Side Story 2 – Chapter 5

 

* * *

 

Given the circumstances, Melody couldn’t help but feel like she was staining the pure and noble Claude Baldwin with her muddy past.

‘He would vehemently deny it if I told him that… but…’

Accepting his kindness felt increasingly burdensome.

Melody thought of the Emperor’s offer, a truly grateful proposition.

For Claude and Edmund’s sake, she needed to accept it and elevate her own worth.

Moreover, the fact that the Emperor himself desired her abilities wasn’t a bad thing. It was a great opportunity for her.

‘But…’

She couldn’t shake the hesitation in her heart.

How selfish could she be?

“Madam.”

Startled by a servant’s voice behind her, Melody turned around.

She had almost forgotten about her short outing scheduled for this afternoon.

Melody rose from her seat, realizing she would be late if she didn’t get ready soon.

 

* * *

 

As Melody’s carriage door opened, Ronny Baldwin extended his arm in a gentlemanly gesture.

“Oh, you’re here.”

…Though his tone hadn’t changed a bit since they were young.

For a few months after Melody became Madam Baldwin, Ronny had addressed her respectfully as “Sister-in-law”, but he soon reverted back to his old ways.

Melody found it more comfortable, so she didn’t mind, and they had maintained a pleasant friendship until now.

“Where’s our Duke? Didn’t he come?”

As Melody stepped out of the carriage, he peered inside, checking the empty space.

The “Duke” Ronny was referring to wasn’t the actual Duke in the duchy.

“Duke Edmund is enjoying his nap time.”

“Really? I bragged so much about our adorable nephew coming. Oh well… It can’t be helped if he’s sleeping. What about brother?”

“It’s the New Year.”

“Ah, I bet he’s being tormented by the vassals right now.”

Ronny shook his head and closed the carriage door.

“Let’s go inside.”

He guided Melody towards the entrance of his enormous mansion, rivaling the size of the Duke’s.

He had earned a considerable fortune from investing in art at a relatively young age and had become fully independent.

Now, he ran this grand art gallery, even playing a role in nurturing new artists.

There was an unspoken rule that any artist sponsored by Ronny was guaranteed success, leading to a constant stream of artists from even foreign lands, all eager to meet him.

Today was a celebratory banquet to commemorate the expansion of his gallery to this grand scale.

It was a relatively casual gathering of the capital’s artists and the nobles who admired them.

“Congratulations, Ronny.”

“I was lucky. Ah, right. I had the servants put something in your carriage.”

“What did you put there?”

“It’s nothing special.”

As they entered the hall, he handed Melody a drink and began explaining the items he had placed in her carriage.

“One of them is a  painting that’s supposed to bring good luck if you hang it in your study. Maybe you can hang it in the Duke’s study later as well.”

“Ah, thank you.”

It was a very Ronny-like gift.

“And put the blue rug under your desk. It supposedly helps improve concentration.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I also included a cushion that allows you to sit for long hours and a massage hammer. It’s a Briggs product, so you know it’s reliable. For your Records Keeper exam after all these years.”

“Ah.”

Melody nodded awkwardly, unsure of how to respond.

How did everyone know about the exam announcement, hidden in such a small article in the newspaper?

She was surprised and a little guilty.

After all, she hadn’t decided whether she would take the exam yet.

“What’s with that expression? Do you not like it?”

“No, not at all!”

Melody waved her hands.

“I was just surprised. It was just announced, and it’s not widely known. But for you to…”

“Well.”

Ronny crossed his arms and grinned.

“There’s no one in our family who doesn’t know how eagerly you’ve been waiting for that exam.”

“Thank you, Ronny. Truly.”

“Don’t mention it. Anyway, make sure you don’t meet Jeremiah the day before the exam. If you fall asleep again, it’ll be a disaster.”

His mention of those nostalgic days made Melody chuckle, forgetting about the exam for a moment.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Just then, a man who seemed to be Ronny’s assistant approached.

He cautiously asked for their understanding, saying, “Excuse me, but…”

Melody smiled and stepped back.

