Side Story – Part 5

“Why won’t you answer when someone’s asking a question?”

Even when Baron Genes didn’t respond, they shifted their focus to Julian. In the past, no one failed to recognize Julian because he always wore his signature cloak and mask. But now, things were different.

“And who are you? Just some baron chasing after rich women with that pretty face of yours? Birds of a feather, right?”

“This gentleman is…!”

As Baron Genes tried to reveal Julian’s identity, Julian stopped him with a glance. While the baron hesitated, the men made another careless remark.

“Tell us about those women. We’re curious, too. How do you manage to seduce such cold-hearted women? What about your woman?”

The man addressing Julian was clearly mocking him.

At that moment, Julian’s red eyes flashed, and the veins on the back of his hand, resting on the table, began to bulge. It seemed like he might reach out and grab the man at any second.

“Let’s leave! We picked the wrong day!”

Baron Genes shot up from his seat, exclaiming. He pushed the men aside forcefully and politely helped Julian to his feet. Julian stood still momentarily, took a deep breath, and then slowly rose.

“You’d be wise not to go any further.”

Baron Genes kindly advised them, but they chuckled, showing no regret. Julian briefly glanced at them before stepping outside with the baron.

“This place is usually well-kept. That’s why I used to come here with Marian often. But it seems the owner is away today.”

Baron Genes said awkwardly as he opened the carriage door. After getting into the carriage, Julian asked the baron,

“Why did we just leave?“

“If we hadn’t, Your Grace would have strangled them to death. And while they deserve it, I didn’t want someone dying in a place I like. Marian would be upset, too.”

Upon hearing this, Julian thought,

‘So, it would have been fine if it wasn’t that place.‘

Then, he asked another question out of curiosity.

“You seemed genuinely angry, yet you managed to hold back.”

“I *was* angry!”

Baron Genes shouted, but then, realizing he had raised his voice too much, he quickly covered his mouth and continued in a quieter tone.

“Of course, I enjoy talking about Marian. She’s beautiful, intelligent, kind, and loyal. There’s no other woman like her. Being with Marian is a source of endless pride, and I could talk about her all day. But that’s not the kind of conversation those men wanted.”

The baron frowned and looked at Julian in agreement.

“I instantly knew how His Grace looked at Her Grace. You, Your Grace, are the kind of husband I aspire to be. That’s why I wanted to have a drink with you. You truly love Her Grace, don’t you?”

Without hesitation, Julian replied,

“Laila is my soul.”

He spoke without embarrassment, as though he’d always thought so. The baron’s face reddened. He coughed, covering his mouth.

“You’re direct, as always.”

Eventually, the two found a quieter, more secluded tavern where they shared drinks. Baron Genes, with his pretty face, also had a pure heart. For that reason, Julian didn’t find him particularly unpleasant. The baron talked a lot, but Julian, being a man of few words, balanced things out.

After chatting for several hours, they returned to Baron Heira’s estate by carriage. Hearing the carriage arrive, Laila came out to greet them. Knowing Julian had gone out into the city with someone else, she had been worrying like a mother. But Julian returned looking fine as if the fresh air had done him good.

With a smile, Laila hurried toward Julian.

“Julian!”

To Julian, she looked utterly lovely. Her golden hair fluttered in the night breeze, and her ever-radiant smile, undiminished by time, gripped his heart tightly. Julian pulled Laila into a tight embrace and whispered in her ear,

“My soul.”

Surprised, Laila’s shoulders gave a slight shake, but she quickly wrapped her arms around Julian’s neck, laughing joyfully as though she didn’t know what to do with the happiness his affectionate words brought her.

“You are my soul, too.”

Laila, blushing slightly with a hint of shyness, returned the words. Only then did she notice Baron Genes and awkwardly tried to compose herself. However, being the confident person she was, she soon smiled and greeted him without issue.

“Baron, please take good care of Marian.”

With those parting words, Laila and Julian headed to their assigned bedroom.

* * *

Back in the bedroom, I buried my face in Julian’s collar, sniffing a little. A strong scent of wine filled my nose. I stood on tiptoe and looked up at him, asking,

“Did you drink a lot?“

“A little.“

“Did you say those things because you were drunk?”

“No.”

Julian replied as he wrapped his arms around my waist. Just as I was surrendering myself to the familiar gesture, he bent down, slipped his hands beneath my calves, and lifted me effortlessly. I let out a slight squeal, then quickly clung to him tightly.

“I wasn’t drunk, and I don’t need the excuse of alcohol to say such things. You are always connected to my soul.”

I smiled at Julian’s sweet words and kissed his chin, cheeks, and nose. The cute smacking sounds echoed throughout the room. Despite having had alcohol, Julian was surprisingly gentle as he laid me down on the bed.

“Did you have fun? How was it spending time with someone other than your wife? Baron Genes is said to be nice—was that true?“

“It was just boring.“

“Don’t say that.”

I gently grabbed his large hand and shook it, but Julian remained unfazed.

“I just missed you.”

It was a strange feeling. His words were lovely to hear, but at the same time, I worried about how he would manage life without me. I smiled with my lips pressed together and patted the space beside me. Like an obedient dog, Julian sat quietly beside me and gazed at me.

“And you? How did you spend your time without me?”

I cherished these moments—the ones when he asked about my day. Even after all this time since we married and fell in love, I could still feel his deep curiosity about me.

Is that why? Why does he always tell me earnestly how much he missed me, returning my affection in such heartfelt words?

I smiled, lowering my eyebrows in a slight frown.

“You have no idea how busy I was while you were gone. Lady Heira came to me for magical advice, and then Nife barged in, complaining about how I was monopolized.”

Even thinking back on it made me feel dizzy. Both Nife and Shina were strong-willed and outspoken young women. Though, to be fair, they were no longer girls—they had grown too much for that. Still, their fiery intensity made them seem like little girls to me.

“Shina, how long will you keep the Grand Duchess to yourself? Do you know how long my husband and I have been waiting? It’s been forever since our family got together!”

Nife had cried out with a pitiful look, but Shina remained steadfast, not backing down.

“I’m the one who brought the Grand Duchess all the way here. She wouldn’t have left the North for anything less important, and I had to go to great lengths to get her here!”

Listening to Shina made it seem like I had been dragged out of some high-security vault.

Feeling awkward, I glanced at Marian for help, but she covered her mouth and chuckled. It was clear she was enjoying the whole situation.

No matter how uncomfortable it was, I couldn’t just let the two of them keep snarling at each other. After all, Nife was set to be the future Countess of Winsley! I decided I needed to scold her a little, and with a slight cough, I brought my hand to my mouth.

“I’m going to spend time with both of you equally. But if you keep fighting, that time will only get shorter.”

At my words, Nife and Shina, glaring at each other like fighting dogs, were taken aback and quickly stepped away from one another.

“Now, I understand what Lady Heira wants from me, and I want to solve this issue, so I’ll keep working on the magic circle.”

“And what about these?”

Shina pointed to the magical circles and formulas I had been working on. I sighed and shook my head.

“This isn’t something that can be solved so quickly. We’ll need a new spell to detect weather changes more sensitively than the current system. I’ll keep thinking it over. But for now…”

I spun around and walked over to Nife.

“I will spend time with the young couple from Winsley Manor. Is that okay?”

At my words, Shina let out a groan but reluctantly nodded. She had brought me all sorts of dazzling gifts in exchange for my advice, and indeed, time with her family was among them.

Nife grinned triumphantly, grabbed my hand, and started to run. You’d never guess she was the mother of two-year-old twin boys.