Side Story 2 – Chapter 1

 

* * *

 

A week before the New Year.

Melody Baldwin, the Madam of Baldwin, who had inherited all the good qualities of the strict yet kind Baron Higgins, was now thirty years old.

Her eventful life was still a topic of conversation among many.

Born as the daughter of a slave trader, adopted into the Baron family favored by the Duke, and finally ascending to the position of a noble wife!

 

“She truly is an amazing person. How many great individuals have emerged from the orphans she sponsored?”

 

Of course, alongside those admiring voices, there were also whispers like…

 

“Well, she comes from such a background, so it’s natural that those rootless children would flock to her.”

“She must be exceptionally skilled at handling those who have nowhere to go. Having grown up under a slave trader, she would have seen such things.”

 

It was astounding how casually these gentlemen and ladies exchanged such outrageously rude remarks.

What made it even more surprising was that this blatant conversation took place in the main hall of the Duke’s mansion in the capital, where a glamorous New Year’s party was in full swing.

The rude man and woman, adorned with glittering ornaments from head to toe, stood with their backs to a large pillar, casting disdainful glances at the young people greeting them from all over the hall.

These youngsters were all individuals who had blossomed with extraordinary talent in arts or academics, having received support from the Duke’s family.

“Now they’re even inviting orphans to the banquet….”

The woman, holding a fan up to her eyes, openly frowned at an artist approaching to greet her.

Noticing her displeasure, the artist quickly bowed and retreated, and she finally lowered her fan with a sigh.

“This is more like a slave auction than a social gathering.”

“I completely agree. Truly, it will only tarnish the reputation of the Duke’s family in the future…”

Suddenly, the gentleman’s gleeful words came to a halt.

At the same time, his gaze fixed on a single point.

“…Ma-Madam Baldwin.”

Melody Baldwin, dressed in an amber gown, was approaching from beyond the pillar where they had been hiding.

Did she hear us? The gossiping pair exchanged anxious glances.

Melody, who had arrived before them, gave a light nod.

“Good evening. Thank you for coming.”

“W-we are truly honored to be invited to such a splendid party. Ahahaha.”

Melody gave a gentle smile at their awkward greeting.

Judging from her kind expression, it seemed she hadn’t heard their previous conversation, so the madam gathered her courage and took a step closer.

“I heard you’ve been sponsoring many talented children. It’s truly commendable, Madam.”

“Thank you. But I didn’t specifically seek out talented children.”

Madam Baldwin gingerly held her white-gloved hands together, as if she were embarrassed to have received the praise.

“It’s each individual’s merit for nurturing their dreams. It’s more about their effort than talent, as they all worked diligently.”

“That is truly admirable.”

Melody let out a sigh of relief at the gentleman’s response, gently placing a hand near her heart.

“I’m so glad you understand.”

“……Pardon?”

“Because it won’t tarnish the reputation of the Duke’s family.”

Melody was still smiling, but the rude pair turned pale.

It seemed she had heard their entire conversation after all.

“M-Ma’am, there seems to be a misunderstanding.”

“O-of course, we didn’t mean anything by those words.”

“Yes, I believe you.”

Melody gave a firm answer and took a step back.

“Then please enjoy the rest of the evening.”

As she turned away, the distressed pair continued their conversation behind her.

“Oh dear, what should we do?”

“She’s acting all high and mighty. Don’t worry, after all…”

It seemed their rude remarks were resuming, but Melody deliberately ignored them.

Turning the corner behind the pillar, she found Claude Baldwin standing there, enveloped in a dark aura.

Having served as the Duke’s proxy for several years and managing all practical affairs, he was now in his mid-thirties.

He was the main character of the wedding that had caused a stir in society.

Moreover, he was known for being a passionate husband who never held back his affection for his first love, whom he had married.

For the past few years, consistently!

However, with a child now between them, some hoped that his excessive “wife-centric” behavior might finally subside.

After all, the ultimate reason for a noble’s marriage was ‘producing an heir’, and in that sense, Melody had already fulfilled her purpose.

