(219) Side Story; Precious and New (13)
Snap out of it. This is disrespectful even to Her Majesty the Empress.
Leinster was Ariana's bodyguard.
Ariana had several bodyguards, but the only one she took with her wherever she went was Leinster. The knight who had faithfully protected Ariana from the time she arrived in the Eastern Territory until now.
So, Ariana's feelings for Leinster must be special as well.
'She must be hoping you meet a good woman.'
There was an image of a good woman in Louis's mind.
A cheerful, laughing woman who takes good care of the household and is skilled at sewing. Since a woman from a good family wouldn't have any reason to sew, let's change it to a woman who is good at embroidery.
Anyway, a woman far removed from Louis. A woman with an Ariana-like vibe.
No matter how much Louis thought about it, she could not imagine herself living as someone's wife.
Then, the reason she chuckled was that she realized she was thinking too far into the future.
Men do not meet women with the mindset that they must marry them. Leinster, too, likely asked her out simply out of interest and a little excitement.
But the way she looks like she's the only one thinking about marriage is just...
'You look like a young lady fluttering with excitement at her first love.'
She thought she would never have any connection with him, and she never dreamed that she would be consumed by such thoughts at such a late age.
Louis rubbed her face with both hands.
"Is it not fun?"
She took her hand off her face at the sound of anxiety.
Leinster was looking at Louis with concern.
Because the gray eyes were so close, Louis involuntarily leaned back and bumped into the person next to her. The person next to her was muttering curses, but when their eyes met Leinster's, they flinched in surprise and turned their head away.
"It is fun."
Leinster narrowed his eyebrows at Louis's answer.
"It doesn't look that way."
“How could you know what is on my mind? I am having a great time, so don’t worry and just go watch the circus.”
Leinster parted his lips as if he had something to say, then said, "Yes," and turned his head back to face forward. Louis also cast his gaze toward the stage, but nothing was registering with him.
The circus grounds were bustling and filled with excitement, but she felt as though she were all alone with Leinster, far removed from everything.
It was a strange time.
When Cyrus came out of the room, the person guarding the door was Noah, not Louis. Noah, who had been slumped in the hallway, yawning repeatedly, sprang to his feet at the sound of the door opening.
"Where is Louis?"
"She went on a date."
"...Date?"
“She went to see Lord Leinster. She told me she was going to see the Prince Consort, Her Majesty the Empress, but...”
"Ah, really."
Cyrus walked away as if uninterested. Noah followed closely behind Cyrus and asked.
“But my Lord, what on earth did you do for the entire day?”
"I read the manual a bit."
“A manual? A swordsmanship manual?”
"Well, it's similar."
A faint smile appeared and disappeared from Cyrus's lips.
"Is there still something for you to learn, my lord?*
“The world is vast, and learning has no end. I learned a lot of things I didn't know before.”
“Oh. Can’t I take a look at that manual too?”
"Later."
“When?”
"When you grow up."
“My Lord, I am an elder. I have been an elder since long ago. I am even older than you.”
Cyrus lightly slapped the back of Noah's head as he grumbled.
The 'Count Series' given to him by Geor expanded Cyrus's world. Since Ariana was the only woman in Cyrus's life, he only knew about matters in bed to the extent that he had shared them with her. Everything Ariana knew was all Cyrus knew, but thanks to the 'Count Series,' he came to learn much more.
Ariana probably feels the same way.
A faint smile flickered across Cyrus's lips before disappearing. It was because his thoughts had turned to Isabelle, who showed absolutely no intention of leaving Ariana's room.
“Noah. I want to drag Miss Isabelle out of Ariana’s room.”
"Shall I knock him out and send him out?"
"Don't use a really rude method."
"Ah, naturally?"
"Naturally."
“Hmm. Mmm.”
Noah, who had been tapping his chin and lost in thought, said, “Ah!”
“Wouldn’t Sir Isaac be able to draw Lady Isabelle out?”
Cyrus furrowed his brow at the mention of an unexpected name.
“Isaac? Why is Isaac’s name coming up here?”
"You two are close, you know."
"They are close, though."
