Side Story –  Chapter 7

The next day, we went straight to the beach as soon as we woke up.

True to the East’s reputation for its many ports, there were quite a few foreigners near the shore.

Rather than elegant dresses, most wore casual clothing, and some were dressed in foreign styles.

Edward and I had also chosen more comfortable attire.

“I thought this when we first arrived, but the atmosphere here is so different from the capital. It almost feels like another country.”

With my arm linked through Edward’s, we strolled around like an ordinary married couple.

Unlike at the villa, the salty scent of the sea was much stronger here.

It wasn’t a smell I was used to, but it was a reminder that I was somewhere far from the capital.

“I’ve heard that because the East has absorbed more foreign culture than the capital, the nobility here tends to be more relaxed as well.”

Edward had been to the East a few times before, but always for business.

This was his first time coming solely for travel, so it felt new to him, too.

“I want to get a little closer to the water.”

The East’s coastline was far too beautiful to admire only from a distance.

Once we returned to the capital, Edward and I would be busy catching up on all the work we’d set aside, so I wanted to enjoy the sight as much as I could now.

“If that’s what you want.”

Edward led me toward the shore.

Most of the people walking along the beach were couples, and like them, we paid no attention to anyone else, focusing only on each other.

“Hello!”

Just then, a sweet voice called out in halting pronunciation.

Looking down, I saw a young child standing in front of us.

“Hello?”

The child was so adorable, I couldn’t help but smile.

I unlinked my arm from Edward’s and bent down to meet the child’s gaze.

The plump cheeks and rosy blush on her face were utterly endearing.

The child reached out a hand toward me.

“This is a gift!”

“For me?”

“Yes!”

What she handed me was a seashell that shimmered with an iridescent glow.

“Thank you. It’s so beautiful…”

The child beamed, clearly pleased.

I couldn’t tear my eyes away from that pure, innocent smile.

“What’s your name?”

“I’m Lydia. What’s the pretty lady’s name?”

“My name is Lirie.”

“Our names sound alike!”

She must have been meeting me for the first time, yet Lydia chattered away brightly.

Were all children this open and cheerful? I found myself lost in thought as I watched her.

“Lirie?”

So caught up in Lydia, I had forgotten Edward was beside me.

Judging from his slightly stiffened expression, was he… jealous of a child?

“Isn’t she adorable, Edward?”

“Well… I suppose.”

It was clear he wasn’t happy with the situation.

We had so little time alone together, and now we had an unexpected intruder—an adorably cute one at that.

Lirie has a weakness for cute things.

This was bad.

He had a sinking feeling he wouldn’t have her attention back until the girl was gone.

I can read your face like an open book.

I already knew what was going through his mind; his behavior was downright childish.

“But Lydia, where are your parents?”

“Mom and Dad are over there!”

I had been worried she might be lost, but thankfully that wasn’t the case.

“Lydia!”

Almost as soon as she spoke, a man and woman—who could only be her parents—came hurrying over.

Judging from their attire, they weren’t commoners.

Their clothes, though casual, were made of fine fabric—clearly nobility.

“Mom, Dad!”

“What are you doing here? We were worried!”

I couldn’t take my eyes off the little family.

“I was playing with the pretty lady, Mom!”

“What?”

At her words, both parents turned their gaze to Edward and me.

“Are you… the Duke and Duchess of Winderton?”

“Ah, yes.”

As I’d guessed, they were indeed nobles, and they recognized us instantly.

Their faces turned pale, as if afraid their daughter had done something offensive.

“If our daughter has been impolite to you in any way, please allow us to apologize. She can be terribly mischievous.”

“Not at all, madam. In fact, I should thank Lydia—she brightened my day. She even gave me this beautiful seashell.”

The gentle exchange seemed to ease their tension, and they exhaled in relief.

“I never imagined we’d meet the famous Duke and Duchess of Winderton here.”

Nobles from the East would have little reason to encounter us in person.