“I’ll go look at the  paintings then. I’ve been thinking about getting a new  painting for the reception room anyway.”

“Oh… are you sure? I’m so sorry.”

He clasped his hands together and bowed slightly, apologizing for leaving her alone.

“I’m not a child. And thank you for the gifts.”

“Don’t mention it. If you need anything else, just tell me… No, tell my brother! He has more money than he knows what to do with, so he’ll be delighted! I’m going!”

“…?”

He ended their conversation abruptly and hurried away, following his assistant.

Left alone, Melody looked around, a little bewildered.

She hoped she might find a familiar face.

However, none of the ladies or madams she was acquainted with seemed to be present today. Perhaps their schedules had clashed.

‘I’ll just choose a  painting and go back.’

She also had some matters to contemplate on her own, and she was still worried about Edmund.

Sipping the drink Ronny had given her, Melody began to appreciate the  paintings displayed throughout the spacious hall.

And after a while.

“Oh my, it’s true.”

She heard a voice, laced with a sharp edge, coming from nearby.

“She came alone again today.”

“They say she’s been doing that lately! Something must be going on.”

Melody froze in her tracks.

Thankfully, she had stopped in front of a  painting depicting a summer day with lush green foliage, so she didn’t look out of place.

She couldn’t show any reaction to their vulgar gossip.

‘…But…’

Her feet wouldn’t move.

She couldn’t confront these rude people and lash out at them like she had done before.

She didn’t have the courage.

It was strange, even to her.

To think she felt unqualified to refute their insults, even after hearing them.

Melody clenched her hands tightly.

“Claude hasn’t been seen much lately, has he?”

“Yes, he barely comes to the gentlemen’s club anymore. Something must have happened at the Duke’s family.”

“Oh my, really? Then… hehehe.”

The barely concealed snickers, even with the fan hiding their faces, pierced Melody’s heart.

‘…I have to leave.’

If she lingered any longer, it would be as if she were eavesdropping on their conversation.

She didn’t want to waste any more of her day being entangled with these people.

Melody turned, her steps slightly hurried and shaky.

Thud.

Her body lurched back as she accidentally bumped into an artist standing next to her.

“Oh?!”

The startled artist quickly grabbed Melody’s arm, preventing her from falling backwards.

However, she couldn’t avoid the embarrassment of his drink splashing onto her dress.

“I-I’m so sorry!”

The artist began profusely apologizing, drawing attention from those nearby.

As curious gazes turned towards her, Melody instinctively shrank back.

‘I just want to… go home.’

She could always ask Ronny to buy the  painting for her later. With that thought, she glanced towards the exit.

“…?”

Standing there, still in his overcoat, was Claude Baldwin, rushing towards her with a frightening intensity.

“Melody!”

He quickly removed his jacket and wrapped it completely around her.

“Are you alright? Are you hurt?”

“Ah…”

Melody clutched the large coat draped over her shoulders, staring blankly at him, surprised by his sudden appearance.

After all, Claude had been extremely busy receiving guests today and had told her he wouldn’t be able to accompany her to any outside events.

‘Why…is he here?’

Could it be that he was concerned about the rumors circulating?

“Melody, are you alright?”

“I-I’m fine… Oh.”

As she took a step back, her body swayed.

The heel of her high shoe had broken. Perhaps it had been damaged when she bumped into the artist earlier.

“Goodness.”

Claude noticed immediately and quickly lifted her up, supporting her waist.

“We should head back. Will you wrap your arms around my neck?”

It seemed he planned to carry her back. Normally, Melody would never accept such an embarrassing offer.

But her shoe was broken, and she desperately wanted to escape this humiliating situation, so she readily wrapped her arms around his neck.

He seemed to sense her unusual compliance.

A worried look appeared in his eyes.

He didn’t say anything, though. He simply lifted her up and carried her out of the banquet hall.

“…”

Melody closed her eyes, clutching his coat.

‘This is a mess.’

She couldn’t even handle a simple outing he had entrusted to her.

For some reason, she felt like crying.