Chapter 14 –  Unless She Wants It

It took nearly two days by carriage to travel from Longfield to Brightnum, the capital of the Kingdom of Wellington.

To get to Chatham, one had to ride continuously for another hour after that.

“Since I have little luggage, I’ll go alone. I don’t want to draw attention.”

Without waiting for a response, Ansel closed the carriage door. It was a slightly cloudy day, but given the season, the sunlight was quite brilliant.

Watching the warm golden rays glide across the vivid blue surface of the fountain, his mood improved a little, as if by magic.

Now that he thought about it, it was truly amusing that he had never once felt weary on the return journey, despite this being such a tedious trip.

No, to be precise…

“Sir Ansel?”

As he quietly stepped towards the grand gates of the Wellington Royal Military Academy, a military police officer approached and saluted.

Even though he was just a cadet, having once served as the cadet regiment commander, the military police officer’s attitude was extremely respectful.

It was the proper etiquette to greet a knight of the honorable kingdom and the heir of a great military family.

“I can’t believe it, but it really is you, Sir Ansel.”

The man could not take his eyes off Ansel, who was dressed in a suit rather than a cadet’s uniform.

It struck him anew that Ansel Blaine was an exceptionally aristocratic gentleman.

His gait, his gaze, even his breathing – all were of such refined bearing.

Among those who had passed through this place, there were nobles and even royalty, but a man with such lofty dignity was truly rare.

Ansel accepted the familiar greeting. His delicately sculpted features betrayed no emotion.

“What brings you here? Have you come to watch the matches?”

Of course not. He had no interest in watching sweaty men tussle on the dirt on such a summer day.

Moreover, wasn’t this supposed to be the summer vacation period?

‘Don’t they ever get tired of it.’

At that moment, Ansel’s brow furrowed slightly at the loud shout that echoed just then.

Ansel asked dryly.

“Are there matches being held?”

“Yes. There is a friendly match against the cricket team from Clifton College.”

“I see.”

It was a concise answer, as if to indicate that he hadn’t asked out of curiosity.

His gloved hand slowly brushed his hair with a smooth motion and then rested diagonally over his waist, which was narrow compared to his shoulders.

“I hope Chatham wins. Well then.”

With that emotionless farewell, Ansel nodded and turned toward the inside of the gate.

What came into view was a landscape he had been familiar with for two years.

The grand spire towered high as always, and the dormitories, lecture halls, and training facilities flanking it encircled the wide circular courtyard.

The majestic spires still soared high into the sky, and the dormitories, lecture halls, and training grounds flanking them on either side encircled the expansive central courtyard.

It was obvious that the source of the commotion was the sports field situated behind the dormitories.

Ansel, who had come only to retrieve his personal belongings and had no intention of going that way, reinforced that decision as he stepped into the dormitory building.

“Oh! Who do we have here, Ansel?”

That is, he had tried to enter, but a cadet drenched in sweat with a cheerful expression had come rushing over and blocked his path.

Oscar Haines. A fellow cadet of Ansel’s.

“Haines.”

“Weren’t you supposed to be with the commander? What brings you here? Huh? Have you come to cheer on the match today?”

Oscar was always present where there was commotion, and he had persistently tried to drag Ansel Blaine into those raucous situations as well.

He too was about to finish his two-year cadet life and graduate at the end of July.

Despite never once calling him by name, Oscar had followed Ansel around affectionately for two years.

Though Ansel found him annoying, he was somewhat grateful that time seemed to pass quickly because of him.

However,

“It’s so noisy.”

“Haven’t you ever thought that you’re the one who’s too quiet? You’re a soldier to the bone, yet you have no ambition for an officer’s commission! I’m positively distressed about it! It’s a loss for the nation.”

“So why are you here, during your vacation?”

“Of course, to cheer for the game! We have to crush Clifton’s pride!”

Oscar raised his uninjured arm high and his eyes sparkled. It was truly a foolish face.

If they were to graduate a man like this, wouldn’t it jeopardize Chatham’s reputation?

At least he’s not such a fool as to insist on playing as a player despite his arm injury.

Ansel silently shook his head and stepped into the building. He had endured enough interruption.

“Ah, but I’ve heard a remarkable story today!”

However, Oscar stubbornly stopped Ansel.

And this time, it was something he could not simply brush aside.

“Is it true that you’re getting married next month?”

“……”

He had planned to announce the wedding after the ceremony.

Even if a careless servant from his family blabbed, he hoped the news wouldn’t spread throughout the capital until after the wedding.

After completely leaving the capital and hiding away in a quiet rose garden.

