spoke his next words.
“I was also happy that you got angry for my sake.”
“Th-That is a matter of course…”
“Thank you, really.”
“No…”
Luna shook her head slightly against his chest.
The sharp woman from moments ago was nowhere to be found; she seemed to have completely switched modes.
Shown such an unfair side of her, Byleth stopped his hand stroking her hair for a moment and expanded the conversation to maintain his own pace.
“Well, if I have one thing to say, it’s about being treated like a dog, I guess.”
“R-Regarding that, I was upset. I apologize.”
“Oh?”
“…I felt relieved, and my feelings became loose.”
“Oh, ho?”
Luna popped her face up from his chest and began her excuse while looking up at him.
“I corrected it to ‘lover’ immediately, so I want you to forgive me.”
“Huh? I don’t recall you correcting it to ‘lover.’ I feel like it was a word with a much stronger meaning.”
“……”
“……”
The moment he took a step further, silence was born.
“…………”
“…………”
The silent time continued as they stared at each other—the first one to move her mouth was Luna.
“Are you trying to make me say it?”
“If I can hear it one more time, I might want to.”
“…Since we have this rare opportunity, I would prefer to be doted on rather than teased. I think that would be best.”
“Hahaha, sorry, sorry.”
She showed off the speed of her mind.
Byleth had been completely evaded, but he had no complaints.
To convey that, he stopped the hug for a moment… and then changed it to a hug that wrapped up her arms as well, enveloping her whole body.
At that moment, a voice leaked from Luna. “Ah…”
It was an embrace that robbed her of freedom, but he was following the instruction to “dote on her.”
Just as he was feeling the loveliness of the situation as a perk of his position—
” The sound of your heart is loud… you do bold things, don’t you.”
“Ghk! Y-You didn’t have to say that!?”
“Fufu, it is retaliation for eavesdropping.”
“Geez…”
Due to the height difference with Luna, when they hugged, her ear ended up right at the position of his heart.
This was unavoidable, and Byleth’s most embarrassing secret had been exposed.
“Of course, my retaliation is not over yet, so I will not permit you to let go.”
“…Then I’ll just accept it.”
“Gh!”
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