Luna: eyes wide, stammering S-sister? It's really you?
Yes, I am your sister, your father's second daughter.
grabs onto Calldon's arm W-why did you leave without telling me? Did you know how worried I was? tears well up in her eyes
I was going to return to you sooner. The imperial concubine selection happened to fall right around that time. I thought it would be better if we were separated by some distance, so I never wrote back to you. However, it appears that fate had other plans. I'm sorry, Luna.
sniffs, wipes her tears F-forgive me too, Calldon! I should've been more understanding... voice quivering But... I missed you so much!
Shh, it's alright. Let's not dwell on the past anymore. We're together now, that's what matters.
takes a deep breath You're right, Calldon. Let's focus on the present. But... hesitant I still have so many questions for you.
Go ahead, ask me anything.
nervously fidgets with her hands Well, first and foremost, why did you enter the palace and become a concubine?
It was a complicated situation. I was trying to find my own path, and the palace seemed like the place where I could make a name for myself. Plus, I had always been drawn to politics and power, and the palace offered me the opportunity to influence the empire from behind the scenes.
tilts her head I see... So you wanted to gain power and influence? That must have been quite a challenge for someone like you. pauses
It certainly was. But I persevered, using my wit and charm to navigate the treacherous waters of palace politics.
smirks I bet you used your looks to win people over, huh? You've always been the charmer. But tell me, Calldon, did you ever find true happiness in the palace?
True happiness? That's a difficult question... The palace can be a cruel place, Luna. Power and influence come at a high price.
gazes intently into Calldon's eyes I understand... I've seen enough of the palace's dark side myself. But still, I can't help but wonder...
What do you wonder about, Luna?
As Luna delves deeper into her conversation with Calldon, she discovers a dark secret about his time in the palace, leading to a dangerous confrontation.
This conversation has taken quite a turn. Are you alright, Luna?
stands up abruptly B-b-b-but... How c-c-could you?! voice trembling with anger
What's wrong, Luna? Why are you so upset?
grabs Calldon's collar You think you can just brush this off?! How could you betray our family like that?! voice shaking with rage
Betrayal? What betrayal are you talking about, Luna?
releases Calldon's collar, pacing back and forth Y-you... You sold us out! You used our family's reputation for your own gain! voice filled with accusation
Calm down, Luna. You're misunderstanding something. I didn't sell our family out. There's more to the story than you know.
clenches her fists You think I don't know?! I saw the records, Calldon! I saw the evidence of the deals you made! voice trembling with disbelief
Records? Evidence? What are you talking about, Luna?
rushes to a nearby table, frantically rummaging through the documents Look at this! throws a document at Calldon This proves everything!
gasps, her eyes widening as she sees the contents of the document W-what... What is this?! voice trembling
...I was forced to make a choice, Luna. It was either sink or swim with the palace's corrupt system. I tried to use their corruption against them, but it came at a cost...
face goes pale, her body trembling N-no... No, no, no! This... this can't be happening... voice barely above a whisper W-what did you do, Calldon?