Whether it was insults or praise, he didn’t want any of the capital’s filth to touch her.

“What’s with that expression? Surely you’re not thinking of disappearing without a sound…”

“Where did you hear that?”

Oscar flinched at Ansel’s unusually angry voice.

“Lady Bianca told me! She came by here this morning and asked if you were coming.”

“She should know I’m with my grandfather.”

“Well, someone from your family must have told her. She probably came to check since there’s a friendly match today. And against Clifton of all people.”

What a farce.

Whether it was Clifton or the royal family, he had no interest in friendly matches.

Ansel’s gaze drifted up towards the ceiling, heaving a heavy sigh.

“She left right away when she heard you hadn’t even replied to the match schedule. By the way, when did you return? If you’re not planning to go back, why not join us for next week’s hunt?”

Bianca Talbot, the Marquis’s daughter, had attended both private school and university with Ansel.

Naturally, their families maintained a reasonably close relationship, but Bianca had been visiting Viscount Monmouth’s residence frequently since she came of age, volunteering to keep the Viscountess company.

So she must have heard from the stepmother that he was in the capital.

And about the wedding news as well.

Ansel suddenly felt tired.

“Sir Ansel? Can’t you hear me?”

“I can hear you, so be quiet.”

Ansel strode forward, pinching the bridge of his nose. 

He had not planned to stay long anyway, but now he judged he should hurry even more.

Oscar’s loud footsteps echoed down the hallway as he followed.

“By the way, she said something interesting.”

Ansel found himself standing in front of the cabinet at the end of the corridor.

He took out a key and opened the innermost compartment, revealing a box of his belongings.

A neatly folded uniform, some books, and a few writing implements.

“She said your marriage is all a show. That you’re plotting to escape your family. That you’ll annul the marriage as soon as the farce is over.”

“She said that?”

Ha. Ansel sneered coldly. His family was his world, his very foundation.

Only fools would turn their backs on their own family of their own free will. It was in that context that he maintained propriety without showing any distaste towards the stepmother who had taken his late mother’s place.

After all, it was the Viscount Monmouth’s choice that made her his wife and the mistress of the Blaine family.

By an unshakeable principle.

He knew it was his stepmother who had said such things to Bianca and that it was because she didn’t acknowledge him.

But Ansel picked up the box with an impassive expression.

“They say your bride is the daughter of some insignificant commoner family.”

His throat twitched at that, but he had no response to give.

“You’ve never shown interest in any marriage proposal before. Even with the famous Lady Talbot nearby, you didn’t bat an eye. Who would believe this marriage is real? Everyone thinks you’ll come back to the capital as soon as the play is over.”

A man destined to be a soldier talks too much. 

Ansel clicked his tongue softly, checked the time on his watch, and walked towards the exit.

“Ansel!”

“Haines.”

Ansel stopped abruptly at the loud shout that made his head ring. His voice was low and deep.

“I only came to collect my remaining belongings. Once I’m done, I’ll head back down. I don’t think I’ll be returning to the capital anytime soon.”

Unless she wants me to.

“…Are you really leaving the capital? Because of that marriage? You must be joking.”

“I’ll attend the graduation ceremony. If you have more to say, save it for then.”

“Ansel!”

His bewildered friend followed him all the way to the carriage. He seemed to have a lot of questions.

“Longfield? There’s nothing there! Wasn’t it a torment to visit your grandfather every summer? Why haven’t you said a word about the marriage? Is your bride really an insignificant commoner? If that’s true…”

The waiting servant opened the carriage door. Without looking back at Oscar, Ansel murmured quietly.

“Return to the match.”

“Is she more beautiful than Lady Bianca? Did you fall for her at first sight while serving your grandfather?”

“Ha, let’s go.”

Ansel, looking weary, leaned back in his seat and gave the order. The door closed, and the carriage wheels began to turn slowly.

The outside was still noisy, but it didn’t matter. It would soon be quiet anyway.

“I’m really curious! What’s her name?”

* * *

“Eloise.”

In the deep of night, as Eloise sat on the bed gazing out at the dim landscape, a cautious voice reached her ears.

Turning her head, she found Sarah standing there holding a small candle.

‘Is it because the wedding is drawing near?’

Sarah, always beautiful, looked exceptionally radiant tonight.

The sparkling eyes held the blue summer night sky within them, and the golden waves rippling across her angelic cheeks from the candlelight were almost sacred in appearance.

“I was just about to blow out the light…”

At that moment, Eloise sensed that her sister had noticed something.

The thought that she might have realized it long ago came next.

After all, as sisters, they were connected to each other.

“Is there something you’d like to tell me?”