Side Story 4. Round and Round

On a bright morning, in the garden where sunlight poured down and greenery flourished.

Aris pleasantly savored the aroma of black tea before taking a sip. At the smooth, fragrant taste sliding down her throat, she set down her teacup with a gentle smile.

When she opened her eyes that had been peacefully closed, she saw a pair of eyes focused on her. Green eyes with a slightly bewildered yet serious gaze.

Aris passed some of the cream puffs she had been heartily eating to Aion’s plate.

“Try some, they’re delicious.”

“Sister, you eat more. It’s from your favorite bakery. You won’t be able to eat these anymore when you go to the west.”

“Alright then.”

Aris didn’t offer her kindness again and popped the cream puff into her own mouth. The melting sweetness made her body and mind feel like they were turning to mush.

I’m happy.

“It would have been nice if he came too.”

Aris muttered to herself.

She wanted to show Kalaian the skills of this bakery that was counted among the best in the east. However, he had willingly stepped aside saying they should spend time as family.

Hearing Aris’s muttering, Aion, who had been tapping his fingers on the table, suddenly asked,

“I’ve been really curious about something since before.”

“Oh, what is it?”

“Sister, you said you’ve never had a married couple’s fight.”

“Yes.”

“It’s not because you’re just enduring everything he does, is it?”

Aion grumbled disapprovingly while crossing his arms. His eyes were serious, looking like he was genuinely worried.

Aris tilted her head before answering with a laugh.

“It’s not like that?”

“Maybe you just don’t realize it but you’re being pushed around? I know your personality…”

Did Aris seem that helpless in Aion’s eyes? Though she was quite capable of taking care of herself, considering how she was treated by the family in the past, she could understand why Aion was so protective.

Instead of protesting, Aris answered.

“Actually, he’s the one enduring and putting up with things? He does whatever errands I ask without complaint.”

“Really?”

“Why would I lie? It’s hard to find a moment when he hasn’t been considerate of me.”

“Well that’s a relief…”

Aion, who had been interrogating her, relaxed his shoulders as if letting go of a burden. Aris fondly watched her brother who, though somewhat brusque, looked after her in his own way.

“He probably has no choice but to lose to me.”

“…Why?”

“That’s a secret.”

Aris let out a small laugh.

Though it was a great wound in the past, those days could now be kept as just an unpleasant memory. Thinking of then, the reason why Kalaian had no choice but to yield to his wife was clear.

Aion stared at her in confusion before stirring his teacup as if annoyed and saying,

“Well I’m glad you’re doing well. Just be happy from now on. If you ever end up living miserably like before, come straight home.”

Aris laughed playfully at her brother’s support that almost felt like spite.

“Alright.”

* * *

After having a light lunch, Aris went outside with Kalaian.

Rant, in the east where the Eldeiz residence was located, offered a spectacular view of the beautiful coast blending with the streets leading to the commercial district.

“Don’t be surprised. Rant’s commercial streets are really beautiful.”

Aris chattered excitedly about showing Kalaian the streets of Rant. Seeing her most excited look since coming to the east, Kalaian answered with a smile.

“I look forward to it.”

Actually since Aris had left the east long ago, she was a bit taken aback when she first saw how much the streets had changed. However, when she discovered familiar places, her usual words doubled as she kept chattering away.

The place where shops lined both sides was wide open, and at the end of the street spread a vast sea. They could feel the cool breeze and smell of the ocean. Above their heads, seagulls occasionally flew past with dancing wingbeats.

“The fruit sandwich here was really famous on this street, I didn’t know it would still be here.”

“How about we try it together?”

“I’d love to! I really wanted to try it.”

They bought two sandwiches filled with cream and fruit between fluffy bread and sat on a bench with a good view of the sea.

“What flavors did you order?”

“One peach, and one grape.”

Kalaian first handed Aris half of the grape sandwich. The filling was more generous than the picture on the shop’s sign. Seeing the sandwich packed full of grapes made Aris laugh.

“Thank you. I’ll enjoy it.”

She took a big bite of the bread filled with grapes and cream. Aris’s eyes filled with delight as she chewed with her cheeks puffed out. Her furrowed brow showed it must be very delicious.

Kalaian wiped the cream from Aris’s mouth before taking a bite of his own sandwich.

