The Moon’s First Light

The atmosphere in the royal ballroom of the palace that night was alive with splendor, filled with nobles and unfamiliar faces dressed in their finest. The lively music of the orchestra echoed beneath dazzling chandeliers, their crystal droplets scattering light across the room like stars. Magnificent tapestries adorned the high walls, their golden threads shimmering as if woven with magic. Long tables groaned under the weight of exquisite delicacies; silky pâtés, glazed pastries, and crystal flutes of champagne that sparkled as brightly as the guests' jewels. This was a world I had only ever imagined: the elite of aristocracy in their domain of luxury… A grand event that I had never experienced in my life before.

As I stood at the edge of the room, the clamor of laughter and gossip felt like a distant hum. Thanks to all of my rigorous training sessions and my scouting activities with Ren, my senses somehow seemed unnaturally sharp tonight. Even over the strains of a lively waltz, I could hear the whispers from across the room, their words threading through the air like spider silk.

"Did you hear? I heard His Majesty is debuting Princess Luna tonight."

"Debuting her? Are you serious? She's only 11 years old!"

"Not only that but she's receiving special treatment and being taught directly by Ixius Falgria."

"You mean the famed sorcerer? What strings did Shilien Argenti pull this time?"

"Tsk, it must be the Argenti bloodline again! Always clawing their way to power!"

"I know, right? She and the Duke must be feeling high and mighty now!"

Wow, so it's true that aristocrats love gossiping, especially the ladies.

"The audacity of the Argenti family… They always act as though they rule the court!"

"Speaking of which, I don't see her anywhere. Where is she?"

"Oh, you didn't hear? You're so out of the loop! She's... Pssst... Pssst..."

"My goodness! Really?"

I rolled my eyes and stifled a sigh. Aristocrats truly were vultures. Their gossip was as much a part of these events as the music and fine wine.

"Are you nervous, sister?" Chrisola who stood beside me tugged lightly on my sleeve. Her sapphire eyes were wide with innocent curiosity.

"Ah… Haha. Maybe a little. It's my first party, after all." I scratched the back of my neck. I couldn't say to her that I tried to hear about what the guests said about me, right?

Chrisola tilted her head, her golden curls catching the light. "Chrisola doesn't like parties either. They're noisy... and exhausting."

I chuckled at her blunt honesty. For someone destined to be a crown princess, it seemed she had little patience for courtly traditions like this. Unlike me, who was a mere daughter of a concubine, Chrisola had been attending these gatherings since she could walk. Yet tonight, we stood side by side, our roles temporarily aligned.

"But at least you don't have to dance or greet anyone. You just have to sit beside His Majesty," I said, trying to reassure her.

Chrisola wrinkled her nose. "Chrisola doesn't mind sitting. But standing still for too long hurts my feet."

Her grumble drew a quiet laugh from me. She was adorable in her bluntness, a stark contrast to the cold world around us.

Deep down, I wasn't sure how to feel about sharing my birthday with the Kingdom's anniversary. Part of me felt pride, as I was finally being acknowledged even if only for appearances. But another part of me ached, as I remembered the lonely birthdays of my past. Shilien and the King, my parents in name only, had barely acknowledged my existence, let alone celebrated me. There was just Anna and a few kind maids who had been the only ones to make my day special, baking a humble cake and singing soft songs just for me.

I observed Chrisola's appearance. Although today was my debutante, the jewelry and dress she wore were far more extravagant than mine. My gaze lingered on her dress; a delicate pink satin creation adorned with fine lace and tiny pearls, and shoes with ornaments which while not flashy, exuded elegance and luxury for a 9-year-old. Everything matched perfectly with her sapphire eyes and the golden glow of her curls, emphasizing her innocent beauty.

On the other hand, I wore a set of simple white gowns, white shoes, and silver pieces of jewelry. A small tiara perched atop my silver hair, its modest sparkle doing little to dispel my feelings of inadequacy. Well… Though I was sure it was expensive, its plain design felt muted compared to Chrisola's elegance.

