Side Story 6

“Hello, Lady Annibella… Who is this beside you?”  

Meia almost slapped her forehead in frustration and nearly exclaimed, ‘Good grief.’  

“Show some manners and greet her, Lady Benstein.”  

“Why should I greet someone I don’t know? I came here to meet you, Lady Annibella.”  

“Have you forgotten what you learned in etiquette class?” 

Annibella suppressed her irritation as she spoke.  

“I haven’t forgotten. My family name is Benstein. My name is Bangara.”  

At Bangara’s insincere greeting, Meia kept her mouth shut.  

“My apologies, Grand Duchess.”  

“It’s fine. Since her etiquette seems a bit lacking, Lady Annibella, would you kindly introduce me?”  

“Of course. Lady Benstein, this is Her Grace, the Grand Duchess of Florence from the Sirius Empire.”  

Bangara gave a superficial bow, her eyes smiling falsely. Meia narrowed her eyes and scrutinized her. For someone supposedly a top student at the academy, her mana levels didn’t appear impressive. And as for swordsmanship, her pristine white hands suggested she had never held a sword. Meia couldn’t understand how she had earned the title of a top student.  

“It is truly an honor to meet you, Your Grace, the Grand Duchess of Florence.”  

Bangara swallowed nervously as she looked at Meia. Her fair skin, full and alluring orange lips, sapphire-like eyes, and silvery hair tied elegantly gave her an otherworldly beauty. The composed and regal way Meia sat, as if receiving greetings was only natural, was so captivating that Bangara almost knelt before her.  

Perhaps she should have chosen another day to visit. Regret began to creep into her mind.  

“May I sit down, Lady Annibella?”  

“Please, take that seat.”  

Annibella glanced at Bangara with clear discomfort. It was already audacious for her to show up uninvited, but watching her blush at Meia only made Annibella feel worse.  

“Lady Benstein, what brings you here unannounced?”  

At Annibella’s question, Bangara anxiously bit her lips.  

“Please, just call me Lady Bangara. I came because I sincerely wanted to apologize to you, Lady Annibella.”  

“What are you apologizing for?”  

“At the graduation banquet, His Highness Nibert would escort me. I told him that as your fiancé, he should escort you instead. But he insisted that he couldn’t let me go…”  

Tears began to stream down Bangara’s face, making her appear as fragile as a delicate lily.  

“His Highness Nibert told me that you had already accepted us being partners. Thinking of how upset you might feel, I came here without notice to apologize. I couldn’t bear the guilt otherwise…”  

Meia observed Annibella’s expression. Though she remained still and expressionless, her trembling fingers betrayed her as she held her teacup.  

“His Highness even gifted me a silver dress matching the color of his eyes. But I feel this isn’t right. What should I do?”  

Annibella tightened her grip. Though tears threatened to spill, she bit her inner cheek to hold them back.  

“After meeting you today, Lady Annibella… I can’t let this continue. I’ll convince His Highness to escort you at the graduation banquet. Yesterday, during our date, he told me he’d do anything I asked…”  

Bangara’s words, as if she were generously offering the Crown Prince’s escort, grated on Meia’s nerves. She suppressed a sigh that was about to escape.  

Annibella clearly wanted to avoid Bangara, but Bangara kept provoking her. From what Meia could see, it was evident that Annibella, not Bangara, had been the one suffering at the academy.  

“Have you said everything you wanted to say? Lady Bangara, I hope you won’t show up unannounced again like today. Please leave now.”  

Annibella firmly dismissed Bangara, issuing a clear order for her departure.  

“That’s so harsh. I’ll leave for now.”  

With tears welling up like a wounded doe, Bangara turned to leave. At that moment, there was a knock, and the door opened.  

“Mei… Grand Duchess. I was going to wait in the room, but I wanted to see you, so I came here.”  

Bangara blushed as she stepped toward Theodore, who had just entered the room.  

“Hello, I’m Bangara of the House of Benstein. Are you an acquaintance of Lady Annibella? Or perhaps a relative? Your black eyes and hair are so striking. Could you tell me your name and family?”  

Meia was appalled by Bangara’s behavior.  

The moment Bangara entered the drawing room, she had asked Meia, “Who are you?” But now, she was blushing and approaching Theodore, greeting him with exaggerated politeness. Even after hearing Theodore address Meia by her nickname, “Mei,” she pretended not to notice. It was infuriating.  

“Lady Benstein, this gentleman is His Grace, the Grand Duke of Florence from the Sirius Empire. Show some respect!”  

“The Grand Duke of Florence? I’ve always wanted to meet him in person… It’s such an honor. Your Grace, may I know your name?”  

Bangara smiled innocently as she gazed at Theodore, her demeanor overly friendly.  

She even stared at him intently. Annibella, flustered, glanced at Meia for guidance.  