Though it wasn’t particularly to his taste, eating together with Aris made it feel nice. Above all, her earnest eating and good appetite was incredibly lovable.

After filling up on both the grape and peach sandwiches, the two admired the blue sea. Breathing in the cool air, Aris asked softly,

“Isn’t the scenery really pretty? The west is nice too, but I like how the east has a calm and warm charm.”

“I think you’re right. The east really is a beautiful place.”

Actually, Kalaian had traveled to and from the east more than Aris in recent years. So he was well aware of the east’s beauty.

Though he hadn’t known in his past life, as he avoided the east due to prejudiced views, this time, he had steadily visited the east to learn more about her and to reduce the distance between east and west that had formed a wall between them.

Much unlike his past life where he turned away until the end while only paying lip service to harmony.

As the crown prince, he personally visited the east to interact with the people there. Moreover, he took the trouble of sending those devoted to the country in the west and his family members on vacation to the east.

“If you like the east, we can come here anytime. Should I build a villa here if you want?”

“What? No, that’s okay.”

“A place with a good view of the sea would be nice.”

“I said it’s fine…”

“Is that so? Then, what if I say I want to because I like the scenery here. Would you still stop me?”

Aris opened and closed her mouth with nothing to say before staring at him sulkily.

“You know too well how to handle me. Do you really like the east?”

“Yes, to be more specific, I like the scenery of the east when I’m looking at it with you.”

“Really now…”

Aris shot him a glance with pink-tinged cheeks. Kalaian smiled as he tucked back her hair that had been tousled by the wind.

Suddenly, Aris looked at him with a broad smile.

“Then, when we have a child, let’s stay here for a while.”

“Forever?”

“No! That’s too long. You’ll have lots of work helping His Majesty at the palace, how could we do that. Just… a few years?”

“Forever would be fine too. Anything is fine if you like it, Aristena.”

“Oh you, never mind. Let’s talk about this later when the time comes.”

“Then I’ll have to try harder, wife. To make that time come soon.”

The two laughed playfully before the setting sun over the sea.

Like many moments in life, the destination after countless hardships and adversities is warm.

At that destination filled with each other, the two lived more contentedly than anyone else.

Because they connected after going round and round.

* * *

On the day they left the east, Aris approached the carriage while receiving farewells from her family.

Clearing his throat, Bendere hesitantly opened his mouth.

“Take care on your way back.”

It was an awkward greeting. Since he too had shame, Aris knew that was the best he could do.

“Don’t worry, Father. I’ll always be fine with him.”

“You can come again if you’re comfortable.”

This time Marchioness Maylene spoke in a soothing voice. Aris nodded with a faint smile.

“I will.”

Though she couldn’t comfortably give a definite answer since they were still uncomfortable, but, at this rate she felt she would visit again someday with Kalaian.

“Please take care of my sister. And scold her if she makes strange magic tools like baby chick weap*ns or overworks herself all night.”

“Thanks for the advice. I’ll keep it in mind. Don’t forget to regularly send letters telling Aristena not to overdo it.”

“I’ve been doing that consistently. Don’t worry.”

“Very reassuring.”

Aris looked suspiciously at the conversation between her brother and husband. She wasn’t sure when they had gotten close enough to speak informally, but their relationship seemed quite close as they shook hands saying farewell.

“Then we’ll be going now.”

After giving final greetings to the family, the two got in the carriage. When the carriage heading west departed, Aris already looked out the window with longing eyes.

While watching her, Kalaian comforted her in a gentle voice.

“Don’t feel too disappointed since we can come back anytime.”

Aris’s gaze shifted to him. Contrary to the expected dejection, she answered in a gentle, peaceful voice.

“The memories I made with you left a deep impression. Anywhere is nice if you’re there.”

When Aris smiled brightly, he looked surprised for a moment before lowering his head with a laugh. As if she was hopeless.

Some say Kalaian only has eyes for his wife, but well… Aristena was just as devoted to her husband.

Which of them loved the other more would be an unsolvable problem even if renowned scholars gathered for a heated debate. Only the fact that they loved each other immeasurably was clear.

Another perfect day together came to an end.

They believed without doubt that tomorrow would be a day even more filled with happiness than this.