Side Story 2 – Southern Spring Breeze

The greatest credit for the coronation of Her Majesty Cléran Roigar undoubtedly went to the former Queen himself, who had orchestrated an absurd conspiracy. However, the next name publicly acknowledged was not Prince Marcelan but Grand Duke Allegra.

A brief letter of reconciliation, which marked the end of what was practically a war between the two nations, turned the nobility from the southern coast of Allegra to the eastern plains of Martel upside down. These two Queendoms, which had barely engaged in even smuggling, were now poised to see their markets shaken to their very roots—trade in food, luxury goods, and manpower was on the horizon.

The frontlines bordering Allegra were, as widely known, under the domain of the Duke of Ingram. The former Duke Godfrey Ingram had once dreamed of waging war against Allegra but, after enduring the upheaval of a royal succession, was now barely clinging to life in a northern countryside retreat under the guise of “recuperation.”

In the absence of Felix Ingram, a mage residing in the capital, Annemarie Ingram had swiftly acted as the lord’s proxy. Before vagabonds could flood her territory, she formally requested a royal envoy, pledging Ingram’s active support for establishing official diplomatic relations with Allegra.

As if to force the Queen’s hand, vast amounts of supplies were distributed generously both within and outside the domain during the most famished season of early spring. It was unmistakably military provisions for war. ‘Were they truly preparing for war…?’ Queen Cléran discreetly rubbed her temple before quickly resuming her usual, composed demeanor and granting Annemarie Ingram’s request.

The envoy appointed to represent the Queen was none other than Prince Marcelan. After dictating the official document, the Queen paused briefly, then waved her hand and issued a new order.

“No, rewrite it. Appoint Sir Marcelan, Commander of the Knights, as the envoy.”

The decision to appoint the commander of the knights—who would have been at the forefront of any war—as a diplomatic envoy was a bold and clear statement. Moreover, assigning two-thirds of the knightly order to accompany the envoy underscored its significance. Thus, the Roigar Kingdom, which had never bowed to external pressures since its founding, dispatched the largest envoy in its history to the south.

Among them was Sir Cyril Frey.

***

“It’s been a while, Sir Cyril!”

The person enthusiastically and flamboyantly greeting the envoy outside the castle was Annemarie Ingram, acting as the Duke’s proxy. It had been less than half a year since she left the capital late last autumn.

Whether she had shed her previously reserved demeanor or this was her natural self in the Ingram domain, the lively young lady waved her hand dramatically before leaping off her steed—nearly as grand as Cyril’s own. Cyril, who had been trailing slightly behind the envoy’s leader, Prince Marcelan, dismounted first with a wry smile. Prince Marcelan, still on horseback, chuckled without a hint of displeasure.

“The rumors about last year’s scandalous affair might not have been entirely baseless, Sir Cyril.”

“Have you forgotten you were involved as well?”

“That was a misunderstanding.”

Of course, Marcelan quickly fell silent, aware of the blame he bore for his actions that had led to such misunderstandings. Annemarie, who had been clinging to Cyril and chattering incessantly, finally turned to formally greet the envoy leader.

“The Lord of Ingram greets the royal envoy of Her Majesty.”

“Already acting like a lord, are we? I’ll keep this from Sir Felix.”

“Oh dear, someone who will be laden with wedding gifts upon his return shouldn’t tease me like this.”

Annemarie winked playfully with a charming smile. Marcelan, twelve years her senior, played along. It was clear to him that the young lady’s deliberate coquettishness was entirely transparent. However, her true cunning lay elsewhere.

“Since you’re bringing up the wedding, I trust you’re aware that you’ll need to mount your horse again here no later than a month from now. Sir Felix mentioned that you’ve had impeccable timing since childhood.”

“Of course. It’s thanks to my sense of timing that I have the honor of welcoming the royal envoy as the acting lord. Isn’t that right, Sir Cyril?”

Cyril, momentarily dazed, flinched belatedly. Annemarie laughed knowingly, her eyes twinkling.

“See? My timing is impeccable. Now, let’s all head to the castle. There’s someone waiting for you!”

Cyril could hardly believe his eyes. Standing in the middle of the southern-style banquet hall, bathed in sunlight pouring through an open ceiling, was someone he knew. Speechless, he widened his eyes as the person tugged at her sleeves and grumbled.

“What? Why? What?”

“Wait, why are you here?”

“I’d like to know that too.”

Annemarie, who had led Cyril to this point, burst into laughter and gave him a light push on the back. Stumbling awkwardly at her gentle shove, Cyril fell forward, only to be caught by a woman with a startled expression.

Indeed, it was a woman. She had the same black hair and green eyes as Annemarie Ingram, but bore no resemblance to her otherwise. Cyril had written three letters at the inn the previous night and entrusted them to the innkeeper. Those letters were likely now en route to the capital with a courier.

