The Heroines Are After My Fortune

35 – Eternal Moonlight – 2

Luna’s hateful tirade—that they should’ve never picked a ‘commoner scum’ like Daniel—didn’t end there. The next day, back at her estate, she announced she’d be going out for a walk alone to clear her head.

“I need some fresh air. Don’t follow me, it’s a safe place anyway.”

“I cannot permit that.”

“Why not?”

“The organization known as the Black Dawn has been disrupting the kingdom’s peace. As a knight, I cannot allow you to be put in danger…”

“That blasted knight, knight…”

Luna, truly enraged, started to tremble, her whole body quivering.

Soon, she began to lash out at Daniel.

“I took you in out of pity, and you think you’re my master? Don’t you dare talk back to me again before I take away that knighthood, understand?”

“…As you command.”

And then, Luna leaped clean out the window, disappearing. Daniel watched her go in silence.

The audience felt like they were choking on the sweet potatoes they were eating.

A spoiled noble girl going out alone at night without a knight?

The future stemming from that was, frankly, obvious.

“Mmph, you people who…!”

Of course, she got snatched up, big time.

####

The point of view shifts, and a suspicious man in a black robe appears on the screen.

He was summoning powerful spirits and slaughtering the armed knights.

“Cough! My lord, why are you with the Black Dawn…?”

“Farewell, young one.”

After killing the last knight, he took off the robe, and it was revealed to be none other than Baron Fletcher.

He, who had appeared to be after Luna, was actually a member of the Black Dawn, the worst and most vicious organization aiming to overthrow the kingdom.

With considerable power in the kingdom, he was an ‘unseen threat’ to the nation.

“A messenger, Baron Aaron Fletcher.”

“What is it?”

Fletcher turned his head at his subordinate’s report.

What he heard was the news he’d been longing for.

“Lord Morrison has begun the work, they say. He’ll bring ‘her’ to you shortly, Fletcher-nim.”

“Excellent, as expected of my right hand.”

He had acted gentlemanly for a while, trying to get Luna. But no longer.

If she trampled on his pure heart, he had no choice but to turn thug.

“Heh heh, I’m going to go get her now, Luna.”

###

“You…!”

Luna saw the face of the criminal who had kidnapped her.

It was clearly Morrison of the Blazing, a core member of the Black Dawn, a notorious criminal whose composite sketch was well-known throughout the empire.

“Heh heh, wandering around here without an escort? You’re a damn fool.”

“Guh…”

Luna regretted her past foolishness.

Just as Morrison was about to leave with her, having kidnapped her,

“…Take your filthy hands off her.”

*Swaaak—!*

Daniel surged forward like a shot, sending a blade of energy flying.

“Kuaaak—!!”

Morrison, his back slashed by the attack.

He could not contain his fury, a strong man suddenly dealt such a blow.

“My lady, are you alright?”

“Daniel, why…?”

“I am your knight. No further reason is needed.”

Luna stared blankly at Daniel’s back.

Perhaps it was the situation, but Daniel’s back, standing guard before her, seemed infinitely large.

“Hmm, a man should be like that.”

“I’m rooting for you, Daniel…!”

Daniel had won the hearts of the crowd. Facing him, Morrison poured potion down his back, starting to rage.

“You, you dog…! I’ll roast you until there isn’t a bone left…!!”

*Whoosh—!!*

As Morrison finished his casting, a colossal burst of flame erupted from his body.

“Ooh…!!”

“Amazing—!”

The reason for their shock was simple.

Due to budget issues, there were barely any movies that properly portrayed ‘the strong’ as ‘the strong’.

The flames Morrison was spewing were vibrant and dazzling, enough to show his power.

But that wasn’t all.

“Daniel, I’m sorry. It’s because of me getting caught up in this that even you…”

“My lady, please do not worry.”

“…….?”

“A knight, you see, is one who hides his true strength until he finds his master.”

“Huuuh….”

Even as the surging flames seemed about to devour him whole, Daniel took a measured breath.

His master’s words echoed in his mind.

‘Daniel, remember this. When the swordsmanship you’ve learned combines with your breathing technique, you will be able to embrace and wield all power.’

“Huuuh-eep……!!”

