Side Story Episode 5. Happy Typo
“Is it that strange?”
“That...”
Prince Kydel’s lips twitched before he replied.
“Her Highness Crown Princess Shanla looks happy.”
His tone was somehow filled with intense sadness, melancholy, and deep despair.
To a stranger, it would have seemed as if he had a crush on Princess Shanla and was letting her go.
“That’s it?”
I said, feeling wronged.
“When I asked His Highness the Crown Prince if he had any special wishes or absolute objections when decorating the wedding hall, he said nothing. ‘As long as Shanla is satisfied, that’s all.’ He clearly said that!”
“Ugh... His Highness is wiser than I.”
“Yes? Wise?”
Prince Kydel shook his head, feeling particularly stung.
“No, Lorisha. You faithfully carried out her orders. Excellent.”
“Thank you.”
Then he smiled bitterly and muttered softly.
"I'm not great, though."
"Your Excellency?"
He was clearly under immense stress. When I called, he flinched and forced a laugh.
"Lorisha. Let's focus on our ceremony. Haha. Can you see? His Highness Crown Prince Grayon is nervous. Haha."
"Yes..."
The wedding ceremony proceeded in a cheerful atmosphere, despite the unconventional decorations.
Today, Crown Princess Shanla responded to the nobles' congratulations using perfect Imperial honorifics. The guests were overjoyed to receive the rare gifts from Smilean.
The Smilean fashion was just beginning to take hold in the Empire.
As the reception began, Crown Princess Shanla came out in a Smilean dress and danced. The envoys also came out onto the floor without hesitation, making the atmosphere quite lively.
It was a sight that left no doubt about the future solidarity between our two countries.
We watched the reception with a happy heart, and when the Crown Prince and his wife returned to their seats, we approached and greeted them.
“I sincerely congratulate you on your marriage.”
The Crown Princess embraced me as soon as she saw me.
“Lorisha! You made my marriage perfect!”
I happily bowed to her and replied.
“Thank you so much for your kind words, Your Highness. May the blessings of the three seas forever rest at Your Highness’ bedside.”
“Oh, my Lorisha. You always make me happy!”
His Highness Grayon said to Prince Kydel.
“You have worked hard, Locard.”
“Thank Lorisha, Your Highness.”
“You damn fool.”
“It seems Your Highness can no longer call me that.”
“Hmph.”
Her Highness Grayon showed his displeasure, but it was clear that he was smiling inside.
Prince Kydel said to the Crown Princess, who was holding me.
“Please give me back my wife, Your Highness.”
She laughed heartily, let go of me, and waved wildly at the Smilean delegation.
“Stay here, Lorisha. I have many people to introduce you to.”
I then heard Prince Kydel groan, as if clearing his throat. He was a master at entertaining, but today was truly strange!
But soon people began to gather, and we greeted and talked to so many people that I couldn’t even remember their faces.
The Smilean music was loud and cheerful, and while it was playing, I felt like I was getting drunk faster.
As the night deepened, Prince Kydel whispered to me,
“Follow me quietly.”
I followed him quietly to a corner of the banquet hall.
He watched the crowd and led me through the trees, out of the banquet hall.
“Are we running away?”
“We’re going home. Stop attending other people’s weddings.”
When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was a torrent of stars. The carriage we had ridden was parked far away.
I was lying on the grass, hugging Prince Kydel’s chest. His jacket was draped over my chest.
The coachman was only holding a torch from afar, so the sounds of the night and the insects couldn’t have been more comforting and peaceful.
“Are you okay?”
“Master...”
“I found you unconscious in the carriage... My men said the cold wind would help...”
Oh my. How could this man be so downcast?
“Ugh...”
His eyes, filled with resentment and fear, fell on my face.
I couldn’t hold back a laugh and shook my head.
“I’m sorry, master. I didn’t mean to laugh... Heh heh.”
“But I’m laughing now... I know. I... Haa. I’m sorry. No matter how much I tried, I couldn’t think of a plausible solution.”
He washed his face painfully. I sat up and grabbed his hands, stopping him.
He looked at me with eyes filled with despair, and I smiled and said,
"Yes."
"...?"
I said, cupping his cheeks.
“Yes! My answer is ‘yes.’ Even if I were to die and be reborn, I would still marry you, Confucius.”
