Side Story 1

It was summer. Not long ago, it had felt like spring, but now summer had swiftly arrived and taken root throughout the Aryan Empire.

The Pamphilenet Order Captain’s mansion was no exception. Sunlight broke into fragments over the large tree in the center of the mansion’s garden. Because the days were longer, the mansion’s servants bustled about from early morning.

A large room in the center of the mansion. While there was a bit of commotion outside, inside the room it was quiet. Sunlight squeezed through the curtains, stretching diagonally across the bed, illuminating scattered red hair.

“Mmm……”

Ellen, deep in sleep, frowned at the teasing sunlight and tried to turn over. But when her body wouldn’t move as she wished, wrapped in strong arms, she slowly opened her sleepy eyes.

The first thing she saw in her blurry vision was the large tree planted in the garden. Her black eyes, softened by drowsiness, disappeared and reappeared several times beneath her eyelids. As her vision cleared, Ellen slowly stroked the solid arm wrapped around her back.

“Lennox.”

When Ellen called out in a soft voice, Lennox, who had his nose buried between her neck and collarbone, slowly opened his eyes. His red eyes were already clear, as if he’d been awake for some time.

“Did you sleep well?”

Lennox kissed her white shoulder lightly, greeting her for the morning, and Ellen smiled quietly.

“Yes. It’s morning.”

“Yes. Morning.”

Lennox’s large hand slowly caressed Ellen. As Ellen twisted her body with a small laugh, as if ticklish, Lennox hugged her even tighter.

“Enough playing around, it’s time to get up.”

“There’s still time.”

Because they’d kissed so much last night, Ellen’s lower lip was still a bit swollen. Lennox gently bit her lip. Ellen pinched Lennox’s cheek with her fingertips. A deep kiss followed naturally. As Ellen wrapped her arms around his neck, Lennox hugged her waist tightly with one arm and, with the other, braced himself on the bed, climbing over her.

She felt the pleasant weight of his body and the warmth as their skin touched. Their breaths mingled.

It was still exciting, still shy, and just a happy early morning.

The two felt each other’s presence to the fullest.

When Lennox’s lips parted first, Ellen’s red lips curved into a pretty smile.

“I’m thirsty, Lennox.”

“All right. Wait a moment.”

Only then did Lennox release Ellen from his arms. He got off the bed, stretching lightly, his bare muscles moving smoothly.

Watching him, Ellen pulled the blanket up to her nose, hiding her blushing face. She saw him almost every day, but each time, she grew shy.

Lennox put on a robe, opened the door, and brought in a tray with a teapot and cups from the hallway. The maids always left the tea at the door each morning so as not to disturb their time together.

Lennox set the tray on the nightstand and poured tea into the cups. Pale brown tea filled the white ceramic cups, and the rich, slightly bitter aroma spread. Ellen’s eyes lit up.

“This scent—is it black tea?”

“Yes. The black tea from the southern region you wanted to try.”

Lennox sat on the bed and handed her a cup. When Ellen took the cup, the thin sky-blue blanket slipped smoothly over her white skin.

Lennox’s red eyes immediately filled with warmth. His hand, full of longing, slowly opened and closed.

His red eyes moved slowly. On this peaceful morning, seeing Ellen’s happy expression as she drank tea, the desire flickering in his eyes faded. Lennox drew close to Ellen, covered her with the blanket, and hugged her waist.

“Lennox?”

When Ellen looked back at him in confusion, Lennox kissed her cheek lightly.

“Do you like the tea?”

“Yes, it’s delicious. The aroma and flavor are rich.”

“Then I’ll tell Anne to order only this tea from now on.”

Lennox whispered, kissing her white neck, and Ellen shivered slightly. Where his lips and breath touched, she felt a pleasant chill. She smiled shyly and sipped her tea.

Just then, Ellen’s shoulder trembled slightly.

“Lennox.”

Her fingers shook as she held the teacup. Lennox pulled up the blanket to cover her and gently stroked her. Ellen, embarrassed, bit the rim of the teacup. The sound of porcelain lightly tapping her teeth made Lennox finally move his hand away from her chest.

“Finish your tea, Ellen.”

“You’re so mischievous, Lennox.”

Ellen glared at Lennox in mock annoyance, but soon her eyes softened. She didn’t dislike even his playful teasing.

“It looks like it’ll be a nice day again, Lennox.”

Ellen leaned comfortably against Lennox’s firm chest. Lennox nodded in reply.

The rich aroma of black tea, the bright warm sunlight, and the precious embrace behind her made for a peaceful early morning.

* * *

When breakfast time arrived, Lennox went out first. After Ellen changed her clothes and came out, Lennox waited for her with his arms crossed, leaning against the wall. When he reached out, Ellen naturally took his hand. Lennox held her hand tightly.

“Shall we go?”

“Yes.”

They headed to Innis’s room. Emma, following behind, announced Ellen’s arrival, and inside, the nanny carefully opened the door. Lennox asked,

“Innis?”

“She’s still sleeping.”

“All right. I’ll carry her to the dining room for breakfast.”

