TLDLP 02

Chapter 2 …What the Star of Love Foretells

I never imagined things would turn out like this — that was my only thought the moment the star chart shimmered pale blue again tonight.

The result of the love divination for Lady Isabella, the marquis’s daughter, had indeed pointed toward His Highness the Prince.
Yes, if it had ended there, it would have simply been surprising.

But the stars had shown me something beyond that.
They revealed the image of a “star-reading maiden” standing beside the Prince.

…And just as I stood there, frozen and breathless, His Highness appeared, as if by some divine prank.

“Your divinations are always correct.”

His Highness smiled as he said that—genuinely, but with a look that felt as though he could see straight through me.

…No. My heart was pounding like a drum, and I couldn’t form proper words.

“Serena.”
“Y–yes!?”

At the sudden sound of my name, my spine jolted upright. His golden hair swayed like flames, gleaming under the starlight.

“I overheard your divination earlier… that this love would eventually lead to me.”
“Th–that’s…! It was just a reading. Please don’t think too deeply about it…”

Ah, this is terrible. My voice is trembling so much that I sound like I’m lying.

“And there was one more thing… The star-reading maiden was by my side in the future.”
“～～っ!”

How can he say that so calmly? If it were me, I’d be too embarrassed to stay standing.

His Highness stepped closer, stopping right in front of me.
The distance between us was so close that the faint scent of incense filled my chest.

“I want to believe in the words spoken by the stars.”
“…Wh–why is that?”
“Because it is you who speaks them.”

When he said that with such serious eyes, I couldn’t argue.
A tight ache bloomed in my chest, accompanied by a warm, thrilling feeling I didn’t know how to contain.

—Ah. Am I… hoping, just a little?

At the moment my legs nearly gave out, his hand reached out to me.

“Are you all right?”

His palm was warm and firm. When our fingers touched, my heart trembled.

“I–I’m fine…!”
“Don’t push yourself. You must be tired.”

Supported by his hand, I grew increasingly flustered.
I had never even imagined being touched like this by His Highness.

Part of me wished for him to let go—
And yet, another small, selfish part of me wished to keep holding that hand forever.

But then—

“My, my… His Highness and Serena, how perfectly you suit each other.”

Lady Isabella’s cheerful voice rang out, and I quickly pulled my hand back.
She stood there smiling as usual, but with a hint of mischief in her expression.

“Serena, don’t worry. I won’t get angry just because of the divination result.”
“Lady Isabella…”
“Why would I? Love is a battle. If the stars say so, then it only fuels the fire!”

She declared it with such confidence and a radiant smile that all I could do was gape.
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would become a rival in love.

“Serena, let’s have a fair match. The one who wins His Highness’s heart—whether it’s you or me—will be the victor. I’m looking forward to it.”

She gave me a playful wink, and my face turned pale.
No, no, no—this isn’t what I intended! I never meant to fall in love—

…And yet.
The lingering warmth in my palm made my denial ring hollow.

That night, I stayed in my room and gazed at the night sky through the window.

The stars sparkled coldly, sharp and clear.
No matter how much I searched for answers, they offered me none.

—Why?
I’ve always divined the future and found guiding paths.
But when it comes to my own heart, I can’t read a single thing.

“And I call myself a fortune-teller…”

I muttered softly and covered my face with my hands.
Just that moment—when His Highness held my hand—was enough to shake my heart so deeply.

Ah… is this what they call love?

Admitting it was frightening, and yet my chest was filled with a sweet ache.

The next morning, while I was writing in the star-reading chamber, Andrew—whom I call my older brother—popped his head in and teased me.

“Your face is awfully red, Lady Serena. A cold, or… lovesickness?”
“Wh–what are you…!”
“Oh my, that expression says it all. You’re as easy to read as a picture book.”

He watched me nearly collapse onto the desk with amused eyes.
Please… stop teasing me!

“Well, anyway. Remember this. There will come a time when you must choose for yourself, without relying on the stars.”
“…Brother…”

His words lingered in my heart.
Choosing for myself…
Could I really do that?

When the shadow of the Dawn Goddess’s statue stretched long at dusk, I found myself once again facing the star chart.
But the chart remained silent, showing me no future.

Why… is everything so unclear?

When I closed my eyes, what came back to me was—
the warmth of that hand,
and his sincere voice saying, “I believe in you.”

“…Your Highness.”

My whisper melted into the night.

The star of love traced its quiet orbit.
And I was beginning to realize, without any escape, that my own future was being woven into that path.