Side story episode 5
“People ask you questions, why don’t you answer?”
Still, when Baron Jenes didn't respond, they changed their focus and turned to Julian. In the past, Julian had always worn his iconic cloak and mask, making him undeniably recognizable. But now, things were different.
"Where is is and who is he? Is he a pretty-faced Baron chasing after rich women? They're bound to get along."
“This person is...!”
Just as Baron Jenes was about to reveal Julian's identity, Julian stopped him with a wink. While Baron Jenes hesitated, the men muttered again.
"Tell us about those women. We're curious, too. How to seduce hard women. How's your woman?"
The person the man called 'you' was none other than Julian.
At that moment, Julian's crimson eyes blazed with a piercing glow, and the veins on the back of his hand, which was resting on the table, bulged. It seemed as if his hand would reach out and snatch the man away at any moment.
“Let’s go! We picked the wrong day!”
Baron Jenes abruptly rose from his seat and shouted. He pushed the men's chests and politely lifted Julian to his feet. Julian held his ground for a moment, then slowly rose after catching his breath.
“It would be better for your health if you didn’t do it anymore.”
Baron Jenes kindly offered them advice. But they simply laughed, showing no sign of reflection. Julian watched them silently before stepping out with Baron Jenes.
"It used to be a very clean store. That's why Marian and I used to come here often. But it looks like the owner is out today."
Baron Jenes opened the carriage door, speaking sheepishly. Julian climbed into the carriage and turned to Baron Jenes and asked.
“Why did you just come out?”
"If I hadn't come out, His Highness the Grand Duke would have strangled them to death. They deserved to die, but I still wanted to prevent people from dying in my favorite store. I think Marian would be upset, too."
Hearing that, Julian thought.
'So it's okay if it's not that store.'
Then he asked another curious question.
“The Baron seemed genuinely angry, but you held back bravely.”
“I’m angry!”
Baron Jenes shouted indignantly, then covered his mouth and continued speaking in a quiet voice, perhaps thinking he had spoken too loudly.
"Of course, I love talking about Marian. She's beautiful, smart, kind, and loyal. There's no other woman as amazing as her. Being in a relationship with her is a source of immense pride for me, and I could talk about it all day long. But that's not what they want from me."
Baron Jenes frowned and then looked at Julian as if asking for agreement.
"I knew at a glance the way His Highness the Grand Duke looked at Her Highness the Grand Duchess. You were exactly the kind of husband I wanted. That's why, out of respect, I wanted to have a drink with you. Do you truly love your wife, Her Highness the Grand Duchess?"
At Baron Genes's words, Julian spoke without hesitation.
“Layla is my soul.”
There was no hint of embarrassment, just a calm, almost unwavering tone, as if he'd always thought this way. Baron Jenes's face flushed. He covered his mouth and coughed.
“She has been there from the beginning.”
Eventually, the two found a quieter, more secluded bar and shared a drink. Baron Jenes was a man with a pure heart as beautiful as his face. That's why Julian didn't feel particularly uncomfortable with him. While he was a bit talkative, Julian's reserved nature actually balanced things out.
The two chatted for a few hours before boarding the carriage and returning to Baron Heira's residence. Layla, having heard the carriage's arrival, came out to greet them. She had been worried, as if she were leaving a child at the edge of a pond, when she heard that Julian had gone into town with someone else. However, Julian returned, seemingly fine and refreshed, as if he'd just had a nice breath of fresh air.
Layla smiled and walked quickly towards Julian.
“Julian!”
And to Julian, her appearance was utterly lovable. Her lush blond hair fluttering in the night breeze and her bright smile, undimmed by time, seemed to grip his heart tightly and refuse to let go. Julian held Lila tightly in his arms and whispered in her ear.
“My soul.”
At those words, Layla's shoulders flinched in surprise, then she quickly wrapped her arms around Julian's neck and laughed heartily. It seemed as if she was completely lost in happiness at Julian's unfamiliar words.
“You are my soul, too.”
