Side Story 2
Elonia was dissatisfied.
It didn’t make sense. They had been seeing each other, checking in on each other, even going on occasional dates for two years, but they weren’t officially dating. And they were getting engaged next month, but they still weren’t dating.
Lucius, seeing her frustration, explained gently,
“But that’s the law in Ravanta. An adult can’t date a minor. Do you want to be the first to break the law, Your Highness?”
“B-but!”
Elonia hadn’t had any romantic contact with Lucius since her appointment as Crown Princess two years ago.
‘Well, of course not, since we’re not dating…’
Elonia, stuck in this endless pre-relationship limbo, was frustrated.
They were getting engaged next month! Couldn’t they bend the rules a little, especially since she was the younger one and she was the one who wanted to?
Lucius, as if reading her mind, said firmly,
“Absolutely not.”
“…I didn’t even say anything yet.”
“It’s written all over your face.”
“You’re like a ghost.”
Elonia pouted. Lucius, looking at her with adoration, then gently took her hands in his, his voice filled with regret.
“I’m also frustrated, Your Highness. But it’s just one more month. Please wait.”
He kissed her hands repeatedly, his gaze fixed on her, and Elonia blushed.
‘He’s using his charm again.’
But she was weak against his charms. She nodded reluctantly.
“…Okay.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Lucius beamed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He kissed her hand one last time, then stood up.
“Then, have a good night. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
Lucius left, and Elonia sat by the window, watching him board his carriage. He waved at her until the carriage was out of sight, and she waved back. She lingered by the window, a sense of longing filling her chest.
‘It’s just one month.’
In a month, she would be an adult, and they would be officially engaged.
It would be her world then.
“I should go to sleep.”
He would be back tomorrow. The thought made her smile, her earlier longing replaced by anticipation.
The next day, after finishing her duties, Elonia prepared for Lucius’s visit.
“Sarah, prepare some tea, please.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
She had the tea prepared just in time for his arrival. The fragrant aroma filled the room, and as the tea cooled slightly, Elonia, resting her chin on her hands, grumbled,
“…Why isn’t he here yet?”
He was thirty minutes late.
“Perhaps something came up?”
Sarah’s words planted a seed of worry in Elonia’s mind.
‘Could it be an accident?’
Lucius had never been late before. It was impossible, unless something had happened.
“Send the knights—”
Just then,
“I apologize for the delay, Your Highness.”
The door opened, and Lucius entered. Elonia, her eyes wide with surprise, then rushed towards him.
“Why are you so late?! I was worried!”
“Well, something did come up…”
Lucius, his breathing still ragged, replied. His hair was damp with sweat, and his clothes were covered in dirt. Elonia gasped.
“What? Did you fall somewhere?”
“It’s a long story… And I apologize, I couldn’t bring you any flowers today.”
Elonia was speechless. Was that what he was worried about? He was covered in dirt, and he was apologizing for not bringing flowers? She raised an eyebrow and reached for his coat.
“Forget about the flowers. Are you hurt? Take off your clothes!”
“I-I’m fine!”
Lucius dodged her hand, his face turning red. Elonia, feeling slightly offended at being treated like a pervert, asked,
“Do I look like a pervert to you?”
“…”
Lucius turned away, and Elonia felt a surge of annoyance. She had never wanted to undress him…
‘Well, there was that one time, but not now!’
Actions had consequences.
Elonia, after three seconds of self-reflection, asked,
“Are you hiding any injuries?”
“I swear, I’m not.”
“…Then go wash up and change your clothes.”
“Th-that’s not necessary…”
“You’re planning to enter my private quarters covered in dirt and sweat?”
That wouldn’t do. Lucius was a neat freak. And he couldn’t bear the thought of dirtying Elonia’s room.
Elonia, seeing his hesitation, called out to Sarah.
“Sarah, prepare some clothes for him, please.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Sarah left and returned with a set of comfortable-looking clothes. Lucius, surprised, asked,
“…How did you know my size?”
It was even a set of pajamas.
Elonia, avoiding his gaze, mumbled,
“In case you decide to stay the night…”
“…”
Well, clean pajamas were better than dirty clothes. He was grateful. Lucius took the clothes and went to the bathroom.
When he returned, his hair still damp, Elonia was alone in the reception room.
“Where’s Lady Sarah?”
“I sent her away.”
“…”
“That’s not what I meant!”
Elonia, seeing his suspicious gaze, shouted indignantly. She hadn’t dismissed Sarah to be alone with him!
Lucius, unable to suppress his amusement, chuckled softly.
“My apologies.”
“You always apologize.”
“Please forgive me. The tea has gotten cold. Shall I make some more?”