Lennox entered with Ellen, and the cozy room came into view. The room was carefully arranged so the child wouldn’t get hurt, filled with toys and dolls enough to play with a new one each day. In the center was Innis’s bed, with a canopy decorated with a cute rabbit illustration.

“So cute.”

Seeing Innis sleeping soundly, Ellen covered her mouth and laughed softly. Lennox smiled faintly and gently shook Innis.

“Innis.”

He called and shook her several times, but Innis, deep in sleep, didn’t seem ready to wake. Lennox picked up a blanket with a carrot illustration from the sofa, wrapped Innis up, and carried her in his arms.

“You’re taking her just like that?”

Ellen widened her eyes and asked, and Lennox nodded.

“If we miss the timing, Innis will have to eat alone later.”

“Yes, that’s right. She would.”

Ellen linked her arm with Lennox’s, and he matched his pace to hers. As they walked toward the dining room, Innis finally opened her eyes, still drowsy. When she saw Lennox’s face, she tilted her big head.

“Papa?”

“You’re awake?”

At Lennox’s question, Innis smiled brightly.

“Yes.”

“Innis, let’s eat.”

Ellen gently tidied Innis’s messy hair. Innis nodded her big head and spoke in a slow, childish voice.

“Yes, I want to eat.”

“Then shall we walk to the dining room together?”

When Lennox set her down, Innis stood firmly on her little feet and yawned widely. When Lennox and Ellen reached out, Innis grabbed both their hands tightly. She was still in pajamas, but no one commented or cared.

Entering the dining room, Ellen saw a spacious area decorated in white and blue, just as she liked.

They sat at the long table in the center, and a maid came to fill their glasses with fruit juice. But Innis, still sleepy, started nodding off as soon as she sat down, her big head drooping.

“Are you going to the Imperial Palace today?”

Ellen asked, and Lennox supported Innis’s forehead so she wouldn’t hit the table and replied,

“No, I’ll be staying at the mansion today. There’s nothing special going on.”

“Really? You’ve been at the palace a lot lately, so I guess all the busy work is done.”

“It’s summer, so the Order is a bit freer. It’s also the height of the social season. How about you? You should be getting invitations soon.”

“Yes, I get invitations every day. I guess our spring wedding is still a hot topic.”

Lennox smiled as Ellen spoke with amusement, and he straightened Innis’s head as she nearly slumped over.

“People are always so curious.”

“Don’t be like that, Lennox. You’re the Pamphilenet Order Captain now. Of course people pay attention.”

“Yes.”

Lennox glanced at Ellen.

Ellen’s expression was as bright as when she was twenty, as if all the dark years apart had been forgotten. Though she looked more mature than at twenty, Lennox felt relief every time he saw her playful smile. He couldn’t allow even the tiniest shadow of those five years of nightmares to touch her face.

“Smells delicious.”

When the hot, beautifully made food arrived, Innis, who had been nodding off, opened her eyes wide. She stared at the carrot-shaped flowers and rabbit-shaped omelet, mouth agape. When Lennox moved his hand away from her head, Innis grabbed her baby spoon tightly.

“Let’s eat, Innis.”

Ellen smiled as she helped Innis, who was still clumsy with utensils.

At Baron Dermann’s mansion, Innis had been nothing but a thorn to Baron Dermann. Sometimes the cook, pitying Innis, would carve fruit into rabbit shapes, but that was all. In that mansion, there was no consideration for the child in furniture or food. Ellen had always felt sad about that.

But here, the chef adored Innis and made cute food for her every day. Everywhere in the mansion, there were things just for Innis: a cozy room, a garden perfect for hide-and-seek, a small animal pen, a playground.

Innis was happy every day. Loved by everyone in the mansion, unlike at Baron Dermann’s, she quickly started to speak up and express herself.

“It’s like a dream.”

“…?”

Ellen murmured as she watched Innis eat a carrot flower, and Lennox looked at her. Ellen wiped crumbs from Innis’s mouth and said,

“Sitting at the table with you and Innis, eating breakfast and talking—it still doesn’t feel real.”

Months after their marriage, Ellen sometimes felt this reality was just a dream. Something she hadn’t dared hope for, so happy it was almost frightening.

“…Is that so?”

Lennox spoke softly and reached out to stroke Ellen’s cheek with his thumb. Ellen’s gaze lingered on Lennox. His thumb slid smoothly down and pressed her lower lip. He looked at Ellen with calm red eyes and spoke in a low voice.

“This is how life should’ve been, just took a longer route. It’s not a dream, so don’t say that.”

“Yes, Lennox.”

Ellen and Lennox’s gazes tangled in the air, like threads knotted together. Their faces drew closer.

Just as their lips were about to touch—

“Mama, I’m full.”

Innis, having cleaned her plate, set down her fork and spoke brightly. The two quickly pulled apart. Ellen blushed and glanced at Lennox. Lennox acted as if nothing had happened.

Ellen threw a briefly annoyed look at Lennox, but soon laughter spilled from her lips. Lennox smiled faintly as he tasted his now-cold consommé soup.

“Mama? Papa?”

Sensing the odd atmosphere, Innis craned her neck to look back and forth between the two. But unable to figure out why, Innis just tilted her head in confusion.