Side Story 2

Late at night, the door opened behind him.  

Sensing someone approaching, Henry frowned and shifted restlessly. The uninvited guest threw off the blanket and settled down right behind the room’s owner, curling up and hugging Henry’s shoulders and legs tightly, like a pillow to sleep with.  

Even without turning around, Henry could picture the face and his eyes snapped open.  

“Brother.”  

“…You’re awake?”  

“It’s suffocating.”  

Only after struggling did Henry escape from the web-like embrace. Rubbing his eyes in annoyance, he sat up.  

“Again tonight?”  

“I can’t sleep alone.”  

Raymond, grinning sheepishly, covered his mouth as if yawning.  

Henry, his eyes heavy with sleep, looked over at his brother.  

Messy blond hair, a prominent Adam’s apple, a glimpse of collarbone through the loosened pajamas, and languid eyes.  

After marriage, his previously neat and proper image was nowhere to be found.  

Henry crossed his arms and clicked his tongue.  

“You tell me to stop growing, but what if you turn into a baby?”  

“Ah, are you still sulking about that? That was three days ago.”  

Raymond, shamelessly invading as if he were the original room owner, left Henry speechless. As Henry opened his mouth in disbelief, Raymond spread his arms.  

“Come here. My baby.”  

“Gross!”  

Startled, Henry quickly put distance between them. Thankfully, the bed was wide. Raymond, blinking in shock at the reaction, sat up straight.  

“Already rebellious, huh.”  

He muttered, running his hands through his messy bangs.  

“You really hate it?”  

For a moment, Henry almost felt guilty at the puppy-like, abandoned look in Raymond’s eyes, but as Raymond reached out again, Henry shuddered and got out of bed.  

“This is why it’s annoying when you cling every night! Did you do this to Sister-in-law too?”  

“……”  

“I heard she’s pregnant. The nanny said pregnant women are usually sensitive and emotional.”  

A nibling was coming!  

The memory of hearing those words two days ago sent hot blood rushing through Henry’s body again. From that moment, he’d fully sided with Helen. No matter what, it was his brother’s fault, and any mistake was definitely Raymond’s doing.  

Helen, both his teacher and sister-in-law, couldn’t possibly be wrong. Even if she was, it had to be because of Raymond.  

“And you cling every night and don’t let go even during the day. Imagine how annoying that must be for Sister-in-law. Don’t you think?”  

Henry, firing off his words, softened a little.  

“…Well, if you behave, maybe she’ll let you stay by her side. As long as you haven’t done anything seriously wrong.”  

“…Henry.”  

But it seemed that wasn’t all. Hearing his brother’s weak voice, Henry sat back down. Raymond, his face drooping like a puppy soaked in water, confessed quietly.  

“Unfortunately, it won’t be solved that easily.”  

“…What did you do wrong?”  

Henry narrowed his eyes, suspecting more. Raymond, avoiding his gaze, confessed.  

“…I hid a letter.”  

“You really messed up. Totally messed up. No excuses.”  

As soon as he finished, Henry delivered a merciless scolding. Then, springing up, he pulled Raymond to his feet and shoved him toward the door.  

“Live like you’re dead. Stay quiet. When Sister-in-law generously forgives you, then try talking again.”  

“What if she doesn’t speak to me until after the birth?”  

“That’s your karma.”  

“You’re going to keep treating me coldly?”  

Raymond, pushed to the door, turned around.  

“I need your help.”  

“You want me to get in trouble too? No way.”  

Henry’s refusal was firm, but Raymond finally played his bargaining chip.  

“If you help, I’ll grant you one wish.”  

“A wish?”  

Henry, about to throw him out, hesitated. Raymond nodded, looking relaxed, like someone watching a fish bite the bait.  

“Anything.”  

“I want to learn how to shoot.”  

“…No.”  

“Then get out.”  

Negotiations broke down. As Henry opened the door, Raymond hurriedly added,  

“Instead, I’ll take you to a membership club during the social season. You’ve always been curious.”  