"Have you been waiting, my dear child?"

The sound of heavy boots against the marble floor drew my attention as the King approached, flanked by Owen Falgria.

Whoa. I never cared about the King's appearance, but today he looked more dazzling than usual. His ceremonial attire, with a deep emerald cloak clasped by a gold emblem on his chest and a crown resting regally on his neatly combed ash-blonde hair, was as commanding as the man himself. Meanwhile, as his loyal knight, Owen stood at his side with a piercing gaze scanning the room for any hint of danger.

"Are you ready?" the King asked. His eyes and voice were strangely warmer than his usual winter wind demeanor. And it melted my nervousness in an instant.

"Yes, Father." I nodded sharply.

With a grand sweep of his arm, the King gestured for the ballroom doors to open. Owen stepped forward as the herald, his voice ringing out like a clarion call.

"His Majesty, King Icaros Vigor D'Emeralia. Princess Chrisola Anastasia D'Emeralia. Princess Lunaris Argentia D'Emeralia." Owen's booming voice as the royal announcer filled the hall, silencing the murmurs of the crowd.

The grand double doors then parted, revealing the sea of nobles beyond. The guests bowed deeply as we stepped into the room, their voices rising in unison and echoing like a hymn.

"Hail to the sun that illuminates the land of Emeraldine!"

Oh. Wow.

Hearing my full name, spoken with such reverence for the very first time, felt alien to me. My heart pounded loudly as I walked beside Chrisola and the King with hundreds of eyes followed our every step.

The King stopped at the center of the ballroom, his presence commanding silence. With practiced ease, he began his speech.

"Today, we gather to celebrate 684 years since the founding of our beloved Emeraldine Kingdom. In those times, our forebears faced different kinds of trials and tribulations. Through their perseverance, they had brought prosperity to this land… And it is our duty to maintain what they have given us. Let us honor their legacy by striving for peace, compassion, and unity. For the glory of Emeraldine!" the King declared, raising his fist with authority.

"For the glory of Emeraldine!" The whole room raised their fists in solidarity before erupting in applause.

The national anthem followed a solemn melody that filled the space with pride and tradition. Together, the attendees sang with their hands placed over their hearts. My chest tightened as I sang along, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions within me.

Even though I had been briefed during rehearsal, I hadn't expected the ceremonial part of the Emeraldine Kingdom's anniversary celebration to be this grand.

When the anthem ended, the King turned to me, his hand resting lightly on my shoulder.

"And today, we also celebrate the eleventh birthday of my eldest daughter, Luna." He guided me forward, his voice warm and steady. "She is a cherished daughter, blessed with extraordinary talents. May she become a protector of this land, like the moon that lights the night amidst the darkness, bringing love and hope to those around her!"

"Happy birthday, Princess Luna! Long live the Princess!"

The room erupted once again in applause and cheers, their enthusiasm washing over me like a wave. For the first time in my life, I was the center of everyone's attention, and it felt both exhilarating and overwhelming.

As I received so many birthday wishes, my thoughts couldn't stop but wonder… A debutante celebration like this was not something that happened to the original Luna in Twilight's Chronicle. Could this have been the turning point for her? If she'd experienced something like this, would she still have become the villainess who brought chaos to this land and the people around her?

Whatever. It all doesn't matter because right now I am her, and not anyone else.

The ceremony transitioned into the party proper, and soon it was time for my first dance as a debutante. A pit of anxiety formed in my stomach as I had no idea who would step forward as my partner.

The guests parted, their eyes trained on me, and then a figure emerged from the crowd. A young nobleboy approached, his dark coat finely tailored and a confident smile on his lips. He extended his hand, bowing slightly.

"May I have the honor of this dance, Princess?"

My eyes widened and my breath caught as I stared at the figure who offered to be my dancing partner.

T-This boy...!?