1. Like A Clueless Noblewoman
A gloved hand slowly turned the pages of a newspaper. The luxurious white gloves were embroidered with small flower patterns in silver thread. They matched perfectly with the light purple dress she wore today. Dahlia always looked for something to read when riding in the carriage. So today, she was reading the newspaper ‘The Lobelia.’
[ ‘Lobelia Express’ and ‘Fasili’, railroad monopoly business extended for 5 more years. ]
Dahlia was reading through the article when she stopped. As always, a headache came when she approached the harbor. Her instincts recognized the sea breeze like a ghost. She looked outside at the rough wind knocking on the carriage window.
Knock knock.
Mister Bent, the coachman, lightly tapped the window. Dahlia quickly changed her stern expression to a kind and bright smile. Then she opened the window slightly. It was noisy outside. On days when steamships arrived, the harbor was always this bustling and loud.
“What is it?”
The coachman always served his mistress respectfully. From when she first married the master and entered the mansion until now, two years later, he had remained consistent.
“The ship hasn’t finished docking yet. Please get off in a moment.”
Mister Bent smiled kindly at her. The upright and blunt master and the lovely mistress. They had such different personalities that questions about how they married for love kept popping up.
“I understand. Let’s do that.”
The massive steamship finished preparing to dock. The smoke that had been constantly billowing disappeared, and the commotion on deck gradually changed to anticipation and excitement. James sat in his seat and lit his pipe. Soon, hazy smoke rose steadily around him.
His neatly combed blond hair and purple eyes gave a sharp and cold impression. James always immediately captured the attention of those around him. Men and women alike glanced at his tall, handsome figure.
Nevertheless, James had no time to care about such gazes. The schedule in Fasili had been too grueling. He pressed his naturally furrowing brow and tried hard to fight off drowsiness.
“Let’s disembark. Spring is waiting in front.”
Secretary Arista guided James to the first entrance. It was the place where people who performed official duties or used the steamship’s VIP cabins disembarked. At the bottom of the stairs, familiar faces were visible at a glance.
“Madam has come out.”
David, who had been waiting with a briefcase, smiled good-naturedly.
“……I told her not to come meet me, but she’s so stubborn.”
“She must have missed you a lot, Director.”
The pipe slipped slightly from his mouth. Even at David’s teasing, James’s expression remained indifferent.
“That’s just how she is.”
James bit the end of his pipe and inhaled deeply. His wife always did her best for him. He was the one who first fell for her, the one who proposed to her, but now he acted the complete opposite.
“I’m really envious.”
“I know you haven’t been married long.”
“Seeing you two makes me miss my wife. Madam comes all this way to meet you every time, it’s really amazing.”
Arista looked at his superior’s expressionless face and wanted to immediately shut David’s mouth. David kept bringing up talk about madam in front of the department director without any sense. James hated discussing private matters in official settings more than anyone. So he had warned David never to bring up such topics.
Then what good did it do.
Now he was acting like a clueless fool who couldn’t remember anything.
“Both of you, leave work early today. I’ll go straight home and rest too.”
At that moment when he was barely swallowing a sigh, unable to express his frustration at being caught in the middle, warm and merciful words were heard after a long time.
“Since tomorrow is Friday, rest well through the weekend. I’ll take care of the vacation paperwork.”
After more than a month-long business trip, Arista and David were on the verge of cheering at this vacation like sweet rain. The secretaries repeated their thanks several times.
“You’re back.”
Among the crowd standing at the bottom of the stairs, Dahlia was visible. She quickly approached James and boldly linked arms with him.
“I missed you, honey.”
White skin.
Beige hair and sparkling green eyes.
Moderately short height with the brightest and most radiant expression of anyone.
He could recognize her at once even among countless crowds.
She wasn’t the only one whose gaze was drawn to her. All the passengers near the ‘Blishia’ and those who came to meet them looked at Dahlia at least once. Then they naturally shifted their gaze to James standing in front of her. This handsome couple was perfect enough to appear only in novels.
James Luperton was famous as the youngest person to achieve rapid promotion in the national agencies, serving as director of the Information Management Department of Lobelia’s intelligence agency ‘S11.’ His appearance was as outstanding as his abilities, making him once famous in high society as Lobelia’s best marriage prospect.
