In the guest room, the three laughed, the atmosphere warm and comfy. Slowly, Nino gave a warm smile to Ray, "I'll go ask the chef to prepare your favorite dish." She said.

Ray stepped forward, closing the distance between him and Nino, as he embraced her warmly, his voice brimming with affection. "Having you in my life, Nino, makes me so happy."

Nino reciprocated the embrace just as warmly. "I feel the same, Ray."

Kai watched the exchange with an impassive expression, thinking to himself, "So they're the type to indulge in public displays of affection."

As Nino made her way to the door, she glanced back with a playful grin, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Kai, you look quite dashing with your hair not pulled down," she teased, her laughter ringing lightly through the room. Kai reached up, fingers brushing through his surprisingly soft, real hair instead of his usual wig. He felt a bit confused, looking around as he found the wig next to his pillow. With a sheepish smile, he facepalmed, thinking, "I better ask her not to mention this."

Kai adjusted his wig, making sure it was securely in place before he and Ray headed to the dining hall. The palace was already buzzing with activity as they walked down the corridors. Maids, busy with their morning chores, glanced their way, their giggles and whispers filling the air.

Kai exchanged a puzzled look with Ray. “What’s going on?” Kai asked through the comms.

Ray shrugged, equally confused. “No idea. But it looks like they keep glancing at us and whisper among themselves.”

As they approached the dining hall, the whispers grew louder, and the maids’ glances became more frequent. They pushed open the grand doors to find the royal couple, Elysia, Hiro and Sakura, along with Nino and Mono, already seated and enjoying their breakfast. The group greeted them with cheerful; “Good mornings.”

Ray took his seat across from Nino, flashing her a smile that made her blush. He then leaned closer to Kai and whispered, “Kai, look to your right.”

Kai glanced to his right and noticed the maid who had brought the tray of breakfast. She was looking directly at him, her cheeks slightly flushed as Kai caught her looking at him, and quickly glanced away. Puzzled, Kai turned back to Ray, his voice coming through the comms. “Why are they looking at me like that?”

Both of them exchanged a confused look, slowly proceeding to eat their breakfast. Sakura noticed the exchange, looking at the two and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Ray, looked up at her, as he turned to Kai as if asking what to do. Kai just gave a small nod, as Ray replied slowly, “Since this morning, the maids have been looking at Kai and whispering among themselves.”

Sakura looked confused as well and turned to Maximus. “Is something going on?”

Maximus glanced around at the maids standing by and asked, “Is there something we should know?”

The maids stuttered, as one of them finally start to speak up. “Y-Your Majesty, it’s due to a rumor about the young duke that's been going around,” she said, glancing nervously at Kai.

Everyone in the room exchanged glances. Hiro leaned forward, intrigued. “What do you mean?”

The maid, with a hint of blush explained, “There’s... a rumor that th-the young duke… is a matchmaker, and… is able to make people fall in l-love.”

"Ah... Not this again," Kai thought to himself, sighing deeply, rubbing his forehead. But Sakura’s face lit up with a smile. “Oh, it’s true! My son is a matchmaker and is blessed by the goddess of love.”

As soon as she said this, the maids working nearby looked at Kai excitedly. In unison, they said, “Really?!”

Everyone at the table was taken aback, their surprise evident. The maids, realizing their boldness, slowly went back to their work, embarrassed.

Kai facepalmed, and Ray nudged him with a grin. “Looks like you’re going to be very popular now.” Ray patted Kai on his back, excited about what the day held for them. But Kai was already able to imagine what's coming next.

"You don't get it Ray, but you will be running around with me today." Kai thought to himself, as he kept on eating his breakfast.

As breakfast continued, Hiro looked up and announced, "Elysia, Kai, it's time to start packing your luggage."

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Elysia and Kai shared a look of confusion. "What do you mean, Uncle?" Ray asked, tilting his head.

Hiro's smile broadened as Sakura chimed in, "We're going on a short vacation back to our archduchy!"

Elysia's face brightened with excitement, while Kai remained perplexed. "Why the sudden trip?" he wondered.

Celestina clapped her hands, her eyes lighting up with understanding. "Ah, of course! The festival is approaching, isn't it?"

Sakura confirmed with a nod. Mono and Nino also nodded, now realizing the reason.

Kai, still puzzled, looked at Ray. Ray wondered for a while, until a thought hit him as he too began to understand. "Right! I had completely forgotten about it. And now, there's only four days to go," he reflected.

Ray then looked back at Kai with a smile, "We are gonna have lots of fun in the festival, back in the archduchy!"

Kai, feeling out of the loop, pointed out his projection and the words formed, "Which festival?"

Hiro laughed gently, prepared to enlighten him. "You're aware our empire is called the Lunara Empire, Kai. Does that name hold any significance for you?"

Kai's projection swiftly replied, "Something related to the moon?"