Membership club. The tempting offer made Henry’s ears perk up. It was a place only gentlemen could enter, and kids weren’t even allowed to look inside. The thought of seeing such a stylish place made his shoulders twitch with excitement.  

“Deal.”  

Henry grinned and offered his hand for a handshake.

* * *

“Why do you look so down? Are you sick, Miss?”  

Charlotte asked with a worried face. Inside the glass greenhouse, larks chirped under the warm sunlight, surrounded by vibrant flowers.  

“I’m not sick… just a bit tired.”  

Helen smiled awkwardly and sipped the fragrant black tea.  

Since becoming pregnant, her sense of smell had become strangely sensitive. Seafood she used to enjoy now smelled terribly fishy, and even thin soup made her feel nauseous. She couldn’t just avoid food, so she forced herself to eat, but even that was a struggle.  

“You’re not sleeping well, are you…”  

Charlotte, watching Helen’s pale face and how she didn’t touch her snacks, suddenly asked,  

“Are you expecting?”  

Helen nodded at the sharp question. Maybe Charlotte’s instincts as a mother recognized it.  

She forgot about her daughter-in-law’s pregnancy every day, but always seemed to know first, without being told.  

“That’s wonderful!”  

Charlotte clapped with a bright laugh and took Helen’s hand.  

“Is it tough?”  

“A little.”  

“I had a lot of morning sickness when I was carrying my son. I was so picky about food…”  

Helen lowered her eyes at the sudden topic.  

“Really?”  

“Of course.”  

Charlotte crinkled her nose with a smile and asked,  

“By the way, where’s your husband?”  

“…He’s in the office during the day. He has a lot of work.”  

In truth, even after settling his father’s affairs, Raymond was still incredibly busy—working with Marquis Bertold on a new trade business, managing his estates, and building a charity school.  

“Actually… we’re keeping a bit of distance right now.”  

Helen hesitated, sharing her worries.  

Even during their cold war over the letter incident, Raymond came to the bedroom every night to check on her.  

Despite working day and night, he always cared for her and the baby.  

Seeing that, Helen’s anger had actually faded long ago. But now, five days into their cold war, she didn’t know how to end it.  

“It’s our first marital fight… I want to make up, but it’s hard to find the right moment.”  

“You love your husband very much.”  

Charlotte listened kindly and smiled warmly.  

“In that case, be honest.”  

“Be… honest?”  

Helen’s eyes widened at the simple, clear solution.  

“Yes. Honesty is the best answer.”  

Charlotte repeated, just as someone knocked on the greenhouse door. As soon as Helen said to come in, a familiar face appeared.  

“Henry?”  

“Sister-in-law!”  

Henry entered with a bright smile, then greeted Charlotte.  

“Hello, Lady Charlotte.”  

“Hello, Little One.”  

Helen looked at the two of them in turn. Their relationship was always warm, like distant relatives. Charlotte doted on Henry as if he were a young cousin, and Henry treated her with the respect of a grandmother.  

“May I borrow Sister-in-law for a moment?”  

“Of course.”  

Charlotte nodded gently. With permission, Henry smiled and held out his hand to Helen.  

“Come with me, Teacher. I have something to show you.”  

“What is it?”  

“You’ll see.”

* * *

“Here it is.”  

Henry released her hand. Helen looked around with curiosity.  

Henry had brought her to a cave that only appeared at low tide. A cool breeze swept past her neck.  

“I didn’t know there was a place like this right below the cliff.”  

“From here, you have to go in alone.”  

Henry pointed inside, and Helen, marveling, asked,  

“…Alone?”  

“It’s not dark. Go on in.”  

Helen nodded and, gathering her skirt, slowly walked inside.  

After some distance, she stopped in awe at the sight before her.  

“What is this…”  

Inside the cave, which she’d expected to be pitch black, lamps were lined up in a row.  

Drops of water fell from the ceiling, ringing out like jewels, and the dancing lights illuminated the path ahead.  

