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

She knew he wasn’t an ordinary person. Judging by his wealth, honor, and level of culture, she had expected he was from an upper-class family. However, she never thought he would be a nobleman. The son of a wealthy family and the brother of a Marquis were entirely different matters.

Nobles are inherently rare and not easily encountered. Even forming a connection with the collateral branches of a noble family is extremely rare. So, for such a coincidence to occur even once in Evelyn Dale’s life was already astonishing enough.

And yet, to encounter such a person again.

“Congratulations on your debut in Kingston’s social scene.”

Bryant joked lightly with a smile. Evelyn managed a belated smile.

Now she understood. Bryant’s ability to meet the Empress directly was likely due to his background. He was a noble of Ritten, and Empress Reinus was also from Ritten. They must have had connections. Perhaps they even knew each other.

A person with connections to the Imperial Family.

For a moment, Evelyn felt the man walking beside her was very distant. As if she had considered him quite close until now. 

Close? What a laughable thought. 

She hadn’t even truly known what kind of person he was. Having dinner together once and dancing a social dance once doesn’t make someone close.

“Let me warn you, it’s going to get a bit boring from now on.”

Bryant slightly tilted his head towards Evelyn. And from that moment, the real “socializing” began.

Famous figures she had seen in newspapers appeared in succession. Evelyn’s partner seemed to know almost everyone here. He greeted them all and kissed the cheeks of their ladies.

Not only Bryant but everyone in the hall did the same. They expressed intimacy and respect for each other by kissing their partner’s cheek. But at this rate, their lips won’t last, Evelyn thought to herself. Fortunately, as she was meeting everyone for the first time, her lips and cheeks remained unscathed. Meanwhile, Bryant seemed very busy kissing each lady.

Among the women they encountered in the banquet hall, there was only one he didn’t kiss on the face.

“Your Highness.”

Bryant bowed and kissed the back of the woman’s hand. Evelyn, watching from the side, was very tense. She had been since they approached the young men and women wearing the blue sashes symbolizing royalty, who appeared to be around her age.

“This is Grand Duke Logan and Her Highness Princess Elizabeth.”

Evelyn knew even before Bryant introduced them. Prince Logan. The King’s youngest son. She had seen the article and their photos in the newspaper a few months ago when they had their first child.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Highness. Your Grace.”

Her knees bent automatically. Her tongue seemed to stiffen slightly when she pronounced “Your Highness.” Evelyn was so nervous that she found herself a bit pathetic. She was experiencing firsthand how dealing with royalty was another level of pressure.

“Meeting the atmosphere of the royal palace in advance will help prepare you for an audience.”

Bryant’s advice, which brought her here, was indeed correct. And that man, even in front of the King’s son, seemed unfazed.

“They’re redecorating the reception room at the Grand Duke’s residence. I’m planning to hold a gathering once the work is done at the end of the month. It would be nice if you could come, Mr. Clifton.”

“I would like that as well, but it might be difficult. I have a trip to Issen scheduled around that time.”

“That’s unfortunate. There was something I wanted to discuss.”

“I’ll see you at the club soon. I’ll visit when Your Highness is available.”

“Ah, let’s do that. Yes.”

Conversations in the banquet hall did not last long. They exchanged only the bare minimum of greetings and updates, promising to meet again. Even for the Prince, the goal seemed to be to meet as many people as possible. After bidding farewell to Bryant, he turned his attention to Evelyn.

“Miss Dale.”

When the Prince took a step towards her, Evelyn had no idea what was happening. Just as she thought he was too close, something touched and left her right cheek. It took her a moment to realize that the Prince had kissed her.

The Prince maintained his position as if waiting for a response. That brief moment felt incredibly long to Evelyn. Her mind went completely blank with embarrassment. The only thing driving her to lightly touch her lips to his cheek was the strong resolve that she must not show her embarrassment here, that she must not be rude.

“It was nice meeting you.”

The Prince, having received the kiss in return, greeted her with a perfectly composed face. As she bowed her head in response, her heart finally began to race wildly. When the Prince and Princess brushed past her, her heartbeat was so loud she could hear it. Evelyn felt momentarily dazed.

“In case you don’t know,”

“I know.”

She quickly interrupted his words out of embarrassment. She lightly touched her cheek with the back of her hand, and it was indeed warm. 

Yes, I know, my face is red. 

She retorted inwardly and glanced at the man. Bryant, trying to suppress a smile, whispered in her ear.

“Your Highness might misunderstand.”

Is he telling me to smile? No, he’s just teasing me. 

Feeling slightly resentful, Evelyn looked up at him. His face was full of amusement.

“You should take a break. Fresh air will help calm your mind.”

Bryant suggested considerately, offering his right arm. Still looking very amused. It was clearly teasing, but Evelyn had no choice but to take his arm. She was indeed a bit tired from being introduced to and meeting so many people.

Just listening to the conversations and smiling took considerable effort. Remembering all those people’s names, titles, and updates would be no easy task. Evelyn thought the man beside her was quite remarkable.

The two left the banquet hall and stepped outside. Passing through the large entrance, a straight corridor stretched out before them. The crimson carpet muffled their footsteps, and gas lamps provided ample light.

“Is the lounge this way?”

“I think there’s a better place than that, but I’m not sure what you’ll think.”

Bryant turned his head as he walked straight ahead. His eyes met hers with a slight smile.

“I hope you’ll agree with me.”

A place better than the lounge. Evelyn had no idea where that might be, but she walked quietly.

The man stopped just before the corridor turned. Evelyn noticed a door between two portraits on the wall, one of a mustached man and the other of a white-haired man, a bit late. A door subtly camouflaged with silk wallpaper. It was clearly not a door meant for outsiders to enter freely.

“This way.”

Bryant reached out as if it were his own house and grabbed the doorknob. Surprisingly, the camouflaged door was not locked. 

But is this really okay?

It felt like entering a forbidden area, and Evelyn was a bit hesitant.

He opened the door without hesitation. A cool darkness flowed out from beyond the open door. Evelyn looked inside with wary eyes.

“Shall we?”

Bryant, gentlemanly, allowed her to go first. His hand lightly holding the open door was impressively large. Evelyn briefly glanced at that hand before looking inside again. A place where cold and darkness flowed. What could possibly be in there?

However, she did not hesitate for long. Gathering the long hem of her dress, she stepped inside the door. Her shoe heels clicked against the bare floor without a carpet.

The passage beyond the wall smelled of cold stone. When the man who followed her in closed the door, the light from the corridor was completely cut off. He waited a moment for their eyes to adjust to the darkness, then,

“This way.”

He gently took her arm and led her toward the stairs.

The stone-finished stairs were spacious. Their footsteps echoed in almost identical rhythm. Evelyn, curious about what would appear next, craned her neck and looked up. The bluish darkness thinned with each step they climbed.

And finally, when they reached the top, an involuntary gasp of admiration escaped her.

“Ah!”

She approached the massive semi-circular glass wall. Even the door leading to the outdoor balcony was transparent glass. She looked at the view of the outside world beyond. The unexpected night view of the city overwhelmed her sight.

It was as if yellow jewels had been scattered over black velvet.

“This is the place with the best night view in Kingston.”

The man beside her introduced.

“It’s empty now because it’s winter, but when the weather is nice, they hold banquets here.”

“It’s really beautiful.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“I’ve never seen such a large balcony.”

“If you want, you can go out and take a look.”

“No, it’s fine. The view is enough from here.”

Evelyn shook her head. She was dressed in a gown that exposed her bare skin, and if she went outside in this weather, this gentleman would surely offer her his coat. She didn’t want that situation.