Hiro nodded affectionately. Maximus added, "In our empire, we venerate the moon. Every decade, we celebrate the 'Celestial Glow Festival' a whole week."

Celestina concluded, "It's also known as the 'Moon Festival'."

Kai listened carefully, slowly proceeding to ask more about the festival. Minutes later, Ray and Kai ambled down the grand corridor, bathed in the morning light filtering through the ornate windows. Kai's thoughts wandered to the earlier conversation about the Moon Festival, echoing Hiro's words.

Back then:

Once Maximus and Celestina had clarified the name, answering few of Kai's question; Hiro shared their family's deep connection with the moon. "We worship the moon," he had declared, his voice echoing with respect. "We owe a special duty to the empire's people. On the night, before the beginning of the Moon Festival every decade, our family prays to the moons. And as our prayers reaches to the moon goddess, the once twin moons we see at night becomes one; giving an celestial glow over the empire, marking the start of the festival and it's celebrations."

The awe in Hiro's eyes was clear in Kai's memory as he recounted the event. "Also, this ritual is vital, symbolizing our family's thanks and commitment to the celestial guide. Blessed by the moon goddess, it's our honor to initiate the festival. The new moon formed on the night stays one for a week, but on the eighth night, it goes back to being the twin moons. And also, for those seven nights, the sky is filled with the celestial-"

As Kai was remembering Hiro's words, Ray's voice snapped him back to reality. "The depth of our tradition is incredible, right?" he remarked, sharing a smile with Kai.

Kai, feeling the gravity of his family's legacy, agreed. "Indeed, it's overwhelming," he acknowledged. "Now I understand the anticipation it holds."

With a laugh, Ray clapped Kai on the shoulder. "The actual experience is even more enchanting—it's all quite spellbinding."

A tentative smile crossed Kai's face, a blend of eagerness and nervousness within him, but his expression turned contemplative, struck by a grave realization. "Well, I suppose it's time I began my preparations."

As Ray and Kai continued their walk down the corridor, they were abruptly interrupted by Nino's voice calling out to Ray. Turning around, Ray's face beamed with joy. "Nino!" he shouted, rushing to embrace her tightly. "Why are you running?"

The two shared a moment in their own, as Nino returned his embrace, her voice laden with emotion. "I just wanted to spend some time with you after being apart for so many years."

The pair quickly became engrossed in their own world, sharing tender words and meaningful looks. Kai, feeling somewhat out of place, moved ahead, a smile hidden beneath his facade. "Turns out Ray has that kind of side to him as well, huh. Let's just keep moving for now," he thought.

As Kai wheeled himself forward, he called out, “Eva, can you find out more about the Moon Festival for me?”

Almost instantly, within three seconds, Eva’s calm, synthesized voice filled the space. “Of course, sir. The Moon Festival, celebrated once every decade, is a significant event for your family. On a particular day every ten years, both moons shine, but not in their usual blue and pink hues. Instead, they merge together and radiate a clear, celestial color. Your family performs a nightly worship ceremony, and after their prayer, the sky is illuminated with a beautiful glow, marking the beginning of the festival.”

Kai continued down the corridor, processing the information. Eva’s voice didn’t waver as she added, “There is also a legend associated with the festival. It speaks of a mythical Moon Bird, believed to reside on the moon. This bird is said to descend to the surface, offering protection and blessings to your family. However, there are no historical records to confirm the existence of this legend.”

"The mythical moon bird, huh..." Kai thought, as he slowly nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. “Thanks, Eva,” he replied.

As he wheeled himself down the corridor, he took a sharp turn and suddenly bumped into Mono, who was walking from the opposite direction. The collision sent the stack of books Mono was carrying tumbling to the floor. Kai instinctively reached out, managing to catch one of the falling books.

Mono hurriedly bent down to gather the scattered books. “Ah, I’m so so sorry, Kai!” she exclaimed, her voice tinged with panic. But she suddenly froze, noticing the book Kai held in his hands. "Oh no," she whispered, "Please don't read the title."

But it was too late. Kai’s eyes had already fallen on the cover, and he read it internally;

“I Spend the Night with the Mad Tyrant?”

Kai’s expression was a mix of confusion and amusement. He looked at Mono, who was blushing furiously, her cheeks a deep shade of crimson.

“Uhm, it’s not what it looks like,” Mono stammered, avoiding his gaze.

Kai couldn’t help but chuckle, the situation was too absurd. “I didn’t know you were into… romances,” he teased as the screen floated next to him, a playful glint in his eyes, but not visible to Mono due to his wig.

Mono snatched the book from his hands, mumbling something about needing to get back to her studies. As she scurried away, Kai shook his head, still grinning. "That was definitely a cute reaction," Kai thought to himself, as he continued to wheel himself back to the room.

-To be Continued