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nWith Kuro in my arms, I walked to the balcony, opened the door, and went outside. The cold wind immediately rushed to my face and body, making me shiver. With an open mouth, I watched the dark sky shed snow. I was so sure I wasn't dreaming because why else am I feeling cold after it hits my skin?

nIt's still autumn, right?!

nBecause I was looking up at the sky, I would naturally notice what's in there. My room always has the best scenery all year round. In spring, I have a view of the garden and the forest beyond. At dusk, the view of the setting sun is breathtaking. And at night, the wide sky filled with stars is magical.

nSo right now, the magical sky I'm talking about is present. The stars are as bright as ever and the moon is as lovely as ever.

nOne thing though, if I wasn't aware that last night and before I went to bed, the moon was in full phase, I wouldn't question why it's crescent right now. I'm pretty sure it should still be a full moon earlier.

nWhy does the moon look so ambiguous? And why the hell is it snowing already?

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"Someone shot the moon.

" The voice came from the side, almost scaring me to death.

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"Geezu-- Lukas? Why are you here? And what do you mean?

" I gasped as I hugged Kuro tighter to my chest.

nI even jumped (probably my heart too) because I was so surprised by his sudden appearance.

nDamn him!

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"You sure have a lot of questions.

"

nHe was leaning on the wall, a few steps away from me, with crossed arms as he gazed at the sky.

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"No. Wait-- I… Someone shot the moon?

" I asked in confusion.

nHe did say someone did it. I'm so bewildered by what he just indulged me that the fact he was here in the middle of the freaking night, or dawn-- who knows-- and I was still in my nightgown with my bed hair looking crazy, completely went over my head.

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"Amazing isn't it? I wonder who did it…

" He was sporting a thoughtful expression at the moment, seemingly interested.

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"What do you mean by someone shot the moon?!

" I blurted out, seriously considering if he had lost his mind right at this moment.

nLukas shrugged his shoulders in nonchalance, still keeping his eyes on the sky.

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"They shot it. That's why it's like that and that's why it snowed.

"

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"...

"

nI was completely lost now.

nWhat?

nWhat the hell is this man saying?

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"I saw a beam of light from that direction before the moon lost a third of its mass. Amazingly, a huge barrier enveloped probably the whole empire when it happened and the sound was blocked. Interesting, don't you think?

" He continued rambling. He then turned to look at me and paused.

nI didn't react immediately as I stood there, the snow slowly gathering on the top of my head. I didn't even notice the cold seeping into my bones nor the fact that Lukas was now staring at me with a blank expression on his face.

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"Am I dreaming? I'm still asleep right?

" I turned to him to ask that because there is no way in hell those things he just said were true.

nWho the hell would blast the moon? And how did they manage to blast it off?!

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"...

"

nThe man I was looking at right now wasn't saying anything, just staring at me with that piercing eyes of his.

nLukas moved and it was too late to know what he was about to do. He suddenly grabbed my cheeks with his gloved right hand, and squeezed, making my lips pucker like a fish. I couldn't react that quickly and was just staring at him wide-eyed and confused, sporting a stupid face.

nHe then laughed as he looked down on me, pressing my cheeks together again and again.

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"Hahaha, you're like a duck.

"

nI came back to my senses and immediately slapped his hand. He then let go of my face and looked at the sky again while I was there, rubbing my cheeks all the while feeling aggrieved.

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"You should put on a coat or you'll catch a cold,

" he suddenly said out of the blue.

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"Coat? Why-- AH!

" I shrieked and hugged the poor bundled Kuro to my chest again.

nI'm still wearing my nightgown! And Lukas is here!

nHorrified, I glared at him fiercely.

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"Why the hell are you here?

"

nWhere did this bastard come from and why is he here in our mansion?

nLukas glanced at me,

"Your nose is turning red.

"

nPursing my lips, I hurried inside my room and put Kuro back on the bed. I then grabbed my coat from the couch and put it on. Before I could even finish, I heard Lukas' voice which made me turn around in shock.

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"You should turn the fireplace on.

" He was there, standing inside my room, looking around as he pleased like he's the owner of this damn place.

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"Y-you-- Get out!

" I hissed at him.

nThe sheer audacity of this man to invite himself in? This is my room! A lady's room! Where the hell is his manners?

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"You're going to wake everyone if you keep being that loud, you know.

" He doesn't seem affected at all, still sporting that casual air around him even after rudely intruding.

nThe audacity, I tell you!

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"Lukas, what the hell are you doing here?

" Do you all even know how shocked am I right now?

nThere's a man inside my room that is neither my brother nor my father. In this day and age, where men and women should maintain decency all the time, intruding on a lady's room in the middle of the night is preposterous.

nHe's a duke, he should know better!

nIf there's anyone who could do that, it would be some lovers out there. We're not even lovers…

nLukas inspected a quirky figurine I bought from an ornament store and answered tepidly.

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"Doing my job.

"

nDoing his job…

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"It's evening,

" I pointed out, appalled by his answer.

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"It's dawn, actually,

" he refuted as he set the figurine back to the dressing table.

nI gaped at him even more, feeling incredulous from the words coming out of his mouth.

nCan you believe him? He's guarding me until this hour? I—

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