*Whoosh*—!

Having steadied his breathing, and just as the flames were upon him, Daniel spun powerfully.

And so he cleaved through the flames, and upon his blade—

“You idiotic fool, you absorbed my flames…!?”

Indeed, the very flames Morrison had unleashed were now swirling, nestled within the steel.

Morrison stumbled back, and Daniel began to move forward.

The real battle had begun.

“Don’t mock me, I said don’t mock me–!!”

Multiple strands of fire magic flew at him every moment.

*Kwa-kwang-kwang*—!

“Huuuh…!”

And Daniel, deflecting each and every one, pressed on.

A peculiar situation – a battle between a mage and a swordsman,

The camera, *whipping, whipping*, changing perspectives.

The dizzying speed it offered made it impossible to look away.

Not a soul present could believe the battle unfolding before them was anything ‘virtual’.

“Unbelievable… I’ve never seen anything like it…!”

“How did they even *capture* something like this?”

Swallowing thickly, those watching saw the fight conclude, ultimately, in victory for justice.

*Fshh-!*

“I, in my flames, *gurkk—–!!*”

Daniel, with a fire-blade swollen to enormous size, cleaved Morrison in two.

And so, Luna was rescued, unharmed.

“Thank you, Daniel.”

“I only did what was required of me.”

At her gratitude, the audience began to think perhaps he had a gentle side, only to be smacked with another twist.

“You are still not fit to be a knight of our house. I would like you to leave.”

“B-but…! You ungrateful…!”

“He deserves a raise, and you’re firing him…?! ”

Unlike the audience, who were frothing with anger, Daniel remained calm.

“May I ask why?”

“You are no longer of any use to our house.”

The divine power she had observed in Daniel was simply too grand for a fallen noble family like the Roslin House. Luna added that she was confident enough in her influence to recommend him elsewhere, so he needn’t worry about work.

“Besides, you must have heard them, the rumors about me.”

“…I’ve heard a few things, yes.”

“Right, then it should be easier to accept.”

Having said that, Luna thought he would leave.

But he was different.

“I only believe what I’ve seen with my own eyes.”

“…………….”

The look in Daniel’s eyes as he stared at Luna was endlessly clear.

She couldn’t find a single shred of falsehood in them.

“Stubborn as a mule, I like it.”

“I’ll give you exactly one week. You look and judge for yourself what kind of person I am. If your mind changes, you’re free to leave anytime.”

“……As my lady commands.”

And so for about a week,

Daniel shadowed Luna, acting as both her escort and constant companion.

Most of the main schedule involved banquets.

“I have one question.”

“What is it?”

“Why does my lady always tell lies at these banquets?”

“You could see it, huh?”

Luna felt a little stung,

I wondered if it had always been so obvious, but Daniel shook his head.

“I’m a bit…unusual. Since childhood, I’ve been able to roughly distinguish truth from falsehood.”

Luna looked at him, a touch of wonder in her gaze.

The answer to why she had been forced to lie was, at its core, one thing.

“It’s my way of surviving in the noble circles. Was it… that bad?”

“I am a commoner, so I can hardly presume to judge its effectiveness in noble society, but I can tell it’s causing you distress, young lady.”

“…………….”

Luna simply closed her eyes, offering no reply.

“Then what should I do? You’re right. I feel so stifled right now.”

“How about this. For every lie you tell, speak the truth once. Honestly.”

“That’s absurd. How could I ever do that?”

“I merely offered a suggestion, the choice is yours, young lady.”

“…………….”

Luna quietly began to murmur, “Half a lie, half the truth…”

In truth, her reputation couldn’t sink much lower, and so she decided to throw caution to the wind.

“…Perhaps I spoke out of turn.”

“Now you’re backing down after saying your piece?”

Luna laughed,

a look of something akin to relief washed over her face.

“I’ve come back from the brink. What’s there to be afraid of? I’ll try it your way.”

Luna, having spoken thus, strode boldly toward the young ladies.

“Oh my, Miss Felucia. You look quite lovely today?”

“Miss Luna? Thank you, hoho!”

Felucia, who usually hesitated to even greet first, often cautious, wasn’t entirely displeased by Luna’s sudden praise. But soon, her mood plummeted to the depths.

