Chapter 5 – Issen (Part 1)

Issen, the capital of the Trissen Empire, is the most vibrant city among all the cities on the continent and the archipelago. It has many attractions as vast as its size and history, with the Issen Outer Wall being a must-see regardless of one’s preferences. Built from white granite, the Issen Outer Wall is a historic structure constructed to defend the capital. Although the hundreds of thousands of people living outside the wall are now considered residents of the capital in administrative terms, the traditional meaning of ‘Issen’ originally referred only to the area inside the wall.

The space inside the fortress is divided east and west by the Sophia River. Despite being a city limited in area by its sturdy walls, it boasts abundant greenery, which is another pride of Issen. Sophia Park, stretching along the riverbank, is a representative example, where it was common to see gentlemen in formal attire and ladies with parasols strolling side by side.

Walking along the riverside park, Evelyn lightly grasped the smooth handle of her new parasol.

“Do ladies use such parasols in the central region?”

“Of course. They’re essential for women going out.”

“But the sun isn’t as strong there as it is here, so why bother?”

“Clothing isn’t just for practicality. Looking beautiful is an important function too.”

“If I may speak frankly, it doesn’t seem particularly beautiful to me.”

Bryant added as he walked in step with the woman.

“I can’t see your face at all.”

In Trissen, it was considered elegant etiquette for women to slightly cover their faces with lace parasols when going out. The trend from the sunny capital had spread throughout the empire. Evelyn tilted her parasol to look up at the man. Bryant kept his chin straight ahead. From his much taller perspective, he could only see the tip of the parasol. His expression was clearly displeased on his humorless face, which made Evelyn involuntarily smile.

“But you said you liked the dress, didn’t you?”

“I don’t think it’s better than what Miss Rosenfield makes. My taste is for something bolder.”

“I know. Unfortunately, my taste leans this way.”

When she retorted, he looked down at her. Their eyes met, and almost simultaneously, smiles spread across their faces.

The clear afternoon sunlight poured over his head. His dark blonde hair appeared sandy, and his blue-gray irises looked like water. And his eyes were faintly squinting. Though his expression seemed annoyed by the dazzling foreign light, there was a smile on his lips as he looked at the woman. A look that said she was cute and lovely. A face that seemed willing to accept anything. As if he would gladly nod with a smile even if she pouted or insisted.

So Evelyn found her heart softening repeatedly. The tightly drawn reins loosened. The clearly drawn boundary line gradually receded, and she made excuses to herself. 

This much is okay. It’s nothing. I can control it well enough.

This much.

“You look good in anything.”

“……”

“You’re beautiful no matter what you wear.”

The man whispered softly and laughed. Evelyn couldn’t return the smile. Her mind went blank for a moment, like when something excessively sweet was put in her mouth. So she pretended not to hear, adjusted her parasol, and turned her head to look at the Sophia River sparkling in the sunlight. Then she thought in a cold tone, like a stern narrator describing a naive protagonist.

How sweet. The delusion of being in love.

The two continued walking side by side along the riverbank. The difference in climate between gloomy Kingston and sunny Issen was clearly reflected in the women’s attire. Unlike the women of Kingston, who enjoyed wearing brightly colored clothes, the everyday wear of Issen women was mostly light and calm in tone, like the ivory linen dress Evelyn was wearing now.

On the other hand, men’s clothing was not significantly different. The most noticeable difference might be the silk hats. Trissen men, who valued practicality, did not like decorative items like hats. Young men rarely carried canes, the symbol of a gentleman. In that regard, Bryant seemed to fit more with Issen.

“But how long are we going to walk?”

“Are your legs tired?”

“Me?”

“If you’re tired, let me know. I’ll let you rest for a while.”

Evelyn said, gesturing to the wooden benches facing the river. Bryant looked down at the woman staring up at him. ‘If you’re tired, let me know. I’ll let you rest for a while.’ How many times had he said that over the past three days, day and night? He eventually burst into laughter, and Evelyn, having scored a point, coyly hid her satisfied face behind her parasol.

“It’s a shame we’re in a park. I’ve just gotten the urge to make you very tired right now.”

“In that case, it’s a relief we’re in a park. I’m thoroughly enjoying this rare walk.”

“Do you know that when you respond so precisely, it drives me even crazier?”

“Oh dear. I didn’t mean to cause any discomfort.”

“Ha, Evelyn.”

His face was hidden by the parasol. But Evelyn could imagine what expression he had. From his roughened voice and sighing breath, she could infer it. Walking with her expression hidden by the lace parasol, she was inwardly surprised by her own behavior. Such bold coquetry. Had she become like this man in just a few days?

“I really want to get rid of this parasol.”

At his impatient complaint, Evelyn laughed. Silently, quietly.

“But are you really okay? It seems like we’re walking a lot.”

“I’m fine. When I lived here, I used to walk all the way to that suspension bridge over there.”

“The suspension bridge? You mean that green bridge?”

“Yes. The Kaiser Bridge.”

When she pointed to the distant bridge, he looked surprised.

“Surely it wasn’t because you couldn’t afford a carriage fare that you walked all the way there.”

“Saving on carriage fare was certainly an advantage, but I simply liked walking. Since childhood, I’ve wanted to live in Issen when I grew up. In the three years I lived here, there were hardly any paths I didn’t walk.”

“Where did you like the most?”

“I like too many places, but if I had to pick just one, it would be Hugel Street.”

“You mean the gourmet street.”

“You know it. Hugel Street is famous for its wonderful restaurants, but if you go a little further into the alleys, there are many cozy cafes. There are also many places that are less famous but serve really delicious food. I used to have lunch and write there. If you go late in the afternoon on weekdays, they don’t mind if you stay long.”

Bryant, who readily suggested, continued.

“It’s already late today, and we have to go to the Imperial Palace tomorrow, so we can go the day after. Show me the places you frequented.”

“I’m not sure if you’ll find them satisfactory, as they’re quite modest.”

“I think there’s a misunderstanding; I’m a very modest person. You’d be surprised if you saw the restaurants and pubs I frequent.”

“I hope your interpretation of modesty is the same as mine.”

“We’ll see about that when we get there.”

Having said that, Bryant stopped walking. Evelyn also stopped and met his gaze. A black frock coat and a crisp white shirt. The large green leaves of the trees shimmered behind his broad shoulders.

The man, soaked in the bright light, was beautiful. Under the bright sun of Issen, he was even more beautiful.

“Let’s go together. When we return to Kingston.”

Looking at him, Evelyn thought. 

Will times like this continue even when we return to Kingston? Will you smile so brilliantly there too? Will we still be facing each other like this by then?

All of this felt like a dream to Evelyn. From the moment she boarded the ship until now, everything she had experienced felt unreal. It all seemed like a dream that would eventually end. This time with this man. Perhaps even the man himself.

So she smiled with a slightly bitter heart, but pretending to be unaffected.

“Alright.”

There’s no reason to worry about reality even in a dream.