(208) Side Story; Precious and New (2)
Louis and Leinster rode side by side, following behind the carriage.
Leinster glanced back at Louis.
Louis, sitting upright on her horse, always looked valiant. I thought his fluttering red hair looked like a blazing sun.
"You must have been very busy."
At Leinster's words, Louis raised one eyebrow as if asking what he meant.
"Your hair has grown very long."
Before she knew it, her short bob haircut covered Louis's shoulders. Louis gently curled the ends of her hair.
"Ah. I've been too lazy to fix it lately, so I've just left it alone. I'll have to trim it soon."
"Long hair suits you well, too."
Louis's eyes widened at the compliment thrown out unintentionally.
"I see you know how to give such praise. That is surprising."
“I know how to give compliments like this, too. What on earth do you think I am?”
"A blunt and undelicate block of wood?"
“I think the blunt and insensitive block of wood is Sir Louis.”
As Leinster grumbled, Louis chuckled. This time, Leinster opened his eyes wide in surprise.
"So, Sir Louis knows how to smile like that, too."
“I know how to smile like this, too. What on earth do you think I am?”
"A cold, emotionless snowman?"
Louis glared intently at Leinster, then turned her gaze toward the carriage.
“I have found the sealed former Black Knights. We won the war, and my liege ascended the throne. There is no reason not to smile.”
Since becoming the young monarch's knight, Louis had to sharpen her nerves just as much as her liege. As enemies eyeing Cyrus's head and position were always present by her side, Louis's carelessness led to Cyrus's death.
Even after the long war ended, Louis could not relax.
A major disaster could have erupted if they had let their guard down after securing the victory. Even though everyone was intoxicated by the sense of triumph, Louis, Cyrus's guard, could not let her guard down.
The strength drained from Louis's shoulders after she arrived here in the Eastern Territory—no, the Kingdom of Stella.
Unlike the cold northern region of the Kingdom of Arcana, a land filled with divine blessings.
Warm sunshine and air laden with the spirit of spring, a breeze carrying the scent of flowers, a deep blue sky, and clouds drifting leisurely.
It was only after entering the Kingdom of Stella, surrounded by a peaceful atmosphere, that she could let her guard down.
"You look good with a smiling face, too."
At Leinster's words, Louis chuckled softly once again.
She realized that this man's presence also played a part in letting her guard down. Strangely, whenever she's with Leinster, she becomes more talkative and tends to express her emotions in their raw form more often.
Louis turned to look at the man with broad, bear-like shoulders and gray eyes like the night sky. He was still looking in Louis's direction.
Louis suddenly wondered what kind of side this man, who knew nothing but the Princess, would show to the woman he loved.
Meanwhile, she felt strange for being curious about such useless things regarding a man five years jer junior.
"It seems Lord Leinster thinks I look pretty no matter what I do."
Leinster's face turned red at Louis's words.
He was already 29 years old, yet he was a pure man uncharacteristic of his age.
'No, no.'
It is not a good thing to toy with the heart of a man with a bright future ahead of him. Louis was 34 years old, and in this era, she was an old maid whom even a sickly old man would not take.
Louis quickly erased her expression, stared straight ahead, and spoke.
"It's a joke."
Ariana glanced back at the window at the back of the carriage.
The sight of Leinster and Louis riding their horses side by side caught her eye.
Leinster, who was as big as a bear, and Louis, who was as small as a nimble cat, looked completely different, yet they exuded a similar vibe.
Both of them are silent and expressionless.
"Every time you contacted him, Leinster asked about Louis."
"Hmm."
“Don’t you think Leinster is interested in Louis?”
Ariana said with a fluttering expression.
Cyrus liked seeing her take an interest in the affection of others, just like ordinary women her age.
He remembered when he first saw Ariana a few years ago.
Ariana, trapped in the Bronte mansion, was bearing thorns all over her body like a beast that had not lost its fighting spirit despite being severely wounded. The blade peeking out from behind her forced smile was sharp.