“But… did you know? That brooch you’re wearing now, it just doesn’t suit you at all, Miss Felucia.”

“Wh-what did you say…!?”

One young lady’s face flushed crimson and then blue.

Just when it seemed like a fight was about to break out…

“Here, see? This blue brooch suits you much better, right?”

“Oh, umm, it really does…?”

“Do visit our manor sometime. I can easily give you a gift like this pretty brooch.”

“Really? Thank you, I may have misunderstood you, Miss Luna…!”

From there, Luna’s actions were like a five-ton truck with no brakes, she knew no stopping.

“Oh my, isn’t it Duke Hamilton who was so confident in making me fall for him before I marry? Has that heart of yours not changed?”

“Hmm, invitations of that sort are not really my taste. Would you find another young lady?”

“Yes, I refuse!”

Luna, with an endlessly bold demeanor, stirred up the social circle.

Everyone stared blankly at her as she exited.

“Ah, that was so refreshing!”

“…Are you quite alright?”

“I’m fine, what’re they gonna do? My reputation can’t get any worse now.”

Luna stretched, her expression easing.

She then grabbed Daniel’s hand, pulling him along.

“Let’s go to an art museum, Daniel. There’s a painting I want to show you.”

And so, they arrived at an art museum.

An exhibition of some painter or other was underway.

“Heard of Van Gogh? He’s my favorite.”

“No, it’s the first time I’ve heard that name.”

“They say he lived tormented on the outskirts. So obsessed with art that he even cut off his own ear.”

“That’s a powerful resolve. I should take a leaf from his book.”

“Don’t take after that part….”

Luna walked on, her footsteps echoing.

Passing numerous paintings, she stopped before one depicting the sky, starlight, moonlight, and a tranquil village scene.

“This is my favorite. The best of Van Gogh’s wonderful works, I reckon.”

“…’The Starry Night,’ it’s called. I don’t know much about art, but I think it’s a beautiful piece.”

A few viewers, who seemed to know about art, tilted their heads, thinking, ‘Was there a painting like that…?’

“It always makes me feel at peace, looking at this.”

Luna watched the painting in silence for a beat,

then turned her head and asked,

“Daniel, do you have a dream?”

“Don’t got none.”

“Lies, speak it plain.”

“…Someday, I wish to be the Kingdom Knight Commander.”

“A dream beyond reckoning.”

“Only that it’s without precedent. I believe it possible and I strive for it. If I achieve it, then my family, who look only to me for their lives, might live a little better.”

A flicker of memories, like a lantern show,

His figure emerges, toiling amidst a poor home, supporting his kin.

“Daniel, you son of a….”

“He was a damn fine sort, wasn’t he?”

Before you knew it, Daniel, the ‘clueless, rigid commoner knight,’ had made his mark as a ‘strong knight of conviction.’

“Heh, I’ve been holding a sly one close. I make you a knight, and you look to higher still.”

“My apologies. You asked for the truth, so I spoke it…”

“It’s alright, one can’t deny the right to dream.”

So saying, Luna returned her gaze to the drawing.

Daniel, who had stood silently by her side, spoke after a moment of struggle.

“Would you allow the question, what is the Lady’s dream?”

“Just to be with someone I love….”

“…Be with?”

“With someone I love, to dance beneath such peaceful skies.”

Luna’s expression twists with a bitter smile, her eyes fixed on the painting.

Her dream, it seemed, wasn’t one that would easily come to pass.

Yet, Daniel quietly murmured,

“…That dream, I will make it a reality for you.”

And at that very instant, the painting, ‘Moonlit Night,’ was shown once more.

It had been mentioned many times in the dialogue, and repeatedly flashed across the screen, etching itself in, and as a result, quite a number of the audience seemed genuinely interested in the painting.

In the future, enthusiasts of this film would argue that the ‘Moonlit Night’ painting was a device containing a very central metaphor that pierced through the very heart of the movie. And that would be accepted as established theory for a long time…

‘Ka-ching, I can hear the price going up.’

People would likely never know.

Metaphorical heart, my ass. It was just a scene put in by a man, reeking of commercialism, trying to make a buck.