LUNA: Alpha’s Soulmate from Another World

The interest she felt was not about the attraction between a woman and a man she had just met but rather an interest in the man’s identity. For some reason, seeing Duke Veniam’s face from afar successfully made her unable to take her eyes off the Duke. Luna felt a sense of familiarity with the figure of the second most powerful man in the Vasilos Empire.

Luna observed the man’s features more closely as the distance between her and the object of her curiosity decreased. The hair she saw from afar appeared dark, but it was actually dark brown and perfectly styled. Then there were those beautiful green eyes, the rosy red lips, the strong jawline, and the tall, sturdy, and upright body.

The Duke’s face, which looked friendly, was in stark contrast to Alkrevas’ arrogant face. However, for some reason, Luna could detect emptiness in those beautiful green eyes, indicating that the friendliness shown was merely a camouflage mask to hide his authentic expressions and emotions. Seeing all this, Luna realized that, like Alkrevas, she also had to be cautious with the Duke. After all, Duke Veniam still had imperial blood in his veins.

Luna observed more closely the medals adorning the left chest of the Duke’s military uniform and then noticed a regiment badge pinned to the white sash. This badge symbolizes the Veniam region’s troops. It consisted of two crossed swords, a bird-like phoenix engraved in the center of the cross, surrounded by intricate, beautiful carvings, and a crown-like engraving on top.

Luna briefly saw the same emblem on the badge adorning the blue cape the man was wearing, indicating that her assumption was correct. The badge she saw was the emblem of the Veniam Duchy troops. Luna also noticed the Vasilos Empire’s emblem adorning the hall’s walls above the throne before returning her gaze to the two men who were her target.

Upon reaching the two men, Luna erased all the feelings and thoughts dominating her. “Finally, my future empress has returned.” That was the first sentence Alkrevas said when Luna arrived at his side. With a sweet smile, she bowed to greet him, then let Alkrevas pull her body close to him.

Luna bit her lower lip as she felt the possessive grip of the psychopathic Emperor around her waist, and she felt like cursing Alkrevas when he boldly kissed her cheek and the hollow of her neck. What was that man thinking? Acting intimate in public? Luna glared at Alkrevas and saw the man smiling in satisfaction.

As if feeling victorious because his hidden intentions had succeeded. Luna clenched her fists at her sides. She knew Alkrevas’s purpose in doing all that was to warn the men throughout the hall that she was the Emperor’s, the Emperor’s property and woman, and that she should not be touched or approached.

“Luna, I haven’t introduced you to my chancellor and the prime minister of the Vasilos Empire, Duke Veniam.”

Once again, Luna looked at Duke Veniam and gave a polite smile followed by a light greeting, but what surprised Luna was the Duke’s expression. The man looked at her with a pale face as if he was seeing a ghost instead of a human.

“My Lord?” Luna murmured in confusion.

Duke Veniam blinked several times and cleared his throat softly, trying to change his surprised expression to a friendly one. “Forgive me, Lady Luna looks very similar to someone I know, so I was slightly startled.”

Duke Veniam chuckled softly and commented, “Your Majesty, you are fortunate to have a beautiful woman as your soulmate, Miss Luna. Your years of waiting and efforts have finally paid off.”

“You are right, Markus.”

Luna shifted her gaze from Duke Veniam to Alkrevas, and it seemed that Luna wasn’t the only one who sensed the oddity in Duke Veniam’s reaction. Alkrevas felt the same way, as the man didn’t take his eyes off the Duke. “So when are the wedding and coronation ceremonies?”

“As soon as possible, I want to prepare both events perfectly. That’s why, after the cabinet meeting the day after tomorrow, I want you to start preparing these two major events.” Luna felt her heart stop beating at Alkrevas’ response to Duke Veniam’s question.

Luna glanced briefly at Alkrevas before refocusing on Duke Veniam, who nodded obediently at the Emperor’s command. “How about the northern region? Is everything alright? Have the urgent issues been resolved?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Everything is fine.”

“I’m glad to hear that. I need my chancellor to carry out state duties. You know that, right?” Alkrevas raised his hand and briefly patted Duke Veniam’s shoulder.

“Yes. I will stay in the Capital for a long time. I will faithfully stand by your side, Your Majesty.”

Alkrevas nodded happily. “While you’re here, you can speak with the delegation from Nighwarm Kingdom. You can also relax because the next two days will be busy for us.”

“Of course, Your Majesty.” Then Duke Veniam took his leave and turned to go. Other nobles began conversing with Alkrevas, and Luna felt like a trophy wife standing by Alkrevas’ side as a display. Even if Alkrevas did not talk to her, the surrounding nobles would likely ignore her and act as if she did not exist.

Luna sighed in frustration in her heart and finally mustered the courage to ask Alkrevas for permission to go to the restroom. She breathed a sigh of relief when she received permission from Alkrevas without much debate.

…

Luna walked through the garden in silence. For the first time, she had some time alone. After going to the restroom, she decided to go to the garden and breathe in the fresh air. She was reluctant to return to the hall, and it was rare for her to experience freedom, but she knew that the freedom and solitude she felt would not last long. She had to return to the hall soon if she didn’t want Alkrevas to cause a scene.

With a gentle sigh, Luna sat down on a garden bench. She looked up at the sky, and a tear rolled down her cheek. She didn’t know why she was crying. It could be longing, anger, or pent-up emotions. Whatever it was, she let it all out with her tears. The starry sky and moon reminded her of her friend-Maya. She still remembered their spontaneous camping trip.

