At the outer edge of the Lunar Forest, the Yueluosha were in full bloom. From afar, the ground looked dusted with pale-blue and pink-white snow.

A cool spring breeze slid through like silk. Petals fell like snowflakes, fragrance drifting in soft waves—beauty that felt almost unreal.

A cloudless sapphire sky. A lake clear and green as glass. Grass a lush, breathing carpet. Yueluosha blazing with color—that’s the outer rim of the Lunar Forest now.

“Wow! So pretty!!”

Littlesky’s praise came from the heart. Our home’s flower sea is lovely too, but this has something else.

It’s scale, I think. The Lunar Forest is wide. Blue-and-pink flower-snow runs on to the horizon, a beauty that hits like a wave.

“Yeah. It’s my first time seeing something this gorgeous.”

No wonder it felt unfamiliar. The times I came here with Qianji Sister as a kid, we always missed the bloom.

“There are tons of fun places on the Central Continent,” Serenemoon said, her voice soft as dusk. “Beautiful ones too, more than you can count.”

“Only pity is you can’t see people anywhere,” she breathed. “Even the best scenery feels lonely.”

She sighed, and the wind felt colder. I knew that feeling well.

Look at the Lunar Forest now—Yueluosha blooming like a sky of snow, and only the three of us to see it.

We come once in a while. Most days, no one comes. The petals fall, vivid and tender, with no eyes to greet them. It feels a little sad.

“Honestly! Serenemoon, don’t ruin a perfect mood!” Littlesky puffed her cheeks, cute as a bun on steam.

“Sorry~”

Serenemoon smiled again, gentle as moonlight, and took our hands. “Let’s find the best spot to watch.”

“Ooh, ooh! I want to sit under the biggest Yueluo tree!”

“Mm, that’s a great choice. Sharp eyes, Littlesky~”

“Agreed. It’s right at the center of the Yueluo grove.”

We looked where she pointed. It was, indeed, a perfect place.

“Then no dawdling—let’s go!”

Petals drifted across the grass like snow. We walked forward with light hearts.

…

Several minutes later.

“The view really is amazing here!”

Under the largest Yueluo tree, Littlesky turned her head left and right, trying to drink in every inch of beauty.

“Don’t use up all your hype, or you’ll crash later.”

Serenemoon stroked her tiny, adorable head. Her eyes drooped, lazy with comfort.

I spread a wide picnic cloth. I set the bamboo basket in the center. I took out a bottle of fresh juice and three cups.

“Littlesky, Serenemoon, want some juice?”

I filled all three. I waved them over.

“Yes! I was getting thirsty! You’re so thoughtful—mm, so good!”

“As expected of Emperor. You think of everything~”

They downed their cups in one go, faces blooming like flowers.

“I’m glad you like it.”

I finished my cup and felt the day soak into my bones. This beats holing up at home by a mile.

No wonder our parents keep traveling all over the Central Continent. If the head-of-house duty didn’t tether them, they’d probably run off to other worlds.

I took out the lunches I’d made and some desserts, setting them neatly on the cloth.

“Smells amazing! Emperor, what’d you make?”

“The flower fragrance mixed with the food—it’s… strangely wonderful.”

The scent pulled Littlesky and Serenemoon in like a stream. They sat and reached straight for their boxes.

“Hey, hey—wash your hands first!”

I stopped them mid-grab. How do they not have the wash-first instinct?!

They gave sheepish grins, then hurried to the nearby lake to wash.

…

“So much food! I can’t believe you cooked all this in such a short time.” Littlesky opened her box and gasped, drool at the gate. Cute.

“I think whoever marries Emperor will live in bliss forever… No! Don’t let blessings go to outsiders.”

Serenemoon’s voice rose like a hammered drum. “Why wait for someone else? Better let me claim him!”

She lunged. I ended up flat on the cloth.

“…Serenemoon, what on earth is going on in your head?!”

Her beautiful face hovered inches from mine, bright as a rose. Her perfumed curls tickled my nose. The distance was… very close. Almost kiss-close.

