MONIQUE’S POV
Looks like I win again, dolt.
She’d bet Valora that their lady would allow the Grand Duke to kiss her before Master’s birthday.
Due to her infinite stupidity, the bloody haired knight had pledged a thousand gold coins on the Angel of Lamberg never allowing the emperor’s nephew to get physically intimate.
Any fool can see our true master desires him, despite all he’s done to hurt her.
Monique isn’t an idiot, though sometimes she wishes she was as airheaded as Valora.
She’d known, from the moment their lady had woken up screaming that time, that something terrible is haunting the sole heir to the north. Even when Lady Asha had calmed down after a week of insanity, it was clear as day to Monique that something awful lingered on her lady’s mind.
And she’s absolutely certain that that something is related to the Grand Duke.
My lady wouldn’t have tried to free herself if she wasn’t afraid of him.
It’s inconceivable that His Highness would ever strike the only child of his revered teacher, which means Monique can’t understand what it is that terrifies her beloved lady so.
Lady Asha seems a bit better now, after that time she cried into Master’s arms like her heart was breaking. But it’s still there - those shadows that linger in eyes of the brightest blue, that small downturn of lips better suited for smiles and laughter.
She’s just a maid who happens to be a Mage, so she shouldn’t feel this way but...
My lady, why won’t you tell me the truth? I took an oath to dedicate my life and my death to you, but even without it I’d never abandon you. You are the master of my soul, and have been since I laid eyes on you when you were just a three year old cradled in Master’s arms.
It upsets her terribly, because all she’s ever wanted to do is serve her lady - live and die for her lady - and that just makes Monique even angrier with the Grand Duke who’s undoubtedly the reason for Lady Asha’s troubles.
And yet, she’s no fool.
Carefully keeping an eye on the blushing betrothed couple as they eat by the lake, Monique recalls the incident earlier.
I’ve known for awhile now that the Grand Duke has feelings for my lady. It’s obvious in the way His Highness not only makes time to see her daily, but does everything he can to help her and boost her standing in the council and in society.
As for his physical desires...
No one can resist my lady, especially when she smiles. His Highness is a twenty-three year old male who’s known to have remained chaste since he’d been engaged to my lady from the time he was twelve - his urges are to be expected of any man his age, especially when the person in front of him is Lady Asha Lamberg.
Yet, when the Grand Duke had lost all composure and yanked Lady Asha off Luna while attempting to eat her face, Monique had felt it.
Only Lady Asha is extremely sensitive to both aura and mana, to the point where she can immediately detect the identities of wielders. I’ve trained hard for years to be able to feel aura better, and I’m certain about what I felt then.
The Senior Swordmaster’s aura had completely enveloped Lady Asha, as though trying to cocoon her away from any danger the world might seek to throw at the sapphire-eyed beauty.
Master once said that aura doesn’t lie. Which means those are the Grand Duke’s true feelings for my lady.
Somehow, that only leads to more questions.
I must find out why my lady is so wary of His Highness. And if, by my life or death, I can prevent any harm or sorrow from befalling Lady Asha, it would be the greatest honor I could ever hope to achieve.
A loud crunch next to her makes Monique scowl, and she turns to the brown eyed ignoramus.
“Can’t you at least try to eat like a human and not a dog?”
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VALORA’S POV
She’s not an idiot, unlike the muddy haired maid.
The reason Valora had bet a thousand coins on Lady Asha keeping that cheating bastard at arm’s length is because the redhead had known, from the moment their lady had woken up screaming that time, that something terrible is haunting the sole heir to the north. Even when Lady Asha had calmed down after a week of insanity, it was clear as day to Valora that something awful lingered on her lady’s mind.
And she’s absolutely certain that that something is related to the black-haired miscreant.
Lady Asha is far too brave and briliant to be intimidated for no reason.
But not only does the weasel absolutely worship Master, it’s inconceivable that a Senior Swordmaster would ever strike someone weaker than him unless in self-defense.
My lady is smarter than anyone else, and the first known Elementalist in almost a thousand years. But she wasn’t always displaying such abilities, which means any swordmaster with the slightest trace of honor would never think of harming her.
Even now, although everyone in the world knows how brilliant and powerful my lady is, she looks so small and frail that only a monster would try to hurt her.
So what is it about that pissant that troubles my lady so? What has he done to make her fear his presence so much she’d try to break off the engagement with a reprobate she’s loved since she was a child?
Valora’s just a knight who happens to be a Swordmaster, so she shouldn’t feel this way but...
