After watching Adrian and Rosaline leave, Lina and Elira turned around, intending to continue shopping. However, they realized Luna was still standing in her spot, her eyes continuously following the direction the siblings had gone.
"Luna?" Lina called out with a puzzled tone.
"Y...Yes?" Luna replied nervously, slightly startled from her daze.
Elira, who immediately caught the change in her demeanor, smiled mischievously while patting Luna's shoulder.
"You're interested in Adrian, aren't you?" she teased in a suggestive tone.
Luna immediately tensed up, her face instantly turning red.
"W...What do you mean, Elira!?" she stammered, trying to look away.
Elira and Lina held back small laughs. Because their friend, who usually seemed uninterested in men, was starting to show interest in a man she had just met for the first time.
"Come on, Luna. We saw how you were looking at him," Lina said, gazing at her friend.
"It's not like that!" Luna quickly denied, her voice rising slightly.
"I was just… just curious. He seemed… different." Elira glanced at Lina with a wide grin.
"Different, huh? Hmm, somehow I feel that's the classic excuse of someone falling in love," Elira teased with a naughty smile.
Luna became even more flustered. Both her hands immediately covered her reddening cheeks.
"No! I'm not, I mean.... argh, you two are so annoying!" she protested, puffing her cheeks and pouting.
Elira chuckled lightly, then patted Luna's back gently.
"Yeah, I admit, he does look cool and gave a good first impression. He also looks like a strong fighter, especially from the muscles on the back of his hand," Elira said with a light smile.
"But this is just the first meeting, don't fall for him just like that. Just look at Damian, we've been friends since childhood, but even he could change that much."
"Th...That's true..." Luna replied softly, her voice trailing off.
Lina was about to argue, but in the end, she only lowered her head. What Elira said was true.
"Anyway," Elira continued, patting Luna's head gently.
"Besides, we'll be seeing him often at the academy. You can decide on your feelings later, after getting to know him better."
"Yeah…" Luna replied quietly, this time with a small smile on her face.
...
Thinking about my conversation with them, they were exactly like in the game. Elira was always the blunt type, honest to the point where it sometimes made others uncomfortable. However, she wasn't the reckless type. Elira knew when to speak, and when to stay silent. She only dared to insult Julian, the notoriously arrogant crown prince, when it was just the three of them. Not because she was afraid, but because she knew the consequences well if others heard. In this regard, Elira's courage didn't come from foolishness, but from her sharp instincts in reading the situation. She could speak harshly, but always at a safe time.
Luna, on the other hand, was her complete opposite. Gentle, cautious, and always trying to maintain balance among her friends. She knew Elira's words were sometimes excessive, but she also knew that behind her curtness, Elira just wanted to be honest. She was a bit quiet when first meeting someone, but once she felt comfortable, her true nature would start to show. Luna could be a warm person, easy to talk to, and even a little mischievous with those close to her.
Meanwhile, Lina, despite looking innocent, wasn't careless. Her innocence came from her clear perspective, but she was still careful. She had her own way of making others feel calm, whether through a small smile or simply listening without judging. And at the right moment, she could also be very attentive, noticing the small things that Elira and Luna sometimes overlooked. The three of them might seem like an odd combination, Elira the sharp and daring, Luna the gentle and rational, and Lina the innocent but warm and attentive.
As I was thinking about them, Rosaline suddenly called out to me.
" Big Brother! " she exclaimed.
" Yes? " I asked.
"You like Sister Luna, don't you? You were secretly glancing at her earlier " Rosaline asked with a sly smile on her face.
" Not really. She is beautiful, but that's not enough to make me like her," I replied, trying to stay calm.
" But she doesn't have a fiancé. " Rosaline said casually.
"....."
!!
Huh?
I knew from the beginning that she wasn't engaged to anyone. But for some reason, it felt like a relief to hear Rosaline say it. Why ?
After calming my thoughts, I finally realized.
' Hahh... ' I didn't expect this. I, who initially only liked her as a favorite character, had now truly fallen in love with her in such a short time.
Rosaline watched me as I suddenly fell silent. Her gaze narrowed, and then a mischievous smile began to spread across her face.
"Heh~ Brother, your cheeks are red, you know," she said, holding back a laugh.
"What? No!" I quickly denied, reflexively covering my face with my hand.
Rosaline just chuckled.
"Geez, Brother! I only said Sister Luna doesn't have a fiancé. But why are you reacting like someone who just got confessed to?" she teased, nudging my arm.
I sighed, trying to suppress a smile.
"You, don't just say whatever. I was just surprised."
Rosaline raised her eyebrows, her gaze sharp yet meaningful.
"Surprised because you're happy, right?" she said teasingly.
"Relax, Brother. If Sister Luna knew you liked her, I'm sure she wouldn't be angry."
I turned my face away, pretending to be busy.
"You're really annoying, Rosaline." She just giggled softly.
" Hehe~ but it's funny seeing you like this. Usually, you're so calm, but now you're all flustered."
I looked at her for a moment, then smiled faintly.
"Oh, so it's funny, is it?"
"Hehe~ yeah, funn..."
*Pinch!
"Awww! Brother! That hurts!" she cried out, holding her reddening cheek.
I chuckled.
"Serves you right. So next time you won't like teasing people so much."
Rosaline winced, but her smile was still wide.
"Geez, Brother, you're mean, but just admit it, you were happy to hear Sister Luna doesn't have a fiancé, right?" she said, looking at me mischievously from behind her hand.
I snorted, looking away, but the corner of my lips couldn't help but smile.
"That mouth of yours, Rosaline, it's small, but what comes out of it always causes trouble."
"Hehe~ but you still love me, right?" she said in a cutesy manner. I let out a long sigh, smiling wearily.
"Sometimes I forget if you're my sister or a professional pest."
Rosaline laughed triumphantly, while I could only shake my head slowly, but somehow, the atmosphere felt lighter.
To win Luna over, I have to build a good relationship with the three of them. As long as they trust me and I can make Luna fall in love with me, my chances of getting her father's approval will be much higher. Besides, when it comes to strength, Luna's father is no match for me.
...
After finishing our clothes shopping, Rosaline and I walked towards the exit, laughing softly, talking about the clothes we had just bought. The atmosphere inside the shop was quite busy, the scent of perfume and soft music made our steps feel relaxed.
However, as we almost reached the large glass door at the front, a few people entered from the opposite direction. At a glance, I turned my head, and my steps instantly halted. My gaze immediately caught a very familiar figure. It felt like time slowed down for a moment, and without realizing it, a small smile appeared on my face.
'My future father-in-law…'
I continued walking past them without looking back.
' We will meet again.'