LUNA: Alpha’s Soulmate from Another World

Luna walked into the hall, filled with fear. If what Ghea said was true, it meant that Alkrevas had known her identity from the beginning. Was that why Alkrevas asked about the translation bracelet she wore, followed by the cryptic and mysterious statements he gave her at every opportunity? Not to mention his obsessive behavior. Did the facts Alkrevas knew to make him stressed and trigger the rut phase?

The situation would become even more complicated if all those possibilities were actual. Luna wanted to confirm the suspicions she had just learned about, but it would take a long time, and she needed more time to uncover the truth.

She was sure Alkrevas wouldn’t open his mouth and admit everything so quickly. He was cunning and would cover up the truth until the end if he deemed it worth hiding.

Luna stopped walking, feeling an urge to scream to vent her frustration. She looked around, searching for Alkrevas, but couldn’t find him. Luna shook her right leg, where the translation bracelet and the anklet Alkrevas gave were neatly wrapped, before approaching one of the guests nearby. Unfortunately, the guest was a man. “Hi, excuse me.”

“Oh, hi, Miss Luna. Is there something you need?” the man asked kindly. All the friends he was talking to stepped aside, leaving Luna alone with the male guest.

“Did you see His Majesty the Emperor?”

“Oh, His Majesty went with Duke Veniam to the lounge to discuss something.” Luna nodded in understanding. She was about to leave to find where Alkrevas had gone, but her steps halted when her hand was grabbed. She turned and saw her hand being held by the stranger. Luna glared at her hand being grabbed, and the man seemed to understand.

The stranger quickly released her hand and mumbled awkwardly, “I apologize for my rudeness, but I wanted to speak with you.”

“Oh?”

“His Majesty the Emperor set limits on us guests talking to you, so this is an opportunity. I apologize. Let me introduce myself; I am the young Count Mogris Redgyro from the Count Redgyro family. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Luna.” Luna held back as the man reached for her hand and kissed the back of it. Even though it was a form of politeness, it was still unpleasant. She quickly withdrew her hand from the young Count’s grasp and hid it behind her.

“Nice to meet you, young Count,” Luna responded curtly.

“Are you enjoying this party?”

“Of course.”

“In a few days, my residence will host a party. I want to invite you to attend as an honored guest.”

“But isn’t that a bit much?” Luna asked hesitantly. After all, this was her first appearance in the social world of the Vasilos Empire, and she was Nothing more than the Emperor’s soulmate. She immediately remembered the conversation between two noblewomen she had overheard in the garden a while ago.

“No, Miss. You are the future Empress and soulmate of His Majesty the Emperor, so I want to invite you. Besides, I want to be friends with you, and so does the Redgyro family upon hearing the news of your arrival at the palace.”

“I…”

“I will send you an official invitation. I think you will get along well with my sister, Adeline.” Luna only smiled politely.

Morris Redgyro’s nervousness became apparent in his gestures and expressions when he raised his hand to scratch his neck while smiling shyly. Without being asked, the nervous man said, “Sorry, but you are the most beautiful woman here, and I can’t help but be captivated by you.”

Has he had the man in front of her gone mad? Obviously, the young Count Mogris Redgyro knew she was the soulmate and future Empress, yet he dared to express admiration and attempt to flirt. Was he not afraid of death?

Luna wanted to retort but didn’t want to cause a scene in the middle of the party, especially since she was currently the center of attention among the guests. They were clearly whispering, and Luna could bet that a new rumor about her would soon emerge.

Luna raised her hand and pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. In her world, even a minor incident could spark gossip with significant impact, especially here, where hierarchy, caste, reputation, and status were clear measures of a person.

Luna opened her mouth to say her goodbyes. She needed to end this nonsensical conversation, get as far away from the party as possible, or return to her bedroom to rest. But all her intentions were thwarted when she felt a hand brush against her exposed back and then wrap possessively around her waist.

Alkrevas’ scent immediately dominated her sense of smell, and as she looked up to see his face, Luna’s complexion turned pale, and her heart raced. “Your Majesty,” Luna whispered in surprise.

Young Count Mogris Redgyro immediately bowed, greeting and showing respect upon realizing the Emperor’s presence. His body was trembling with fear, and his face turned pale. Luna could even see beads of cold sweat forming on the man’s temples. “It seems you were having a serious conversation.”

Alkrevas commented with a calm voice and a friendly smile, but his brown eyes gave the young Count a cold and piercing look. “What were you discussing?”

“Umm…” Luna glanced at the young Count briefly, then answered honestly, “Nothing much. He just wanted to invite me to the Redgyro family banquet.”