"They're very close."
"Are they that close?"
In Cyrus's memories, Isaac and Isabelle would argue whenever they met face-to-face. Isaac used to describe Isabelle as a very annoying and burdensome woman.
Although it was unclear whether Isaac would succeed in luring Isabelle out, she walked toward the building where Isaac was staying. Isaac was using the entire annex located a short distance from the main house of the mansion.
As soon as they entered the annex, the pungent smell of various chemicals stung their noses. Since it was a familiar smell, Cyrus and Noah did not even frown and headed toward Isaac's room.
Isaac was staring at the boiling liquid inside the glass bottle.
"Isaac."
"Oh, Your Majesty."
Isaac jumped up and pretended to be polite.
“What are you making?”
"The medicine to give to Shini."
"Is it somewhat effective?"
"It’s just enough to keep her alive."
The two men paused their conversation for a moment and glared at the glass bottle.
"Isaac."
"Huh?"
"I have a favor to ask."
Isaac turned to look at Cyrus in surprise. A request, not an order? It was the first time he had heard Cyrus speak like that.
To think that His Imperial Majesty has made such a request... The burden on the shoulders of this humble physician is too heavy.
"Miss Isabelle isn't coming out of Ariana's room."
“Ah, Isabelle.”
Isaac seemed puzzled by the name that appeared out of nowhere.
"But why are you telling me that?"
“Because he said you could elegantly escort Miss Isabelle out of that room.”
"Who?"
Cyrus nodded toward Noah, who was standing beside him. Isaac glared at Noah with a look of disbelief and spoke.
“Your Majesty, aren’t there many matters more important than Her Majesty the Empress spending quality time with her cousin?”
"I have no more important problems than this right now."
"What on earth is the problem?"
Isaac gestured to Noah to ask, but Noah didn't know either.
Isaac was not in the mood to meet Isabelle. Whenever he faced Isabelle, he would reveal his weak heart without filter.
Isaac didn't want to look pathetic, but no matter how old his friend was, Cyrus was the Emperor nonetheless. Since he couldn't flatly refuse his request, Isaac had no choice but to nod.
“I don’t know if Isabelle will come out just because I go see her, but I’ll give it a try.”
He didn't expect the headstrong Isabelle to come out at his call. He thought he would be lucky if she wasn't turned away at the door, but as soon as the maid announced Isaac's visit, the door burst open.
Isabelle had her eyes wide open as if surprised.
“Isaac?”
"Isabelle..."
Isaac hardened his expression upon seeing Isabelle's appearance. Bloodshot eyes and a pale complexion. She had been staying indoors lately; was it because she was sick?
"Are you sick?"
“What? Me? No, they say it doesn't hurt.”
"Let me see."
Almost unconsciously, Isaac pulled Isabelle's wrist and moved closer to her. Without even realizing that they were close enough to be chest to chest, he carefully examined Isabelle's face.
While Isaac's fingers touched Isabelle's eyelids and brushed against her earlobes, Isabelle could not even breathe.
"It seems like you aren't sleeping well. Is something wrong?"
Isaac's breath touched Isabelle's forehead.
Only then did Isabelle push Isaac's chest away with both hands, but she recoiled in surprise. Isaac, whom she had thought was a frail man who only fiddled with herbs, had a surprisingly firm chest.
“No, not at all.”
Isabelle took a step back and continued speaking.
"It's not here."
“You don’t look well. I heard you’ve been holed up in your room all day recently?”
“That’s true, but...”
"Come out here for a moment. You need to come outside for a walk and get some fresh air to improve your complexion."
"Ah, um."
Isabelle turned around, wondering what to do.
Ariana put away the book she was reading while sitting on the sofa and quietly watched the two of them. When their eyes met, Ariana mouthed, "Have a good trip."
Isabelle nodded, stepped out of the room, and closed the door behind her back.
Walking down the long, gray-carpeted hallway, Isabelle glanced back at Isaac. A high nose that seemed sculpted from his smooth forehead, and thin lips. His eyes, nestled beneath his thick eyebrows, were large and deep.
