Vol 1 Chapter 10: The Political Fiancé Who Refuses to Let Go of the Hand of Light

Inner Turmoil in a Room No Longer Quiet

POV: Rubea de Bluesky

Rubea de Bluesky was no ordinary girl. She was taught to be graceful, serene, and reflect the de Bluesky family sky: high, distant, untouchable. But tonight… the sky was cloudy, windy, and trembling with an unstoppable storm.

Behind the walls of the palace's magnificent guest room, the young noblewoman bit her lip hard, then threw a pillow at the glass cabinet.
Dummp!

"Lune… you selfish bastard!" she snapped, addressing no one but the silence.

She clenched the hem of her dress tightly; her chest rose and fell in rhythm with the waves of uncontrollable emotions.

"Sleeping? You fell asleep… without saying goodbye! Without considering how I—"

She stopped, gritting her teeth. Her eyes, usually like a calm blue lake, now raged a possessive whirlpool: “Who put you to sleep, huh? Who dares touch the soft light that should shine only on me?”

The dream witch? The time trickster?

Her hand punched another pillow—then threw it against the wall. Her previously tidy palace room was now nothing but elegant ruins from the storm of frustration of a girl who had lost her orbit.

Knock knock knock.

“Rubea?” A soft voice. The Queen.

Rubea widened her eyes. Panicked. She quickly took a deep breath, changed her expression… and opened the door with the most elegant smile the de Bluesky family had ever seen.

“Oh, Your Majesty. I’m sorry, I didn’t expect you to be passing by…”

The Queen stared at her for a moment, then smiled softly. “I heard… a little commotion. Are you alright, my dear?”

Rubea bowed politely, hiding her still-gasping breath.

“Of course. It was probably just a bookshelf that moved. Don’t worry… I’m fine.”

The Queen stared at the girl’s face for a few seconds.

“If you need to talk… I’m like your mother, too, you know? After all, you’re like my own daughter-in-law.”

Rubea’s smile faltered for a moment. But she quickly replied softly, “Thank you, Your Majesty. I won’t forget your kindness.”

As soon as the door closed again, Rubea let out a long sigh. She looked at the still-messy room and took a sharp breath.

“It can’t be like this if I want to visit her…”

Quickly and calmly, she tidied everything up—as if the storm just now was just a misty shadow in the morning.

—

A Silent Hallway and a Burning Gaze

Rubea walked gracefully down the palace hallway, her steps light as if every note of her heels were the gentle rhythm of a royal chamber music. No one knew that the hand now gently touching the hallway wall… had just punched a pillow into a distorted shape.

Arriving at Lune’s bedroom door, she saw Anna come out, carrying little Lys, who was sleeping with an exhausted expression.
Rubea stopped.

Her gaze… was sharp.
Anna, noticing this, bowed politely, but her body stiffened slightly.

“Can I help you, Miss Rubea?” she asked cautiously.

Rubea didn't answer immediately. She eyed the servant girl from head to toe before finally saying flatly.

"No. I don't need anything from a maid."

Then she turned to Lys.

She was silent. But the look in her eyes said: "You may sleep in her arms now, but she is mine, and I will hold her forever."

"Leave me alone. I want to visit my fiancée," she continued, with a small smile that seemed carved from fine marble.

Anna nodded hastily, "Okay. I hope Lune wakes up soon, Miss."

And they left.

—

Beside the Light

The atmosphere in Lune's room felt like it was trapped in time.

Rubea slowly walked toward the bed where Crown Prince Arclight slept. His breathing… steady. Peaceful. Like a prince in a thousand-year-old slumber tale.

Rubea sat on the edge of the bed. She touched his cheek. Then she whispered, almost like a mantra:

“Those girls all tried to approach you. But I was the only one you gave a choice when the world forced you. I was the only one you gave the honour to refuse…”

Rube bent down and brought her face closer to Lune's. Her heart pounded even faster as her lips almost met his. But she stopped.

“A kiss in bed is rude…” she said softly. “I'm not like those foxes. I'm royalty. I'll kiss you later… when we're married… when we're alone.”

She took a breath. Her face flushed. But her eyes remained sharp.

Then she took Lune's hand and pressed it to her cheek. The warmth was faint… but still there.

“I won’t let go of this hand. Our engagement isn’t a political transaction. It’s destiny. And destiny… must not be stolen.”

She closed her eyes.

“You’re mine, Lune. Sleep as long as you like. But when you wake up… I’ll be by your side.”

As her fingers touched hers… she remembered the first time they’d welcomed him…”

—

Political Engagement Flashback (One Year Ago)

De Bluesky Family Mansion Living Room

The sky outside was grey, the clouds hanging low, as if holding their breath as an argument erupted within the majestic walls of the nobleman’s home.

“I won’t marry a stranger!”

