Chapter 3 – The Man Named Bryant Clifton (Part 1)

Kingston is a unique city. It’s a place where contrasting expressions coexist harmoniously. Gloominess and brightness, elegance and indulgence, politics and art.

The historic capital of the island Kingdom of Ritten. This city, home to the royal palace and parliament, also boasts theaters, museums, and libraries. It is overflowing with various pubs, entertainment venues, and dance halls. From royalty to commoners, the residents of Kingston knew how to enjoy life. Though the methods varied greatly depending on circumstances and status, the essence remained the same. Pure pleasure. The maximum enjoyment without harming life. Perhaps that is the absolute good that sustains Kingston. The spirit of pursuing pure joy. As a foreigner who has been residing in this city for three years and three months, Evelyn often thought so.

Even now, she sits in this unfamiliar place, pondering such thoughts.

Friday evening, 6:30 PM. Despite the relatively early hour, the venue was packed. Elegantly dressed men and women engaged in conversation and laughter. The golden chandeliers gave off a subtle glow, and candelabras were lit at each table. The fragrant smell that filled the hall had already dulled her senses.

The restaurant ‘Squared’ on Grand Street is a renowned dining spot in Kingston, known even to Evelyn, who had little interest in gourmet food. Its reputation for being difficult to enter was not solely due to its excellent cuisine. With its elegant interior and well-mannered atmosphere, it served as a social club in itself.

Evelyn Dale, adorned in a red satin dress, looked like a perfect member of this club tonight.

“I’ve been thinking about what you said last time.”

She spoke up after they had finished half of their main course. The two people seated across from each other had been engaged in continuous conversation about the restaurant, the food, and the royal theater they would visit shortly. The man was quite eloquent, but the woman was not one to be outdone in conversation. As a result, there was no awkward silence.

Of course, the half bottle of wine accompanying dinner couldn’t be ignored.

“Which words are you referring to from last time?”

Bryant asked, raising his eyes. Today, he was dressed in a black tailcoat, an ivory vest, and a silk tie with elaborate patterns. It was the most formal attire Evelyn had seen him in.

“You said consistency is nothing more than lazy inertia.”

Bryant, who had been looking at her intently, let out a low sound of realization. Then, with a face that seemed intrigued, he smiled.

“You’ve come prepared to argue.”

“You said you enjoy debating with someone who has differing opinions.”

“I’m touched that you’re considering my enjoyment.”

He laughed and picked up his wine glass. Evelyn watched as he lightly swirled the glass before bringing it to his lips. He leisurely inhaled the aroma, gently lowered his gaze to appreciate the color, and took a slow sip. The aesthetic spectacle had a somewhat sensual aspect, perhaps due to the man’s lips stained red.

After swallowing the wine in his mouth, the man raised his eyes to look at her again. Evelyn felt slightly embarrassed, as if caught sneaking a glance.

“So, has your opinion changed, Miss Dale?”

“Regrettably, no.”

“Then your purpose is to change my opinion. I’ll gladly give you the chance.”

He gestured with his eyes as if challenging her. With a playful expression, Evelyn laughed briefly before beginning to speak.

“No matter how I think about it, your assessment of consistency is harsh, Mr. Clifton. Of course, stubbornly clinging to mistaken beliefs is foolish. But shouldn’t the important resolutions in life be adhered to until the end?”

“What important resolutions in life are you referring to?”

“For example, the oath of loyalty between a lord and vassal, or marriage vows. Many people have sacrificed their lives to uphold those vows. They’ve overcome any difficulties that arose. So, saying consistency isn’t noble seems excessive.”

“The reason oaths and vows are considered precious is not because consistency is a virtue, but because very few people manage to keep them, isn’t it? Like how diamonds are valuable only because they are rare.”

Bryant responded without hesitation.

“The oath of loyalty is the most revered vow, yet history is filled with countless instances of it being broken. And those who have broken marriage vows, here we’d mainly say ‘men,’ are too numerous to list.”

“Do you not believe in the value of vows either, Mr. Clifton?”

“I do not.”

His answer was firm. His tone was so devoid of hesitation that Evelyn was surprised. Sensing her reaction, Bryant added.