My lady, why won’t you tell me the truth? I took an oath to dedicate my life and my death to you, but even without it I’d never abandon you. You are the master of my soul, and have been since I laid eyes on you when you were just a three year old cradled in Master’s arms.
It upsets her terribly, because all she’s ever wanted to do is serve her lady - live and die for her lady - and that just makes Valora even angrier with the hound who’s undoubtedly the reason for Lady Asha’s troubles.
And yet, she’s no fool.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
Standing as far away as possible from the uppity maid Lady Asha keeps around for some reason after their latest squabble had them both storming off in different directions, Valora watches the engaged couple carefully as the piece of shit dares subtly moves closer to Lady Asha where they’re sitting by the lake.
I’ve known for awhile now that that arse has feelings for my lady. It’s obvious in the way he not only makes time to see her daily, but does everything he can to help her and boost her standing in the council and in society.
As for his physical desires...
No one can resist my lady, especially when she smiles. That douchebag is a twenty-three year old male who’s known to have remained chaste since he’d been engaged to my lady from the time he was twelve - his urges are to be expected of any man his age, especially when the person in front of him is Lady Asha Lamberg.
Yet, when the traitorous trash had lost all composure and yanked Lady Asha off Luna while attempting to eat her face, Valora had felt it.
I’m a Swordmaster, so I felt His Highness’ aura clear as day.
The Senior Swordmaster’s aura had completely enveloped Lady Asha, as though trying to cocoon her away from any danger the world might seek to throw at the sapphire-eyed beauty.
Master once said that aura doesn’t lie. Which means those are that bastard’s true feelings for my lady.
Somehow, that only leads to more questions.
I must find out why my lady is so wary of that prick. And if, by my life or death, I can prevent any harm or sorrow from befalling Lady Asha, it would be the greatest honor I could ever hope to achieve.
Seeing the purple eyed brown-noser attempting to bring Lady Asha more wine, Valora scowls and storms over.
“Can’t you just go pant somewhere else?”
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ASHA’S POV
The bickering going on behind her is calming, soothing her jangled nerves as she tries not to think about what happened earlier, when Rayleigh...
Stop it. Don’t think about it. Don’t think about how good it felt when he held you, don’t think about how wonderful it felt when...
Blushing even harder, Asha wonders once again why her famously low body temperature isn’t helping keep her cool.
I can’t believe I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him closer. Or maybe I didn’t? I was in a daze so...
“Asha?”
Startled, she turns to look up at that handsome, tanned face.
Gods.
Why does he have to be so heartbreakingly good-looking? Why, even after everything, do I still care? I’m not a fool, not anymore. Why can’t I...
“Are you alright?” He’s blushing too, but somehow has the audacity to look smug.
Not just smug.
The way those heated ruby eyes are looking at her makes her redden even more.
“I...I’m fine!” Asha averts her eyes, trying to avoid looking at those lips that had been on hers not too long ago.
A chuckle, then Rayleigh leans in closer, not stopping until his arms are bracketing her on the picnic blanket.
This close, his every word causes warm breath to tease her lips, and despite herself Asha’s eyes are drawn to his mouth once more.
“If that’s the case, then I feel greatly hurt, Asha.” Why are you saying my name like that? Stop it, that’s illegal.
“Wh...why d..do you feel hurt?”
She squeaks when the tip of his nose suddenly nuzzles her neck right below her ear.
“Why?” Oh gods. When his breath grazes sensitive skin, it makes it very hard for her to focus. “Because I’m going crazy trying not to kiss you again in public.”
Yes.
When he says things like that, Asha struggles to hold onto reason, struggles to remember that he’d betrayed her and her House - that he’d killed her and her father himself...
Stop it. He’s playing with you. This must be his new tactic to keep House Lamberg in the empire.
The realization hits her like a bucket of ice-cold water on a snowy winter day.
Remember how much he loves Medea? How far he went for her? Even though he claims to only have been mad at me for acting like a child before, that doesn’t explain why he betrayed my House in the end.
Her father insists there must be a reason for it, and Asha herself has wondered several times if it’s due to whatever she’s starting to discover about Vautour.
If it came down to choosing between the Empire and a House - even the House of his beloved teacher - I know Rayleigh would choose his country. After all, he married me and gave up on true love for the sake of the nation.
A sigh brings her back to reality, and after she blinks Asha realizes she sees herself in pained scarlet eyes.
What...
“You’re thinking I’m trying to seduce you for the sake of the Empire, aren’t you?”
HOW...