“Lorisha”
I asked, unable to contain my laughter.
“Was it the Knights of Kydel who carried the torch?”
“They didn’t have enough time to practice. They made a typo!”
He muttered, genuinely angry. But I couldn’t help but laugh again.
“But you were cute, weren’t you?”
“...”
He lowered his gaze, seemingly discouraged. He was heartbroken because his proposal to me wasn’t perfect.
He must have been so upset, remembering all the things he couldn’t do for me after watching the Crown Princess’s wedding.
But I loved even that about him.
He was always like this. He knew and discovered precious things I didn’t even know about, before I did, and made them known to me.
Seeing him upset that it wasn’t perfect, I couldn’t think of any words. I could only say that I loved him.
I held his cheeks, looked straight into his eyes, and spoke word by word.
“Listen carefully, Prince Locard Kydel. I, Lorisha Kydel, love you. I am incredibly happy to be your wife. And I am grateful every day that you are by my side!”
I felt warmth trickle down my cheek.
Prince Kydel sighed deeply. “Oh, Lorisha,” he whispered softly.
His body heat felt warm in the night air as he held me close. It was the only body heat that would forever protect me from the cold of the world.
“Is it that strange?”
“That...”
Prince Kydel’s lips twitched before he replied.
“Her Highness Crown Princess Shanla looks happy.”
His tone was somehow filled with intense sadness, melancholy, and deep despair.
To a stranger, it would have seemed as if he had a crush on Princess Shanla and was letting her go.
“That’s it?”
I said, feeling wronged.
“When I asked His Highness the Crown Prince if he had any special wishes or absolute objections when decorating the wedding hall, he said nothing. ‘As long as Shanla is satisfied, that’s all.’ He clearly said that!”
“Ugh... His Highness is wiser than I.”
“Yes? Wise?”
Prince Kydel shook his head, feeling particularly stung.
“No, Lorisha. You faithfully carried out her orders. Excellent.”
“Thank you.”
Then he smiled bitterly and muttered softly.
"I'm not great, though."
"Your Excellency?"
He was clearly under immense stress. When I called, he flinched and forced a laugh.
"Lorisha. Let's focus on our ceremony. Haha. Can you see? His Highness Crown Prince Grayon is nervous. Haha."
"Yes..."
The wedding ceremony proceeded in a cheerful atmosphere, despite the unconventional decorations.
Today, Crown Princess Shanla responded to the nobles' congratulations using perfect Imperial honorifics. The guests were overjoyed to receive the rare gifts from Smilean.
The Smilean fashion was just beginning to take hold in the Empire.
As the reception began, Crown Princess Shanla came out in a Smilean dress and danced. The envoys also came out onto the floor without hesitation, making the atmosphere quite lively.
It was a sight that left no doubt about the future solidarity between our two countries.
We watched the reception with a happy heart, and when the Crown Prince and his wife returned to their seats, we approached and greeted them.
“I sincerely congratulate you on your marriage.”
The Crown Princess embraced me as soon as she saw me.
“Lorisha! You made my marriage perfect!”
I happily bowed to her and replied.
“Thank you so much for your kind words, Your Highness. May the blessings of the three seas forever rest at Your Highness’ bedside.”
“Oh, my Lorisha. You always make me happy!”
His Highness Grayon said to Prince Kydel.
“You have worked hard, Locard.”
“Thank Lorisha, Your Highness.”
“You damn fool.”
“It seems Your Highness can no longer call me that.”
“Hmph.”
Her Highness Grayon showed his displeasure, but it was clear that he was smiling inside.
Prince Kydel said to the Crown Princess, who was holding me.
“Please give me back my wife, Your Highness.”
She laughed heartily, let go of me, and waved wildly at the Smilean delegation.
“Stay here, Lorisha. I have many people to introduce you to.”
I then heard Prince Kydel groan, as if clearing his throat. He was a master at entertaining, but today was truly strange!
But soon people began to gather, and we greeted and talked to so many people that I couldn’t even remember their faces.
The Smilean music was loud and cheerful, and while it was playing, I felt like I was getting drunk faster.
As the night deepened, Prince Kydel whispered to me,
“Follow me quietly.”
I followed him quietly to a corner of the banquet hall.
He watched the crowd and led me through the trees, out of the banquet hall.
“Are we running away?”