Up until now, to Isabelle, Isaac was just Isaac.
The talented Isaac. The helpful Isaac. Isaac, who calls Ariana 'Princess Consort'.
Until Isaac's face suddenly came to mind while she was with Ryan, she had a strong impression of Isaac as just Cyrus's friend.
“What did you two do like that, you and the Empress?”
Isabelle almost jumped up at the sudden question.
Why was I so nervous?
While Isabelle was flustered, she was also annoyed at herself for being startled by Isaac's voice.
“Just... how did you know I was with Ariana?”
"Rumors have spread far and wide that Her Majesty the Empress and Miss Isabelle are holed up in their room and not coming out."
“Why are you going around picking up rumors like that? You must have absolutely nothing better to do.”
Isabelle grumbled. Isaac stopped walking and turned to look at Isabelle.
“There is a lot to do, Isabelle. Even though there is so much work.”
Isaac stopped speaking after saying that much.
Only then did Isabelle realize that they had already walked out to the garden outside the main house. The scent of flowers was carried on the breeze that brushed past the flowerbeds.
Thinking it was a terribly sweet scent, Isaac spoke again.
"It makes me worried."
For some reason, she felt her heart sink. Isabelle barely managed to pull her hand down from her chest and spoke.
“Why are you worried about me being with Ariana? Are you afraid she might do something terrible to me?”
“It’s not that... I wasn’t worried earlier. But do you know what your face looks like right now?”
Isabelle raised her hand and touched her face.
Her eyes were red, her skin was dry and rough, and her lips were cracked.
You are saying I am incompetent in such a roundabout way.
It’s not that I’m ugly!
Her heart sank again at the sight of Isaac sighing.
'Why does my heart keep swaying?'
Isabelle lowered her head and looked down at her chest, and Isaac spoke.
"Miss Isabelle never shows it, even when you're sick. I'm worried that you might still be like that."
Her heart sank.
No, this isn't a shock.
Isabelle gazed at the eyes in front of her. Pale green eyes that held only Isabelle.
This is.
So that's what makes your heart race.
Snap out of it. This is disrespectful even to Her Majesty the Empress.
Leinster was Ariana's bodyguard.
Ariana had several bodyguards, but the only one she took with her wherever she went was Leinster. The knight who had faithfully protected Ariana from the time she arrived in the Eastern Territory until now.
So, Ariana's feelings for Leinster must be special as well.
'She must be hoping you meet a good woman.'
There was an image of a good woman in Louis's mind.
A cheerful, laughing woman who takes good care of the household and is skilled at sewing. Since a woman from a good family wouldn't have any reason to sew, let's change it to a woman who is good at embroidery.
Anyway, a woman far removed from Louis. A woman with an Ariana-like vibe.
No matter how much Louis thought about it, she could not imagine herself living as someone's wife.
Then, the reason she chuckled was that she realized she was thinking too far into the future.
Men do not meet women with the mindset that they must marry them. Leinster, too, likely asked her out simply out of interest and a little excitement.
But the way she looks like she's the only one thinking about marriage is just...
'You look like a young lady fluttering with excitement at her first love.'
She thought she would never have any connection with him, and she never dreamed that she would be consumed by such thoughts at such a late age.
Louis rubbed her face with both hands.
"Is it not fun?"
She took her hand off her face at the sound of anxiety.
Leinster was looking at Louis with concern.
Because the gray eyes were so close, Louis involuntarily leaned back and bumped into the person next to her. The person next to her was muttering curses, but when their eyes met Leinster's, they flinched in surprise and turned their head away.
"It is fun."
Leinster narrowed his eyebrows at Louis's answer.
"It doesn't look that way."
“How could you know what is on my mind? I am having a great time, so don’t worry and just go watch the circus.”
Leinster parted his lips as if he had something to say, then said, "Yes," and turned his head back to face forward. Louis also cast his gaze toward the stage, but nothing was registering with him.
The circus grounds were bustling and filled with excitement, but she felt as though she were all alone with Leinster, far removed from everything.
It was a strange time.
