Chapter 3 – The Man Named Bryant Clifton (Part 6)

His house was as large inside as it appeared from the outside. The ceilings were higher than those in a typical house, providing a considerable sense of space. A large fireplace blazed, and gas lamps set to the right brightness were lit throughout. The decor was luxurious and exuded a warm atmosphere.

Dinner was a properly formal affair. The four of them sat around a round table without a head seat.

“Is this wine from Elgagrove, Mr. Clifton?”

“Yes, Mrs. Higgins. It’s from 1979.”

“Then it’s already ten years old? No wonder it tastes so good.”

“That’s part of it, but the grape harvest was excellent that year. Wine made from good grapes tends to be of high quality. Even experienced farmers can’t guarantee the same yield every year.”

He spoke in his native language when conversing with the Higgins couple. Evelyn could understand the soft, rounded language of Ritten quite well, but any content that seemed challenging for her was translated into Trissen. Paul Higgins, though not fluent in speaking, was nearly perfect in reading and writing Trissen, and his wife seemed to have no trouble understanding everyday conversation. They were a cultured couple.

“Wait, ten years ago, wasn’t that when you founded Viewcastle, sir? We ought to toast with this wine again!”

Higgins raised his voice as if he had discovered something monumental. His face was flushed, indicating he was quite tipsy. No wonder, since five bottles of wine had already been served from the appetizer to the near end of the meal. They’re quite something. Evelyn marveled again as she drank her second glass of wine. 

How do they drink five bottles in one sitting? Ritten people are indeed heavy drinkers.

“Indeed. I hadn’t thought of that significance.”

“Oh my, has it been ten years already? So, have you been in Kingston since then, Mr. Clifton?”

“I’ve been here even longer, Mrs. Higgins. I attended the Royal University for three years.”

“So you’ve been living alone for 13 years? In this big house, by yourself?”

Mrs. Higgins looked at Bryant with sympathetic eyes. Her cheeks were also flushed, but she was much more composed compared to her husband. Despite drinking as much as the two men, she remained unaffected.

“Yes, it has been 13 years.”

“Oh dear, you must have been lonely.”

Evelyn flinched inwardly. That was an overly personal question. It wasn’t the kind of setting where one would share such intimate feelings. She glanced at him, worried he might be displeased, but Bryant continued the conversation with an unaffected expression.

“I can’t say I haven’t been. But I believe no one is truly free from loneliness.”

“That’s true. I used to think the same way when I was younger. But after getting married and raising children, I realized why people start families. It’s a kind of realization.”

Mrs. Higgins continued after taking another sip of wine.

“When you’re busy with family at home, you don’t have time for deep thoughts. Loneliness, after all, is a thought, and you need leisure to entertain any thought. Women who care for their families are too busy to have such leisure.”

“You mean overcoming loneliness by not recognizing it.”

“Isn’t that why people get married? Because when you’re with someone, you don’t dwell on loneliness.”

“You’re quite the philosopher, Madame.”

“I do have some deep thoughts. I could have written a book if I hadn’t met this man.”

Mrs. Higgins laughed, gesturing to her husband. Paul Higgins, with a pleasant expression, had his eyes gently closed. He was dozing off in a very natural posture.

“We should get going. If we stay any longer, he’ll really fall asleep.”

“Why don’t you return tomorrow? Spend the night here.”

After Bryant spoke, he turned his head toward the window. Heavy rain was pouring down, soaking the panes. It was much more intense than when the guests had arrived.

“It’s raining heavily. I doubt there are any carriages on the street. There is plenty of guest space in the house, so you won’t be uncomfortable.”

“But how could we…?”

Mrs. Higgins looked troubled, but it was a perfectly reasonable suggestion. Unless they had their own carriage, no coachman would be out in this weather, overworking the horses. Tomorrow was a holiday, so there was no worry about work. Considering all these factors, she had no choice.

“Then, if it’s not too much trouble, may we impose for just one night?”

“It would be my pleasure, Madame.”

Bryant smiled readily and turned to the waiting maid.