“We’re going home. Stop attending other people’s weddings.”
“Other people? It’s His Highness Crown Prince Grayon’s wedding!”
“Yes! Have you forgotten? He tried to get us divorced?”
“Your Excellency? What nonsense are you talking about...”
“Just follow me.”
I finally followed him and climbed into the carriage. It felt strange to run away when he had done nothing wrong.
He looked so unfamiliar from the carriage. Locard Kydel, full of anxiety, impatience, and impatience.
Perhaps juggling exam preparation and piling up political affairs was too much for him.
But I vividly remembered how cold and detached he had been, even in the face of the infamous pirate fleet of the high seas. Even when he had been kidnapped and imprisoned by pirates.
But when I thought about what could have made him act like such a pup, a chill ran down my spine.
“Your Excellency...?”
“Yes?”
Prince Kydel suddenly turned his head and shouted back, startling me so much that I had to push myself against the carriage wall.
“Are we okay?”
“Of course! Of course.”
“...”
A lie.
He was clearly lying now.
Was this what it felt like to have the world crumble?
My chest felt like a rock had been placed on it, and my breathing became increasingly difficult. I couldn’t bear this again.
When my mother had abandoned me so suddenly, I didn’t even know what to feel.
My anger and distrust toward the world were merely symptoms of the wound I had received then.
But now I knew what it was.
So when I realized Prince Kydel had lied to me, I felt the same fear of being abandoned alone in the world again.
My mind warned me not to jump to conclusions without checking, but my heart was already beating so fast that it took my breath away.
Yes. I had never imagined him deceiving or betraying me. Not once. Never.
“...”
Normally, he would have worried if I looked even slightly unwell, but now, even though I was lightly panting, he was staring out the carriage window.
Prince Kydel is ignoring me...
I unconsciously clutched my chest, as if clutching my heart.
Then, the carriage jerked to a halt.
“Wh-what’s going on!”
Prince Kydel shouted awkwardly. Then the coachman got out and answered from outside the carriage door.
“You should come down for a moment, Your Excellency!”
Prince Kydel grabbed my shoulders and said.
“Look outside carefully and let me know if anything happens. Can you do it?”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
He got out quickly, and I gripped the carriage window frame in fear and looked outside.
As if that weren’t enough, had someone appeared trying to kill me again?
The carriage was parked in the middle of a quiet road, flanked by dark fields on either side. It was a vulnerable position.
‘Where has His Excellency gone?’
Just then, lights began to appear in the distant fields. They were torches.
At first, there were two or three, then dozens in an instant. They jumbled like chaotic dots, then finally stopped.
It was...
I rubbed my eyes, unable to believe the sudden formation of lights that had taken over the fields.
It was definitely letters.
“Lo. Ri. Sha. Will. You. Ma. Ry. Me?”
Then, I faintly heard someone cursing.
“Yes! Have you forgotten? He tried to get us divorced?”
“Your Excellency? What nonsense are you talking about...”
“Just follow me.”
I finally followed him and climbed into the carriage. It felt strange to run away when he had done nothing wrong.
He looked so unfamiliar from the carriage. Locard Kydel, full of anxiety, impatience, and impatience.
Perhaps juggling exam preparation and piling up political affairs was too much for him.
But I vividly remembered how cold and detached he had been, even in the face of the infamous pirate fleet of the high seas. Even when he had been kidnapped and imprisoned by pirates.
But when I thought about what could have made him act like such a pup, a chill ran down my spine.
“Your Excellency...?”
“Yes?”
Prince Kydel suddenly turned his head and shouted back, startling me so much that I had to push myself against the carriage wall.
“Are we okay?”
“Of course! Of course.”
“...”
A lie.
He was clearly lying now.
Was this what it felt like to have the world crumble?
My chest felt like a rock had been placed on it, and my breathing became increasingly difficult. I couldn’t bear this again.
When my mother had abandoned me so suddenly, I didn’t even know what to feel.
My anger and distrust toward the world were merely symptoms of the wound I had received then.
But now I knew what it was.
So when I realized Prince Kydel had lied to me, I felt the same fear of being abandoned alone in the world again.
My mind warned me not to jump to conclusions without checking, but my heart was already beating so fast that it took my breath away.
Yes. I had never imagined him deceiving or betraying me. Not once. Never.
“...”
