Chapter 5 – Issen (Part 21)

“Haa…”

Bryant let out a long breath. In that state, he slowly began to move again. The woman’s breath touched his left ear. The arms holding his neck gradually tightened. He moved faster, chasing an indescribable ecstasy.

He knew he should stop. But he forcibly delayed it. He didn’t want to leave this perfectly unified feeling. He wanted to stay a little longer. Just a little, just a little more.

Then, only when he could no longer hold back, did he finally come to his senses and hurriedly pulled out.

“Ha.”

His heart pounded inside his ribs. With his upper body raised, Bryant looked down. 

Damn it. 

He swallowed the curse that rose to his tongue. Such vulgar words in front of a lady. It was unthinkable.

He raked his hand through his hair, wet with sweat, and lightly clenched his hand into a fist. Then, feeling somewhat awkward, he looked down at the mess he had made. It wasn’t a big deal. The maids would wash the sheets, and there wouldn’t be any noticeable traces left. The problem was that he had made such a mistake.

Blaming it on the alcohol was too much of an excuse, as he was far too sober. He swore he had never done such a thing even when he was drunk. Yet, he stubbornly muttered to himself.

Damn whiskey.

Suddenly, the Duke’s green eyes came to mind. It felt like something sharp was slicing through his stomach. Then, before he could do anything about it, an absurd scene popped into his head. The image of a woman standing beside him. Strangely enough, the two of them looked so well-matched.

I must be crazy.

Other than that, Bryant had nothing else to say to himself. 

Crazy bastard. Insane fool. Wasn’t this the most ridiculous thought?

Does this even make sense?

The other party was a Duke. While marriage between nobles and commoners wasn’t impossible, it wasn’t easy due to the many sacrifices involved. Even sons lower in the line of succession usually chose wives from noble families, considering marriage alliances and dowries.

Especially for a man with a title, and even more so for a man who would inherit a dukedom, marriage wasn’t just about taking a wife. A Duchess held a different status from other noblewomen. He had never heard of a Duchess from a commoner background in any country.

So, does this make any sense?

‘Bran. Don’t you remember?’

Yet Bryant also knew. The Duke of Windberg was not a son set to inherit the title. So if his will alone had been enough, he could have married a maid working in his house.

‘The mine accident. The one that happened three years ago.’

If he had already been unofficially engaged at the time. Then suddenly became a Duke, changing all circumstances. If there had been a serious ‘circumstance’ that made marriage impossible.

‘I vowed never, ever to go back.’

So if he had let the woman go. But it wasn’t a change of heart, just a ‘circumstance,’ and that’s why the Duke had remained single for the past three years.

‘It’s my fiancée’s favorite piece.’

If he had found her at last through some opportunity.

‘I’ll invite you, Mr. Clifton.’

Therefore, Bryant had no choice but to acknowledge. He had no choice but to sigh while controlling his roughened breathing. Helplessly looking down at the mess he had made himself.

“…Ha.”

Could this possibly make too much sense?

*

“All aboard!”

An elderly engineer in uniform shouted towards the back of the train. At that signal, the station staff positioned in front of the passenger cars began to shout the same words. People conversing with their send-offs hurried their farewells. Urged by the station staff, the platform quickly cleared. After confirming this, the engineer headed to the first-class compartment.

The first-class compartment at the front of the train was reserved for the Imperial Family and state-level guests. Such people had the opportunity to take the train only about three or four times a year, so the first-class compartment with red curtains was usually empty. Knock, knock. Straightening his shoulders, the engineer knocked on the compartment door. Informing the guests in the first-class compartment before departure was the conductor’s courtesy. The engineer working on the southern line had never before carried a Duke from the north.

The renowned Duke Glenn of Windberg.

“Yes.”

A brief response came from inside the compartment. The engineer adjusted his posture and opened the door. A young man sat alone on a red velvet seat, looking over some documents. The engineer spoke to him.

“Your Grace, we are about to depart.”

“Yes.”

“It is expected to take about four hours and twenty minutes to reach Chester.”

“Understood.”

The Duke answered without taking his eyes off the documents. He didn’t even ask for the engineer’s name or glance at him. He must be handling important business. Well, for someone like a Duke, important business would be plentiful. Besides, is he just any Duke? Isn’t he from the Glenn family, said to be the wealthiest after the Imperial Family? They say they have numerous major businesses. The engineer recalled an article he had read in a newspaper once and thought it best not to disturb this man.

“Have a pleasant journey, Your Grace.”

With a polite bow, the compartment door closed carefully. After the sound of footsteps faded, the first-class compartment grew quiet again. 

Departure! All aboard! 

The faint shouts of the station staff were heard in the distance.

Jared Glenn, with an expressionless face, began to read the first page of the document in his hand.

The two-page report had been delivered by his attendant, Willis, a short time ago. It was a handwritten report, not typewritten. The neat and familiar handwriting made it easy to read. Since he could be sure of the writer, Jared actually preferred this method. Reports of this nature, which no one but himself should read or see, were better handwritten.

32 years old. Second son of the former Marquis of Elgagrove. Currently third in line for title succession.

The report was thorough. It included basic personal details, key activities, connections, and a general reputation in society. Considering that he had first met him in the Empress’s audience room four days ago, the information gathered in four days was quite impressive.

Bachelor of Arts in Literature from the Royal University of Ritten (graduated top of his class). Founder and president of Viewcastle Publishing. Former vice president of the Kingston Publishing Association. Former advisor to the Standing Committee on Publication and Media of the Central Council of the Kingdom of Ritten.

His credentials were factual, without embellishment or deceit. In fact, his introduction was rather humble. Jared found it surprising that the man had lived life quite seriously, more so than he appeared. But the most striking part was his family relations.

Brother: Marquis of Elgagrove, Winwood Clifton (56 years old). 

Mother: Rosa Clifton (54 years old). 

Nephew: Edward Clifton (26 years old). 

Grandnephew: Seory Clifton (4 years old).

“Grandnephew.”

He read that part aloud. At his age, he already had a grandnephew. Well, being the Empress’s uncle, he was also a great-uncle to the Crown Prince. 

What an impressive family tree. 

Jared chuckled as he muttered under his breath. Then he moved his gaze to the top and read the man’s elegant full name again.

Bryant Maude Henry Clifton Jr.

Jared’s decision to order information on this man wasn’t particularly intentional. He was an unfamiliar counterpart, and potentially useful. For Jared, quickly understanding such a person was a kind of routine. It was a necessary step for smooth business and politics.

The Empress’s only uncle. Needless to say, he was someone worth building a rapport with. Empress Reinus was more difficult to deal with than the Emperor, and Jared knew she didn’t particularly like him. Who knows? Getting closer to her uncle might help in dealing with the Empress.

However, that day, after finishing the audience and leaving the palace, when he instructed his attendant to gather information, he added words that deviated slightly from his usual “routine.”

‘Pay special attention to his private life. Especially his relationships with women.’

So, looking back now, Jared had already sensed it then. Like an animal raising its fur when faced with an enemy, a certain kind of instinct had been at work. Even in a situation where he was struggling to maintain his composure, he couldn’t avoid it.

‘If the Duke personally invites us, how could we possibly refuse?’

Perhaps it was at that moment.

‘It would be an honor for us.’

The first time that man got on his nerves.