Side Story 2 – Chapter 10

 

* * *

 

“Y-you were awake?”

Melody quickly clasped her hands together, searching for a suitable excuse.

No matter how close she was to Loretta, it was still embarrassing to admit that she had spent the night in Claude’s room.

“Well, you see…”

As she hesitated, Loretta rushed over and took her hands.

“I was right, wasn’t I?”

“H-huh?”

“You were talking to my brother, weren’t you? Because you were so moved by my persuasion.”

“Y-yes! That’s right.”

Melody quickly nodded.

“We talked.”

“And of course, my brother gave a wonderful answer, didn’t he?”

“Yes.”

“I knew it.”

“Loretta, there’s something I want to tell you…”

Melody decided to properly convey to Loretta the answer she had found last night.

After all, it was thanks to Loretta that she had reached this conclusion.

“I know.”

“Huh?”

“You’re going to take the Records Keeper exam, aren’t you?”

Melody stared back with surprised eyes for a moment, then she smiled brightly.

“…It seems like you know everything about me, Loretta.”

“Well, I’m smart. Shall I guess something else about Melody?”

“Is there more?”

As Melody asked with anticipation, Loretta winked playfully.

“Melody wants to hug me.”

“Ah, truly!”

That was an undeniable truth, so Melody quickly embraced her beloved friend.

 

* * *

 

That morning, two letters were delivered to Melody while she was searching for a book in the study.

Setting the book aside, she immediately opened the letters.

One was from the Duke, expressing his support for her upcoming exam.

The other was from her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Higgins.

Along with their affectionate greetings, they expressed their concern that she might be neglecting sleep and meals while preparing for the exam.

 

[I will support both my successful daughter and my less successful daughter equally. So please don’t be too hard on yourself.]

 

“I can’t even study that intensely anymore…”

Staying up all night was no longer as easy as it used to be.

She used to be able to pull all-nighters for days without a problem.

Which was why she was feeling particularly tired today.

It was thanks to Claude that she had barely slept last night.

Melody yawned softly and returned to ‘Higgins’ office’ with the book she had chosen.

She had been contemplating the best place to study, and decided that her father’s old office would be the ideal location.

After settling into her seat, she pulled out a sheet of stationery from a drawer.

Before diving into her studies, there was something she had to do first.

To express her gratitude to those who had supported her dreams and waited patiently alongside her.

To her parents.

To the Duke.

To Loretta.

To Jeremiah.

To Ronny.

To her always supportive husband, Claude Baldwin.

And…

“Mel!”

The door burst open without a knock, making her drop her pen in surprise.

“Oh my… goodness!”

“Mel… I mean, Madam!”

Isaiah, who had barged in, hurriedly corrected himself after calling Melody by her old name out of habit.

Melody didn’t mind either way, though.

“Did you see this? You haven’t, have you?”

He shoved a few-days-old newspaper in front of her.

 

[Announcement of the Royal Records Keeper Entrance Exam]

 

The oil stains around the newspaper suggested he had found it while cleaning.

Isaiah’s ‘Look at what I did!’ expression was so amusing that Melody couldn’t help but chuckle.

 

* * *

 

Before the Emperor departed for his regional tour, Melody met him and conveyed her decision.

He expressed his regret but respected her choice.

Upon hearing this news, some nobles began spreading gossip about Melody.

“Well, with her background, she probably doesn’t understand how great of an honor that was.”

“Sh-shush!”

“Don’t say that!”

However, the reactions around them were different this time.

Hadn’t they considered Melody Baldwin a thorn in their side?

A beggar who had risen to possess all the good things in the world.

“Don’t you know His Majesty told Madam Baldwin, ‘If you know anyone suitable, please recommend them later?'”

“Countless nobles are trying to curry favor with her, hoping for that recommendation.”

“Wh-what…?”

“But Madam Baldwin won’t meet anyone, as she’s preparing for the exam.”

“Yes, she’s truly an admirable person. I knew from the beginning that she was a perfect match for a noble family.”

“Weren’t you the one who called her a slave trader just the other day?!”

“Oh my, when did I ever say that?! You’re being terrible. She’s the only daughter of the Higgins Baron family.”

“Of course, she’s inherited the upright character of Baron Higgins. And his courage as well.”

Now, the nobles were vying to speak well of Melody.

Of course, their thoughtless words weren’t that different from before, so Melody didn’t pay them much attention.

 

* * *

 

After the incident was settled, Melody spent most of her time at the mansion until the summer, when the exam was scheduled to be held.