The owner of the misplaced letters, Danielle Odillon, let out a small sigh and stepped back from him. Cyril, still dazed, blinked repeatedly to confirm what he was seeing. Her abundant hair was tied up high, and she wore a southern-style dress made of soft, flowing fabric that draped from her shoulders and cascaded down her body. His gaze lingered briefly on her exposed neck before he snapped back to his senses.

No, seriously, why?

“Why are you here?”

“Why don’t you ask the young lady behind you?”

Annemarie stood proudly with her hands on her hips. Her neatly braided hair and riding attire contrasted sharply with Danielle’s elegant dress, as if the roles they played in the capital had been reversed.

“Miss Odillon graciously accepted my request and came here alone. She was so considerate of me that she arrived three days ahead of the envoy.”

“It’s not about when she arrived. What about the Investigation Bureau…?”

“Don’t worry, I didn’t bring her here secretly. Her Majesty gave her full consent.”

“No, that’s not the issue here.”

Danielle, clad in her thin, flowing dress, raised a hand to cover her face in embarrassment. Annemarie, clearly enjoying herself, grew even more excited.

“Perhaps you’re unaware, but a grand lord has the right to request a lady-in-waiting from families of equal or lower status.”

“…You mean that thing from novels?”

“Do you read such novels? I see you in a new light, Sir Cyril.”

Cyril recalled glancing over Danielle’s shoulder as she read such books. Danielle, narrowing her eyes in annoyance, glared at him as if she could kill him with her gaze. Cyril found himself at a loss for words once again. The fact that such a practice was mentioned in novels implied it was a relic of fiction—something unlikely to occur in reality. Moreover, the idea of conscripting a government official and binding them to a family’s duties was utterly unheard of.

This was, without a doubt, an anachronistic outrage.

***

“Did Her Majesty truly approve this?”

“Yes. In fact, she seemed quite pleased.”

Lady Annemarie Ingram and Sir Marcelan generously granted their subordinates the entire afternoon off, allowing them to enjoy some leisure time. Danielle Odillon, who had become an unexpected “surprise gift,” sighed as she led Cyril Frey to a sunny spot in the rear garden. It seemed she had grown completely accustomed to her surroundings in just a few days. This included not only the Ingram fortress, which was entirely different from the mansions in the capital, but also the unfamiliar role of a lady-in-waiting, something entirely foreign to her nature.

“They told me to take a look around Ingram while I’m here. They said I’d see and hear a lot if I stayed close to Lady Ingram.”

“Isn’t it a bit late to be so suspicious after already deciding on a marriage?”

“Annemarie isn’t Sir Felix.”

That much was true. Even Cyril, who had observed both, found Annemarie far more cunning and dangerous than Felix, who adhered strictly to the ethics of a mage. The fact that Annemarie had brought Danielle here without saying a word to the envoy spoke volumes… but Cyril stopped his train of thought there. As the silence stretched, Danielle tilted her head slightly.

“What’s on your mind?”

“…Nothing.”

“Boring.”

Instead of offering a bland response, Cyril reached out and pulled Danielle closer. The southern-style dress she wore, which clung to her tall and slender frame, flowed down her body like liquid silk. Wrapping his arms around her waist, which felt almost bare to the touch, he buried his nose in the nape of her neck. A soft sigh escaped her lips, tickling his ear. Danielle, laughing softly, ran her fingers through his short golden hair, playfully ruffling it.

“Her Majesty told me to apologize to you when I saw you.”

“She could’ve done it herself, but she always has to be so dramatic.”

“A Queen apologizing to a Royal Knight would be unbecoming.”

“But it’s fine to apologize to an investigator?”

Danielle lifted Cyril’s chin and kissed him.

It had been less than ten days since they had parted. Though the time apart wasn’t particularly long, the two seemed determined to make up for every moment. Their lips pressed together hungrily, teeth grazing and tongues intertwining, as they stole each other’s breath. They nestled into the shade of a secluded tree and continued their kisses, leaning against the sturdy trunk. When Cyril’s lips trailed down past her jawline to her collarbone, Danielle let out a soft m*an but gently pushed him away.

“No… not above the chest. This dress is cut too low.”

“Is Lady Ingram treating you like a doll to play dress-up with?”

“So, you don’t like it?”

Cyril raised his head to meet Danielle’s gaze. He paused momentarily, counting the green shadows cast over her emerald eyes. It wasn’t because he was unsure of his answer.

“No. I don’t think even Lady Ingram expected you to look this stunning.”

“Where do you learn to say such things…? Come here.”

Let’s meet again tonight. 

Danielle whispered sweetly as she kissed him once more. The long shadows of the afternoon draped over them like a blanket.