“Inform Mrs. Ropers and have everything prepared.”

“Yes, Mr. Clifton. Are there two guests staying?”

“All three.”

“Understood.”

Evelyn watched the maid’s retreating figure vacantly as she left the dining room. Without a carriage, she too couldn’t leave, and thus, she also had to spend the night here.

Spend the night? In this man’s house?

It was an entirely unexpected situation.

Evelyn looked desperately toward the window. The torrential rain showed no sign of letting up. It seemed more likely that the house would be swept away by a flood than her safely returning to her boarding house tonight. Therefore, the situation was unavoidable. She had to spend the night here.

“The guest rooms are ready.”

When the maid returned to inform them, the Higgins couple rose first. The maids, suddenly busy with unexpected tasks, didn’t seem to have time to linger. There was nothing more to do in the dining room, where the meal had ended and dessert had been served.

Thus, only the man and the woman were left at the round table.

Evelyn did not look directly at the man sitting across from her. She absently fiddled with her wine glass with her fingertips, then glanced sideways at the fireplace. The crimson embers crackled softly as they consumed the logs. The dining room was so quiet that even that sound was distinctly audible. Evelyn focused on the mantel clock above the fireplace. It was a little past 9:30 PM. Still too early to go to bed.

“That’s Mr. Higgins’ biggest weakness. He loves alcohol but can’t handle it.”

It was Bryant who broke the silence. Evelyn, who had been contemplating whether to leave while looking at the clock, straightened her posture. He was pouring himself another drink into his empty glass. Only after the fifth bottle of wine was finally emptied did he set the empty bottle down. Despite seemingly drinking no less than Higgins, his complexion remained unchanged. He must be the type who doesn’t show the effects of drinking.

“Would you like some tea?”

“No, thank you. There’s still wine left.”

“According to etiquette, we should have moved to the parlor, but we missed the timing. Shall we move now?”

“I really don’t mind. Don’t worry about it.”

Evelyn repeatedly declined, looking down at the items in front of her. After glancing over the wine glass, water glass, and dessert plate, she chose the last one. If she drank more, she felt she’d get drunk, and she was too full to eat cake or pudding, so chocolate was perfect. After picking up a piece and putting it in her mouth, she looked up. Her eyes met the man’s, who had been watching her.

Her lips, busy with the chocolate, froze.

Their gazes locked. Bryant was looking at her with his hand on his wine glass. Broad shoulders and large hands. A slightly languid gaze contrasting with his upright posture. Meeting that gaze, Evelyn felt her body stiffen. It happened naturally due to a peculiar tension.

The piece of chocolate trapped in her mouth began to melt. It was sticky and sweet.

“What kind of person is Her Majesty Empress Reinus?”

The question she suddenly asked seemed a bit abrupt, even to Evelyn. But she had to say something. She discreetly swallowed the sweetness pooling on her tongue and,

“I thought it might be helpful to know in advance.”

She added an explanation in the most natural manner possible. Bryant seemed to find the question unexpected.

“If you’re asking for my evaluation of her, I’m not sure I can offer an opinion.”

“I’m asking for your impressions, Mr. Clifton.”

“Well.”

He lowered his eyes as if in thought for a moment, then,

“From what I know, she is a woman with a strong sense of responsibility.”

He paused briefly. Then, slowly picking up his wine glass, he continued. The dark red liquid swirled in the transparent glass.

“As you know, such marriages involve quite complex interests. I’ve never experienced an arranged marriage, but I can easily imagine it being quite burdensome. Especially living as an empress in a foreign country, it must not be a comfortable life.”

Indeed, it must be. 

Evelyn nodded.

“Do you remember Grand Duchess Elizabeth? You saw her at Queens Hall.”

“Yes, I remember.”

“Do you know the story of how she came to marry Grand Duke Logan? It’s quite a famous tale in Ritten.”

Bryant brought the wine glass to his lips. Evelyn shook her head, indicating no. He sipped the wine, swallowed, then,

“Originally, Grand Duke Logan’s fiancée was Her Highness’s elder sister.”