LUNA: Alpha’s Soulmate from Another World

The next day, the imperial palace felt busier than usual. Luna stepped out of the Emperor’s residence for the first time in a week, noticing the palace’s more festive atmosphere. She guessed it was all because of the moonflower festival. She glanced at Alkrevas walking beside her with a cold and expressionless face.

He was wearing the mask of the ‘Cruel and Tyrannical Emperor.’ One of his hands was possessively wrapped around her waist. Luna bit her tongue to avoid making sharp comments about the anklet, whose purpose she still didn’t know. She had asked many times, but Alkrevas never answered and permanently changed the subject.

Luna looked at her body, wrapped in a lilac and white A-line dress. Her hands touched the pearl choker necklace with a violet gemstone in the centre and matching earrings. She last wore such luxurious clothing when she attended a gala held by a renowned businessman in London.

Luna turned to observe Alkrevas’ attire. As usual, he wore nobleman’s clothing, though more straightforward than normal. His white outer coat had gold embroidery with beautiful patterns on the collar and cuffs, a white waistcoat with gold buttons, the finest shirt, and a dark purple cravat that matched the theme of her dress. His legs were clad in white trousers and high-quality leather shoes.

Unlike usual, Alkrevas didn’t adorn his chest with many military badges or imperial insignia, nor did he wear the sash symbolizing the imperial family. There wasn’t even a brooch as an accessory.

The only jewellery Alkrevas wore was a gold ring with a gemstone that matched the colour of his red eyes in the centre. Luna frowned in confusion but didn’t dwell on it further.

They entered the palace’s main dining hall, which was vast, with a long table surrounded by many chairs. These chairs were already occupied by staff, nobles, generals, and ministers who had been waiting. Alkrevas walked confidently and arrogantly to the head chair with a wolf’s head carving on the backrest. Luna was seated to the right of the head of the table, across from Beta Savon and Gamma Mathias.

Next to Gamma was an empty chair, followed by seats occupied by nobles. Luna glanced at Sigmund and Zyne standing on either side of the Emperor, tall and obedient, then to her right, where a woman in a military uniform was seated. The woman’s hair was styled in a formal bun. Many badges adorned her uniform, and Luna could see her tanned skin, indicating she spent more time outdoors like Gamma Mathias.

Alkrevas spoke briefly before permitting us to start breakfast. Many nobles and staff around the table stared at Luna with questioning and curious looks. Luna sighed loudly.

She had no intention of introducing herself or making small talk. Whispering was heard around her, and Alkrevas, who was usually so sharp and keen on the atmosphere, ignored it, pretending not to listen and focusing on eating his breakfast while discussing with Beta Savon.

Luna ate her breakfast lazily, but her hand stopped moving when the woman beside her asked, “Is the food not to your liking, Luna? If so, I’ll ask the servant to replace your plate with a new menu.” Luna was startled before turning to the woman beside her. She quickly shook her head.

“But you seem uninterested.”

“Ah, sorry. I was thinking about something. No. You don’t need to call the servant, miss.”

The woman beside her smiled gently. “You don’t need to be formal with me, Luna. I’ll serve you, but I don’t deserve to be called a miss. I am a knight.”

Luna winced inwardly. “Oh, alright, I apologize again.”

“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Commander Thea Lobato Abony.”

“Luna.”

“Your name is so unique. If I weren’t attentive, I would think your name was Luna.” Once again, Luna winced inwardly.

If only the general beside her knew that her statement was a fact, what would her reaction be? Luna just gave a sheepish smile and responded minimally to General Abony. Then, she automatically turned to Alkrevas and found him watching her intently, ignoring Beta Savon, who was talking. Luna immediately started and lowered her head.

Since when had Alkrevas been watching her and listening to her conversation with Commander Abony? What did that mysterious look he gave her mean? Why did Luna feel a strange sensation creeping into her heart? However, Luna quickly set aside those feelings.

Alkrevas couldn’t possibly know about her secret past. She still didn’t trust the mate bond that tied her to Alkrevas, so she wouldn’t believe that Alkrevas could read her mind just because they were soulmates. He might be suspicious because of the translation bracelet she wore, but he couldn’t prove anything. Right?

Luna lifted her head and looked at Alkrevas again, breathing a sigh of relief when she saw that his eyes were no longer on her but on Gamma Mathias. She exhaled and refocused on the food in front of her.

After breakfast ended and Alkrevas discussed some crucial matters at the dining table with his aides and staff, he dismissed the breakfast gathering, leaving only himself, Beta Savon, Gamma Mathias, Sigmund, Zyne, and Luna in the room. Luna looked out the window, longing to walk in the garden.

“Since today is the first day of the moonflower festival, I will leave the palace to check on the festival’s progress.” Everyone was surprised to hear Alkrevas’ words, including Luna, who thought such a task was unlikely for an emperor.

