“Is there a way to persuade them?”

“Persuasion will be difficult.”

Like a wheel turning endlessly, no matter how hard one tried, it never resolved. The only solution was to eliminate the problem entirely.

“It was Carly’s decision, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, it was.”

“You didn’t tell Kyle?”

“…I didn’t, but he’ll likely be very hurt. That guy.”

Evan could understand his feelings somewhat. The initial hostility Anton showed was troubling enough.

“There must be a reason Carly made that decision. Do you think they’ll be happy?”

“Didn’t you see them at Pocklepine Hospital?”

Anne nodded. The bond between them hadn’t developed overnight. They would likely do well even in a foreign land.

Given the rough road ahead, Evan resolved to suggest they wait until Carly was about four months pregnant, when her pregnancy was more stable, before heading to Vails.

Come to think of it, Kyle might take it more calmly than expected.

He had always been that type of person.

He had a resilience that allowed him to take even serious matters lightly.

“Kyle is a reasonable person, so I don’t think you need to worry too much. Actually…”

“Actually?”

Anne chuckled.

“Carly might have a harder time. Kyle’s parents and siblings are rather bold and mischievous.”

During the war, there was a time when the supply lines were cut off, and they were constantly starving. Kyle, gravely concerned, sent multiple letters to his family, urging them to flee before they faced defeat.

But Kyle’s family made a different choice.

They cooked all the potatoes and sweet potatoes they had at home and brought them to Kyle.

Kyle was shocked, but his family stayed nearby, foraging for wild herbs in the mountains until the supply lines were restored.

Moreover, they constantly followed Anne around, urging her to eat to satisfy her hungry stomach while she was changing bandages. They eventually ended up staying in an empty ward and even helped with various tasks.

“Anne.”

“Yes?”

“There’s a saying that men and women can’t be just friends.”

Anne looked at Evan with surprise, wondering why he was bringing up something she’d only heard back in Korea.

“Come on, where did you hear that?”

“……”

“We’re all friends, aren’t we? Isn’t that right?”

“That’s true, but I’m still jealous.”

Anne let out a light laugh and said,

“Then I’ll be jealous too. No matter how I think about it, you’re too close to Lady Carly.”

“Me and her?”

“Yes. If I hadn’t heard about the two of you, I would have been watching you like a hawk.”

Evan scoffed at her bluff, recalling how, before the regression, he had met Carly but didn’t seem particularly concerned.

“Then there’s only one solution: let’s get married quickly. How about summer?”

“That soon?”

“Come on, choose. This year—spring, summer, fall, or winter. When would you like?”

Anne secretly felt pleased. Marriage—just the thought of it made her heart flutter with the anticipation of a new beginning.

‘But isn’t this year too busy?’

This year was already packed with events. No matter how she thought about it, if they didn’t wrap up all the ongoing matters, even if they managed to get married, it didn’t seem like they’d be able to enjoy any semblance of a honeymoon.

Given that, wouldn’t it be better to enjoy dating for a bit longer?

Anne placed her hand near Evan’s ear, and with a bright smile, she whispered,

“Let’s do it in May next year.”

“……”

“A May bride. That’s something I’ve always wanted.”

“Then let’s do it this May.”

“No, it has to be next year.”

“Why…?”

“Well, can you make time this May? Of course, it’ll be difficult. If we’re both busy right after the wedding, what kind of marriage would that be?”

“……”

“Let’s date until then and get married when we can focus on each other.”

Evan, though a bit disappointed, nodded in agreement. Anne was right. There was no guarantee they’d be able to spare even a week for their wedding this year.

The aftermath of the war still lingered across the continent, and being in his position, he knew he had to fulfill his duties.

So, there was nothing to do but work hard until then.

“Then, how about we make time for a date this Saturday?”

“Of course!”

“A play? A picnic? Whatever you like.”

“Let’s go see a play!”

* * *

After that, the two began visiting the theater whenever a new play was staged. After the play, they often dined at a restaurant.

Sometimes, they spent a day on a boat floating on a nearby lake.

