Chapter [NaN] |
Side Story Episode 3: Countess of Elsinore
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Summer.
With a nervous face, Melissa carefully got into the carriage. It felt good to feel the cool hands holding her tightly. The Principality’s unusually hot summer was beginning.
As she lowered her body onto the seat, neatly organizing the hem of her dress, she tilted her head and looked out. It was because they had to deal with a long journey and was curious about Alan not following her straight away.
“Alan, we…….”
Outside the carriage, against the background of Flynn’s flower garden, bathed in fresh sunlight, a dazzling man stood.
Elegant black hair that never loses its color even under the scorching sun, and features that are as beautiful as they are distant. A dark blue waistcoat with black lapels smoothly wrapped around the elegant body, and the straight shoulders and snow-white cravat looked quite noble.
“…….”
However, Melissa thought that this kind of routine was not something she could ever get used to. The ecstasy of the moment when this brilliant man only looks at her. It was no longer easy to recall the fact that there was a time when his gaze was as cold as a cold wind that would make her shoulders tremble.
Melissa.
He called out her name with his lips. A faint smile, as if drawn, adorned his languid lips. Without a doubt, it was just pure love.
Melissa no longer cowered from the cold. If there’s anything that still makes her toes curl, it’s only this affectionate love.
It was a joy like heaven indeed.
“Alan.”
Finally, her paradise was slowly getting closer. Alan, who got into the carriage, slowly stroked his wife’s quiet face with the back of his hand and stretched out his arms behind her.
A heavy silence came with the sound of the door closing. The gentle scent of his body and his cool skin without gloves gave her a strange stimulation.
“I was staring because you’re pretty.”
The voice that sank gently flowed into the red ears.
“Your anxious face is so…”
“What’s that…….”
That’s a strange thing to say. Nevertheless, it was Melissa Flynn who couldn’t help but feel her heart trembling helplessly. As she blinked in confusion, he laughed quietly.
“That doesn’t mean you’re pretty only when you do that.”
Alan kissed her round forehead and cheeks one after another as if he couldn’t bear it because she was so adorable, and asked in a low voice.
“Are you nervous?”
“…….”
In fact, Melissa was new to the Principality’s social circle. So the worry and fear naturally followed, but she replaced the answer with a small shake of his head.
Since she does not enjoy appearing in front of people, Alan has never once asked her to accompany him. He reassured her several times that it was okay for her not to go anywhere.
So her insistence on following him was her decision alone.
Without taking his eyes off Melissa, Alan knocked on the wall of her carriage twice.
“Let’s go.”
The Foundation Festival was the Principality’s largest annual event and was personally presided over by the Duke of Lunoa. And the attendance of Alan Flynn, who wields considerable influence in this society, was already almost mandatory.
As one of the representatives of the Principality, he is closely tied to both large and small houses, as well as the parliament and the Cathedral.
Moreover, last month, he even received the title of Count along with the Countcy of Elsinore, located in the southwest of the Principality. Still, in Lunoa where the aristocracy system thrived, Alan was neither a Lunoi nor a noble, so it must have been a consideration of the Duke for his position.
Of course, it is clear that Alan’s actions do not fall short of this treatment at all.
The point is that Alan has to stand in front of everyone as the Count of Elsinore at this Foundation Festival. Naturally, it was a natural picture for the Countess to accompany him.
Of course it was important to save her husband’s face, but Melissa didn’t want to hide anymore. Now that she was out of the long shadow, she wanted to proudly stand by his side as his companion.
Countess of Elsinore.
Melissa quietly took a deep breath as she whispered that unfamiliar name. The face that was still anxious soon appeared with a faint smile. She had made up her mind a few days ago that she would not show any signs of weakness today.
Nevertheless, her delicate cheeks looked unusually pale, perhaps because the sun had hidden behind the clouds. Alan didn’t let go of Melissa’s hand even after getting off the carriage.
He knew that she was nervous. From the moment he met the eyes of his wife who was waiting for her after getting ready, she was already very pretty and precious.
At that moment, a fresh breeze, smelling of wood, blew. Beneath her graceful chin, a neatly tied pure white lace ribbon and a light sky-blue dress floated gently in the serene trail.
“The wind is cold, Alan. It’s summer now…….”
Melissa, who was wearing her hat, gently turned and leaned against Alan’s chest. Then, he also stopped without hesitation.
“I’ll give you a hug.”
His strong arms carefully wrapped around her trembling shoulders. Clouds filled with summer sunlight were flowing slowly over their heads.
As they crossed the main gate of Lunos Palace, which was crowded with all kinds of carriages and people, Alan put a little strength into their joined hands. The early summer sky was clear in the eyes that were looking up at him.