“Asha.” Why do you look so hurt? “It’s true that I haven’t treated you right for a long time. It’s also true that I asked you to marry me in order to keep your House close.” I already knew that, so why does it still sting when I hear it? “But I’m not doing any of this now because of duty.”
”I’m not doing any of this now because of duty”...?
But...that means...
When Rayleigh huffs, he looks both exasperated and fond. “You’re the most stubborn person I’ve ever known. And also the dumbest genius I’ve ever known.”
“The what?!”
Pushing herself up higher on her palms where they’re braced against the picnic blanket, she only stops when her nose touches his as she glares at her ridiculous fiancé.
Why is he chuckling? Does he want me to hit him?
“You’re adorable when you’re angry.” She can only stare at him in shock. “It’s making it very hard to hold back.”
’Hold back’? ...oh.
Blushing once more, Asha turns away, mind racing as she tries to understand the nonsense this madman is spouting.
If he’s telling the truth, then...
“I swear on my name, everything I’ve said and done today has been true.”
Turning to gape at him, Asha wonders if she’d actually fallen off Luna earlier and hit her head.
Why are you chuckling again?
“Do you have any idea how hard it is to control myself right now, Asha?” His large palm, the warmth seeping through leather, cradles her nape gently, the contact making her shiver despite her resistance to elements.
It doesn’t help that his eyes are darkening, as they focus on her lips.
“I...”
“Your highness!”
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RAYLEIGH’S POV
The landslides weren’t mere landslides.
I should have gone to inspect the disaster zones. Uncle and Griffin don’t usually leave the capital these days, since they can send me as a representative, but I’d been so focused on Asha and teacher that...
“Your highness.”
Next to him, Asha’s face is grim even as her snowy waves whip in the wind while they ride full pelt to the palace.
Why do you look so unhappy, almost guilty? You’ve done so much for the Empire, and all I’ve done is...
“Let’s find out more first. I’ll do what I can to help.”
The only Grand Duke of the Empire needs to rely on his nineteen year old fiancée. For shame.
“Your. Highness.” Somehow she doesn’t need to shout to be heard over the sounds of the thundering hooves and yells from knights for commoners to get out of their way. “You’re not a god.”
But I’m a Grand Duke.
...more importantly, when did my face get so expressive? It’s dangerous for an Imperial to be seen through so easily, even if it’s Asha who’s looking into my soul. I mustn’t let my weakness affect her or the Empire anymore.
Uncle is speaking to teacher and Marquess Moravia when they reach the drawing room, Griffin and Ariana rushing in just moments after as more council members start to arrive.
“Duke Nathaira is away?” Hawksworth’s handsome face is dark at the news, since it’s a councillor’s duty to attend such emergency meetings, and a noble’s duty to do what they can for their country.
“His Grace returned to his territory with his daughters.” The Lord Chamberlain’s tone is even, but displeasure is clear in the tilt of thin lips.
I’ll deal with you later, Nathaira.
The briefing starts once they have quorum, the Lord Chamberlain’s calm voice doing nothing to detract from the facts.
I did wonder why the reports seemed to indicate the landslides were worse this year, with more casualties.
“It’s fortunate that Ray had his people look into the situation.” Griffin touches him lightly on the shoulder, and Rayleigh nods. “We wouldn’t have discovered the sabotage otherwise.”
I made the order in passing, more out of courtesy since landslides are a regular occurrence this time of year. But it seems it turned out for the best. Though the gunpowder weapons must have been well hidden, since Conroy’s network took this long to find the truth.
“I will go, uncle.” The east, in particular, has had it worse than others. Villages destroyed alongside roads and bridges, impeding rescue efforts and the supply of essential items.
“I’ll go too.”
Asha.
By the set of her jaw, it’s clear she won’t take ‘no’ for an answer, so no one even tries.
Still, no matter how much he worries for her safety, no one can deny it’d be best to have her personally inspect the disaster zones in order to determine the specifics of the gunpowder weapons used.
Lady Willow’s brothers are dispatched to the embassies of Quan and Anouar immediately after the meeting, and Rayleigh makes plans to leave for the east at dawn the day after tomorrow once enough supplies and healers have been gathered.
On the side, he issues orders to Conroy to look into Nathaira. Despite the reprimand to the Duke’s daughters at teacher’s engagement ball, it didn’t warrant such behavior. Beyond that, Rayleigh knows of nothing of note that would necessitate such a hasty departure from the capital.
Unless something is about to happen.
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MOONRISE BY LUNASEA: CHAPTER 28 END