As if she had no meaning in life other than revenge, she abused her body and made Cyrus’s heart sink several times.
Ariana, who used to be like that, has now come to care about other people's love.
What a huge change this is.
While pleased with Ariana's change, Cyrus feigned a sulky expression and sat close to her.
"Well, I wish you would take more interest in my love than another man's."
“The Emperor of Arcana is quite greedy. I thought I was already giving him enough attention.”
"Because I didn't receive affection from a young age, this isn't enough."
Cyrus lightly bit Ariana's earlobe and the nape of her neck. Ariana turned away, finding the sensation of the gentle bite, meant to leave no mark, ticklish.
She was cute as she fidgeted.
Cyrus was seized by the urge to devour her in an instant right now, but Ariana, noticing this, gently pushed his chest away and spoke.
"Have you forgotten what Grandfather told you? You have to set an example."
"Of course I remember. As your elder, I know this and that."
His hand ran down Ariana's back.
"There are so many things I want to tell you."
"Not the kind you do in bed."
"We don't necessarily have to do this in bed. As long as you don't make any noise."
Cyrus skillfully supported Ariana's back and laid her down on the sofa. Although it was spacious, it was still a carriage, so the position was a bit uncomfortable, but he miraculously adjusted Ariana's position to lie down comfortably and climbed on top of her.
"It's possible here, too."
Ariana swallowed hard at the dark glint in his eyes, as if he were about to pounce at any moment.
“You must be crazy.”
"Did you just realize that? I've been crazy about you for a long time."
He leaned his upper body forward. His cold lips overlapped Ariana's lips.
Her lips, which had been refusing, naturally parted to accept him. Swallowing the sweet saliva, Cyrus thought that he really must be crazy.
When he faced Ariana, he couldn't think of anything else. No matter what he did, he felt a thirst, and no matter what he did, he wanted to do more.
His composure vanished, and he felt like he had become a promiscuous man with nothing but thoughts of lusting after a woman.
He wanted to leave his mark on the frail body squirming in his arms and stain it with his scent. He wanted to leave teeth marks on her white skin and prove that this woman was his. He wanted to swallow every single breath Ariana exhaled.
However, it was always Cyrus who was the one getting dyed and the one getting drunk.
Intoxicated by her scent, he did not even realize that the carriage had stopped.
Knock knock.
The carriage door opened with a knock.
“My Lord, arrived... Ah. I apologize.”
Amidst the heat filling the carriage, Louis calmly apologized and closed the door.
Ariana and Cyrus bumped foreheads as they sat up in surprise.
"Ouch."
It was adorable to see Ariana frowning and rubbing her forehead with her small hand. Just as he was about to kiss the spot where they had bumped, Ariana pushed Cyrus's shoulders away with both hands.
"Stop it."
"When I was little, you know. Back when my parents were still alive."
“...”
“I was running and couldn’t control my speed, so I hit a wall. I was on the verge of tears from the pain, and my mother kissed my forehead.”
Cyrus gazed intently at Ariana and added seriously.
"Kissing is good medicine."
Ariana was dumbfounded by Cyrus, who even brought up her parents just to give her a kiss on the forehead, but she soon smiled and closed her eyes. Cyrus let go of Ariana only after kissing her forehead once, the bridge of her nose once, and her cheek once.
After straightening her disheveled dress and checking his own clothes, Cyrus got out of the carriage first. Ariana also took his hand and got out.
Louis and Leinster were watching from a distance.
Her face flushed as she remembered being caught by Louis, but she tried hard to act as if nothing was wrong and looked around.
There were quite a lot of people out for a walk along the riverside on a spring day.
The noble ladies walking under parasols held by their ladies-in-waiting, the young ladies gathered on blankets spread on the ground to converse, and the gentlemen and lovers walking and chatting all wore happy expressions.