“I must have stared too much, haven’t I? My apologies. You’re so handsome that I couldn’t help but lose myself. Please forgive me!”  

Bangara twisted her body shyly, standing uncomfortably close to Theodore. But Theodore, ignoring her, looked directly at Annibella.  

“Lady Annibella.”  

“Yes, Your Grace.”  

“This maid seems to require discipline.” 

Theodore blatantly gestured toward Bangara, leaving her face red with embarrassment.  

“My apologies, Your Grace.”  

“While I’m staying at the Marquis’s estate, ensure this maid is kept out of sight from both me and Mei.”  

At Theodore’s words, Meia’s lips curled into a smile. His comment clearly emphasized the difference in status between the Marquisate and the Viscountcy.  

***

“Mei, you don’t seem to be in a good mood.”  

“No, I’m not feeling great.”  

Meia nodded in response to Theodore’s question, though the words Bangara had said earlier continued to irritate her.  

“Who was it? Who made you look like this, Mei?”  

Concern was evident in Theodore’s dark eyes. Meia had not been in a good mood since hearing about Annibella’s situation and meeting Bangara in person.  

To be precise, her neutral expression had faltered the moment Bangara approached Theodore with a flushed face.  

“I was just jealous.”  

“Jealous…? Don’t tell me it’s because of that red-haired woman who came up to me?”  

Theodore relaxed his lips and began to smile warmly at Meia’s admission of jealousy.  

“Yes, I was jealous. The way she approached you as if you were merely Annibella’s acquaintance or relative—it didn’t sit well with me.”  

While it was understandable for Bangara to mistake Theodore for a relative or friend of Annibella, given that she didn’t know him, the fact that she had heard him call Meia “Mei” and still pretended not to know, blushing as she approached him, was deeply unpleasant. Meia could tell—it was deliberate.  

“I suppose that’s how the Crown Prince of the Gradi Kingdom must have fallen for her as well.”  

At Meia’s muttered words, Theodore tilted his head in confusion.  

“What do you mean, the Crown Prince fell for her?”  

“Lady Bangara of Viscount Benstein’s family, who greeted you earlier, is said to be the lover of the Crown Prince of the Gradi Kingdom.”  

“What? The Crown Prince’s lover?”  

“Yes.”  

“Are you saying he’s having an affair despite being engaged?”  

“On top of that, during the academy’s graduation banquet, the Crown Prince plans to escort Lady Bangara instead of his fiancée, Lady Annibella.”  

Meia summarized Annibella’s story for Theodore.  

“How irresponsible.”  

“Exactly. I can’t understand how the Crown Prince could trust someone he’s barely known for long over the fiancée who has stood by his side for years. I hope nothing happens… but I can’t shake the feeling that something will.”  

Theodore had intended to spend a pleasant time with Meia, but upon realizing her mood was sour, his own spirits dampened.  

“Whatever happens, I’ll handle it for you, Meia. So please stop worrying and look at me instead, won’t you? You haven’t forgotten, have you? What I told you before I left.”  

Theodore pulled Meia close by her waist and gently kissed her lips.  

〈A trip… Be prepared.〉  

As Theodore’s gaze grew deeper and more intense, Meia stroked his cheek and locked eyes with him.  

“What if I’m not prepared yet? What will you do?”  

“That’s fine.”  

Theodore’s playful smile made Meia tilt her head in curiosity.  

“I’ll be prepared on your behalf, so there’s no need for you to worry.”  

“Theo… shouldn’t you at least hear my resolve?”  

“I’ll listen to it… in bed, Mei.”  

Meia puffed out her cheeks in protest, but Theodore simply nodded along, pulling her closer into his embrace.  

“I love you, Mei.”  

Theodore felt frustrated that the only word he could use to express his overwhelming emotions was “love.”  

“I love you too, Theo.”  

When they entered the room, Theodore carefully laid Meia down on the bed. As he gazed at her disheveled form on the bed, his face lit up with joy and adoration.  

***

Theodore woke up earlier than Meia the next morning, a smile lingering on his face as he recalled the events of the previous night.  

During their time at the Grand Duke’s estate, he had been so busy that he hadn’t been able to spend proper time with Meia. Even at night, he had to restrain himself, knowing she might be tired.  

〈Don’t you dislike how much Her Grace works all the time?〉  

〈I’m just happy to have her by my side.〉  

Theodore never stopped Meia from working hard because he loved that about her. His role was to support her and listen to her wishes.  

He pulled the still-sleeping Meia closer into his arms, kissing her forehead and lips.  

Thinking back to her adorable cries from the night before made his restrained desires flare up like embers catching fire. But he didn’t want to disturb her peaceful sleep.  

Though he wished this tranquility could last, the sudden notice of an impending visit from Bangara and Crown Prince Nibert meant their peace wouldn’t hold for long.