56. Luna Hart story

Luna Hart was not born in the Luna family's royal palace. She was born and raised in a small, nameless fishing village by the river. Her mother came from a humble background. Since childhood, she endured enough scorn because her mother had borne her without a husband. But she didn't mind much; she always laughed and stayed optimistic because her mother was a kind, warm, and cheerful person.

Back then, life was hard, but it was always filled with joy and warmth.

But when she turned eight, war, famine, and crop failure ravaged the land. Her mother, knowing she would not survive, told her the full truth about her father.

When her mother was twenty, she once saved a man who was near death and drifting on the river while she was casting nets.

"That man later became my father."

Her mother saved him and took care of him tenderly. Over time, feelings grew between them. But then the brief happiness ended; her father left without a word, not knowing that her mother was pregnant. Despite feeling deeply hurt at that time, her mother never regretted giving birth to her. She passed down two keepsakes: a ring and a jade pendant. The ring was her grandmother's gift from her own childhood, and now her mother gifted it to her. The pendant was left by her father. She made Luna Hart promise to always smile.

After that, her mother passed away. The village, without her mother, held no attachments for her anymore.

At just eight years old, she had to live alone among the vast sea of people. If it weren't for Kim lian's help, she might have lost her life long ago. Kim lian was like a second mother to her. Over the years, she began to understand how harsh and challenging life could be and learned the ways to survive. Her mother had been foolish! How could she sacrifice so much for a man? Luna wanted to find him and make him go through the suffering her mother had endured.

Following the pendant, at twelve, she discovered it belonged to the Luna family's royal line. But for this very reason, she was captured, tortured, and interrogated, as they suspected her of stealing royal property. At that moment, she thought death was certain. But just before dawn on the day of her execution, her father came to save her.

She still remembers the look in his eyes when he first saw her. Shocked, silent, tearful—he was a truly pitiful man. He picked her up and took her back, caring for her. She felt warmth then.

She could hardly believe the man she had searched for was the emperor of the Moonlight Empire. He knelt before her with eyes full of sorrow and anger. Seeing his tortured expression, she grew furious. What suffering did he have to claim? She hit him, cursed him, called him a heartless man who had made her mother endure so much suffering. He took it all without protest. Finally, she cried, and he cried too. He held her and murmured, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't know…"

After that, her father placed one hand on the dragon seal and one over his heart, using the most solemn rite to recount his story:

"At that time, I wanted to leave everything behind to live an ordinary life with your mother. But on one dark night, the royal family came looking for me. I knew I had to return to inherit the throne, or many of my kin would die. Once I took the throne, I could never leave the palace. But I never forgot your mother. I sent people day and night to search, but there were no clues. After two months of searching, I received the heartbreaking news that she had been killed by bandits, her body unrecognizable. I was devastated. Only a few days ago, I received back the pendant I had promised to her. I was furious, thinking the person holding it was somehow connected to those bandits. But upon learning it was only a twelve-year-old girl, I dared to hope. And thank goodness, I arrived just in time. Let me care for you now. I swear by the royal line that those involved in this ordeal shall not escape justice."

Seeing the look in his eyes, the sincerity was undeniable. Her heart felt warm, but a vague discomfort lingered. Yet her father, slowly, patiently, and gently, cared for her. It was a feeling of safety and warmth, like being by her mother's side—a feeling she had dreamed of every night.

"After that, I became the most beloved princess in the royal palace, with more privileges than even the crown prince… I no longer blamed my father. Yet, deep down, I still disapprove of men who, bound by duty, leave the woman they love behind."

The full moon rose in the dark sky, and a light breeze carried the scent of the mountains. In the backyard, a small fire crackled, with skewers of meat roasting over it, releasing a delicious aroma.

Noah, Lalatina, and Liora listened silently as Luna Hart recounted her life story.

When the story ended, Noah couldn't help but feel compassion. It turned out her childhood had been so painful. Yet he couldn't shake the feeling that Luna, whether intentionally or unintentionally, glanced at him occasionally.

Could she be talking about him? The last line must have been meant for him. About that story he'd fabricated… Now what? He had to find a way to resolve this misunderstanding before it escalated.

"Luna, from what I see, it seems like there are two conflicting thoughts within you. One is grounded in reality, the hardships and pain you experienced. This created a part of you meant to protect yourself from outside dangers.

"The other might stem from your parents' wishes. They wanted you to live well and happily, which may be the source of your gentle, optimistic nature.

"These two sides conflict, leading to an inner struggle.

"How about I share a story with you, for you to reflect on?"