A Vow Beneath the Moon — The Principal Wife’s Hidden Face
In Akio’s town, papermaking had advanced so far that high-quality sheets could now be produced steadily. Celestina’s “open-air school” had become known as the Learning Hall of Akio’s Town, a lively place where children’s curiosity bloomed.
Meanwhile, iron farm tools crafted by Dolgan, Akio, and young Alto greatly boosted the efficiency of fieldwork, bringing stability to food production and visible prosperity to the whole village. The dream of building a waterwheel also grew closer, as the prototype wooden gears steadily improved. The air of the settlement brimmed with the joy of growth and the hope of tomorrow.
Amid such fulfilling days, the time Akio treasured most was at night—those quiet moments alone with Sylvia in their “nest of love” within the central hall. That night too, three moons cast their gentle glow into the bedroom as the couple lay together, speaking of the day’s events and the village’s future. Sylvia, clad in soft nightwear, nestled against Akio’s arm. Her silver hair shimmered under the moonlight, her expression tender and sweet—so different from the solemn dignity of the sage of the forest.
“… So, Sylvia, about Dolgan’s new furnace design today—the new bellows mechanism is fascinating…”
Akio’s eager words trailed off when he realized Sylvia was gazing at him intently. Her deep-green eyes were soft and glistening, her pale cheeks flushed with warmth, glowing even beneath the moonlight.
“… What is it, Sylvia? Is there something on my face?”
She shook her head gently, burying her cheek deeper against his chest, and whispered, almost too faint to hear:
“…No. It’s just… you were speaking so earnestly, I found myself… staring…”
“Huh…?”
“Akio… you really are… so very handsome.”
Such straightforward, heated words from the usually calm and composed Sylvia left Akio flustered, his face flushing scarlet.
“Th-that’s not… Anyway, about the furnace—”
He tried to turn the talk back, but Sylvia only smiled playfully, pressing a slender finger against his lips to silence him.
“Akio…”
“W-what is it?”
“Lately… you’ve been becoming more and more wonderful. And… sometimes I feel uneasy. What if someone else were to notice how handsome you are, and try to take you away from me…?”
It was an honest confession—partly the confidence of a wife, partly the innocent jealousy of a woman who wanted her beloved all to herself.
Hearing this, Akio’s chest tightened with warmth. He drew her delicate shoulders closer and looked into her eyes with unwavering sincerity.
“Silly girl. My heart—past, present, and always—belongs only to you. I’d never give it to anyone else, not even a fragment.”
Then, a little awkwardly, but truthfully, he added:
“… Actually, if anything, I’m the one distracted. You’re so beautiful that sometimes I can’t even follow my own thoughts. Even now… your skin glowing in the moonlight, those eyes fixed on me… I completely lost track of what I was talking about.”
This time, Sylvia’s face turned crimson. She widened her eyes, then quickly covered her burning cheeks with her hands, pressing her forehead against his chest.
“A-Akio, you idiot…! To say something like that, so bluntly…!”
Her voice trembled, but beneath the embarrassment was joy. When Akio peeked at her face, Sylvia glared up with moist eyes—though the expression was more adorable than frightening—and declared, with quiet determination:
“… Listen, Akio. This side of me… this heart of mine right now… I show it only to you. No one else shall ever see it!”
It was her greatest display of affection, her clearest claim of devotion. Akio, overwhelmed by the cuteness of both her words and her expression, could no longer restrain himself. He kissed her lips deeply and with burning passion.
Moonlight wrapped them in silver. No words were needed—only warmth, heartbeats, and the entwining of their breaths, weaving the sweetest poem of love. That night again, their bond blazed brighter and hotter than ever.
And so, the village’s future growth would stand firmly upon this unshakable foundation of love and trust.
What do you think about this chapter?
