LightReader

Chapter 59 - Chapter 59 - Differences Between a Wife and a Lover

"Hah," the chain of Luna's corset pulled taut with a soft metallic whisper, followed by her sharp intake of breath as the fabric settled into place.

"There," Javrian murmured from behind her, his fingers working with surprising dexterity at the intricate fastenings.

Luna gazed at her reflection in the ornate mirror, taking in the sight of the red floral dress that hugged her curves perfectly.

The deep crimson fabric was embroidered with delicate golden roses that caught the morning light streaming through the windows, and the neckline was modest yet elegant—suitable for the day's activities.

Behind her in the mirror's reflection, Javrian stood with only a towel wrapped around his waist, his dark hair slightly damp from their recent bath. He reached up to tuck a strand of her crimson hair behind her ear, his movements gentle and practiced.

But as Luna studied their reflection together, something felt... incomplete.

She turned to face him directly, her eyes narrowing with sudden realization. "Sally!" she called out sharply, her voice carrying through the chamber.

Almost immediately, the door opened and Sally appeared, holding a bundle of dark fabric against a wooden board. Her yellow eyes were bright with efficiency as she entered with a respectful bow.

"Greetings, my lady. Here it is—it took time for me to acquire it," Sally said, offering a knowing smile that bordered on a smirk.

Javrian raised an eyebrow at the exchange, clearly sensing some unspoken understanding between the two women.

Luna accepted the bundle with satisfaction, then without warning, reached out and yanked the towel from Javrian's waist.

The fabric hit the floor with a soft whoosh, leaving him completely exposed.

"My lady!" Sally gasped, immediately covering her eyes with her free hand while turning away. "I am here! What are you doing?"

"You should be grateful Javrian wasn't wanting to disturb me, or else after taking the peek this morning you left—" Luna began with a pointed look.

"But weren't you both sleeping?" Sally interrupted, panic creeping into her voice as she kept her eyes firmly covered.

"The bathroom water was filled, so naturally she had come. It's obvious," Luna replied matter-of-factly, shaking out the dark clothing.

Sally's confusion was evident even through her embarrassment. "But I didn't fill the bathroom, though."

Luna blinked, her hands stilling on the fabric. "What?" She turned toward Javrian, who met her gaze with a knowing look that made her stomach flutter with warmth.

"When did you do it?" she asked softly.

"You were sleeping so deeply that you didn't wake up," he replied, reaching for the clothes Luna now held. "Given your body was aching, I thought I should prepare warm water for you."

A genuine smile spread across Luna's face—not the calculated expressions she wore for politics, but something soft and real. The gesture was so thoughtful, so caring, that it made her chest tight with affection.

"Where are the clothes?" she asked, handing him the bundle.

Javrian nodded his thanks and began dressing. The garments were clearly well-made—a black silk shirt that emphasized the breadth of his shoulders and defined the lines of his muscular torso, paired with matching trousers that fit him perfectly.

During the process of him dressing, Luna couldn't help but admire how the fabric moved over his physique, the silk catching the light as it stretched across his scarred but powerful frame.

"Those are made of special threads," Sally commented, finally uncovering her eyes now that Javrian was decent. "They'll allow for transformation without tearing, so you won't be sweating through the fabric."

Javrian nodded approvingly, testing the fit with a few subtle movements. The clothes moved with him like a second skin.

"Shall we?" Luna asked, moving toward the door.

She stepped out first, but paused just beyond the threshold, waiting.

Behind her, she could hear the soft muffle of voices as Javrian lingered with Sally.

"What is the condition of the state?" Javrian's voice was low, barely audible. "Did you find out about the base of intelligence I requested?"

"Yes, I wasn't able to complete the work, Master," Sally replied formally. "But it seems my lady might be aware of everything."

Luna heard Javrian's sharp intake of breath, followed by a moment of tense silence.

When he finally emerged from the room, he found Luna standing in the hallway with her arms folded and a knowing smile playing at her lips.

He exhaled slowly, his silver eyes meeting hers with resignation and something that might have been admiration.

"Are you already aware of why I sent Sally with you?" he asked, his tone carefully neutral.

Luna stepped closer, close enough to place one finger against his shoulder in a gesture that was both intimate and territorial. Her smile widened as she looked up at him.

"Did you think you would have fallen for a woman who cannot even see through you?" she asked, her voice carrying gentle amusement rather than accusation.

Javrian's tension seemed to melt away, replaced by a soft chuckle as he shook his head. "I see. So this is the difference between a lover and a wife."

Luna fell into step beside him as they began walking down the corridor, their footsteps echoing in harmony against the marble floors.

"Now you know," she said simply, and there was satisfaction in her voice—not from having caught him in his machinations, but from the knowledge that it was strange feeling when you catch your husband red-handed.

"So, who was it?" Luna asked as she glanced towards Javrian, acting naturally as if she already knew.

Due to awakening her future memories, she was aware that Javrian had sent Sally on some task, as Sally had once told her about it in those memories.

But since her future self had no interest in political games, she didn't even ask further.

So, right now, Luna simply acted as if she knew but wanted to hear it from him.

In the past few days, she had shown Sally that she could predict things so clearly that it would make her blurt out the particular reason she was sent here—something she couldn't fully reveal in the alternate future.

She cornered Sally into thinking Luna even knew that, making Javrian fall for her act, when in reality she only knew he had sent Sally for something—but exactly what, she wasn't sure.

'Wait… does she know who he is or not?' Javrian looked at her with confused eyes, doubting he might have just confessed and that Sally had been fooled into an obvious trap given how he knew his wife was too shrewd.

He sighed with a faint smile as in the end, why did it matter? before saying, "It was Xen, the head of the intelligence guild."

'!'

"Oh," Luna's eyes flashed before she relaxed, looking at him with curiosity as to why he was targeting that particular man.

Even though her future self was uninvolved in politics, she still read the news and was at least aware of important figures.

Now, given how Javrian was after that man, it was clear Xen had some involvement in whatever happened in her future.

So, she asked, "Why are you searching for that man?"

"...He was the one who gave information about my revolt and attack on Victor's territory to the Imperial Palace," Javrian revealed calmly, recalling how, after so much patience and planning, he had targeted this branch territory due to the atrocities Victor had committed against Lila's tribe.

'!'

More Chapters