Her days were always busy with studying and caring for Edmund.

However, she wasn’t carrying this burden alone.

Her family genuinely supported her dream and would gladly take turns looking after Edmund whenever they could.

With their encouragement, Melody was able to safely take the exam.

And time flowed by once more.

Edmund Baldwin, now experiencing his second autumn, had made a grand discovery.

It was the fact that walking on fallen leaves made interesting sounds.

The young boy found his discovery immensely fascinating and would often run out to the front yard to stomp on the fallen leaves.

Today, as he was enjoying playing with the leaves with Claude, a carriage approached.

“…?”

The elegant, wheeled vehicle completely captivated the child’s attention.

After staring at it for a while, he pointed with his tiny hand and exclaimed,

“Car!”

“Ha… he’s already memorizing the names of things.”

Claude shook his head, a troubled look on his face.

“It seems Edmund has inherited Melody’s intelligence.”

“Up, up.”

The child raised his arms, clinging to Claude’s leg.

“You want to see the carriage up close, don’t you?”

He readily scooped his son into his arms. The postman, hearing Edmund’s cheerful giggles, smiled along with them.

“Master Baldwin, a letter has arrived for the Madam.”

“Thank you. Oh my.”

Claude was a bit startled, as Edmund had reached out and politely accepted the letter.

“Thank…you.”

He even added those sweet words.

“The young master speaks so well.”

Claude answered proudly, beaming at the postman’s compliment.

“He takes after his mother.”

“And he’s so adorable.”

“He takes after his mother.”

“W-well, doesn’t he resemble Master Baldwin in some ways?”

“He loves his mother very much.”

“…Ah, yes.”

The postman awkwardly scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed.

He had heard several times that husbands in the capital were suffering because of Claude Baldwin, but it seemed to be undeniably true.

As the postman departed and the carriage left the mansion, Claude set Edmund down.

“Shall we deliver this?”

“Maa?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Edmund, clutching the letter in one hand and holding his father’s hand with the other, waddled towards the mansion.

“Were you two out here?”

Melody appeared at the entrance. She must have come out upon hearing the carriage, just in case.

After all, it was around the time the exam results were due.

“I thought it might be the mail…”

“Maa!”

As Edmund held out the letter, Melody knelt down and stared at it.

“Oh my.”

Edmund, seeing her surprised expression, offered the letter again.

“Maa!”

“Hehehe, thank you, Edmund.”

Melody accepted the letter with both hands, holding it close to her heart for a moment.

This…was the letter she had been eagerly awaiting.

Perhaps, since she was a child.

It was natural to feel nervous.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m a little nervous.”

“You can open it slowly…”

“No.”

Melody shook her head, stood up, and tore open the envelope, pulling out the letter.

Her eyes scanned the written words, moving rapidly back and forth.

“……”

As she stared at the letter, lost in thought, Claude’s anxiety grew.

 

“But what about you? You had something you wanted to do too! If you leave like this, you’ll never be able to!”

“…Thank you, Young Master. For considering my wishes even in this situation.”

 

He couldn’t help but recall that old wound.

That rainy night… a night that must have been far more painful for Melody.

“What…does it say?”

He asked cautiously, worried she might be hurt again.

But as Melody lowered the letter, her face lit up with a bright smile.

Claude knew instantly.

She had achieved what she truly desired.

“Congratulations! Oh my…”

He couldn’t help but offer his congratulations before she could even speak.

“You’re too hasty! I haven’t even told you yet. Hehehe.”

“I know without hearing it. There’s no way you wouldn’t have achieved it.”

“It’s all thanks to you, Claude. And…”

Melody quickly scooped up Edmund, who was tugging at her dress.

“To Edmund as well. Thank you.”

“Maa.”

After pressing her forehead against her son’s and smiling, she quickly turned to Claude.

“Now it’s my turn to support your dream. What do you want to do?”

“What? Me?”

He pondered her question for a moment. Now that he thought about it, there were many things he wanted to do.

However…

“I don’t know. Right now, I’m just so happy.”

Unable to contain his joy, he pulled them both into a tight embrace.

“Let’s talk about my dreams later. Today, we should celebrate you first.”

“You…have to tell me later, okay? I want to support your dream too, Claude.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

He tightened his arms around them.

It seemed that all his dreams were within his embrace.

In their most beautifully realized form.

 

<The Villainess Is Shy In Receiving Affection> Side Story 2 Fin.