“Oh. Is that so?” Luna furrowed her brows but nodded nonetheless. “Did I ask him to approach and speak with you?”

“No, Your Majesty, I-” The young Count was about to explain but hesitated and fell limp with a face full of fear when a long, sharp sword was pointed at him, more precisely at his neck. Luna gasped and grabbed Alkrevas’ arm, which was extended, holding the sword aimed at the innocent young man.

“Your Majesty, stop! You can’t!” Luna screamed in panic, but her efforts were in vain. Alkrevas’ arm didn’t lower and instead pressed the blade of the sword harder against the young Count’s neck until it cut and drew blood.

Luna felt her heart stop. She looked at Alkrevas’ aides, even at the Chancellor, Duke Markus Veniam, but they all shook their heads and didn’t attempt to approach. Luna realized that if they did approach and try to calm the Emperor, the situation would become even more difficult. The entire hall fell silent. All eyes were on the Emperor and the woman by his side.

Luna bit her lower lip, racking her brain for a way to prevent Alkrevas from killing a nobleman at an official event. After all, she did not want to witness another murder. Once was already enough. Luna shook her head, trying to dispel the horrific memory and focus on the present.

“Are you trying to defy my orders, Young Count Redgyro?” Alkrevas asked in a soft yet deadly tone. Slowly, his brown eyes turned completely red, indicating that the situation was worsening.

“Wait, Your Majesty. Maybe we should talk about this-” Luna tried to intervene but didn’t finish her sentence when Alkrevas shot her a warning look. Luna cursed Alkrevas, criticizing him for his temperamental nature, and wondered why she couldn’t speak to the opposite sex without his permission. She had her rights.

Thinking about this made her even more furious. Besides, where did Alkrevas get the sword? She didn’t see him carrying one… Luna glanced at Duke Veniam and saw that the sword sheath on his belt was empty. She bit her lip in frustration and refocused on Alkrevas.

“Are you trying to approach my soulmate, Luna, and future Empress?”

“No, Your Majesty, I was just…”© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“Your Majesty, how about we rest and-” Luna paused momentarily as an idea popped into her head. Initially, she felt hesitant, but this was a desperate situation, and it seemed like the only way to distract Alkrevas and calm him down. With that thought, Luna raised both hands, cupping Alkrevas’ face, pulling it towards her as she stood on tiptoe, then pressed her lips against his in a gentle kiss.

Luna closed her eyes and pressed her lips harder, eliciting a response from Alkrevas. When she got the reaction she wanted, Luna smiled victoriously. After feeling it was enough, Luna broke the kiss, opened her eyes, and looked into the red eyes, staring back at her without blinking. “Calm down, Alkrevas,” Luna whispered.

The sound of the sword dropping to the floor echoed loudly, signaling that the imminent disaster had been averted without bloodshed. Both of Alkrevas’ hands gripped Luna’s waist tightly, and he kissed her possessively. Then Alkrevas buried his face in the crook of Luna’s neck, kissing the claimed mark before inhaling her scent deeply.

Luna bit her lower lip. Her trembling hands stroked Alkrevas’ hair, his face still buried in her neck. She was so relieved to have saved a life from a senseless death. Once Alkrevas felt calm, he lifted his head and looked at Luna’s face briefly before surveying the guests, who were holding their breath, watching everything that had happened.

“Listen, everyone. Tonight, I declare the woman by my side, Luna, as the future Empress of the Vasilos Empire. My soulmate and Luna will stand by me in ruling Vasilos.” Alkrevas paused briefly, then continued, “One week from now, I will hold an engagement ceremony, and after winter ends, I will have the wedding and coronation. There will be no objections or refusals from any of you. If you try to undermine my woman, show disrespect, or attempt anything malicious, you will have to kill me first. If I find any of you trying to protest, I will consider you a traitor and will execute you on the spot. Your families will be eradicated, and your bodies will be thrown to the rogues in the neutral territory. Understood?”

The neutral territory was a land not governed or acknowledged by any nation. It was a desolate, uninhabited area used by countries like Vasilos, Nightingale, and Foryeust to exile their rogue members. However, there were instances where rogues banded together to plot revenge, cause chaos, and commit crimes in their target territories. That was why rogues were often kept in the imperial dungeons, especially in the notorious prison rumored throughout the empire.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” All the guests replied in unison, kneeling on one knee before the Emperor. “We obey your command.”

“One more thing, no one is allowed to approach her without my permission. You must go through me to invite the future Empress.” Alkrevas momentarily glanced at the young Count and muttered, “Consider yourself lucky that my Luna saved your life.” Then Alkrevas turned, pulling Luna with him as they left the hall.

They left behind guests who whispered about the Emperor’s declaration.

…