***
When Cyrus came out of the room, the person guarding the door was Noah, not Louis. Noah, who had been slumped in the hallway, yawning repeatedly, sprang to his feet at the sound of the door opening.
"Where is Louis?"
"She went on a date."
"...Date?"
“She went to see Lord Leinster. She told me she was going to see the Prince Consort, Her Majesty the Empress, but...”
"Ah, really."
Cyrus walked away as if uninterested. Noah followed closely behind Cyrus and asked.
“But my Lord, what on earth did you do for the entire day?”
"I read the manual a bit."
“A manual? A swordsmanship manual?”
"Well, it's similar."
A faint smile appeared and disappeared from Cyrus's lips.
"Is there still something for you to learn, my lord?*
“The world is vast, and learning has no end. I learned a lot of things I didn't know before.”
“Oh. Can’t I take a look at that manual too?”
"Later."
“When?”
"When you grow up."
“My Lord, I am an elder. I have been an elder since long ago. I am even older than you.”
Cyrus lightly slapped the back of Noah's head as he grumbled.
The 'Count Series' given to him by Geor expanded Cyrus's world. Since Ariana was the only woman in Cyrus's life, he only knew about matters in bed to the extent that he had shared them with her. Everything Ariana knew was all Cyrus knew, but thanks to the 'Count Series,' he came to learn much more.
Ariana probably feels the same way.
A faint smile flickered across Cyrus's lips before disappearing. It was because his thoughts had turned to Isabelle, who showed absolutely no intention of leaving Ariana's room.
“Noah. I want to drag Miss Isabelle out of Ariana’s room.”
"Shall I knock him out and send him out?"
"Don't use a really rude method."
"Ah, naturally?"
"Naturally."
“Hmm. Mmm.”
Noah, who had been tapping his chin and lost in thought, said, “Ah!”
“Wouldn’t Sir Isaac be able to draw Lady Isabelle out?”
Cyrus furrowed his brow at the mention of an unexpected name.
“Isaac? Why is Isaac’s name coming up here?”
"You two are close, you know."
"They are close, though."
"They're very close."
"Are they that close?"
In Cyrus's memories, Isaac and Isabelle would argue whenever they met face-to-face. Isaac used to describe Isabelle as a very annoying and burdensome woman.
Although it was unclear whether Isaac would succeed in luring Isabelle out, she walked toward the building where Isaac was staying. Isaac was using the entire annex located a short distance from the main house of the mansion.
As soon as they entered the annex, the pungent smell of various chemicals stung their noses. Since it was a familiar smell, Cyrus and Noah did not even frown and headed toward Isaac's room.
Isaac was staring at the boiling liquid inside the glass bottle.
"Isaac."
"Oh, Your Majesty."
Isaac jumped up and pretended to be polite.
“What are you making?”
"The medicine to give to Shini."
"Is it somewhat effective?"
"It’s just enough to keep her alive."
The two men paused their conversation for a moment and glared at the glass bottle.
"Isaac."
"Huh?"
"I have a favor to ask."
Isaac turned to look at Cyrus in surprise. A request, not an order? It was the first time he had heard Cyrus speak like that.
To think that His Imperial Majesty has made such a request... The burden on the shoulders of this humble physician is too heavy.
"Miss Isabelle isn't coming out of Ariana's room."
“Ah, Isabelle.”
Isaac seemed puzzled by the name that appeared out of nowhere.
"But why are you telling me that?"
“Because he said you could elegantly escort Miss Isabelle out of that room.”
"Who?"
Cyrus nodded toward Noah, who was standing beside him. Isaac glared at Noah with a look of disbelief and spoke.
“Your Majesty, aren’t there many matters more important than Her Majesty the Empress spending quality time with her cousin?”
"I have no more important problems than this right now."
"What on earth is the problem?"
Isaac gestured to Noah to ask, but Noah didn't know either.
Isaac was not in the mood to meet Isabelle. Whenever he faced Isabelle, he would reveal his weak heart without filter.
Isaac didn't want to look pathetic, but no matter how old his friend was, Cyrus was the Emperor nonetheless. Since he couldn't flatly refuse his request, Isaac had no choice but to nod.