Layla blushed slightly, returning the words. She was embarrassed and at a loss for words when she finally discovered Baron Jenes. However, as expected of someone with a more brazen side than most, she quickly smiled and greeted him without a trace.
“Baron, please take good care of Marian.”
With those words, Layla walked to the bedroom she had been assigned with Julian.
Back in the bedroom, I buried my face in Julian's collar and sniffed. Then, I caught the strong scent of wine. I lifted my head, looked up at him, and asked.
“Did you drink a lot?”
"A little."
“Did you say that because you were drunk?”
"No."
Julian said that and wrapped his arms around my waist. The moment I gave in to the familiar gesture, he bent down, put his hands under my calves, and lifted me up. I let out a "gasp" and then hugged him tightly.
"I could say that to you without being drunk or under the influence of alcohol. You're always connected to my soul."
I smiled at Julian's sweet words and kissed his chin, cheek, and nose. The adorable slurping sound echoed throughout the bedroom. Julian placed me on the bed with such care that it was hard to believe he'd been drinking.
"Was it fun? How was it hanging out with someone other than your wife? I heard Baron Jenes was such a nice person. Was that really true?"
“It was just boring.”
“Don’t do that.”
I took Julian's large hand and shook it gently. But Julian didn't budge.
“I just wanted to see my wife.”
It was a truly ironic feeling. While I enjoyed hearing him speak, I also worried about how he would survive without me. I pursed my lips and smiled, then tapped the seat next to me. Julian sat down beside me, obedient like a well-behaved dog, and looked at me.
“What about my wife? How have you been while I was away?”
I loved this moment. The moment he asked about my day. I could feel deep in my heart that even after so many years of marriage and love, he still cared about me.
Could that be so? Is that why he always returns those affectionate words, telling me he missed me so desperately?
I smiled, lowering my eyebrows.
"You don't know how busy I've been while you were gone. Hey, Young Lady is asking for magical advice, and we're brainstorming together, but then Nife shows up and demands to know why she's monopolizing me."
Recalling that moment still brings a dizzying feeling. Both Nife and Sina were loud, assertive girls. Strictly speaking, they were too grown to be called girls anymore, but they still had the fierceness of a young girl.
"Sina... how long do you plan to keep Her Highness the Grand Duchess captive? Do you know how long my husband and I have been waiting? It's been so long since our families last saw each other!"
Nife cried out with a pitiful face, as if she were being wronged, but Sina did not back down at all and spoke with a firm attitude.
"I was the one who escorted Her Highness the Grand Duchess all the way here. I armed her with the finest equipment and barely managed to get her out, even though she wouldn't even come from the North unless it was for an important matter!"
Listening to Sina's story, it felt like I'd been taken out of some iron-clad bank vault.
I motioned to Marian, looking embarrassed, for help, but she simply covered her mouth and chuckled. It was clear to anyone who saw her that she was enjoying the situation.
No matter how awkward it was, I couldn't allow the two of them to continue snarling at each other like this. Even so, Sina wasn't Nife, the future Countess of Winsley? I decided I should give Nife a little nagging, and I put my fist to my mouth and coughed.
"I'm going to spend time with both of you equally. If we keep fighting like this, that time will be cut short, right?"
When I said that, Nfe and Sina, who had been glaring at each other like fighting dogs, were startled and fell away from each other.
"First of all, I understand what Young Lady Heira wants from me. And since I want to solve this problem, I will continue to devise a magic circle."
'What about these?'
Sina asked, pointing to the magic circle and formula I'd been drawing. I sighed and shook my head.
"It's not a problem that can be solved so quickly. I think we'll need a magic formula that can detect weather changes more sensitively than before. I'll think about it some more. So for now..."
I turned around and walked towards Nife.
'I'd like to spend some time with the young Count and Countess of Winsley. Is that okay?'
At my words, Sina nodded, though she groaned. She brought me all sorts of dazzling things to ask for advice, and among them, undoubtedly, was time with her family.
With a victorious smile, Nife grabbed my hand and started running. She looked like the mother of two-year-old twin boys, a sight you wouldn't expect.