“But, Alpha. That is a task-”

“Did you just contradict me, Savon?” Alkrevas asked sharply. Beta Savon immediately bowed and mumbled a negative response.

Alkrevas nodded in satisfaction and continued, “I will evaluate the domestic department’s work and check on the people of Vasilos.”

“What if your identity is recognized, Your Majesty?” Sigmund asked worriedly.

“I will use a disguise spell if that’s what you fear.” Alkrevas glanced at Luna, who was still sitting silently. “Zyne, prepare a cloak for my Luna. I will take her with me.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

…

Luna stared at the large, sturdy horse in front of her. She frowned and turned her head toward Alkrevas, who was talking to Sigmund not far from where she stood. Then she looked at the palace gate, standing not far from her. Even though it wasn’t the main gate but a side gate, it was just as grand and luxurious as the main gate. Luna heard footsteps and directed her gaze toward the source of the sound, seeing Alkrevas walking towards her.

When he stopped beside her, Luna noticed that the gemstone in the ring Alkrevas wore was glowing slightly. As if understanding her gaze, he said, “This ring is no ordinary. It stores my disguise spell. With this ring, others will see me differently.”

Luna squinted and observed Alkrevas’ appearance, which still looked identical. “I thought it was a magical item that werewolves use to get dressed after transforming.”

Alkrevas chuckled softly at Luna’s words, surprising her. “Why are you laughing? And why do I still see you the same?”

Alkrevas shook his head briefly. “Because you are my soulmate,” he replied casually, then looked at the horse near them.

He gently stroked the animal’s head, causing it to snort and whiny softly, as if recognizing its owner and happily welcoming him. “His name is Zeus. He’s my favourite horse.”

“Oh… I thought you didn’t need a horse,” Luna murmured sarcastically.

“Can you ride a horse?” Luna looked at the horse’s tall back before nodding.

Luna indeed knew how to ride a horse because she had gone horseback riding with Maya several times. Still, the horse she chose later differed significantly from Zeus, and she feared falling off. “Do you want to pet him?”

Luna nodded and stroked Zeus’ body before pulling her hand back and looking at Alkrevas, who was still busy pampering Zeus. She didn’t expect that they were now chatting casually like friends. “Zeus is a horse I’ve cared for since he was little.”

“No wonder he obeys you so well.” Luna looked out the gate and asked, “How will people see you if you use a disguise spell?” She was curious because she saw no change in Alkrevas.

Luna played with the edge of her cloak and looked at Alkrevas again, finding him watching her. The wind blew gently against them, making Luna’s loose and partly tied hair flutter beautifully, as well as her skirt and cloak. Luna adjusted her slightly messy hair while waiting for Alkrevas’ answer, trying to ignore his intense gaze.

“It depends on how they want to see me. This ring will create an illusion based on each person’s thoughts and views.” Alkrevas answered casually, then approached and extended his hand, gently tucking a strand of Luna’s hair behind her ear.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

“Seeing you like this reminds me of the first time I saw you in that restaurant.” Luna felt her breath catch. So at that time, when she met the eyes of a mysterious man standing in the square, it was her mistake.

She shouldn’t have looked at the strange man in the black cloak among hundreds of colourfully dressed people, but if they hadn’t met then, Luna would have met Alkrevas for the first time when… Luna shivered at the thought and hoped Ghea had escaped safely.

Ghea was the key to her freedom and returning to her world, as she couldn’t do anything while in the palace. Luna said nothing and bit her lip to hold back the sarcastic comment, ready to come out of her mouth.

“Get on. We must leave now before lunchtime arrives.” Alkrevas then extended his hand to Luna, helping her mount the horse.

Several of the Emperor’s male servants approached to help, and when Luna was comfortably seated on Zeus’s back, Alkrevas followed. He adjusted Luna’s cloak before grabbing the reins and pulling them. Luna was grateful she had changed into comfortable clothes for leaving the palace and horseback riding; if she had still worn her breakfast dress, she would have had a hard time.

Zeus neighed before trotting slowly towards the palace gate. Luna’s eyes widened once they passed through the gate, and she murmured in awe. Unlike behind the gate where she mounted Zeus, the road they travelled was crowded with shops and people passing by, indicating that the gate they passed through connected directly to the heart of Mylonas city.

Luna murmured in amazement at the bustling city with various decorations to celebrate the festival. The shops, restaurants, and souvenir shops, as were the street vendors selling their goods, were crowded with visitors.

Horse-drawn carriages continuously passed, and the noise made the city feel so alive, even more so than when she first entered Mylonas Capital. Luna looked left and right. She was so engrossed in the city’s bustling atmosphere on the festival’s first day that she didn’t notice one of Alkrevas’ hands circling her waist protectively and her body leaning against his chest.

…