“Didn’t you miss me, honey?”
The one who secured the position as spouse of such a high-ranking public official was a department store clerk eight years younger than him. However, Dahlia Corellin was the youngest daughter of a prestigious family, the ‘Blossom’ department store where she worked was located in the capital ‘Robenty,’ and she actively utilized her high society connections to serve only VIP customers. Lively and bubbly, she captured James’s heart and married him in a love marriage after his passionate courtship.
When such a woman asked affectionately if he hadn’t missed her, James casually unlinked their arms and gently took Dahlia’s hand. It meant they should go to the carriage since there were many watching eyes. Dahlia pouted her lips briefly.
“The wind is cold.”
To the end, James didn’t say what his wife wanted to hear. Dahlia no longer expected it either. After confirming that all the briefcases and luggage were loaded into the carriage, she spoke to Arista and David.
“You’re letting it slide again. You two worked hard too. Go inside.”
At her warm tone, the secretaries bowed lightly.
“Please go in.”
“We’ll see you Monday, Director.”
Dahlia got into the carriage with James’s escort. James followed her, and Mister Bent closed the door. As the carriage began to move, Dahlia hardened her expression like when she had come to the harbor alone. Even at this sudden change in expression, James faced her with a matter-of-fact look.
“Was there anything unusual while I was away?”
Even at his businesslike tone, Dahlia wasn’t hurt. In a way, it was natural. He was her superior before he was her husband.
“No. There was nothing unusual at the mansion, and my family was the same as always.”
James took out a notebook from inside his coat. It wasn’t time for the quill pen to move yet, but soon there would be a time when notes would be needed. He also needed to divert his attention from Dahlia, who was speaking to him gently. Nothing was more troublesome than staring intently at her cute appearance.
“There were quite a few events in high society. As you know, Count Silon’s second son got engaged, and Marchioness McCurren had a big social gathering.”
As expected, Dahlia skillfully recited recent news from high society. Just like a subordinate reporting to a superior in a business meeting. She spoke in detail about which events and gatherings she attended alone without her husband, whom she met, and what information she gathered.
“As for changes, there was Marquis Franz’s mother’s funeral.”
Marquis Franz had his father’s funeral two years ago, didn’t he? He’s lost both parents recently.
Black letters were concisely left on the notebook. The quill pen that had been moving leisurely across the paper was placed on the small table. The lid of the small ink bottle was tightly closed. He had a feeling there wouldn’t be any other particularly important matters. At the same time, there was no suitable place to rest his gaze. Naturally, his gaze turned toward Dahlia’s forehead. As he usually did when trying to exclude personal emotions as much as possible.
“You said Count Silon’s second son, Hype Silon, was originally supposed to have marriage talks with Viscount Karna’s daughter. You were really right about that.”
Dahlia continued talking for a while, then gradually began to read the mood. She had picked out only what she judged most important to talk about, but James’s face looked quite uncomfortable. Had she talked too long to someone who was tired from a long business trip?
“You must be very tired now, right?”
Dahlia blamed herself for not reading the atmosphere and smiled awkwardly. It was always important to keep appropriate boundaries in everything. Perhaps because she was happy to see him after a long time, she hadn’t managed to do so today.
“Maybe it would be better to hear the rest at home……”
On the other hand, James felt sorry for Dahlia, who was trying hard while reading his mood. He was about to say it was okay to continue talking when he suddenly thought she must also be tired from coming all this way to meet him.
“Right. I’ll hear the rest at dinner.”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
The inside of the carriage instantly became quiet. Even their breathing sounded noisy. The carriage headed from the city’s downtown to the upscale residential area, and from the upscale residential area to the mansion with impressive purple roofs. During that time, James looked at documents and Dahlia read a book. Heavy and long silence continued, but for both of them, it was an extremely ordinary time.
“We’ve arrived.”
At Mister Bent’s words, James organized his documents and waited for the door to open. He had to get out first and hold his wife’s hand to help her get out properly.
“Thank you, honey.”
With someone listening, Dahlia’s voice became lively again.
- ianthe
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