“If you’re talking about political utility, I certainly acknowledge it. The oath of loyalty brings peace, and the marriage vow brings stability.”

“But you don’t like diamonds, I see.”

“They’re just cumbersome minerals.”

The man replied lightly with a smile. The lively exchange seemed quite enjoyable. Evelyn also enjoyed debates, regardless of whether opinions aligned. Yet, for some reason, she found this man’s attitude displeasing.

“You’re very pessimistic. Or should I say cynical?”

“Your assessment of me seems a bit harsh, but I can’t say it’s incorrect.”

“Have you always been like this, Mr. Clifton?”

“What do you mean by ‘like this’?”

“Pessimistic and cynical.”

“Well, I don’t remember, so it must have been quite a while.”

“So, you’ve been like this since the past?”

“I’m sure of it.”

“But isn’t the past version of you a person who no longer exists? He might not have been right, you know? Have you ever thought of being courageously capricious instead of lazily consistent?”

Evelyn fired off questions almost as if she was challenging him. The man, who was receiving his own words back, soon burst into laughter. A low chuckle between parted lips, followed by a gaze at the woman across from him. The kind of look one gives something very cute or lovely.

That gaze momentarily pierced and darted away from somewhere within Evelyn.

“It was a commendable attack, Miss Dale, but unfortunately, you haven’t changed my opinion.”

Bryant said with a gently smiling face.

“No matter what meaning you assign, the past is meaningless. The only thing that matters is the present, and being true to the present requires honesty. More than the consistency of keeping a past promise, the honesty of acknowledging what I want now is the true virtue.”

His eyes reflected in the candlelight appeared dark blue. Looking into those eyes, Evelyn thought. 

This man is a thorough bachelor. A person who distrusts the romantic nature of marriage and believes only in momentary pleasure. 

Come to think of it, a man named Bryant Clifton was like this city itself. The absolute good that sustains Kingston. The spirit of pursuing pure enjoyment.

Indeed. Otherwise, there’s no way such an attractive man would still be unmarried. Evelyn muttered to herself.

“There’s a line in a poem I like.”

Bryant said as he reached for his wine glass. He continued quietly, lowering his gaze as if admiring the red wine.

“A man’s life is like the morning dew, and youth is like the sunlight resting on that dew.”

Listening to his low voice, Evelyn looked at his hand. Long fingers slowly rubbed the flat base of the wine glass. Stroking the transparent, slender stem, they moved up to caress the rounded bottom of the glass. Watching that slow caress, Evelyn spoke.

“Raul Minster.”

The man looked up at her. His gaze seemed to say, “You know this?” But Raul Minster was also a poet she liked. Evelyn felt a bit proud.

“So shine like the dew, maiden, and embrace the light that touches your body.”

Reciting the next line accurately, Bryant smiled a little. He looked at her as if to say, “Go on.” The kind of look one gives something very cute or lovely.

Perhaps it was a subtle seductive gaze.

“…Before the short dawn for you fades away.”

Evelyn uttered the last line as if entranced by something. Having completed it, the man tilted his head as if impressed. He maintained this leisurely demeanor throughout. 

Was it his innate nature? Or was it experience from age? 

Although she didn’t know the man’s exact age, Evelyn thought he seemed at least five years older than her.

Bryant Clifton, as seen through her eyes, was in many ways a formidable person. An entrepreneur who founded his own company and has run it for ten years. A gentleman with impeccable manners and high culture. A person who is rational, perhaps to the point of being cold.

An undeniably attractive man.

“Miss Evelyn.”

Evelyn looked at the man. It was the first time she was addressed by her first name rather than her last. Her name sounded unfamiliar when pronounced by his lips.

“Enjoy the present.”

His low voice seemed to lick her ear. 

Was I intoxicated by a single glass of wine? 

She doubted herself.

“You are very beautiful now, and today is only once.”

Bryant smiled. His gaze, expression, and words were all so explicit that their meaning was unmistakable.

I am captivated by you. I hope you feel the same. I hope you want what I want.

Evelyn did not avoid the man’s gaze. She looked back calmly, without wavering. Bryant smiled, as if pleased with her gaze. An undeniably clear, seductive smile.