LUNA: Alpha’s Soulmate from Another World

Luna stared at Duke Veniam sceptically, then glanced at Sigmund, who stood beside her with a clenched jaw and fists tightly balled. She quickly came to a realization. News of her association with the black sorcerer had overshadowed the fact that she came from another world, but that didn’t mean her origin was a secret.

Indeed, the empire’s top officials, especially those close to Alkrevas, knew about it, including Sigmund and Duke Veniam. Was Sigmund looking at her as though she were some kind of alien? Yet, based on Sigmund’s calm reaction and the lack of negative emotions in his gaze, Luna concluded that he didn’t care where she came from. What mattered to him was the fact that she was the Emperor’s soulmate, as evidenced by his previous words.

A sigh of relief escaped Luna’s lips, and she turned her attention back to Duke Veniam. Her eyes dropped to the refreshments and teacup prepared for the Duke, unsure of how to respond.

“If you don’t believe me, I understand because I also know what happened,” the Duke said quietly. He glanced at Sigmund for a moment before focusing on Luna again, adding, “About your Faem friend who betrayed you, taking advantage of your desire to return to your world.” Luna’s head shot up, her hands clenching tightly.

“Your Grace,” Sigmund murmured, his tone full of warning.

“What’s the matter, Count Ballion? Do you not like my presence? If so, you’re free to leave the room. After all, this conversation has nothing to do with you.”

Sigmund gritted his teeth but bowed and replied, “It is my duty to accompany Lady Luna and the future Empress while His Majesty the Emperor is absent, Your Grace.”

“Don’t you have work to do?” Duke Veniam asked sarcastically.

“My work can be postponed for a while.”

Luna noticed Duke Veniam sigh in defeat, and she couldn’t help but smile at the sight. After all, Sigmund, despite his lower status, managed to outmatch someone like Duke Veniam. No wonder Sigmund had remained by Alkrevas’ side for so long-just a few words were enough to make a Duke sigh in resignation. Luna bit her lip and gathered the courage to look directly at the Duke, then asked, “Why are you so confident, Your Grace?”

For a moment, the man sitting across from her fell silent. She watched as he seemed to weigh something in his mind before reaching into the pocket of his coat. Luna’s brow furrowed in suspicion, not without reason. The imperial palace was in a tense state due to rumours about traitors in their midst.

Wasn’t Duke Veniam’s behaviour suspicious? With Alkrevas away, the Duke appeared, offering something that could weaken him. But when the Duke pulled out an object and placed it on the table, Luna’s face paled, her heart stopped, and her body trembled.

“What is that?” Sigmund asked, his tone full of suspicion, thinking the item placed by Duke Veniam was some sort of new or illegal magical device. His brow furrowed as he leaned forward to examine it closely. Meanwhile, Luna remained silent, her vision blurring. She swallowed with difficulty, her breath catching. Her eyes slowly moved from the object on the table to the Duke’s face. She blinked rapidly when she saw Duke Veniam smile at her with a small, sorrowful expression. “I asked you, Your Grace, what is that? Or should I take other measures and call the knights guarding outside?”

“There’s no need. I believe Lady Luna knows exactly what I’ve placed here.” Ignoring Sigmund’s growl, Duke Veniam focused entirely on Luna. “You know what this is, don’t you?”

Luna looked back at the object on the table. Her hand slowly reached out but stopped when she felt a gentle squeeze on her shoulder. She shifted her gaze from the object to Sigmund, who was watching her with a cautious expression. She saw him shake his head, but after receiving a reassuring smile from her, Sigmund’s grip loosened before finally releasing her. Luna returned her attention to the object before her, stretching out her hand and taking it. “You… how did you…”

“She said she missed you and wondered why you suddenly disappeared.” Duke Veniam spoke with sadness. Luna felt her lips tremble, and a tear rolled down her cheek.

“Nicole…” Luna whispered as she examined the special pen she had given to her manager and friend, which had become her most treasured item. Luna took a deep breath, caressing the pen. She looked up at Duke Veniam with a sorrowful gaze. “Do you know another way…?”

Duke Veniam nodded. “If you don’t believe me, I’ll show you something.” The Duke reached into his coat again, and when Luna saw what he pulled out, her heart wavered. “This is what you call a passport, isn’t it? A travel identification document required when leaving the country.”

Markus was grateful that his uncle had arranged passports for their trip to New York so the small booklet could serve as proof for Luna. He also felt lucky that he had brought the document with him when he returned to this world.

He watched as his sister reached out to take the passport, flipping through the pages. Everything seemed complete-the name, occupation, all the necessary details. The name “Markus Bardi” was listed. Where did this man obtain such an identity? Luna scanned the travel history before gasping.

“London?” She looked up at him, full of questions, then returned her gaze to the passport’s stamps, frowning.

“You went to New York? That means…” Luna glanced at the pen in her hand before staring at him intensely, clearly expecting an explanation.

“If I could choose, I’d rather live in your world.”

“Huh?”

Sigmund, who had been silently observing, finally decided to ask, “What document is that?” He noticed the strange emblem on the cover and the unfamiliar stamps. “Lady Luna?”

Luna ignored Sigmund, still in shock. She felt torn. On the one hand, she didn’t want to leave Alkrevas, but on the other… she missed home profoundly, especially the people she loved. Shaking her head quickly, she reminded herself she couldn’t betray Alkrevas. She couldn’t let him down. Besides, there was a conversation they needed to have. She could wait for him to return, then talk and discuss the next steps.

“I… I can’t… Forgive me, Your Grace. I can’t leave His Majesty without permission. I promised to wait for his return.” For the first time, Luna spoke firmly. She had decided to stay, even with the opportunity in front of her. She placed the two items she was holding back onto the table and clenched her hands to resist temptation.

Alkrevas’s ring suddenly felt so heavy on her finger. “Can we discuss this after His Majesty returns?”

Sigmund, hearing Luna’s decision, exhaled in relief. Markus, on the other hand, smiled knowingly. He respected his sister’s choice and didn’t want to push her. It was better to build their relationship first, especially since they had been separated for so long, and Luna still didn’t know his true identity. Markus decided to change his strategy.

He could tell her everything once they had grown closer and offered this proposal again. He admitted that he had acted too hastily, but seeing Luna hurt by Alkrevas had clouded his judgment. However, unlike Alkrevas, he would respect whatever decision Luna made. After all, Luna was the daughter of the Veniam Duchy. “Alright, I understand. And Luna, once again, please don’t be so formal with me.”

“But, Your Grace… you-”

“Don’t worry about my status,” Markus replied casually, taking back the passport and Nicole’s pen. If Luna knew that he had secretly taken the pen, she probably would’ve scolded him.

Markus was sure that the relationship between his sister and her soulmate was more than just colleagues. “Besides, I heard you were quite successful in your world, so I think our statuses aren’t that different.” Luna blinked in confusion. “Just think of me not as a prime minister or chancellor, but as an ordinary knight who succeeded in building his career and dreams.”

“Eh?” Luna glanced at Sigmund, unsure. “Oh… um… alright…”Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

“And about your friend… she’s quite… unique.”

“Who?”

“Nicole.”

…