Side Story 2 – Chapter 9

 

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Life at a point where one’s direction is somewhat set tends to be filled with things far more important than dreams.

“More than anything,  if you had to compare the two, anyone would choose the same.”

“But you’ve always dreamt of it. You even kept the books you needed for the exam close by.”

“Th-that’s…!”

It was true that she had kept the books nearby and studied diligently in her spare time, hoping the exam might be held someday.

Melody couldn’t offer any excuses to Claude, who had been observing her all along.

“The…situation has changed. A better opportunity has presented itself…”

Melody quietly released his hand, clasping her own hands together. Her gaze fell upon her joined hands.

“Melody.”

His calm voice came from above.

“Are you going to blame me?”

“…What?”

“If I were to tell you that I want to give up my right to be heir and live quietly with you and Edmund.”

“Th-that’s your decision, Claude. It’s not my place to blame you.”

“Even  if it’s a choice to relinquish honor?”

Melody bit her lip, her face crumpling. She finally understood the intention behind his question.

“It’s the same for me, Melody.”

Claude gently cupped her cheeks, making her look at him.

“No matter your age or circumstances… I will be by your side on the path you choose. That’s why I married you.”

He gazed deeply into her with his moonlit blue eyes as he emphasized the word ‘together’.

“Do what you truly desire. With my full support.”

“…”

“That way… when I have a new dream someday, you can support me too, right?”

“Your… dream?”

“Yes, dreams can arise at any age. Thirty, forty… Perhaps I might even have a dream everyone calls foolish.”

Foolish…

That couldn’t be further from the truth. Melody quickly shook her head.

She would respect any dream Claude might have. With all her heart.

It didn’t matter what anyone else thought.

‘…Ah.’

Suddenly, it dawned on her.

‘I…see.’

She understood what Claude’s heart held.

Just like she never dismissed his feelings as trivial…

Just like she would protect him even  if it meant turning against the entire world…

He harbored the same resolve.

“Are you…truly…”

Melody’s voice choked with emotion.

“Are you…alright with it?”

“If you can’t live as your true self, I would be devastated.”

His thoughts mirrored her own.

 If this marriage forced Claude to make choices he didn’t want, Melody would be utterly heartbroken.

‘What…have I been doing?’

She had been swept away by the opinions of others, forgetting what truly mattered.

“Now… will you tell me?”

Sensing a shift in her heart, he smiled faintly.

“What you truly desire.”

“I…”

Melody spoke slowly.

“I thought I had to be a wife you could boast about.”

A wife worthy of his reputation, especially in the eyes of others.

“You already are.”

Melody shook her head softly at his answer.

“Even after all the worries I’ve caused you these past few days?”

“You were just… thinking about me in your own way.”

That was only natural. For Melody to think deeply about him.

However, she had been so preoccupied with carrying her burdens alone, hidden inside that heavy box, that she hadn’t been able to see her true feelings.

“…Claude.”

Melody pushed aside all the unnecessary thoughts that had been clinging to her.

Meaningless words.

The expectations of others.

And the boundaries she had drawn for herself.

Once all those thoughts were gone, only the most important thing remained.

“I… want to make you happy.”

Standing at the very beginning of her worries, Melody confronted her current dilemma.

This time, the answer came surprisingly easily.

To the point where all her agonizing contemplation seemed foolish.

“So Claude…”

“Yes.”

“I want to do what I’ve always longed for. Even  if others call it a foolish choice, will you… support me?”

“Of course, I’ll support you with all my heart. Being on your side is my favorite thing to do.”

Melody had always known that Claude was her eternal ally.

When looking back on all his actions up until now, they had always proven it.

But hearing him say those words was different, and for some reason, she wanted to hug this wonderful man tightly.

“Thank you.”

She reached out, hesitantly wrapping her arms around his waist.

As she leaned against him, a comforting sense of peace washed over her.

Like returning home after a long journey.

“I truly… love you.”

As the confession slipped out, she felt him stiffen in her embrace.

“…?”

She looked up, a little bewildered, and saw him looking incredibly flustered, a rare sight.

“Ah, um… shall I… escort you to your room?”

“Why?”

“Well… my clothes are thin…”

“Your clothes?”

He gently took her by the shoulders, pushing her away.

“We should… be careful. Your body is still recovering… and  if I don’t…control myself…”

Melody noticed his hand trembling as it held her shoulder, suppressing his desires.

“Besides, Loretta might be waiting for you.”

“You said she was fuming?”

Melody teased him playfully and hugged him again.

They were both wearing thin pajamas, and she could feel every curve and warmth of his body against hers.

“Oh, honestly.”

He placed a hand on his forehead, looking truly distressed.

“Don’t… torment me so.”

“I’m trying to make you happy.”

He froze at her playful response.

Had she gone too far? Melody hesitantly tried to release her embrace.

But he quickly scooped her up in his arms.

Her feet, clad in the slippers he had given her, dangled in the air.

“It can’t be helped. I can’t refuse my wife’s offer to make me happy, can I?”

“What?! No…”

“Hm, no?”

As her body tilted back, she instinctively tightened her arms around his neck.

He had been waiting for this, as evident by the sly smile on his face.

“Seeing you hug me so lovingly, it seems you’re not saying no after all.”

“No, that’s not…”

Melody frowned, clinging to him, feeling like the situation had been reversed.

She had been the one teasing him…

“I’m going to my room. Is that alright?”

“But you said Loretta was waiting…”

“It’s fine. She’s a forgiving child. My adorable little sister with a heart of gold.”

His pace quickened as he carried her towards their room. It seemed that his desires ran deeper than she had thought.

“…Haah.”

Embarrassed, she sighed as she buried her face in his shoulder. As they reached their room, she heard the door gently closing behind them.

He carried her inside, kissing her softly along her neck, her ear, her cheek.

She tilted her head back, following his gentle lips and tickling breath.

Looking up, she saw his face, the desperate desire momentarily suppressed as he gazed at her in the darkness.

“I love you, deeply… truly.”

She nodded slightly, and he smiled faintly.

“My only wish is to make you happy.”

“You… already do.”

“Not enough.”

His arms tightened around her, refusing to let go.

“I’ll do better.”

“……”

“So that you can walk your path freely. So Melody…”

Melody tilted her head up towards him, finishing his sentence.

“I will… do my best to be happy.”

Then, their lips met, and words became impossible.

Edmund slept soundly until late the next morning.

 

* * *

 

As dawn broke, Melody slipped out of Claude’s embrace.

He had clung to her until the very end, whining, “You’re so cruel…”

‘How long is he going to act cute?’

It was a concern she couldn’t voice aloud.  If she said ‘Claude is so cute’, everyone would look at her strangely.

Which meant… only she could experience his adorable side.

‘That’s… rather nice.’

She giggled softly and cautiously opened her bedroom door.

Loretta was probably still asleep, so  if she snuck back into her room, she might be able to avoid revealing what happened last night.

“Melody, you’re back now?”