Normally, he would have worried if I looked even slightly unwell, but now, even though I was lightly panting, he was staring out the carriage window.
Prince Kydel is ignoring me...
I unconsciously clutched my chest, as if clutching my heart.
Then, the carriage jerked to a halt.
“Wh-what’s going on!”
Prince Kydel shouted awkwardly. Then the coachman got out and answered from outside the carriage door.
“You should come down for a moment, Your Excellency!”
Prince Kydel grabbed my shoulders and said.
“Look outside carefully and let me know if anything happens. Can you do it?”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
He got out quickly, and I gripped the carriage window frame in fear and looked outside.
As if that weren’t enough, had someone appeared trying to kill me again?
The carriage was parked in the middle of a quiet road, flanked by dark fields on either side. It was a vulnerable position.
‘Where has His Excellency gone?’
Just then, lights began to appear in the distant fields. They were torches.
At first, there were two or three, then dozens in an instant. They jumbled like chaotic dots, then finally stopped.
It was...
I rubbed my eyes, unable to believe the sudden formation of lights that had taken over the fields.
It was definitely letters.
“Lo. Ri. Sha. Will. You. Ma. Ry. Me?”
Then, I faintly heard someone cursing.
“You can’t do it right!”
Then the letters moved slowly.
“Ah... ‘Marry me.’”
I was lost in thought.
The torch letters began to move again, all at once.
“This. Thing. Is. My. Love. This. My. Proposal... Oh my!”
I couldn’t breathe for another reason. I braced myself on the carriage seat, gasping for breath. My vision kept getting blurry.
I needed him right now. I gasped and let out a cry.
“Master... Master. Master?”
Then the letters moved slowly.
“Ah... ‘Marry me.’”
I was lost in thought.
The torch letters began to move again, all at once.
“This. Thing. Is. My. Love. This. My. Proposal... Oh my!”
I couldn’t breathe for another reason. I braced myself on the carriage seat, gasping for breath. My vision kept getting blurry.
I needed him right now. I gasped and let out a cry.
“Master... Master. Master?”
***
When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was a torrent of stars. The carriage we had ridden was parked far away.
I was lying on the grass, hugging Prince Kydel’s chest. His jacket was draped over my chest.
The coachman was only holding a torch from afar, so the sounds of the night and the insects couldn’t have been more comforting and peaceful.
“Are you okay?”
“Master...”
“I found you unconscious in the carriage... My men said the cold wind would help...”
Oh my. How could this man be so downcast?
“Ugh...”
His eyes, filled with resentment and fear, fell on my face.
I couldn’t hold back a laugh and shook my head.
“I’m sorry, master. I didn’t mean to laugh... Heh heh.”
“But I’m laughing now... I know. I... Haa. I’m sorry. No matter how much I tried, I couldn’t think of a plausible solution.”
He washed his face painfully. I sat up and grabbed his hands, stopping him.
He looked at me with eyes filled with despair, and I smiled and said,
"Yes."
"...?"
I said, cupping his cheeks.
“Yes! My answer is ‘yes.’ Even if I were to die and be reborn, I would still marry you, Confucius.”
“Lorisha”
I asked, unable to contain my laughter.
“Was it the Knights of Kydel who carried the torch?”
“They didn’t have enough time to practice. They made a typo!”
He muttered, genuinely angry. But I couldn’t help but laugh again.
“But you were cute, weren’t you?”
“...”
He lowered his gaze, seemingly discouraged. He was heartbroken because his proposal to me wasn’t perfect.
He must have been so upset, remembering all the things he couldn’t do for me after watching the Crown Princess’s wedding.
But I loved even that about him.
He was always like this. He knew and discovered precious things I didn’t even know about, before I did, and made them known to me.
Seeing him upset that it wasn’t perfect, I couldn’t think of any words. I could only say that I loved him.
I held his cheeks, looked straight into his eyes, and spoke word by word.
“Listen carefully, Prince Locard Kydel. I, Lorisha Kydel, love you. I am incredibly happy to be your wife. And I am grateful every day that you are by my side!”
I felt warmth trickle down my cheek.
Prince Kydel sighed deeply. “Oh, Lorisha,” he whispered softly.
His body heat felt warm in the night air as he held me close. It was the only body heat that would forever protect me from the cold of the world.
Side Story End.
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