Feeling like she was on an adventure, Helen’s heart fluttered. Carefully stepping further inside, she began to hear the melodies of violins, horns, and clarinets.  

Her chest filled with emotion as she moved forward, drawn in, until she finally reached the end.  

“…Helen.”  

A small orchestra, five or so members, dressed in black formal wear, played a graceful and gentle waltz as the man waiting for her approached slowly.  

“Raymond…”  

Wearing an evening suit, he kissed her hand with formality, looking every bit the prince she’d dreamed of as a child.  

“When did you prepare all this?”  

“Bit by bit.”  

Raymond smiled and gently pulled her into his arms.  

“Shall we dance?”  

“Yes.”  

Helen closed her eyes, comforted by the warmth she hadn’t felt in so long. Resting her forehead against his broad chest, all her fatigue seemed to melt away.  

Hand in hand, bodies close, they moved with the flow. Everything else faded out, and their eyes saw only each other.  

“This reminds me of old times.”  

Raymond whispered softly, bowing his head. His heart raced, unsure if it was his or his wife’s—just like before.  

“You’re still so skilled.”  

Helen laughed, letting him lead as if walking on clouds.  

“Be honest. How many partners have you waltzed with? Ten? Twenty?”  

Maybe she shouldn’t have brought up old stories. Raymond flinched, then kissed her cheek.  

“…Who knows. What’s certain is that now, my body, heart, and soul are all yours. And the rest of my life, too.”  

“I know.”  

Helen nodded confidently, looking up at him. As their breaths mingled, Raymond quietly apologized.  

“I’m sorry about the letter.”  

“……”  

“I was jealous. I won’t do it again.”  

His honest confession melted her heart. Helen pressed her forehead to his shoulder.  

“I’m sorry I was petty, too.”  

“So we’ve made up now?”  

“…If you grant me one thing.”  

She’d already planned to let him stay by her side tonight, but she couldn’t miss this chance as he leaned in. Helen carefully spoke.  

“Ayden invited us both to the school.”  

“……”  

Raymond’s jaw tensed at the unexpected request. Helen, watching his reaction, quietly added,  

“It’s changed a lot. The violence is gone, and now all the students go home happily to their families during vacations. They even hold a festival once a year and invite outsiders. It’ll help with the schools we’re building, too.”  

But that wasn’t the only reason.  

Helen wanted to clear away the last shadow in Raymond’s heart.  

“You’ll come with me, right?”  

She smiled gently, resting her cheek on his broad chest.  

“Darling.”  

He didn’t answer at first, but soon, warm lips touched her crown. Helen looked up to see his dazzling smile.  

“You know… this is the first thing you’ve ever asked me for?”  

“…Raymond.”  

“Alright. Let’s go. But after the baby is born.”  

His gaze was accepting of everything. Tears welled up in Helen’s eyes at the overwhelming emotion. Nothing in this shining cave was more radiant than this moment.  

—Meet someone who loves you more than anyone else, Helen.  

Her mother’s voice, whispering as she stroked her sleeping daughter’s hair, echoed in her ears.  

“I was planning to. Thank you.”  

—Someone who embraces and loves everything about you.  

‘…I’ve met him, Mom.’

Helen, closing her eyes, sent her final greeting to her mother in her memories.  

“I love you.”  

“I love you more.”  

Raymond answered, holding Helen gently. Breathing in the faint scent of currant leaves, Helen savored her happiness deep in her heart.  

Now she knew. There’s nothing in the world that’s flawless and perfect.  

There would be precious moments like these, but sometimes they’d fight and turn away from each other. There would be days of disappointment, conflict, and cold winds between them.  

But so what? Even those moments were precious, as long as she was with the one she loved.  

Helen looked forward to the days that would pile up, glimmering like gold dust on the shore of a clear lake.  

Raymond and herself. Their daughter, who resembled him, sweet Henry, and Charlotte.  

Her beloved husband and precious family.  

Just thinking of them filled Helen’s heart with joy.  

It was the complete happiness she had finally attained after longing for it so long.