LUNA: Alpha’s Soulmate from Another World

Upon arriving at the Imperial Palace library, Luna approached the reception desk. Initially, her presence was rejected by a staff member she encountered at the entrance, who explained that the Imperial Palace library was only for the Imperial family and official personnel due to the sensitive information it contained.

The staff member directed Luna to the Imperial Library, which is open to nobles and the public. However, when Judith showed Luna a gold badge shaped like the emblem of the Vasilos Empire, with a base made of rectangular leather-resembling a card-the library staff immediately fell silent, bowed, and whispered an apology before stepping back.

Luna sighed heavily and glanced at Judith for an explanation. “Not all staff and official personnel working at the palace are werewolves, Luna. So, they might mistake you for an ordinary noble rather than the future empress. The staff member we just encountered is one of them. He is a mortal and cannot recognize you by scent, aura, or your claim mark.”

Judith glanced at Luna’s neck, which Luna cleverly covered with her long, flowing hair. “That’s why His Majesty the Emperor ordered me to carry the Imperial badge temporarily while you adapt.”

“Couldn’t you misuse it?” Luna asked seriously, without feeling embarrassed or guilty. She noticed Judith’s face pale before her servant bowed deeply with a trembling body.

“Judith, I’m not accusing you of doing that. Stand up. I’m just asking.” Judith kept muttering apologies until Luna grew irritated, but she restrained herself and gave the woman a chance to answer.

“The item I hold cannot be used carelessly, Luna. I have sworn an oath to His Majesty the Emperor when he gave me this badge, and if I misuse it, I will die on the spot. This badge is not an ordinary badge. The Imperial badge I hold has the Emperor’s dark mana, which instantly turns into poison if I break the oath, and it is bound to me until you are ready to take over.”

Luna frowned and glanced at the Imperial family badge in Judith’s hand. Like the bracelet on her ankle, she saw a purple light with a dark mist enveloping the badge, indicating Judith’s words were true. Wait a minute, why could she see all that?

“This badge is used as a symbol that you are part of the Imperial family and serves as a pass card for every place you visit. You will be given a second badge to mobilize the military, which can be used in emergencies or when you replace His Majesty the Emperor, but that will only be given after your inauguration.”

“The badge that signifies I am the empress and the second-highest-ranking person in this empire. Is that correct?” Luna stared ahead, hoping she would never have to hold that badge.

“Why do I have to be ready to take over before it can be given to me?”

“That…”

“Because that badge…” Luna pointed to the shining object in Judith’s hand with her index finger and continued, “… has magic that can turn it into a killing tool. Isn’t that right? And His Majesty the Emperor doesn’t want me to die because of his magic.”

Luna guessed while smiling. She felt her guess was correct when she saw Judith looking down at the floor because to that psychopathic emperor, a servant’s life was meaningless compared to hers. The man didn’t want her to die because of the magic surrounding the badge. “So, how many Imperial badges are there?”

“Three.”

“And all the badges are held by the Emperor?”

“Previously, the Imperial family badges did not have dark mana.” Suddenly, a voice interrupted Luna’s conversation with Judith.

Luna turned and looked at a man dressed as a noble. He wore a suit, vest, and cravat adorned with a luxurious brooch. He also wore a shirt and the Imperial emblem pin on the left lapel of his coat. The man’s neatly styled dark hair and darker skin indicated he spent more outdoors than indoors.

Luna turned her body to face the man and stood stiffly while the servants with her bowed respectfully. “However, a few years ago, there was misuse by a servant using the former empress’s badge. This made the emperor furious, and he decided to implement all these procedures to prevent it from happening again.”

“Doesn’t that indicate the lack of security for such important Imperial items, allowing misuse like that? How could an Imperial family badge end up in the hands of a staff member? Especially the former empress’s badge, which should have been stored away if its owner had passed.”

“How can you conclude that?” Luna shrugged indifferently. The man sighed softly and nodded.

“That was a negligence that will not happen again. The staff member who stole the badge was the former empress’s lady-in-waiting, and now all three badges are kept by the Emperor. But from what Judith is holding, His Majesty has given you one.”

“Will the poison also activate on her?”

The man in front of her glared suspiciously at Luna’s question. “Of course not, because the magic comes from His Majesty the Emperor’s mana energy himself.” Luna clicked her tongue inwardly. That was completely unfair.

“Besides, His Majesty doesn’t need to use the card for access. This empire is his.” The man was right. Luna admitted it inwardly with annoyance. Luna looked down and examined the bracelet on her ankle, then the gold badge in Judith’s hand.

Her frown deepened as she saw the purple light with a black mist becoming more visible. “Can you see the purple light shrouded in black mist?”

“Sorry?” the man murmured, confused.

Luna shook her head. Judging by the reactions of those around her, only she could see it. She blinked and asked again, “Who are you?”

Just as she asked, a second man with a simpler appearance, long blonde hair, and blue eyes came to the side of the stranger speaking to her for the past few minutes. The blonde man carried a stack of thick books in his hands.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“Allow me to introduce myself, I am Gamma Mathias Santiago. Nice to meet you, Luna.” The man, whom Luna now knew as Mathias, bowed respectfully with his hand placed over his left chest.

After straightening up, Mathias continued, “And the man with me is Gerald Barachi, my deputy commander and assistant from the First Order Knight Brigade, White Night.”

Luna nodded. She made no effort to be friendly with Alkrevas’s subordinates because her purpose at the library was not to socialize or make connections but to seek information.

“Nice to meet you, Gamma Mathias, Mr. Gerald.” Luna paused briefly before continuing, “But it seems I must be on my way.”

“Oh yes, please go ahead, Luna. Sorry to keep you here.” Gamma Mathias and his assistant stepped aside, and Luna resumed her walk to the reception desk. Upon arrival, the staff warmly greeted her as if her arrival had been announced beforehand.

Luna signaled Judith to wait near the reception desk, as she didn’t want to be followed or disturbed. Then she approached one of the receptionists. “Hi, umm… can you tell me where the section on werewolves or Rhodes is?”

“Oh, you can go to the left side of the library. There is a special area for that information. All books related to basic information about Rhodes and werewolves, as well as other species, are there. Would you like me to take you there, Luna?” the staff member offered kindly.

“No, that’s not necessary. Just tell me where to go.” The staff member patiently and kindly gave Luna directions. After receiving the instructions, Luna thanked them.

Luna ensured her servants did not follow her before walking towards the special area containing all the basic information about this world. She walked silently, her heels clicking against the marble floor, echoing throughout the quiet library. Luna surveyed the entire library area.

The library consisted of two floors, and the entire area was dominated by white. The marble floor she walked on was a mix of cream, maroon, dark gray, and brown, forming a pattern. In the main hall of the library, near the reception desk, there was a statue of a wolf and a golden globe-like decoration. The bookshelves were installed along the walls, neatly and evenly filled with thick books.

Several ladders helped visitors reach the upper shelves. The library’s ceiling had a simple chandelier hanging from it, and along the walls, there were magic stone lamps similar to those she had seen in the city. In one area of the library, Luna also saw rows of chairs with tables and displays of beautiful statues.

Before she knew it, Luna stood in front of a white door, which she opened slowly. Unlike the rest of the library, the special area she entered was a large hall with towering shelves along the circular walls. In the hall’s center was a comfortable white sofa set, perfect for sitting and reading. One wall was left free of bookshelves, and there hung a large map of the continent of Rhodes. With the imperial emblem prominently displayed above the map, Luna murmured in awe.

…