And so, after Elena left the balcony.
“…”
“…”
“……”
“……”
A long silence engulfed the two.
Until now, it was Elena who had been leading the conversation. Naturally, with her gone from the scene, this is what happens.
To break this awkward situation, someone needs to take on that role anew.
Byleth tries to lead the conversation, racking his brain, but it’s the usually quiet Luna who takes on that role first.
Placing her hand on the stone wall of the balcony, she stands next to him and begins to speak.
“…Byleth-Saintford. You’ve got yourself a lover to be proud of.”
“Haha, thanks to you all.”
(He looks so happy… and a bit embarrassed too)
Perhaps it’s because he heard words that confirmed reality.
“Um, there’s something I’d like to ask.”
“Yes?”
“When did you realize Miss Elena’s feelings for you? It wasn’t just at that moment, was it?”
“Y-you’re asking that!?”
“I’ll keep it confidential.”
He looks defeated, but it’s something I couldn’t help but wonder about as I quietly watched.
It’s also a way to keep the conversation going.
“Well, I didn’t notice at first. But when I visited Elena’s house, there was a scene similar to the description in the romance novel Luna recommended to me, and that’s when I thought maybe…”
“I see.”
“It’s pathetic to realize it from fiction, haha…”
(That’s just like you)
He has a somewhat complex expression, but for Luna, it was a delightful answer.
From the bottom of her heart.
“So, I indirectly became a bridge between Miss Elena and you, didn’t I?”
“Y-yes, thanks to you, Luna.”
“Hearing that makes me very satisfied.”
“Why is that…?”
“Because Miss Elena has always been so kind to me. To be honest, I’m deeply indebted to her. So, I’m truly happy that I could help someone like her.”
The number of times she’s been helped by Elena far outweighs the number of times she’s helped her.
Still, this incident made her feel as if she had repaid all her debts.
“…Well, let’s end this long conversation here.”
Having been able to pause for a bit, she felt more at ease. And any longer would ruin it.
(The timing to convey feelings, the mood that Miss Elena created…)
She wants to run away immediately due to nervousness and embarrassment.
Yet, she finds courage.
[It’s only embarrassing now. You’re my rival, so be brave just this once]
Thanks to that encouragement Elena gave her as she left.
“May I talk about the main topic now? From the situation so far, everything’s already been revealed, but…”
“…Mm.”
“Thank you.”
The moment she rides the wave of the main topic, nervousness strikes.
(Come to think of it, maybe I should have told you first…)
That’s what it means to share the moment of confession.
The fact that everything is already known before conveying one’s feelings.
The feeling of being completely seen through is nothing but embarrassing.
Still, it’s something she’s been preparing for all along.
(I… please do your best…)
She takes a pause of ten, no, twenty seconds. But that was the time needed to make her final resolution.
“I-I’ll talk about the main topic now.”
“Okay.”
“…D-did you finish reading the romance novel I recommended? The one I asked you to ‘Please finish reading before the dinner party.'”
“Of course, I read it properly. Personally, I think I enjoyed that book the most among the recommended ones. The descriptions were realistic, the expressions were literary, and I could empathize with it.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
This time, the book she recommended to him was a story about a relationship developing by sneaking out during a dinner party.
A story dealing with class differences.
The high-ranking, oblivious, and kind noble man didn’t confess his feelings to the lower-ranking noble woman he fell in love with.
That was because he didn’t want to create a situation where she couldn’t refuse his confession due to the large class difference.
Because the male noble believed that [Unless it’s mutual love, neither can be happy].
Just like Byleth-Saintford.
The lower-ranking noble woman also couldn’t express her feelings for the same reason.
Although she was also in love, the large class difference prevented her from even conveying her feelings.
So that noble woman said this:
“Lord Byleth, the stars are beautiful tonight as well.”
“!”
Word for word, without mistake.
“On days like this, my heart feels very warm.”
“…”
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT gadgetizedpanda.net
The male noble in the story couldn’t understand the intention.
However, anyone who has read that book would understand.
In that book, “The stars are beautiful tonight as well” means “Today, as always, my great feelings for you are spreading.”
“On days like this, my heart feels very warm” means “Being by your side makes me happy.”
“Fufu…”
Having said what she wanted to say, Luna awkwardly smiles.
To act exactly as described in the book.
With the implication of [You’re too oblivious to understand, aren’t you?]
It’s a melancholy statement implying that she can’t express her feelings to someone two or three ranks higher because of her “low status.”
The reason she can’t express it directly is the same as in the story. It’s the rule of this world.
If feelings were conveyed and they ended up together, power-hungry nobles of the same rank might become jealous, envious, and plot against them.
If they didn’t end up together, rumors of her being “an impertinent person who doesn’t know her place” might spread.
Lower-ranking nobles are not supposed to even express their feelings.
However, it’s a different story if there’s someone to protect them.
It’s a different story if they have the resolve to think, [Whatever happens from here on…]
(… My face feels like it’s on fire…)
This is the first time in her life she’s mustered up so much courage.
He’s wide-eyed, seemingly organizing the situation in his mind and saying nothing, which was convenient.
Because just having this conversation is pushing her to her limits.
“I-I haven’t been forced by Miss Elena… I’m expressing this… of my own will. I think that should be clear from this…”
She’s never done anything like this before.
Luna removes her hand from the stone wall and takes a step or two back.
Her face, which she knows is flushed to the point of needing water splashed on it. Her ears and neck, which she knows are bright red.
“Th-this is my… feelings. Selfish and impertinent feelings… from someone who doesn’t know her place.”
“Luna…”
Her hands unconsciously clench into fists and tremble greatly.
“I… I’m not as charming as Miss Elena… I can’t say things like ‘Make me yours’… I don’t have high power or status… Someone like me with no merits shouldn’t be making requests…”
Exposing all her vulnerabilities, she continues with “But…”
“B-because I… I… l-l-lo… love… you…”
Her voice is barely audible, but she managed to say it. However, she’s at her limit.
“S-so… I want the right to stay by your side in the future, the right to receive your affection. For that, I’d give you freedom over me from head to toe…”
She lowers her head.
“Even with these conditions… is it difficult? Like Miss Elena, I feel this way because it’s you…”
“It’s coming through clearly. Thank you so much, Luna.”
“…Is that so?”
[It’s coming through]
The moment she hears those words, her heartbeat intensifies even more.
Because it’s time for the answer.
“…Byleth-Saintford. It might be presumptuous, but could you give your answer as it was in that story?”
“Eh!?”
“This is the last time I’ll muster up so much courage…”
Luna approaches Byleth, places her trembling hand on her chest, and stands on her tiptoes.
(If I’m rejected, I’ll leave this place… But if he accepts…)
She raises her face and slowly closes her eyes, enveloped in silence.
“…”
“…”
How long did this heart-pounding time continue…?
Just as she was about to open her eyes in anxiety,
A soft touch gently brushed against her cheek.
Feeling the soft touch on her cheek, she instinctively puts her hand there.
“…W-why not on the lips…?”
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