Under the Moonlight

After confirming what material Thalia was, Fren and Vanessa moved to the garden for dinner.

The attendants and maids had filled the table with dishes and were waiting.

As Fren passed them, he spoke in a smooth voice:

“Everyone leave except Vanessa.”

They disappeared instantly.

Vanessa admired their light movements, characteristic of elves, then pulled out Fren’s chair.

Fren sat and said:

“Thank you, Vanessa.”

“Not at all. Shall I pour the wine?”

“Yes, please.”

Fragrant wine filled the glass.

After a few sips, Fren pointed to the seat beside him.

“Sit here.”

“Thank you.”

“You worked hard today. Eat plenty.”

Fren cut the steak into bite-sized pieces and placed one into his mouth.

Chewing with pearl-like, even teeth, he murmured in admiration:

“It’s lamb, my favorite.”

“……”

“I think the chef used an especially good cut today. It’s delicious. Vanessa, try it too.”

Vanessa stared silently at the table overflowing with dishes, then finally picked up her knife.

She cut the steak with refined movements and placed a piece in her mouth.

Fren asked with anticipation:

“How is it?”

After swallowing, Vanessa answered:

“It’s incredibly tender.”

“And?”

Vanessa hesitated, then confessed honestly:

“It’s so delicious it makes me feel guilty. I don’t know if I deserve to eat something like this.”

“What, again?”

“I’m sorry. You prepared such good food and I…”

“No. Thank you for being honest. But it makes me sad.”

Fren took another sip of wine and complained softly.

“Since the day we met, I’ve tried to make sure you eat well every meal.”

“……”

“When will you finally be able to enjoy food comfortably?”

The sight of Fren’s downcast expression pricked Vanessa’s heart like needles.

She could have avoided the question, but she didn’t want to deceive him.

Though I did deceive him today…

She remembered meeting Neferr’s eyes earlier. She had been so startled that she lied reflexively when Fren asked what happened.

She had always tried never to hide anything from Fren.

Today was the first time Vanessa ever lied to Fren.

Realizing that made eating even harder.

As she chewed the steak painfully, she thought:

I tried so hard never to hide anything, and now everything feels ruined.

She wanted to confess everything and feel relieved, but she had no idea how to explain why she lied.

Even she didn’t know the exact reason.

Struggling, she stuffed another piece into her mouth when—

“Vanessa, do you know something?”

She immediately turned to Fren.

He had nearly finished his steak and continued teaching her something new:

“A thousand years ago, our ancestors didn’t eat meat.”

“Truly?”

“I can’t understand it. How could they refuse something so delicious?”

He put the last piece of steak into his mouth and shook his head.

“A life without meat is unbearable. You agree, right, Vanessa?”

“Yes. I would hate it too.”

If meat disappeared, she wouldn’t be able to see Fren so happy at every meal.

Just imagining that was horrifying.

If the world truly ran out of meat…

Vanessa decided she would even cut her own thigh and serve it if needed.

Just as that terrifying resolve formed, Fren downed the remaining wine in one gulp.

Vanessa lowered her fork and reached to refill his glass, but Fren beat her to it, filling it himself.

He held the glass out.

“Have some too.”

Vanessa drank deeply without hesitation.

Watching her down several glasses quickly, Fren refilled her glass again and marveled:

“You’re really strong with alcohol. What’s your secret?”

Vanessa answered modestly:

“I simply endure. I could never allow myself to act disgracefully drunk in front of you.”

“……”

Fren covered his face with his palm.

Vanessa was puzzled.

“Is something wrong?”

“…Just a moment. I’m trying to decide if I should kiss you again.”

Vanessa reddened at once.

“Like earlier?”

“Yes. Unless you dislike it?”

“Of course not. But… we’re outside…”

She looked around nervously.

“I’m afraid someone might see and damage your reputation.”

“You care too much.”

“……”

Vanessa blushed, embarrassed.

Fren sipped his wine and watched her quietly before speaking.

“Vanessa.”

“Yes, Lord Fren.”

“Aren’t you curious why I refuse to sell you, even for a fortune?”

Vanessa’s eyes sparkled.

“I am curious.”

Fren gently cupped her cheek and said:

“You are only the most beautiful in the world when you’re beside me.”

“…What?”

“How could I sell a masterpiece that is only complete at my side?”

Vanessa’s violet eyes shone like a comet.

She exclaimed sincerely:

“As expected, you’re a true artist—!”

But she couldn’t finish.

Fren covered her lips with his hand.

“Of course, that’s only the surface reason.”

Vanessa blinked.

Fren smiled softly, eyes narrowing.

“The truth is… I like you very much.”

“……”

“More than you could ever imagine.”

His palm pressed firmly onto her shoulder.

“So stay with me. Even after your last breath.”

Vanessa looked up silently, then smiled.

“Then it would be my honor.”

“Good. That’s enough.”

Fren leaned back and pushed a plate of dessert toward her.

Vanessa’s face lit up.

It meant she could stop forcing down the steak.

She took a bite of the dacquoise and gasped at the airy sweetness.

Wow. I never knew a pastry like this existed.

For a moment, she forgot her situation and happily ate the treat.

Using her joy as an excuse, Fren took another sip of wine and asked:

“Speaking of the exhibition—was there anything strange at the villa?”

“Oh, yes. There was. His Highness painted my face in one of his works.”

“Pfft.”

Fren burst into laughter immediately.

Vanessa quickly took his glass away and set it down.

Fren’s clear laughter echoed across the garden.

“Ahahaha! Ahahahahaha—!”

It was so loud that patrolling guards stopped and peered around.

Fren waved them away and said with pity:

“How pathetic. He hates me so much, yet even he was influenced by me.”

“He painted over it right away… Do you think he’ll display it at the exhibition?”

“He’s a corpse without his pride. I bet he’ll cancel the exhibition entirely. Luckily he’s royalty—poverty won’t be an issue.”

“True…”

Vanessa nodded and reached for another dacquoise—then froze.

Only two were left.

She stared at them silently when—

“Vanessa, you may go now.”

Startled by the sudden words, she rose quickly.

“I’ll escort you back to your room.”

“No, stay. I’ll remain here longer.”

Fren waved lazily.

“I want to enjoy wine under the moonlight. Go on.”

“Yes, Elder.”

“Oh, and—”

Fren pointed to the dacquoise.

“Take those. You seem to like them.”

“…May I really?”

He nodded, and Vanessa’s face brightened.

She replied with sincerity:

“Thank you so much!”

Carrying the plate, Vanessa left the garden quickly, went up to her room, and took out a small paper bag.

She wrapped each dacquoise individually and tied them with a pretty ribbon.

By now, Jenoise should have returned to the s*ave quarters.

Vanessa placed them carefully into her pocket.

One for Jenoise. And the other…

Someone immediately came to mind.

Playing with the paper bag anxiously, she hurried to the quarters.

She arrived quickly—but Jenoise wasn’t there.

Perhaps still working in the kitchen.

Vanessa sighed and decided to give the other treat to someone else first.

At that moment—

“Aaaahhhh!”

A scream pierced Vanessa’s ears.

She ran toward the sound.

A s*ave named Trit was collapsed in front of someone’s door.

Vanessa rushed over.

“Are you okay? What happened?”

Instead of answering, Trit kept screaming and clung to her.

Instinctively wrapping her arms around him, Vanessa turned her head.

“What on earth—”

The moment she saw inside the room, her body went rigid.

Angel hung limp from the ceiling.