As Ariana walked with Cyrus, people who recognized the two approached.
It was difficult to have a conversation with just Cyrus because of the people who would greet her again after she took a step, and then greet her again after she took another step.
“I’d like to get rid of everyone here.”
When they were alone for a moment, Cyrus looked back at the people with a cold gaze and muttered.
“Of course, there are many people in weather like this, Your Majesty. April in the Kingdom of Stella is warm, making it perfect for picnics.”
“I don’t think I’ve gone that far. I’m an inadequate fellow. I guess I really need someone as clever as you.”
"Prince Andrei Hern is particularly clever, so he will serve Your Majesty well."
“But he can’t serve me even in bed, can he?”
Ariana briefly pictured Andrei and Cyrus lying side by side on the bed, then quickly erased the image.
"The bed will certainly feel a bit narrow."
"So please stay by my side."
"You don't need to be clever even while you're sleeping, do you?"
"When I was little..."
“Again. Again.”
Ariana pressed her index finger firmly against his lips and glared at him slightly.
"You're bringing up your parents again to make me weak-hearted."
Cyrus's eyes crinkled into crescent shapes. He grabbed Ariana's wrist and kissed it.
Meanwhile, the ladies-in-waiting were quick to spot a good spot and spread out a large blanket. The people who had frequently approached to strike up a conversation no longer came near, as if to avoid interrupting the couple's date.
Cyrus and Ariana sat on a blanket spread out by the riverbank and gazed at the flowing water like any ordinary couple.
Cyrus's silver hair shone dazzlingly in the warm sunlight. Ariana gently swept his hair back. Whenever she did, he would close his eyes tightly, looking cute like a cat feeling its owner's touch.
“We cannot leave the position of Empress vacant for long.”
He spoke with his eyes closed. Ariana's hand stopped abruptly.
Cyrus slowly opened his eyes and met Ariana's gaze. His red eyes gleamed resolutely.
“This time, when I return, I will be with you.”
Louis and Leinster rode side by side, following behind the carriage.
Leinster glanced back at Louis.
Louis, sitting upright on her horse, always looked valiant. I thought his fluttering red hair looked like a blazing sun.
"You must have been very busy."
At Leinster's words, Louis raised one eyebrow as if asking what he meant.
"Your hair has grown very long."
Before she knew it, her short bob haircut covered Louis's shoulders. Louis gently curled the ends of her hair.
"Ah. I've been too lazy to fix it lately, so I've just left it alone. I'll have to trim it soon."
"Long hair suits you well, too."
Louis's eyes widened at the compliment thrown out unintentionally.
"I see you know how to give such praise. That is surprising."
“I know how to give compliments like this, too. What on earth do you think I am?”
"A blunt and undelicate block of wood?"
“I think the blunt and insensitive block of wood is Sir Louis.”
As Leinster grumbled, Louis chuckled. This time, Leinster opened his eyes wide in surprise.
"So, Sir Louis knows how to smile like that, too."
“I know how to smile like this, too. What on earth do you think I am?”
"A cold, emotionless snowman?"
Louis glared intently at Leinster, then turned her gaze toward the carriage.
“I have found the sealed former Black Knights. We won the war, and my liege ascended the throne. There is no reason not to smile.”
Since becoming the young monarch's knight, Louis had to sharpen her nerves just as much as her liege. As enemies eyeing Cyrus's head and position were always present by her side, Louis's carelessness led to Cyrus's death.
Even after the long war ended, Louis could not relax.
A major disaster could have erupted if they had let their guard down after securing the victory. Even though everyone was intoxicated by the sense of triumph, Louis, Cyrus's guard, could not let her guard down.
The strength drained from Louis's shoulders after she arrived here in the Eastern Territory—no, the Kingdom of Stella.
Unlike the cold northern region of the Kingdom of Arcana, a land filled with divine blessings.