For the record: I was lying on the picnic cloth. Serenemoon was sprawled on top of me. We were pressed together.

Especially her soft weight at my chest—genuinely uncomfortable… and not entirely unpleasant.

“Exactly! Serenemoon, you dummy, get off my brother!”

Littlesky forgot her lunch and tugged with all her might. She’s still small, not much strength yet. She couldn’t budge Serenemoon.

“Sorry, sorry~ I pictured Emperor being married off to some stranger. I got mad and excited.”

Serenemoon shifted to sit instead of sprawl. She kept rambling nonsense. Married off? To a stranger? Me?!

“Serenemoon, I’m a boy! If there’s marrying, I’m the one doing it, right? Who’s marrying me?!”

“Not necessarily~ Emperor’s a gentle, wifey-type bishounen. Lethal to women—and probably men too!”

I seriously wonder what terrible books Serenemoon reads. Her brain’s not exactly proper.

“On that point, I totally agree with Serenemoon!”

Littlesky stopped tugging and nodded, solemn as a judge.

“Emperor’s charm is overpowered! If I hadn’t heard Xinuo will leave the Central Continent with him, I’d worry my pure brother would get sold off right away.”

“Mm, that could happen. Emperor’s too pure.”

Serenemoon nodded, full of conviction. Also still on my lap. Could you get off?

I wanted to retort, but the more I argue, the more tired I get. I gave up and cut the topic short.

“Keep talking and the food’s going to get cold.”

“…”

“…”

It worked like a charm. They froze, then grabbed their boxes at top speed.

Serenemoon finally slid off me, and I sat up. We did a quick pre-meal ritual, then ate while our eyes kept wandering over the view.

Food really does taste better when you eat with beauty in front of you. That saying’s dead on.

It’d be even better if Xinuo were here… I don’t know why that thought suddenly rose.

…

Time poured by in the happiness of flowers and food. A half hour vanished without us noticing.

“Brother, I’m thirsty. Do we have soup?”

“Yep.”

I found the clear-soup container in the basket and poured her a bowl.

“Phew… Emperor’s cooking is too good.”

She finished the soup and the last of her lunch, then stroked her round little belly, satisfied.

“Emperor, I want soup too~”

“Here.”

“The taste’s a little light, but it’s really good~”

Serenemoon leaned back against the thick trunk, eyes lidded, a cat ready to nap. Eat, drink, then sleep—how lazy can your habits be?!

I packed the empty boxes. Serenemoon’s head started to bob. I sighed, then lifted her gently and set her head on my thigh.

“Don’t nap against a tree for too long. It’s bad for your back.”

“Emperor’s lap pillow… eheh, jackpot! You’re so gentle. I love you most…”

She was truly tired. She fell asleep before the sentence finished. Her sleeping face was pretty and cute; I couldn’t resist pinching it. Soft.

“Did Serenemoon fall asleep?” Littlesky yawned.

“Yeah. Are you sleepy too, Littlesky?”

The view was excellent, the air mild and kind, and it was their usual nap hour. Sleep after lunch made sense.

“A little.” Littlesky lay down and set her head on my other thigh. “Ehehe~ I won’t let Serenemoon hog Brother’s lap.”

“If you’re sleepy, nap, Littlesky.”

I stroked her soft silver hair. Under the warm sun, it scattered light like water.

“I’ll sleep then…”

Soon she closed her eyes and drifted into a steady, gentle sleep.

That left me alone, and stuck. Both thighs taken, I had to sit up straight and couldn’t move. How do I pass the time?

I noticed petals. Blue-pink Yueluosha were scattered all around like stars on moss.

“Let’s make a few petal bookmarks.”

I picked up petals and slender green grass, careful not to disturb their sleep, and started crafting.

It wasn’t easy. The petals were too tender. One careless touch and they tore.

Five tries for one success, and the finish wasn’t exactly high.

But that’s what makes it a challenge, right?

…

Another hour slipped away.

“Ugh. My legs are getting numb…”

…