Rubea’s voice bounced off the white marble walls. Her ruby-purple eyes stared coldly at her father, like a winter sky refusing to open its heart.

Duke de Bluesky, an old man with sharp features and neatly combed blue hair, clenched his fists on the oak table.

“Love can be built, Rubea. Your father and mother were also originally arranged.”

Rubea hissed softly:

“That’s Father’s problem. But I'm not Mother. I'm not a political object to be traded for stability.”

The Duke frowned.

“Do you know who he is? The Crown Prince of Arclight. Hundreds of nobles are vying for this place. I'll have to sacrifice a lot to ensure this deal goes through.”

“Then I have to respect Father's politics at the cost of my heart?”

The atmosphere was tense.

But finally, in a slightly defeated tone, the Duke said:

“Just meet him once. If you still refuse after that, we'll talk again. But as my daughter, at least give me the honour of seeing you try.”

There was silence.

Then Rubea whispered softly but firmly:

“…Fine. But I won't pretend to be happy.”

—

That Afternoon – Meeting with Lune

The mansion's living room smelled of lavender. Rubea sat upright in a soft, ocean-blue dress that flowed gracefully. She turned when the door opened.
Lune entered with a calm stride.

The Crown Prince was so handsome… too handsome, Rubea thought. His silver hair seemed to be touched by moonlight, his blue eyes deep and shining softly. But her thoughts quickly turned cynical:

“A handsome prince like this must be… a playboy.”

They greeted each other.

“I am Rubea de Bluesky,” she said, hiding her coldness within her grace. “A political fiancée you’ve never met.”

Lune smiled faintly. “I am Lune Arclight. A political fiancée who has also never met such a beautiful girl.”

The words were cliché. But the tone was not seductive.

Silence fell over them.
Then… Lune looked at her seriously.

“Does Miss feel uncomfortable?”

Rubea was surprised. But she answered quickly, “No.”

“Don’t force yourself.”

Lune bowed slightly, as if apologising to the world.

“I know this is unfair. No one deserves to be forced into love.”

Rubea fell silent.

Lune continued quietly:

“If you feel uncomfortable, I will speak to your father and the King. I will take responsibility for the annulment. You don’t have to bear it alone.”

Those words…

Not grandiose. Not dramatic. But sincere. And that’s precisely why they pierced her heart.

Lune stood up, about to leave.
But before she could take a step…

“Wait!”

Rubea stood quickly. Her hands gripped the hem of her dress.

“I… I’m not refusing anymore.”

Lune turned her head slowly. “Am I not a stranger?”

“No,” Rubea whispered. “You are no longer a stranger to me.”

They stared at each other.

Lune smiled faintly. Rubea looked away, her cheeks red.

At that moment, the grey sky was broken by a small ray of sunlight peeking from behind the clouds.

And a political fiancé turned into something… more.

—

The Beginning of Attraction and Possession

Day after day, Lune arrived.

Each time, Rubea sat on the mansion's balcony and watched him from behind the sheer curtains, silently observing how he walked quietly, always knocked politely, and never touched her without permission.

Even when they sat side by side, Lune's hands remained folded politely in his lap.

"Why don't you ever touch my hand?" Rubea asked one day.

Lune looked shocked, then his cheeks flushed.

"H-how could I... do such a rude thing?"

Rubea held back a laugh.

"How innocent..."

She glanced out the window.

A normal noble would take every opportunity to touch me. But he... seemed to keep his distance out of respect, not out of disinterest.

"Perhaps... this meeting was fate."

From that moment on, Rubea began to experience jealousy. She saw Lune as a secret garden that only she could enjoy. And any other girl who tried to pick that flower...

She would uproot it before it could grow.

—

An Unexpected Farewell

Summer crept slowly across the northern sky.

Beneath the shade of the gently falling angsana flowers in the garden, Lune sat with Rubea.

“I must go to the southern border. Three months,” he said softly.

“Why?” Rubea’s voice trembled.

“The Kingdom of Darkness is beginning to stir. I… must be there. To demonstrate the power of Arclight.”

Rubea shook her head. “Then I’ll come with—”

“No.”

His tone was calm, but firm.

“As your fiancé, I won’t let you be in danger.”

Rubea clenched her fists.

“But…”

Lune looked into her eyes, then raised her pinky.

“I promise I’ll return. Three months. And I’ll still be your fiancé then.”

Rubea held her pinky.

“If you don’t return… I’ll come looking for you myself.”

They smiled. But tears were already welling up in Rubea’s eyes.

“And you must reply to all my letters.”

“Everyone of them,” Lune promised.

Then he left.

And Rubea stood still… beneath the angsana tree that was steadily losing its petals.

—

Reunion

The capital's sky seemed clear, as if cleansing the longing that had been pent up for three months. Horse hooves echoed majestically through the palace courtyard as the ranks of guards cleared the way for the Crown Prince, who had just returned from the border.