“People ask you questions, why don’t you answer?”
Still, when Baron Jenes didn't respond, they changed their focus and turned to Julian. In the past, Julian had always worn his iconic cloak and mask, making him undeniably recognizable. But now, things were different.
"Where is is and who is he? Is he a pretty-faced Baron chasing after rich women? They're bound to get along."
“This person is...!”
Just as Baron Jenes was about to reveal Julian's identity, Julian stopped him with a wink. While Baron Jenes hesitated, the men muttered again.
"Tell us about those women. We're curious, too. How to seduce hard women. How's your woman?"
The person the man called 'you' was none other than Julian.
At that moment, Julian's crimson eyes blazed with a piercing glow, and the veins on the back of his hand, which was resting on the table, bulged. It seemed as if his hand would reach out and snatch the man away at any moment.
“Let’s go! We picked the wrong day!”
Baron Jenes abruptly rose from his seat and shouted. He pushed the men's chests and politely lifted Julian to his feet. Julian held his ground for a moment, then slowly rose after catching his breath.
“It would be better for your health if you didn’t do it anymore.”
Baron Jenes kindly offered them advice. But they simply laughed, showing no sign of reflection. Julian watched them silently before stepping out with Baron Jenes.
"It used to be a very clean store. That's why Marian and I used to come here often. But it looks like the owner is out today."
Baron Jenes opened the carriage door, speaking sheepishly. Julian climbed into the carriage and turned to Baron Jenes and asked.
“Why did you just come out?”
"If I hadn't come out, His Highness the Grand Duke would have strangled them to death. They deserved to die, but I still wanted to prevent people from dying in my favorite store. I think Marian would be upset, too."
Hearing that, Julian thought.
'So it's okay if it's not that store.'
Then he asked another curious question.
“The Baron seemed genuinely angry, but you held back bravely.”
“I’m angry!”
Baron Jenes shouted indignantly, then covered his mouth and continued speaking in a quiet voice, perhaps thinking he had spoken too loudly.
"Of course, I love talking about Marian. She's beautiful, smart, kind, and loyal. There's no other woman as amazing as her. Being in a relationship with her is a source of immense pride for me, and I could talk about it all day long. But that's not what they want from me."
Baron Jenes frowned and then looked at Julian as if asking for agreement.
"I knew at a glance the way His Highness the Grand Duke looked at Her Highness the Grand Duchess. You were exactly the kind of husband I wanted. That's why, out of respect, I wanted to have a drink with you. Do you truly love your wife, Her Highness the Grand Duchess?"
At Baron Genes's words, Julian spoke without hesitation.
“Layla is my soul.”
There was no hint of embarrassment, just a calm, almost unwavering tone, as if he'd always thought this way. Baron Jenes's face flushed. He covered his mouth and coughed.
“She has been there from the beginning.”
Eventually, the two found a quieter, more secluded bar and shared a drink. Baron Jenes was a man with a pure heart as beautiful as his face. That's why Julian didn't feel particularly uncomfortable with him. While he was a bit talkative, Julian's reserved nature actually balanced things out.
The two chatted for a few hours before boarding the carriage and returning to Baron Heira's residence. Layla, having heard the carriage's arrival, came out to greet them. She had been worried, as if she were leaving a child at the edge of a pond, when she heard that Julian had gone into town with someone else. However, Julian returned, seemingly fine and refreshed, as if he'd just had a nice breath of fresh air.
Layla smiled and walked quickly towards Julian.
“Julian!”
And to Julian, her appearance was utterly lovable. Her lush blond hair fluttering in the night breeze and her bright smile, undimmed by time, seemed to grip his heart tightly and refuse to let go. Julian held Lila tightly in his arms and whispered in her ear.
“My soul.”
At those words, Layla's shoulders flinched in surprise, then she quickly wrapped her arms around Julian's neck and laughed heartily. It seemed as if she was completely lost in happiness at Julian's unfamiliar words.
“You are my soul, too.”