The butler and two servants followed the couple walking affectionately.
The Duke’s speech, which is the first order of the Foundation Festival, does not begin until after sunset. But the true beginning of the Foundation Festival came before that.
On the afternoon of the Foundation Festival, gentlemen gathered in the great hall of the main building and smoked cigars. It seemed to be no different from the social club located underground in the city center, with heated discussions about politics and society, subtle showiness, and fighting. The difference is that they are conscious of the location, refrain from heavy drinking, and pretend to be cultured.
Meanwhile, the noble ladies had tea time in the princess’s salon on the second floor. However, this wasn’t a very peaceful tea time either. It’s a subtle battle of wits between women, and ranking is no less difficult than that of gentlemen.
The Flynn couple arrived at the palace late. Strictly before the start of the Foundation Festival, it was true that among the principal figures of the Principality, they were the last to arrive.
Alan didn’t care at all about the criticism directed at him, but he was worried about Melissa, who was attending an official event for the first time. It was then that Brigadier General Riemann’s daughter, whose face he could not even remember, crossed his mind.
If she or her people come after Melissa…….
Of course, she wouldn’t be foolish enough to casually touch his wife, but with that woman, even using vile tricks seemed justified.
“If you want to go back now, let’s go back.”
Alan muttered softly from a place about ten steps away from the reception room. He couldn’t bear to leave her behind.
“I told you. What’s important to me isn’t things like dignity… It’s you.”
He was always weak. When it came to Melissa.
The answer that came back was quite firm.
“I’ve been through a lot in the social world.”
“…….”
“I’ll make it work. Trust me.”
“This is because I couldn’t trust you… Ha.”
Alan had so much he wanted to say that he ended up speechless instead. Just being by her side, he knew all too well the hardships she had to endure.
I knew I shouldn’t have brought her. I should have done whatever it took to stop her. If my one and only love gets hurt because of her again, then at that time.…….
But Melissa’s eyes were determined. He couldn’t ignore her will again because he couldn’t make an excuse that he didn’t know it was love anymore, even though he once locked her up. Melissa seemed to know that, too.
So, in the end, there was only one answer he could give.
His long fingers lightly brushed against her forehead.
“We’ll take a break here and have some tea. Okay?”
“Yes.”
“Just show your face, so…….”
Alan, unable to speak out of his worries in his heart, stopped talking and looked down at Melissa. Her clear brown eyes were very grim.
However, as he slowly caressed her pretty cheek with his thumb, her calm expression quickly filled with apprehension.
“I…… I will become a wife you will not be ashamed of.”
“I’ve never been ashamed of you.”
Alan lowered his body and gently pressed their foreheads together. A distant whisper continued.
“In the future too. Okay?”
“It means I won’t hide anymore, Alan.”
“Melissa.”
I just wanted to hide her if I could.
Of course, it’s not because he’s ashamed of her. He couldn’t be ashamed of the light that illuminates a life full of darkness. Maybe she is an object of worship.
However, he always hated exposing his lady to others, to the extent that he trembled each time. It might seem extreme, but she was too precious and valuable. So, he wanted to forever keep her hidden in his embrace.
This twisted desire was an emotion he must overcome for her sake. How many times had he chastised himself, vowing not to subdue her, even unconsciously, in the future?
In the first place, she wasn’t a woman that someone like him could trap. She has been like a huge sea all along.
Alan placed a gentle kiss on Melissa’s lips.
“I’ll come pick you up right away.”
Then, as he was about to turn around, her small hand suddenly grabbed his sleeve urgently.
“I don’t know much about social circles here…… If they’ll gossip about me being rude, it will be bad for you…”
“…….”
A large hand quite skillfully massaged her stiff shoulders.
“I’ll take care of all those things. Just relax.”
The only way to get back to Melissa early is to quickly complete the tasks given to him today. Escorting her to the women’s space with his own hands only creates unnecessary gossip.
After making deep and regretful eye contact, Alan turned around. His wife will never know how urgent his heart is right now.
* * *
“Huuu…….”
Melissa, who was left alone at last, took a great deep breath and approached the splendid doorway. The two servants silently and slowly opened the two gold-encrusted handles.
The fragrant scent of flowers and tea, the noble atmosphere floating in the air, the subtle performance of the orchestra, and the sunshine of early summer pouring from the big window. Indeed, everything in the room rushed fiercely at Melissa.
When the chattering words and rattling noises disappeared at once and dozens of pairs of sharp eyes focused on the inexperienced visitor,
「Nice to meet you…」
Melissa, with a trembling face, politely greeted with a bow.
「I’m glad to meet…… you all.」
She spoke in slightly awkward Lunoan.
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