Chapter – 67
 An Oath Beneath the Moon â The Ladyâs Hidden True Face
In Akioâs town, papermaking technology had improved, allowing a steady supply of high-quality paper. Lady Celestinaâs âBlue Sky Classroomâ had grown into âAkioâs Town Academy,â a lively place that satisfied the childrenâs intellectual curiosity.
The iron farming tools created by Dolgan, Akio, and Alto dramatically increased agricultural efficiency, stabilizing food production and making the village visibly wealthier. Their major goalâthe construction of a waterwheelâalso drew closer to reality as the prototype wooden gears were steadily refined.
The entire village overflowed with the joy of certain growth and hope for the future.
Amid those fulfilling days, the time Akio treasured most was the quiet moment he spent alone with Sylvia at night in the central manorâs âlove nest.â
That evening as well, beneath the gentle light of three moons streaming through the window, the two lay on the bedroom bed, talking about the dayâs events and the villageâs future.
Sylvia, dressed in soft nightwear, leaned comfortably against Akioâs arm. Her silver hair glowed fantastically in the moonlight, and unlike her usual solemn demeanor as the sage of the forest, she wore a gentle and tender expression seen only by him.
ââŚAnd so, Sylviaâthe improvement to Lord Dolganâs furnace today. The new bellows mechanism was truly fascinatingâŚâ
Akio spoke enthusiastically, but then noticed Sylvia staring intently at his face and stopped.
Her deep green eyes were moist and dreamy, and her slightly flushed pale cheeks shone even under the moonlight.
ââŚWhatâs wrong, Sylvia? Is there something on my face?â
She shook her head lightly, burying her face further into his chest and whispering softly.
ââŚNo. Itâs just⌠you were talking so seriously⌠I couldnât help but stare.â
âHuhâŚ?â
âAkio⌠youâre really⌠handsomeâŚâ
The unusually straightforward and heated words from the normally calm Sylvia made Akio blush.
âN-no, thatâs not⌠anyway, about what I was saying earlierââ
He tried to change the subject out of embarrassment, but Sylvia mischievously smiled and gently placed a finger on his lips to stop him.
âHey, AkioâŚâ
âW-what?â
âLately Iâve been thinking⌠you keep becoming more wonderful⌠and sometimes⌠I get worried.
What if someone else notices how beautiful you areâŚ?â
Her words mixed the confidence of a noble lady with the pure possessiveness of a woman in love.
Akio felt warmth rise in his chest. He gently pulled her slender shoulders closer and looked at her seriously.
âYouâre silly, Sylvia. My heart has always been yoursâpast, present, and future. I have no intention of giving it to anyone else.â
Then, a bit awkwardly but honestly, he added:
ââŚActually, Iâm the one who struggles sometimes because youâre too beautiful. Even nowâyour skin in the moonlight and the way you look at me⌠I honestly forgot what I was talking about earlier.â
At Akioâs simple but heartfelt confession, Sylviaâs face quickly turned bright red. She widened her eyes in surprise, then pressed her forehead against his chest, hiding her face in joy and embarrassment.
âA-Akio⌠you foolâŚ! Saying something like that so directlyâŚ!â
Her voice trembled, yet sounded happy.
When he gently looked at her, she gazed up at him with teary eyesâmore adorable than frighteningâand spoke with resolve.
ââŚListen well, Akio. This side of me⌠and these feelings I have now⌠are special things I show only to you. I will never⌠show them to anyone else.â
It was her greatest show of affection and declaration of exclusivity.
Overcome by the sheer sweetness of her words and expression, Akio could no longer hold back and pressed his lips warmly and deeply against hers.
The moonlight quietly enveloped them. Words were no longer needed.
Only warmth, heartbeats, and intertwining breaths played the sweetest poem of love in the world.
That night, too, the bond between Akio and Sylvia grew stronger and deeper like a blazing flame.
Supported by this unwavering love and trust, the villageâs growth and prosperity would surely continue.