Warm sunshine and air laden with the spirit of spring, a breeze carrying the scent of flowers, a deep blue sky, and clouds drifting leisurely.
It was only after entering the Kingdom of Stella, surrounded by a peaceful atmosphere, that she could let her guard down.
"You look good with a smiling face, too."
At Leinster's words, Louis chuckled softly once again.
She realized that this man's presence also played a part in letting her guard down. Strangely, whenever she's with Leinster, she becomes more talkative and tends to express her emotions in their raw form more often.
Louis turned to look at the man with broad, bear-like shoulders and gray eyes like the night sky. He was still looking in Louis's direction.
Louis suddenly wondered what kind of side this man, who knew nothing but the Princess, would show to the woman he loved.
Meanwhile, she felt strange for being curious about such useless things regarding a man five years jer junior.
"It seems Lord Leinster thinks I look pretty no matter what I do."
Leinster's face turned red at Louis's words.
He was already 29 years old, yet he was a pure man uncharacteristic of his age.
'No, no.'
It is not a good thing to toy with the heart of a man with a bright future ahead of him. Louis was 34 years old, and in this era, she was an old maid whom even a sickly old man would not take.
Louis quickly erased her expression, stared straight ahead, and spoke.
"It's a joke."
***
Ariana glanced back at the window at the back of the carriage.
The sight of Leinster and Louis riding their horses side by side caught her eye.
Leinster, who was as big as a bear, and Louis, who was as small as a nimble cat, looked completely different, yet they exuded a similar vibe.
Both of them are silent and expressionless.
"Every time you contacted him, Leinster asked about Louis."
"Hmm."
“Don’t you think Leinster is interested in Louis?”
Ariana said with a fluttering expression.
Cyrus liked seeing her take an interest in the affection of others, just like ordinary women her age.
He remembered when he first saw Ariana a few years ago.
Ariana, trapped in the Bronte mansion, was bearing thorns all over her body like a beast that had not lost its fighting spirit despite being severely wounded. The blade peeking out from behind her forced smile was sharp.
As if she had no meaning in life other than revenge, she abused her body and made Cyrus’s heart sink several times.
Ariana, who used to be like that, has now come to care about other people's love.
What a huge change this is.
While pleased with Ariana's change, Cyrus feigned a sulky expression and sat close to her.
"Well, I wish you would take more interest in my love than another man's."
“The Emperor of Arcana is quite greedy. I thought I was already giving him enough attention.”
"Because I didn't receive affection from a young age, this isn't enough."
Cyrus lightly bit Ariana's earlobe and the nape of her neck. Ariana turned away, finding the sensation of the gentle bite, meant to leave no mark, ticklish.
She was cute as she fidgeted.
Cyrus was seized by the urge to devour her in an instant right now, but Ariana, noticing this, gently pushed his chest away and spoke.
"Have you forgotten what Grandfather told you? You have to set an example."
"Of course I remember. As your elder, I know this and that."
His hand ran down Ariana's back.
"There are so many things I want to tell you."
"Not the kind you do in bed."
"We don't necessarily have to do this in bed. As long as you don't make any noise."
Cyrus skillfully supported Ariana's back and laid her down on the sofa. Although it was spacious, it was still a carriage, so the position was a bit uncomfortable, but he miraculously adjusted Ariana's position to lie down comfortably and climbed on top of her.
"It's possible here, too."
Ariana swallowed hard at the dark glint in his eyes, as if he were about to pounce at any moment.
“You must be crazy.”
"Did you just realize that? I've been crazy about you for a long time."
He leaned his upper body forward. His cold lips overlapped Ariana's lips.
Her lips, which had been refusing, naturally parted to accept him. Swallowing the sweet saliva, Cyrus thought that he really must be crazy.
When he faced Ariana, he couldn't think of anything else. No matter what he did, he felt a thirst, and no matter what he did, he wanted to do more.
