Side Story 2.4

The identity of the intruder Annemarie revealed was both surprising and anticlimactic. Danielle couldn’t close her dropped jaw, and Cyril began to wonder if this was something that could be reported to Prince Marcelan.

“So, you’re saying that the person hiding in the closet is Grand Duke Allegra?”

“…And that he’s your lover, Lady Ingram?”

“Well, yes.”

Antonio Allegra, the Grand Duke, who had taken a solid punch from Cyril, showed no signs of waking up anytime soon. Thus, Cyril and Danielle decided to tie him up and toss him back into the closet. Annemarie stomped her feet in frustration but ultimately agreed to let him stay “asleep” while they talked.

What should they ask first? Cyril and Danielle hesitated, passing the responsibility of starting the interrogation back and forth. Finally, Annemarie sighed deeply and began confessing.

“He came here for preliminary discussions regarding the special envoy delegation. About two weeks ago.”

“Oh, a diplomatic envoy? Through the secret passage of the fortress?”

“…I provided him with a hunting lodge as his accommodation.”

Ah, so it was over there. 

The spies who had been searching the entirely opposite side felt utterly defeated.

As they listened to more of the story, the sequence of events became clearer. The Allegra delegation stayed for two days before leaving, but the foolish Grand Duke had fallen for Annemarie and returned, climbing through her bedroom window. She had given him a private cottage and even revealed the secret passage leading to her room.

Grand Duke or not, he would have no excuse if he were caught and hanged. The so-called queen bee of high society, who seemed invulnerable, had surprisingly fallen for such an approach. Was this what she wanted advice on? Danielle was suddenly reminded that Annemarie was a few years younger than her.

Danielle decided to ask the most straightforward question first.

“What exactly did you like about him?”

Without hesitation, Annemarie replied to Danielle’s question.

“He’s intellectual.”

Cyril and Danielle had to reconsider the dictionary definition of “intellectual.” The two of them pulled each other close, whispering in hushed voices.

‘Intellectual? Did she eat something weird?’

‘Intellectual… maybe she means poetic?’

Intellectual? None of them were towering intellectuals, but they at least knew what an intellectual should be. Annemarie’s brother was one of the most renowned intellectuals in the Kingdom, after all. And intellectuals do not climb through women’s bedroom windows. If anything, they might get caught by a woman climbing through their own window.

Annemarie’s expression was resolute and unwavering. For the first time, the two, who had grown up without younger siblings, understood what it was like to deal with a disobedient youngest child. 

Well, anyway… 

Danielle waved her hand dismissively and continued questioning.

“So, you really came to me for relationship advice? Seriously?”

“Normally, I wouldn’t have sought such advice from you in this area, Miss Odillon.”

Of course, Danielle, who took twelve years to manage her own fiancé, was in no position to offer anyone advice on romance. But in today’s unique situation, Annemarie’s tough act seemed to be reaching its limit.

Danielle decided to tease her a little.

“Ah, I see.”

Annemarie’s face turned bright red as she snapped back.

“It’s not like that!”

“What? I didn’t say anything.”

Danielle suppressed her laughter, maintaining a nonchalant expression. Whatever Annemarie thought “that” was, it was clearly having an effect. Cyril sighed beside her, trying to mediate.

“Danielle, take it easy. You’re embarrassing her.”

“Am I embarrassing you?”

“Danielle, please!”

After talking a few deep breaths, Danielle returned to a serious demeanor. Annemarie clenched her hands and stared at the closed closet door. Her gaze was a mix of worry, resentment, and frustration.

“This is too much… I’m sharing my weakness here…”

The Grand Duke Allegra, a weakness? What nonsense. 

Danielle pressed further.

“So, what exactly did you want to consult me about?”

“Well, you see…”

“…?”

“….”

“Lady Ingram?”

Hey, didn’t you just say it wasn’t “that”? 

Watching Annemarie, whose face turned red and blue as she struggled to speak, Danielle’s expression also became complicated. Cyril had no choice but to step in. Moving forward was the priority here.

“Lady Ingram. Have you already promised to marry Grand Duke Allegra?”

“No, no! But maybe…”

Her face lit up with anticipation, but her hands waved dismissively. 

What was she trying to convey?

Surprisingly, Cyril was much better at handling her than Danielle. Perhaps it was because he didn’t harbor the slight hostility Danielle felt toward her.

“If you were hoping we’d speak to Her Majesty on your behalf, there’s only so much we can do. Perhaps you could appeal to Prince Marcelan… though I can’t be sure about that either.”

“If it’s about political positions, I know much more than you two.”

Considering what had happened six months ago, that was undoubtedly true. Annemarie Ingram was a formidable figure who never made a clumsy move. She now pouted with a harmless expression, much like she had worn in the capital.

