Side Story –  Chapter 5

“My lady, please wake up!”

When I opened my eyes, the day was already leaning toward noon.

Realizing I had slept in for the first time in a long while, I shot up from the bed.

“Why didn’t you wake me until now?”

Sleeping for a long time was nice, but waking up late always left me feeling less than cheerful.

I wondered just how exhausted I must have been, yet the thought of so much time slipping by made me feel oddly down.

“His Grace said you must be tired, so we were to leave you be.”

“But still—”

Every now and then, this happened.

If I fell asleep from fatigue, Edward would tell the maids not to wake me until much later.

“More importantly, you must get ready at once!”

“Hm? All of a sudden, why?”

Without telling me anything, the maids dragged me to the bath.

By the time I came out, there wasn’t even a chance to ask before they were dressing me in a gown.

“Is something going on?”

It wasn’t one of my usual dresses.

There wasn’t a scheduled ball, yet the gown was quite elaborate.

“We don’t know either, my lady. His Grace simply told us to dress you up.”

“Edward did?”

Judging from their faces, they truly didn’t know.

I could hardly guess what he was plotting.

“Perhaps His Grace will explain to you himself? For now, we’re only following his orders…”

“Hmm, fine, just keep going. I can ask Edward myself.”

Only then did the maids relax and resume dressing me up.

What kind of plan could he be cooking up that he wouldn’t even tell the maids…

Since it was something Edward had arranged, I wasn’t worried, though I had a suspicion it might be one of his occasional pranks.

“All done, my lady.”

“Find out where Edward is for me.”

Following the maids’ report, I headed out to the garden where Edward was said to be.

What is he doing out here alone?

If we were together, that would be one thing, but Edward strolling alone in the garden was rare.

He had never been particularly fond of walks.

“Edward!”

As I made my way toward the garden, I spotted him.

Like me, who had been dressed up, Edward was also wearing something far more formal than his usual comfortable clothes.

“You’re here, Lirie.”

Upon seeing me, he quickly approached and offered his arm.

For someone hiding something, he acted perfectly natural—it was the same Edward as always.

“You are as beautiful as ever today.”

“Why did you tell them not to wake me?”

“You’ve seemed tired lately, so I wanted you to rest. Did it upset you?”

“…I was a bit startled, but it’s fine.”

Edward smiled in relief. Somehow, the moment seemed to pass without further suspicion.

“No, more importantly—why did you order the maids to dress me up? Is there a ball to attend today?”

At my question, Edward only gave a sheepish smile, which made him seem all the more suspicious.

“Edward.”

“Yes, Lirie.”

“Are you not planning to tell me what’s going on? Even though I’m directly involved?”

I pressed him, but he avoided my gaze, refusing to answer.

“Your Grace, preparations are complete.”

While the unspoken standoff between us was still underway, a servant approached Edward and whispered something in his ear.

He nodded in satisfaction.

“It’s all ready, Lirie.”

“What is?”

Edward took my hand and began leading me forward.

Without knowing where we were headed, I followed.

“A carriage? Why—”

We stopped in front of a large carriage.

It belonged to the House of Winderton, but it was rarely used due to its sheer size.

Why would he bring out a carriage we only use for long trips?

I looked at Edward, who seemed pleased, almost smug, while I was still completely in the dark.

“Edward? Don’t you think it’s time you told me? What exactly are you plotting?”

My curiosity was growing.

If Edward kept holding his tongue, I was sure I’d end up snapping at him.

“It’s a gift I prepared for you, Lirie.”

“…This carriage?”

I thought he was joking.

To call a carriage that had always been in the estate a gift?

“Edward, this joke isn’t funny. This carriage has always been here.”

I spoke firmly.

The late wake-up had already annoyed me, and being dressed up first thing in the morning had drained half my energy.

“That’s not it… I’m taking you on a trip. I’ve been planning it for quite some time.”

“A trip?”

“I told you before, didn’t I? That I had a gift prepared for you.”

At those words, I finally remembered—Edward had said the same thing while we danced at the imperial banquet.

He had mentioned preparing a gift but hadn’t told me what it was, so I had forgotten about it since.

After the banquet, I had been so tired that it slipped from my mind even faster.

“Don’t tell me you forgot?”

“N-no, it’s not that… it’s just, you never told me what it was…”

The moment I saw Edward’s expression turn a little sullen, an excuse tumbled out of my mouth.

I clasped his hand and gently rubbed it.

“Well, even if you did forget, it’s fine. It seems my plan to surprise you has worked.”

Edward chuckled, then opened the large carriage door for me.

The interior was lavishly decorated.

“We’re going to the villa in the east. We’ll spend our time there happily, just the two of us, without anyone to bother us.”

Perhaps others wouldn’t notice, but I could hear the excitement in his voice.

It seemed he was looking forward to this even more than I was.

“If it’s the east, are we going to see the ocean?”

The eastern coastline was famous for its beauty—emerald waters worthy of a renowned painter’s canvas.

It was one of the most beloved holiday destinations for nobles, and I knew the House of Winderton had a villa there.

“But… aren’t you busy? Can you really put everything aside and go on a trip with me?”

If it meant going with him, I was happy, but Edward’s position carried a heavy workload.

I couldn’t relax and enjoy it without asking.

“I’ve been working late into the night just for this day. All urgent matters are taken care of, and I have plenty of time to travel with you.”

Edward said it with pride.

No wonder… he’s been coming to bed late every night lately.

Only now did all his recent actions make sense.

Honestly, every time he came in late, I had felt uneasy.

If he’s fallen out of love with me… if he’s grown tired of me… what a fool I was for thinking that.

It should have been a sad thought, yet I found myself smiling faintly.

How ridiculous, to doubt him when he clearly still loved me.

If he ever heard that, he’d surely—

“That’s a relief, Edward. Now I can enjoy myself without worry.”

“I thought you might like it. Once we’re there, you can do whatever you wish. No one will disturb us.”

Taking his arm, I stepped up into the carriage.

It was clear he wanted to be praised.

“…Thank you so much, Edward. I never imagined a gift like this—it’s unforgettable.”

Just before we set off for the east, a thought struck me: the little fox back at the estate.

I didn’t like the idea of leaving it behind.

“Edward, the little fox—”

“Don’t worry. The maids brought it out already.”

As he said it, I saw a maid holding the fox in her arms.

The moment it spotted me, it struggled to come over.

“I knew you’d be distracted if we left it behind.”

“Thank you…”

With the fox nestled on my lap, everything was ready.

We left behind the many servants and the Winderton estate.

A trip with Edward… I can’t believe it!

Just the thought of going east was enough to make me happy.

If it was with him, I would have enjoyed going anywhere, but to such a famously beautiful place—

“To have gone this far… you’re such a thoughtful man, Edward.”

“If it’s something you’ll enjoy, then I can do anything. This much is nothing.”

He said it casually, but I knew very well it wasn’t easy.

Working until dawn to make this possible had surely exhausted him.

“Still, thank you. Truly.”

I leaned closer to Edward and kissed him—one of the few gifts I could give that I knew he loved most.