And among the nobles, at the foot of the palace's majestic marble steps, stood a girl in a soft blue dress and a heart that was beating with no grace at all.
Rubea.

As Lune dismounted, Rubea no longer cared about formalities or public attention. She strode swiftly, parting the air, pushing aside any hesitation, and then...

“Lune! You've returned unharmed… I was so worried…”

She hugged him. In front of everyone. In front of the servants, nobles, guards, and the blue sky of Arclight.

For a moment, the world fell silent.
Lune was a little surprised, but then smiled softly, patting Rubea's back warmly.

“I'm back,” Lune patted her gently.

Rubea didn't let go. Not now. Not today.

“I missed you so much… Lune. Why didn’t you come home sooner?”

“I wanted to come home as soon as possible, Rubea. But in the north, the situation is still unstable. The Kingdom of Darkness is in chaos. We must remain vigilant.”

“And now?”

“For now, everything is safe. I will protect you.”

Those words made Rubea pause for breath. Then she hid her red face in Lune’s chest.

But the moment was broken when a small hand tugged at the end of Lune’s sleeve.

“Big Brother, are you okay?”

Rubea froze.

Lune smiled and turned his head.

“Lys!”

Little Lys hugged Lune’s waist happily.

Lune smiled and released Rubea’s embrace, then knelt to hug her little sister.

When Lune released her embrace, Rubea’s face regained its gracefulness… but the look in her eyes changed.

“…That little girl doesn’t know how to read the situation.”

—

Towards the Palace Hall

Lune held Lys's hand on his right, and Rubea's on his left. To the world, they looked like a happy family.
To Rubea?

“This is strange. It's… unbalanced. I'm her fiancé.”

The three of them entered the grand hall where the welcoming feast was being held. The King and Queen greeted them with smiles, and the nobles stood in respect.

Rubea once again played the role of the Crown Prince's perfect fiancée. She stood by Lune's side, answering every greeting from the nobles with a graceful smile.

Until…

“Prince Lune!”

A dark-haired man with a sweet smile greeted loudly. It was Count Vermi.

“My daughter Cinderella is very grateful for your help, Your Highness. Since you healed her, she hasn't stopped writing poems about you. She awaits your return visit.”

Rubea turned slowly, her smile still the same… but her hands were gripping her dress so tightly that they nearly ripped the seams.

“Lune is too kind… and those girls are like honeybees, constantly trying to lure him in…”

—

A Dinner Made Salty by Jealousy

At the palace dining table, they sat side by side. Lune sat in the middle, feeding little Lys with a warm smile.

Rubea stared at the spoon. It was as if the tiny object was stealing her place in Lune’s heart.

“Lys… how long are you going to cling to him like a spoiled child? Don’t steal his attention from me… I’m… his fiancée…”

Rubea’s face was calm.
But her gaze was sharp.

—

A New Threat Appears

“Prince Lune.”

A light voice came from behind.
Rubea turned. A tall girl with blonde hair and sharp eyes stood gracefully.

Hestia.
Her smile was sweet.

“It’s good to see the Prince back. Still feeding little sister, huh? What a good sister~”

Lune giggled.

“Lys doesn’t like to eat vegetables unless her Big Brother feeds her.”

Rubea lowered her head, taking a bite of her food… slowly. But the spoon trembled.

“The wild beast is coming.”

Hestia then added, “Starting tomorrow, I will be serving as the Prince’s personal guard. A direct order from the Queen.”
Rubea suddenly hugged Lune’s arm tightly.

“Hestia, do you have anything else to say?”

“Nothing, Rubea. See you tomorrow, Prince.”

There was silence. Hestia opened her mouth, but she quickly excused herself. She simply bowed briefly and left.

Lune didn’t notice. But Lys, innocently, stared at Rubea for a long time. As if catching something.

—

Back to the Present...

The Crown Prince’s room was still filled with dim light from the large window.

Rubea held Lune’s hand as she slept on the bed. Their fingers were tightly intertwined, as if she didn’t want to let go.

“Once, I wanted to escape the clutches of Father’s politics. Now, I want the whole world to know that these politics have led me to him. Lune is my destined love.”

“Lune… is mine,” she whispered. “I won’t let anyone steal you.”

She gazed at his face gently, yet with a burning gleam. The face she had once seen only as a political tool… was now the only light that no one would ever take.

Rubea finally released her grip.

But her gaze was drawn to something on the bedside table. Small, colourful letters, scribbled in a tiny hand and with pictures of apples.

She picked one up, read half a line, and then sighed softly.

“That little one has no sense of time…”

She put the letter back down.

Then she leaned down to Lune’s ear and whispered very softly:

“Lune… wake up… so I can take you home. So all those little foxes know… who the hand you’re holding belongs to.”