Chapter# 3

The butler's knock echoed through the door, a gentle announcement of Luna's arrival. "Come in," Rezef's warm voice invited, carrying the hint of a smile.

The door swung open, revealing Luna's poised figure. Her curtsy was a fluid motion, elegance personified. "Greetings, Duke Lily."

Rezef rose from his chair, his movements unhurried, and settled into the plush sofa. The afternoon sunlight streaming through the windows danced across his face, highlighting the lines of warmth and wisdom etched upon his features.

"No need to be so formal, dear," he said, his voice infused with affection. "You're Grace's child, and he's like a brother to me. Call me uncle, as you used to."

Luna's gaze softened, her expression betraying a hint of nostalgia. Rezef's gesture invited her to sit, and she settled beside him on the sofa, the soft cushion enveloping her.

"Well, I have to maintain my dignity as the head of Oleander duchy," Luna said, her tone measured. "I cannot be informal with you when I've come to discuss matters as the duchess."

Rezef's chuckle was low and soothing. "Yes, that's right, but to me, you've always been a child of mine. Speak comfortably, dear."

Their conversation unfolded like a rich tapestry, woven with threads of politics, commerce, and social welfare. They discussed the centuries-old rivalry with the Skylock empire, the budding business partnership between Lily and Oleander duchies, and the rebuilding of Dahlia city's roads after the devastating floods.

As they spoke, the room seemed to shrink, leaving only the two of them, lost in the intricacies of governance and the dance of diplomacy.

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As their discussion drew to a close, Rezef's expression turned contemplative. "Luna dear, have you given thought to your partner for your coming-of-age ceremony?" he asked, his voice gentle as the afternoon breeze.

Luna's slender fingers gathered the documents from the table, her movements economical. "No, I haven't. Two months remain; plenty of time to decide." Her gaze met Rezef's, a hint of curiosity sparking within.

Rezef's brow furrowed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I heard from Damien you're not planning to hold the ceremony." He scratched his head, a gesture of puzzlement.

Luna's pause was fleeting, her voice measured. "That's correct. I see no value in it." Her words hung in the air like autumn leaves, brittle and detached.

Rezef's concern deepened, etched on his face. "And why not?"

Luna's shoulders squared, her tone firm. "It's a waste of time, money, and energy. I can use that time for the duchy's and empire's welfare."

Rezef's silence was palpable, heavy with unspoken thoughts. Luna stood, her movements fluid, and turned toward the door.

Rezef's words halted her departure, his voice laced with concern. "You know, Luna, your coming-of-age ceremony could be an opportunity to find a lifelong partner."

Luna's hand froze on the door handle, her back rigid. She spun around, her eyes flashing like summer lightning. "What?" The word exploded from her lips, fueled by long-held annoyance.

"Why would I need a partner? To secure Oleander's lineage?" Her voice dripped with disdain. "I can adopt from a collateral family."

Rezef's expression softened, his tone gentle. "Marriage is more than producing heirs. It's sharing life's joys and sorrows with someone you love."

Luna's gaze narrowed, her voice clipped. "I have Arum and Lazuli. They're always there for me."

The air vibrated with unspoken emotions, the weight of Rezef's concerns and Luna's resistance hanging like an unbridgeable chasm.

Rezef's words cut through Luna's defenses like a gentle breeze on a summer day, yet carried the weight of a looming storm. "You don't understand, Luna. Do you think Arum and Lazuli will always be by your side?" His pause hung in the air like a held breath.

"Think rationally, child. They'll soon be adults, with marriages and lives of their own. They may leave the capital, perhaps even the empire. What then?" Rezef's eyes, filled with concern, locked onto Luna's.

Luna's stomach churned, as if the ground beneath her feet was shifting. The thought of Arum and Lazuli, her closest friends since childhood, leaving her side was unbearable. Their laughter, their whispers, their presence – all might soon be memories.

Rezef's voice, laced with empathy, wrapped around her like a warm cloak. "I want your happiness, Luna. I want you surrounded by those who love you unconditionally." He knew marriage was a topic she'd always avoided, but his words flowed from a place of love.

Luna's glare flashed like a shield, protecting her vulnerable heart. How could Rezef suggest such a thing? Arum and Lazuli, gone? The distance between them, once a mere thought, now felt like an insurmountable chasm.

Rezef's gentle touch on her shoulder was a whispered promise. "You've built walls around yourself since your parents vanished. Don't let solitude consume you, Luna. I just want the best for you." His voice cracked with emotion.

Luna's composure teetered on the edge. She turned, her movements fluid, and shut the door behind her. The hallway's silence enveloped her like a shroud.

As she walked, her emotions swirled like a tempest. Her heart ached, her mind reeled. The thought of a future without Arum and Lazuli by her side was a desolate landscape.

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