Full Moon Night

That night.

Holding Shitoen in my arms, I moved to the front of the stairs.

The member on guard smiled faintly, yet quietly saluted us.

From against my chest came the soft sound of her peaceful breathing, and I also let out a wry smile.

It seemed she had tired herself out from playing too much in the pool during the day.

We enjoyed the meal prepared by the “chef I recommend most,” whom Vandel had brought, and while looking out at the garden, the men drank and played poker.

The women had been drinking tea and chatting excitedly for a while, but then Eaton approached us with a troubled expression.

“My lady has fallen asleep,” she said.

When I looked, Shitoen had fallen asleep on the sofa, leaning against Roze.

So the gathering naturally came to an end, and I was now carrying Shitoen up to the second-floor bedroom.

I went to the room assigned to us as our bedroom and adjusted my hold on Shitoen so I could grasp the doorknob.

“Mm…?”

A small voice escaped from within my arms. Damn, I had jostled her too much. Shitoen had woken up.

“Oh… I’m sorry. I fell asleep…”

She tried to get down in a hurry, so I gently lowered her to the floor.

“The gathering just ended.”

Saying that, I opened the door.

I had assumed.

That it would be pitch-black, or perhaps only lit by the faint glow of a lamp.

But the room was filled with far more light than I had imagined.

“Wah…”

Shitoen let out a small cry of delight.

I also stood there in a daze for a while, looking at it.

It was a full moon.

The wall directly opposite the entrance had a large window.

It seemed the entire wall was made of windows.

The curtains had been opened, and there was a great full moon beyond them.

“Amazing…”

Shitoen trotted over to the window, placed her hands on the glass, and gazed at it like a child.

Come to think of it, the Crown Prince had said, “The night sky is beautiful,” but… so this was what he meant.

I also entered the room and closed the door.

While gazing at the night sky, I slowly approached the window.

Perhaps because there was not a single cloud, the full moon’s light reached every corner.

Even the leaves of the grove surrounding the villa shone as if they were wet.

“It’s almost dazzling.”

I stood behind Shitoen and spoke to her.

“Yes, truly.”

She nodded happily.

I did not know why.

But as I watched Shitoen looking up at the full moon.

It felt as if she would melt into the moonlight, become translucent, and… vanish from my side.

I was struck by that kind of fear.

I had to protect her. I had to shield Shitoen.

But.

For that sake.

If I died…

If I disappeared…

What should I do then?

Who would protect Shitoen?

Those were the only thoughts that kept filling my mind.

“Prince Saryu?”

And so.

Before I knew it, I had embraced her small body. No, to be precise, I may have clung to her.

It felt similar to when I was very, very young, when I dreamed that a stuffed animal I treasured had burned away… and as soon as I woke up, I hurriedly held that stuffed animal tightly to my chest.

As long as I enclosed her in these arms, she would definitely be all right.

I had no basis for it, but I believed only that and firmly trapped Shitoen within my arms.

“What’s wrong?”

Shitoen’s voice sounded puzzled.

When I gently loosened the strength in my arms, she slowly turned around to face me.

“It’s nothing.”

I smiled at her, though it may have looked awkward. But Shitoen said nothing, and while still smiling, she faced the window once more.

Bathed in moonlight, she gazed at the full moon and laughed softly.

“I was wondering why it was so quiet… It turns out we’re alone together.”

She leaned her back against me and raised her chin. Her lovely face was there.

“Our official duties are over now, aren’t they?”

“Ah. You’re right.”

I came back to myself.

And the same moment I came back to myself…

Shitoen, who was in my arms, felt more precious to me than ever before.

Her glossy silver hair that reached down to her waist, and her white skin, damply gleaming in the moonlight. Her purple eyes gazing at the full moon.

As long as I was touching her, she was certainly here.

Her warmth reached me.

And that.

Made me feel that Shitoen loved me too.

As if drawn in, I pressed a kiss to the nape of her white neck.

“Mm…”

Shitoen let out a ticklish-sounding voice, but I continued kissing her from the nape of her neck down to her back.

The outfit she was wearing now had a large opening in the back.

I released the arm I had wrapped around her body and undid the hook.

With a smooth sound, her dress slipped to the floor.

“Eek… W-wait…”

Shitoen hurriedly gathered the dress in front of her chest.

So I lifted her in my arms and carried her to the bed.

“Our official duties are over, right?”

I leaned over her as she lay on her back on the bed and asked.

“…They are… over, yes?”

Shitoen was still holding the half-removed dress in front of her chest.

However.

Because she quietly closed her eyes.

I pressed my lips to hers.

I kissed her over and over again, and when I gently, sweetly nibbled on her lips, Shitoen opened them with a sigh. I softly slipped my tongue in and entwined it with hers.

By then, both her arms were wrapped around my neck.

So I touched Shitoen’s collarbone, then slid my palm over her skin.

When I touched her soft, warm chest, Shitoen let out a small “Ah,” pulled her lips away from mine, and twisted her body.

I held her from behind. I touched her chest and trailed my lips along her back.

Shitoen let out a melting voice, and tonight, I simply wanted to keep listening to that voice forever…

My lips pressed kisses all over Shitoen’s body, and Shitoen’s breaths and yearning voice sweetly enveloped my body…

Shitoen, Shitoen.

Always, forever. I wanted her to stay by my side.

For that, I would even offer up my life.

While thinking that, I caressed her body, repeated my kisses, and held her tightly.

That night, she reached ecstasy many times, and each time, I became intoxicated by a dizzying sensation.

Within that gentle drunken feeling, I kept wishing.

I wanted her to stay by my side. I wanted her to keep smiling.

Because I would cherish her forever within my arms.