With the gentle breeze and the lapping waves, lying on his lap and watching the rustling branches of the zelkova tree, Anne couldn’t help but murmur how happy she was.

* * *

In September, news they had been eagerly waiting for arrived.

To Anne,

I knew you’d be anxious for news, so I’m writing to you as soon as possible. Both Carly and the baby are safe. Carly still needs some time to recover, but with proper care, she should be back to her daily routine in about two weeks.

The baby is healthy too. We haven’t decided on a name yet, but could you think of one? She’s a little girl who takes after Carly.

See you soon.

– Kyle –

Anne beamed all day after reading the short letter, hastily scribbled in Kyle’s familiar handwriting.

In a month, she would have to visit Vails National Academy for a while, and that would be the perfect time to meet the baby.

* * *

Preparing for the wedding turned out to be more challenging than expected.

Trying on countless dresses and personally writing and sending invitations to the nobles was no easy task.

Evan suggested having most of the invitations written by a scribe, but Anne insisted on doing it herself. She didn’t want to leave any blemish on the Davis Ducal family.

Fortunately, the weekly magazines spoke highly of her. Half of that was due to her hard work, and the other half to the influence of the Vanessa family.

While preparing, one issue became apparent.

Anne’s family was divided into two branches.

There were her adoptive parents from the Vanessa family, who had given her so much support, and then there was Anton. The tradition was for the father to walk the bride down the aisle, but asking Anton felt too difficult.

However, she decided it was wise to consult the elders. To her relief, Baron Vanessa readily agreed to escort her down the aisle.

Recently, she gifted new suits to Uncle Calvin and Hildes.

Especially for Hildes, she had chosen a ruby-studded bow tie that matched his red hair perfectly. She was eager to see Hildes wearing that bow tie on the big day.

Evan’s use of Seipa was discontinued. This was because as soon as Anne arrived at the Imperial Palace, she boldly asked His Majesty to give the order.

Ailon, considering it a relatively minor request, couldn’t ignore Anne’s teary eyes. Although there were complaints about abusing authority over such a trivial matter, Ailon dismissed them with a single remark.

“Could you say no to Lady Anne Vanessa?”

“I might not be able to refuse, but Your Majesty surely could!”

“She’s still as charming as ever. I simply couldn’t say no.”

Half-joking, Ailon’s words made Evan storm out in frustration. Soon after, a hearty laugh that had never been heard before echoed from the emperor’s chambers.

* * *

By the winter that year, Evan had finished all his work. He declared a temporary leave and began following Anne everywhere.

“Are you curious to hear how adorable Kyle and Carly’s baby is?”

“No. Not really interested. It’s just that I haven’t seen you since you returned from Vails.”

“…If you keep interrupting me while I work, it won’t be efficient.”

“I won’t be a distraction.”

“But you’ll be bored.”

“No. Your face makes me happy.”

Happy face?

Anne couldn’t quite grasp what he meant and chose to ignore it.

It wasn’t long before he sat at her desk, absentmindedly touching the back of her hand as she reviewed documents. His casual gestures, like intertwining their fingers or stroking her nails, were beginning to distract her.

“If I don’t finish your work before the wedding, I might not make it to the altar.”

“In that case, Kyle will just have to work extra hard for both of you.”

“Kyle’s busy with the baby!”

“Anne, just say you’re busy with our romance too.”

Evan was becoming increasingly cheeky.

“No way!”

This often led to him pouting and demanding a kiss, claiming he was upset.

At first, a single kiss would appease him, but now, even when he wasn’t upset, he would pretend to be, just to get more affection. At first, Anne genuinely believed him, but now she realizes it was all an act. Maybe they should stop going to play altogether.

Nevertheless, this routine of kissing, sometimes leading to more passionate nights, had become their daily life.

‘Is letting yourself be tricked part of love?’

Despite her words, she found his antics endearing.

Whenever Anne shared these stories with Kyle and Carly, they would often be horrified, but… wasn’t it just part of the charm?

TL NOTE: For more chapters of it’s side story visit dusk blossoms .