His composure vanished, and he felt like he had become a promiscuous man with nothing but thoughts of lusting after a woman.
He wanted to leave his mark on the frail body squirming in his arms and stain it with his scent. He wanted to leave teeth marks on her white skin and prove that this woman was his. He wanted to swallow every single breath Ariana exhaled.
However, it was always Cyrus who was the one getting dyed and the one getting drunk.
Intoxicated by her scent, he did not even realize that the carriage had stopped.
Knock knock.
The carriage door opened with a knock.
“My Lord, arrived... Ah. I apologize.”
Amidst the heat filling the carriage, Louis calmly apologized and closed the door.
Ariana and Cyrus bumped foreheads as they sat up in surprise.
"Ouch."
It was adorable to see Ariana frowning and rubbing her forehead with her small hand. Just as he was about to kiss the spot where they had bumped, Ariana pushed Cyrus's shoulders away with both hands.
"Stop it."
"When I was little, you know. Back when my parents were still alive."
“...”
“I was running and couldn’t control my speed, so I hit a wall. I was on the verge of tears from the pain, and my mother kissed my forehead.”
Cyrus gazed intently at Ariana and added seriously.
"Kissing is good medicine."
Ariana was dumbfounded by Cyrus, who even brought up her parents just to give her a kiss on the forehead, but she soon smiled and closed her eyes. Cyrus let go of Ariana only after kissing her forehead once, the bridge of her nose once, and her cheek once.
After straightening her disheveled dress and checking his own clothes, Cyrus got out of the carriage first. Ariana also took his hand and got out.
Louis and Leinster were watching from a distance.
Her face flushed as she remembered being caught by Louis, but she tried hard to act as if nothing was wrong and looked around.
There were quite a lot of people out for a walk along the riverside on a spring day.
The noble ladies walking under parasols held by their ladies-in-waiting, the young ladies gathered on blankets spread on the ground to converse, and the gentlemen and lovers walking and chatting all wore happy expressions.
As Ariana walked with Cyrus, people who recognized the two approached.
It was difficult to have a conversation with just Cyrus because of the people who would greet her again after she took a step, and then greet her again after she took another step.
“I’d like to get rid of everyone here.”
When they were alone for a moment, Cyrus looked back at the people with a cold gaze and muttered.
“Of course, there are many people in weather like this, Your Majesty. April in the Kingdom of Stella is warm, making it perfect for picnics.”
“I don’t think I’ve gone that far. I’m an inadequate fellow. I guess I really need someone as clever as you.”
"Prince Andrei Hern is particularly clever, so he will serve Your Majesty well."
“But he can’t serve me even in bed, can he?”
Ariana briefly pictured Andrei and Cyrus lying side by side on the bed, then quickly erased the image.
"The bed will certainly feel a bit narrow."
"So please stay by my side."
"You don't need to be clever even while you're sleeping, do you?"
"When I was little..."
“Again. Again.”
Ariana pressed her index finger firmly against his lips and glared at him slightly.
"You're bringing up your parents again to make me weak-hearted."
Cyrus's eyes crinkled into crescent shapes. He grabbed Ariana's wrist and kissed it.
Meanwhile, the ladies-in-waiting were quick to spot a good spot and spread out a large blanket. The people who had frequently approached to strike up a conversation no longer came near, as if to avoid interrupting the couple's date.
Cyrus and Ariana sat on a blanket spread out by the riverbank and gazed at the flowing water like any ordinary couple.
Cyrus's silver hair shone dazzlingly in the warm sunlight. Ariana gently swept his hair back. Whenever she did, he would close his eyes tightly, looking cute like a cat feeling its owner's touch.
“We cannot leave the position of Empress vacant for long.”
He spoke with his eyes closed. Ariana's hand stopped abruptly.
Cyrus slowly opened his eyes and met Ariana's gaze. His red eyes gleamed resolutely.
“This time, when I return, I will be with you.”
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