Layla blushed slightly, returning the words. She was embarrassed and at a loss for words when she finally discovered Baron Jenes. However, as expected of someone with a more brazen side than most, she quickly smiled and greeted him without a trace.
“Baron, please take good care of Marian.”
With those words, Layla walked to the bedroom she had been assigned with Julian.
***
Back in the bedroom, I buried my face in Julian's collar and sniffed. Then, I caught the strong scent of wine. I lifted my head, looked up at him, and asked.
“Did you drink a lot?”
"A little."
“Did you say that because you were drunk?”
"No."
Julian said that and wrapped his arms around my waist. The moment I gave in to the familiar gesture, he bent down, put his hands under my calves, and lifted me up. I let out a "gasp" and then hugged him tightly.
"I could say that to you without being drunk or under the influence of alcohol. You're always connected to my soul."
I smiled at Julian's sweet words and kissed his chin, cheek, and nose. The adorable slurping sound echoed throughout the bedroom. Julian placed me on the bed with such care that it was hard to believe he'd been drinking.
"Was it fun? How was it hanging out with someone other than your wife? I heard Baron Jenes was such a nice person. Was that really true?"
“It was just boring.”
“Don’t do that.”
I took Julian's large hand and shook it gently. But Julian didn't budge.
“I just wanted to see my wife.”
It was a truly ironic feeling. While I enjoyed hearing him speak, I also worried about how he would survive without me. I pursed my lips and smiled, then tapped the seat next to me. Julian sat down beside me, obedient like a well-behaved dog, and looked at me.
“What about my wife? How have you been while I was away?”
I loved this moment. The moment he asked about my day. I could feel deep in my heart that even after so many years of marriage and love, he still cared about me.
Could that be so? Is that why he always returns those affectionate words, telling me he missed me so desperately?
I smiled, lowering my eyebrows.
"You don't know how busy I've been while you were gone. Hey, Young Lady is asking for magical advice, and we're brainstorming together, but then Nife shows up and demands to know why she's monopolizing me."
Recalling that moment still brings a dizzying feeling. Both Nife and Sina were loud, assertive girls. Strictly speaking, they were too grown to be called girls anymore, but they still had the fierceness of a young girl.
"Sina... how long do you plan to keep Her Highness the Grand Duchess captive? Do you know how long my husband and I have been waiting? It's been so long since our families last saw each other!"
Nife cried out with a pitiful face, as if she were being wronged, but Sina did not back down at all and spoke with a firm attitude.
"I was the one who escorted Her Highness the Grand Duchess all the way here. I armed her with the finest equipment and barely managed to get her out, even though she wouldn't even come from the North unless it was for an important matter!"
Listening to Sina's story, it felt like I'd been taken out of some iron-clad bank vault.
I motioned to Marian, looking embarrassed, for help, but she simply covered her mouth and chuckled. It was clear to anyone who saw her that she was enjoying the situation.
No matter how awkward it was, I couldn't allow the two of them to continue snarling at each other like this. Even so, Sina wasn't Nife, the future Countess of Winsley? I decided I should give Nife a little nagging, and I put my fist to my mouth and coughed.
"I'm going to spend time with both of you equally. If we keep fighting like this, that time will be cut short, right?"
When I said that, Nfe and Sina, who had been glaring at each other like fighting dogs, were startled and fell away from each other.
"First of all, I understand what Young Lady Heira wants from me. And since I want to solve this problem, I will continue to devise a magic circle."
'What about these?'
Sina asked, pointing to the magic circle and formula I'd been drawing. I sighed and shook my head.
"It's not a problem that can be solved so quickly. I think we'll need a magic formula that can detect weather changes more sensitively than before. I'll think about it some more. So for now..."
I turned around and walked towards Nife.
'I'd like to spend some time with the young Count and Countess of Winsley. Is that okay?'
At my words, Sina nodded, though she groaned. She brought me all sorts of dazzling things to ask for advice, and among them, undoubtedly, was time with her family.
With a victorious smile, Nife grabbed my hand and started running. She looked like the mother of two-year-old twin boys, a sight you wouldn't expect.
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