“Claude, are you still brooding?”

But Claude Baldwin’s intensity hadn’t diminished.

Rather, he had become even more protective of Melody and their child, constantly worrying about someone harming them.

“Claude, you’re the host of this banquet. If you keep making that face, everyone will run away.”

His wife’s single remark, barely reaching his chest, finally softened his stern expression.

He still wouldn’t tolerate the actions of those who had insulted her, however.

“Perhaps it would have been better if I had gone.”

In fact, Claude had wanted to confront them directly.

Melody had stopped him from rushing over to reprimand them, insisting, “I’ll handle it.”

“It couldn’t be helped.”

Melody knew how to appease her sulking husband, so she gently extended her right hand towards him.

“If you had gone, you would have tormented them to the point where they wouldn’t want to set foot in the capital for the next few years.”

His eyes lit up as he swiftly grabbed her hand and pulled her closer.

It was strange, Melody thought.

They had held hands countless times over the past few years, hundreds, perhaps thousands of times…….

Yet Claude Baldwin still showed great enthusiasm for this simple act.

He even looked genuinely touched when Melody initiated it.

“I had no intention of tormenting them. I simply wanted to… enlighten them on proper etiquette as human beings.”

He must have imagined confronting the rude pair directly, as he pulled Melody’s hand closer to his lips, a sly smile on his face.

“Of course, I also enjoy seeing my wife’s impressive side. You did well. May I kiss you?”

“Not here.”

Melody quickly pulled her hand away and hid it behind her back as he leaned in to passionately kiss it.

“Ah, how cruel.”

As he stared at his empty hand with a disappointed look, Melody quickly grabbed his arm and led him towards the other guests.

If they lingered behind the pillar any longer, the ladies who were friendly with Melody would start giving them suggestive glances and exclaiming, “How envious!”

“Come on, let’s go,” Melody said, pulling on his arm.

And at that moment.

“She’s acting all high and mighty. Don’t worry, after all…”

“After all?”

“Claude must have taken her out of youthful passion. Now that he’s older, he’ll come to his senses.”

The faint whispers from behind the pillar earlier came back to her.

‘I’m so glad Claude didn’t hear that.’

Melody let out a small sigh.

“Are you alright?”

Seemingly sensing something amiss, Claude asked cautiously.

Melody leaned a little closer against his arm, forcing a smile.

“Of course.”

Melody genuinely wanted to fulfill her duties as the hostess of this banquet, so she quickly offered a firm answer.

“…”

He didn’t seem entirely convinced, though.

“Really.”

Seeing her unwavering resolve, Claude finally nodded.

“Alright. But…”

He gently wrapped his hand around hers.

“Stay by my side.”

Knowing he wouldn’t budge on this, Melody nodded in agreement.

Truth be told, she was actually glad he was staying by her side. Especially on a night when her emotions were in turmoil.

 

* * *

 

After seeing off the last guest at the banquet, which had continued until dawn, Melody returned to their bedroom with Claude.

Claude waved off the maid who came to assist Melody.

“You’re tired.”

“I’m not that tired.”

He untied the small ribbon at the back of her gown. Then, one by one, he loosened the tightly tied strings that constricted her body.

“We agreed not to tie it so tightly.”

He frowned as he saw the deep marks the ribbon had left on Melody’s skin.

“It depends on the style of the dress. Sometimes I like to experiment. It’s fun.”

“If it was your choice, then I’m glad….”

He gently stroked the back of her neck with his palm, where the red mark remained.

“But I wouldn’t want you to be in pain.”

“Still, it looks pretty, doesn’t it? This dress Loretta picked out for me.”

Melody, clutching her bodice, which threatened to spill open, spun around to face him.

“Pretty…”

He averted his gaze from her exposed shoulder, forcing a smile.

It had been eleven months since Melody had given birth.

Claude was meticulously following the guidelines outlined in a research paper that stated a year of recovery was necessary after childbirth.

Melody’s health was the most important thing in the world to him.

He expertly suppressed his desires and flashed a bright smile.