Luna also saw a beautiful sky back then, although not as beautiful as the one she saw now. It still made her murmur in awe. “Maya, Nicole, how are you?” Luna whispered to the night.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps followed by conversation, and judging by the voices, Luna guessed that the newcomers were women. Luna hurriedly ran to the maze and stopped behind a wall of foliage. She peeked out and confirmed her thinking; the newcomers were two women, and from their appearance, they were nobles.

Luna turned to leave but stopped when she heard one of the women’s comments. “Why would His Majesty be with a woman who has no background? She’s not even a noble. Just look at her appearance. Completely classless.”

“Haven’t you heard, Penelope? Rumor has it that the woman is His Majesty’s soulmate.”

“Hah! Soulmate? You know she could have used black magic on His Majesty and then claimed to be His soulmate.” The woman, whom Luna identified as Penelope, replied cynically. “Don’t you think so, Rosaline?”

“I don’t know…”

Luna couldn’t see the faces of the two women named Penelope and Rosaline because the shadows of the garden lamp post obscured them.

“Marquis Cirillo never stops expressing his disappointment. After all, his daughter was supposed to be a candidate for Empress. His beloved daughter lost to a woman with an unclear background.”

“But wasn’t Marquis Cirillo’s daughter already at a disadvantage from the start? The Emperor had already chosen Commander Abony as his prospective Empress if he didn’t find his soulmate within a year.”

“Do you think this is the Emperor’s plan, Rosaline?”

“Plan or not, I just feel sorry for Commander Abony. The Abony family has been preparing for their daughter’s wedding, and I also heard that Commander Abony has feelings for the Emperor.”

“Rosaline?”

“Rumor has it that General Thea has stayed at the Emperor’s residence several times. Even the imperial household staff has been preparing for Commander Abony’s arrival at the Empress’s palace.”

Luna sighed softly and walked away. She continued to distance herself from the two gossiping women who enjoyed discussing rumors that might not be true. Commander Abony?

Luna had met her once during breakfast that morning, but she didn’t see anything in the Commander’s gaze or gestures. To Luna, Commander Abony acted like a subordinate to a superior, unlike the Marquis’s daughter she had seen. Luna tried to think logically, and even if she was jealous, it might be influenced by the mate bond.

Whoever was right, whether it was Alkrevas or the rumors, Luna didn’t care. She cared about escaping from all this and returning to her world. Luna stopped in the middle of the maze, where a fountain and a stone garden bench were located.

Luna sat down and took a deep breath, trying to dispel the turmoil suddenly rising in her heart. “Commander Abony and Alkrevas? Of course, they are a good match. Unlike herself, Commander Abony is skilled with a sword and a Commander, meaning her military capabilities are unquestionable.”

At that moment, Luna didn’t realize that she was acknowledging the mate bond tying her to Alkrevas, and she was unaware she was jealous.

Luna sighed softly and rubbed her temples because her head was aching. “Are you starting to have feelings for him?” Suddenly, someone asked her, and Luna gasped in surprise.

Luna immediately turned slightly to see where the voice came from because the voice she heard was not unfamiliar but very familiar. Instantly, Luna looked around to search and then found a hooded figure hiding in the darkness. Her breath caught, and her lips trembled when the hooded figure stepped out of the darkness towards her. When the light fell on the figure, Luna confirmed the feeling in her heart, and relief washed over her. The figure, a woman with blonde hair and forest-green eyes, walked towards her. “Don’t you want to return to your world anymore?”

“Ghea?”

“Hi, Luna.”

Luna immediately stood up and ran to Ghea, hugging her tightly. Ghea hugged her back and chuckled softly. “I’m so grateful you’re okay. I was worried about you.”

“I won’t die so easily, Luna. After all, I want to avenge my brother’s death.”

“Against His Majesty?” asked Luna, pulling away from Ghea. Ghea nodded in response to Luna’s question. She looked at the Fae woman who had helped her with a doubtful expression. “You know it won’t be easy.”

“I know. That’s why I will seek revenge after you return to your world.” Luna nodded in understanding. “Seeing you in the city earlier today was quite a surprise.”

Ghea smiled slightly. “Sorry, I couldn’t approach you then. The Emperor has ordered his men to track and capture me.” Luna’s eyes widened in shock at Ghea’s words. Was it because Ghea was connected to her? Or was it something else? But if it was something else, what was it? Luna felt a bad premonition.

“So? Do you like that Emperor? Do you not want to return?” Ghea asked, narrowing her eyes and looking at Luna inquisitively.

Luna shook her head. “Of course, I want to go back. That’s my biggest wish right now. You know this world isn’t my place, Ghea.”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Ghea nodded in understanding upon hearing Luna’s answer. “Have you found a way for me to return?”

“Yes. I’ve spoken with a witch.” Then Ghea began explaining in broad strokes the method she had learned from the witch about how the portal worked.

When she finished, Luna looked at the fountain with a doubtful gaze. “I know it sounds uncertain, but we have to try it. The witch will come first to activate the portal.”

“Are you sure my items can be used?”

“The things you brought aren’t from here, plus a strand of your hair. That might trigger the portal’s power. The portal isn’t part of this world either. So I think it will work,” Ghea explained confidently.

“Then where are my things?”

“That’s the problem.”

“What is it?”

“The Royal Pack, the imperial tracker team, tracked me to my lodging. They found your items that I kept, Luna.”

“What? Does that mean-?”

Ghea nodded slowly. “Yes. All the things you brought from your world are with the Emperor, and the likelihood that he knows your true identity is very high.”

…