“No, it’s fine. Really.”
Ignoring Elonia’s protests, Lucius walked towards the cupboard, opened it with practiced ease, and retrieved Elonia’s favorite tea leaves. He then filled the kettle with milk and tea leaves and placed it on the stove. Elonia, watching him, her voice filled with regret, said,
“I said it was fine…”
“I ruined your tea time. It’s the least I can do.”
“You didn’t ruin anything. As long as you’re not hurt, that’s all that matters.”
“I enjoy watching you drink tea, Your Highness.”
Elonia, defeated, gave up. Lucius gracefully poured the milk tea into two teacups, one decorated with purple flowers for Elonia. He added two sugar cubes to Elonia’s cup. Elonia smiled.
“Thank you.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
Lucius sat down opposite her. Elonia, at his urging, took a sip of the warm milk tea.
“Delicious.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
Lucius smiled, as if he had tasted the sweetness himself, even though his own tea was unsweetened. Elonia, unable to wait any longer, asked,
“So, what happened?”
Clink. Lucius paused, setting down his teacup. Elonia, her voice serious, asked,
“What is it? Tell me.”
“Well…”
“Yes?”
Elonia leaned forward, ready to listen.
Lucius hesitated, then turned away.
“It’s nothing.”
“What?”
Elonia’s voice rose sharply. Lucius would normally back down immediately, but this time, he remained stubbornly silent.
“It’s really nothing.”
“Tell me, or else.”
Elonia resorted to threats. Lucius usually confessed everything to avoid her displeasure. But this time,
“I apologize.”
He still wouldn’t meet her gaze, as if he had something to hide.
He stood up abruptly.
“I-I should be going now.”
“What? Hey! Where are you going?!”
“Have a pleasant evening, Your Highness. I’ll see you tomorrow!”
Before Elonia could stop him, Lucius rushed out of the reception room. Elonia, left alone, couldn’t comprehend his behavior.
She finally realized,
“This is suspicious.”
She wasn’t going to accept his dismissal so easily.
Elonia clenched her fists.
‘I have to find out what happened to Lucius today.’
The next day, as soon as she arrived at her office, Elonia summoned Garnethia secretly.
“Garnethia, I have a favor to ask.”
“Yes!”
Elonia, afraid of being overheard, put a finger to her lips.
“Shh, quiet!”
“Gasp!”
Garnethia quickly covered her mouth. She was efficient when working alone, but she became strangely clumsy and flustered around Elonia, just like during their first year at the academy. But she was reliable, so Elonia trusted her with this task.
“Find out what Lucius was doing yesterday.”
“Investigate Young Master Luneus?”
Garnethia’s eyes turned cold.
“L-listen, Garnethia, I know this isn’t right, but!”
Elonia knew it was wrong to investigate someone behind their back. But she was worried. He had been late, covered in dirt and sweat, and he wouldn’t tell her why!
“Yesterday, Lucius—”
“Is that man two-timing you, Your Highness? With someone else?”
“Huh?”
Elonia blinked, surprised by the unexpected question. Garnethia’s murderous aura intensified.
“Surely not. He wouldn’t betray someone as perfect as you, would he? Such ingratitude…”
“W-why are you saying that?”
“Why else would you ask me, discreetly, to investigate your fiancé?”
Garnethia’s eyes widened, her gaze unwavering. Even Elonia, the fearless Sword Master, felt intimidated.
Lucius, cheating on her? That was the most absurd scenario imaginable. Elonia, impressed by Garnethia’s creativity, quickly corrected her misunderstanding.
“That’s not it. Yesterday, Lucius…”
Elonia explained what had happened. Garnethia gasped at the part where Lucius, despite his exhaustion, had prepared tea for her. And then, her expression turned grim.
“Garnethia…?”
Garnethia remained silent, motionless, for a long moment. Elonia was about to nudge her when,
“Alright, leave it to me! I’ll find out why he acted like that!”
Garnethia clenched her fists and smiled brightly. Before Elonia could say anything, she grabbed her coat and headed towards the door.
“I’ll be back soon, Your Highness!”
“Uh, okay.”
Garnethia carefully closed the door behind her. Elonia, relieved that the misunderstanding had been cleared, slumped back in her chair, exhausted.
‘Garnethia can be quite intense when she’s riled up.’
Quiet people were the scariest when they were angry, and Garnethia was no exception. She was glad Lucius wouldn’t be dragged away by Garnethia, when the door opened again.
“Garnethia?”
Garnethia peeked her head back in and mouthed the words,
“Should I eliminate the competition?”
…Nevermind. The misunderstanding hadn’t been cleared.