“I don’t know if Isabelle will come out just because I go see her, but I’ll give it a try.”
***
He didn't expect the headstrong Isabelle to come out at his call. He thought he would be lucky if she wasn't turned away at the door, but as soon as the maid announced Isaac's visit, the door burst open.
Isabelle had her eyes wide open as if surprised.
“Isaac?”
"Isabelle..."
Isaac hardened his expression upon seeing Isabelle's appearance. Bloodshot eyes and a pale complexion. She had been staying indoors lately; was it because she was sick?
"Are you sick?"
“What? Me? No, they say it doesn't hurt.”
"Let me see."
Almost unconsciously, Isaac pulled Isabelle's wrist and moved closer to her. Without even realizing that they were close enough to be chest to chest, he carefully examined Isabelle's face.
While Isaac's fingers touched Isabelle's eyelids and brushed against her earlobes, Isabelle could not even breathe.
"It seems like you aren't sleeping well. Is something wrong?"
Isaac's breath touched Isabelle's forehead.
Only then did Isabelle push Isaac's chest away with both hands, but she recoiled in surprise. Isaac, whom she had thought was a frail man who only fiddled with herbs, had a surprisingly firm chest.
“No, not at all.”
Isabelle took a step back and continued speaking.
"It's not here."
“You don’t look well. I heard you’ve been holed up in your room all day recently?”
“That’s true, but...”
"Come out here for a moment. You need to come outside for a walk and get some fresh air to improve your complexion."
"Ah, um."
Isabelle turned around, wondering what to do.
Ariana put away the book she was reading while sitting on the sofa and quietly watched the two of them. When their eyes met, Ariana mouthed, "Have a good trip."
Isabelle nodded, stepped out of the room, and closed the door behind her back.
Walking down the long, gray-carpeted hallway, Isabelle glanced back at Isaac. A high nose that seemed sculpted from his smooth forehead, and thin lips. His eyes, nestled beneath his thick eyebrows, were large and deep.
Up until now, to Isabelle, Isaac was just Isaac.
The talented Isaac. The helpful Isaac. Isaac, who calls Ariana 'Princess Consort'.
Until Isaac's face suddenly came to mind while she was with Ryan, she had a strong impression of Isaac as just Cyrus's friend.
“What did you two do like that, you and the Empress?”
Isabelle almost jumped up at the sudden question.
Why was I so nervous?
While Isabelle was flustered, she was also annoyed at herself for being startled by Isaac's voice.
“Just... how did you know I was with Ariana?”
"Rumors have spread far and wide that Her Majesty the Empress and Miss Isabelle are holed up in their room and not coming out."
“Why are you going around picking up rumors like that? You must have absolutely nothing better to do.”
Isabelle grumbled. Isaac stopped walking and turned to look at Isabelle.
“There is a lot to do, Isabelle. Even though there is so much work.”
Isaac stopped speaking after saying that much.
Only then did Isabelle realize that they had already walked out to the garden outside the main house. The scent of flowers was carried on the breeze that brushed past the flowerbeds.
Thinking it was a terribly sweet scent, Isaac spoke again.
"It makes me worried."
For some reason, she felt her heart sink. Isabelle barely managed to pull her hand down from her chest and spoke.
“Why are you worried about me being with Ariana? Are you afraid she might do something terrible to me?”
“It’s not that... I wasn’t worried earlier. But do you know what your face looks like right now?”
Isabelle raised her hand and touched her face.
Her eyes were red, her skin was dry and rough, and her lips were cracked.
You are saying I am incompetent in such a roundabout way.
It’s not that I’m ugly!
Her heart sank again at the sight of Isaac sighing.
'Why does my heart keep swaying?'
Isabelle lowered her head and looked down at her chest, and Isaac spoke.
"Miss Isabelle never shows it, even when you're sick. I'm worried that you might still be like that."
Her heart sank.
No, this isn't a shock.
Isabelle gazed at the eyes in front of her. Pale green eyes that held only Isabelle.
This is.
So that's what makes your heart race.
Comments
Post a Comment