They looked at us with the fascinated curiosity of people seeing a figure from rumor come to life.

“My wife and I came here for a quiet trip, so we’d prefer it didn’t make the rounds in gossip.”

“Ah, of course. There’s nothing more tiresome than rumors.”

Thanks to Edward’s intervention, it seemed we’d avoided the trouble of unwanted talk.

“Then we’ll take our leave.”

Edward wrapped his arm around my waist.

“Take care, Lydia.”

“Bye, miss!”

I waved to Lydia before walking away with Edward.

“Wasn’t she adorable?”

“You’re even more adorable.”

I had never realized how endearing a small child could be.

Even though we’d only just met, I couldn’t get Lydia’s face out of my mind.

What would a child who looked like Edward and me look like?

Naturally, my thoughts wandered toward the idea of having a child of our own.

It was embarrassing to imagine, but both Edward and I were often praised for our perfect looks, so our child would undoubtedly be adorable.

Especially if the child looked like Edward…

I couldn’t even begin to guess how precious that would be.

I knew I wouldn’t be able to help but love them.

I want a child.

Once the thought crossed my mind, the longing grew stronger.

The idea of the two of us being joined by a little one who resembled us made my heart race.

“Edward.”

“Yes, Lirie.”

But I couldn’t be sure if Edward liked children.

When he’d seen Lydia earlier, he hadn’t seemed particularly fond of her.

Still… I should ask.

Even if he wasn’t fond of other children, maybe he would feel differently about one that was ours.

“What do you think it would be like… if we had a child?”

“You mean between us?”

“Yes. A child who looks like us.”

My heart was tense even as the words left my lips.

I wanted a child, but what if he didn’t?

“…”

“Edward?”

His hesitation only made me more uneasy.

I didn’t want to pressure him, but I couldn’t stop worrying.

“If the child looked like you, I think they’d be utterly precious.”

“What?”

“It would feel like seeing the childhood you I never knew. They would be so adorable, I couldn’t help but love them.”

All my earlier concerns felt silly in the face of his gentle voice as he brushed a strand of my hair.

“Ah…”

“You don’t look well. Is something wrong?”

“No, it’s just… I was worried. When you saw Lydia earlier, you didn’t seem to like children very much…”

Edward chuckled softly at that.

“Lydia isn’t our child. I’ve never been particularly fond of children in general. But if it were ours, that would be different.”

“I’m so relieved. Seeing Lydia made me start wondering what it would be like if we had a child, too.”

“So what’s your conclusion?”

“I want to have a child.”

The moment I said it, Edward suddenly swept me into his arms.

Startled, I couldn’t find my voice.

“E-Edward! What are you doing?!”

“We need to make an effort if we want a child, don’t we?”

“That can wait until later—”

“The sooner we start, the sooner our child will come to us. I’ll make sure that by the time we return to the capital after this trip, we’ll be bringing them with us, Lirie.”

My face flushed at his all-too-clear intent.

I stayed quiet in his arms, not trusting myself to speak.

I was embarrassed, but it wasn’t as if I disliked the idea.

“Then you’ll have to work hard… One time won’t be enough for a child to come to us.”

“I’ll make sure not to disappoint your expectations.”

Edward’s voice was steady with confidence.

Seeing him like that made a flicker of panic rise—had I just invited trouble? But it was far too late to take it back.

Oh well… whatever happens, happens.

***

On our last night at the villa, both Edward and I fell asleep early from exhaustion.

That night, I had a strange dream.

“Edward, wake up.”

As soon as I opened my eyes, I shook Edward awake.

“Did something happen?”

“I had a strange dream. A baby fox with pale blue fur came into my arms…”

It felt like a good dream.

The little fox in my dream looked like both Edward and me, snuggling in my arms as if trying to be adorable.

“Sounds like a pleasant dream, Lirie.”

“It was. I have a good feeling about it.”

We both could guess what it meant—

When we returned to the capital, a gift would be waiting for us.

[ Side Story End]