“I wasn’t expecting any groundbreaking answers. I just… I just wanted to ask. Not anyone else, but Miss Odillon and, if possible, Sir Cyril too.”

“Lady Ingram.”

“It’s ridiculous, but we’ve been involved in a scandal before, haven’t we? I thought I might hear something less conventional from you two.”

How unconventional she wanted it to be was unclear even to herself, but… in any case, Annemarie seemed determined to say everything she wanted to. She sighed deeply and began lamenting her situation.

“Nothing is decided. My brother has been taken by the royal family, so I can’t marry just anyone. I don’t even know if the duchy will be passed down to me.”

To top it off, she mentioned “just anyone.” It was a miracle she hadn’t been shoved into a wardrobe after such a statement. ‘If I heard something like that, I wouldn’t even bother meeting her out of pride,’ thought the two, who had previously had a heated argument over whether being engaged meant marrying just anyone, having forgotten that not-so-distant past.

“Once the special envoy delegation comes and goes, the relationship between the two countries will change, and after my brother gets married, the Ingram family’s position will also stabilize. Until then, I thought I’d take some time to think. Sure, it might seem like love at first sight now, but who’s to say what will happen after a month or half a year? So, I thought it might be worth hearing from two people who’ve been engaged for twelve years. Maybe even sneak a peek at the Grand Duke’s face.”

In other words, the conclusion Annemarie had come to was already half a denial. She collapsed onto the sofa, pressing the back of her hand against her forehead. Despite her exasperated expression, Danielle approached the closet she had slammed shut earlier and opened the door.

A man with a somewhat delicate appearance slumped out of the closet. His sleeping face was faintly furrowed. Cyril sighed as he helped Danielle move Grand Duke Allegra to the bed. Drawing a dagger to cut the ropes, he asked:

“So, is that plan still valid? If so, we’ll wait until the Grand Duke wakes up.”

“No, it’s fine. No… actually, yes. Sir Cyril, I’m sorry, but could you step out and ask the maid to bring us a drink? I’d like to talk with Miss Odillon in the meantime.”

“Me? I don’t really have anything to discuss with you, Lady Ingram…”

“You left Sir Cyril behind earlier, saying women have things to talk about. Let’s hear what you have to say now.”

Cyril’s expression became peculiar. Danielle, for her part, pretended not to notice with all her might.

***

The commotion of the previous night ended anticlimactically. When Grand Duke Allegra woke without incident, he apologized for his rudeness with utmost politeness and tried to convince them that his love was not just a fleeting fever.

Danielle cut off his poetic attempts, stating, ‘Convincing us won’t accomplish anything.’ Thanks to Cyril’s diplomatic warning as a member of the special envoy delegation—“This approach will not do”—the Grand Duke vacated the hunting lodge and returned to Allegra ahead of schedule.

After resolving the minor incident, the remaining schedule proceeded smoothly. The special envoy delegation prepared to leave for Allegra, and Danielle planned to stay by Annemarie’s side for a few more days before returning to the capital. During this ambiguous time, neither a vacation nor work, the two spent a few more days together before parting ways for a while.

Danielle sat by the window in Cyril’s room, watching him pack, and let out a long sigh. Cyril paused, approached her, and sat beside her. Talking her hand gently, he clasped it, kissed her forehead and cheek, and asked softly:

“Are you worried about Lady Ingram?”

“No, why would I… Well, actually, yes, a little.”

Danielle reluctantly admitted it. Between them, the wooden fish pendants on their necklaces clinked softly. Picking up Cyril’s wooden fish, Danielle fiddled with it as she leaned into his embrace.

“In a way, I owe her a lot from last year, but I feel like I haven’t been able to do much for her in return. She’s someone who not only knows what’s best for herself but also for others.”

“Love is something you can’t control.”

Danielle tilted her head up and kissed Cyril. The soft kiss, which brushed only the surface of their lips, lingered for a while. The reflections in each other’s eyes seemed sorrowful, as if they were a pair destined never to be.

As lovers who had learned to empathize, they were all the more tender and, therefore, all the more regretful—toward those struggling to find the right time and toward their past selves, who had once wandered without finding it.

From between their parted lips, a single breath, as if shared by one person, escaped. Cyril pulled Danielle into a deep embrace. His voice, slightly hoarse, reached her ear.

“I love you, Danielle.”

“Cyril…”

“Before we arrived here, I sent you a letter. Once you’ve read it, send your reply to the Ingram fortress. I’ll come to you on my way back.”

“Why don’t you just tell me now?”

“No, I can’t.”

Danielle raised her hand and lightly tugged on Cyril’s ear. As she kissed the lobe and the area below it, she chuckled softly.

“You’re mean. I’ll decide whether to reply based on what it says.”

“Danielle.”

“I’ll give you just the last line for now, so make sure to carry it with you.”

I love you.

The sweet whisper melted into her ears. The two shared another kiss.