Side Story 2 – Chapter 6

 

* * *

 

Claude sent his carriage back first and joined Melody in her carriage, sitting facing her.

But soon, she regretted this decision.

Her carriage was overflowing with gifts Ronny had given her, leaving barely any space for them to sit comfortably.

Claude offered the only remaining seat to Melody and knelt on the floor before her.

Feeling guilty, she quickly lowered her head.

“I’m sorry, I forgot that my carriage was full of things… I should have told you.”

“Not at all. This is actually quite nice.”

Claude leaned his head against her knee, a sly smile on his face.

“How’s your ankle?”

“It’s fine. Thankfully, I didn’t fall.”

“That’s a relief, but… you should have the doctor check it when we get back, and apply a warm compress. Just in case.”

He straightened his posture, his expression turning serious as he looked up at Melody.

“Did… something happen today?”

His cautious question made Melody’s fingertips tremble.

Normally, she would have been able to hide her reaction, but with him sitting right there, leaning against her knee, it was impossible.

“Melody.”

“No, nothing…”

Happened.

She couldn’t finish her awkward lie.

Besides, Claude, who was always attentive to her, couldn’t possibly miss her deception.

“……”

Melody hesitated for a moment.

Claude waited patiently, not rushing her.

“I… made a decision,” she finally said.

“A decision?”

She nodded slowly.

“I’m not going to take the exam.”

Her blunt words seemed to have hurt him. A strange anxiety flickered across his face.

“W-why…why?”

He quickly masked his emotions, asking her the reason.

“His Majesty the Emperor made me an offer. He asked me to work for him as Higgins.”

“…”

“It’s a great honor. Nothing can compare to it.”

As she spoke, Melody realized how foolish she had been to even contemplate taking the exam.

What greater success could there be in noble society than becoming the Emperor’s person?

Furthermore, with no guarantee of passing the Records Keeper exam, it was foolish to reject such a certain glory.

“Don’t you think so?”

She smiled brightly, expecting Claude’s agreement.

“Perhaps… for those who seek such honor.”

He didn’t readily nod, however.

“I know it’s a great opportunity. But Melody, what you wanted was…”

“I-it changed!”

Melody hurriedly interrupted him, as if he were about to expose a vulnerable part of her.

“It’s natural for dreams to change.”

“……”

“I did want to be a Records Keeper. But now…”

It had changed. No, it had to change.

It was better for both of them, for her to be by his side.

This marriage was precious to Melody, and she was willing to do anything to maintain it.

 

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

 

She didn’t want those nobles to keep giving Claude those strange looks forever.

“…Now, I want to be a loyal subject to His Majesty.”

“……”

“Being a Records Keeper is a noble pursuit, but it can’t compare to the honor of becoming his right hand.”

“Melody.”

Only when he called her name in a calm voice did Melody realize that she had been avoiding looking directly at him.

When she finally met his gaze, she saw his usual gentle expression.

She felt a pang of guilt.

“You’re right. It’s natural for dreams to change.”

He gently took her hand in his.

Even though their skin didn’t touch due to her glove, she could feel his warmth through the thin fabric.

“If that’s what you truly desire, then I’ll always support you. I mean it.”

“……”

“But we still have time, so think it over a little longer. After all, you’ve been waiting for this exam for a long time, haven’t you?”

“No, I’ve made up my mind.”

He shook his head gently despite her firm answer.

“Please think about it, for yourself. And I hope…you’ll keep talking to me.”

“……”

“If it’s a decision you reached after careful consideration with me, then I’ll support you no matter what.”

He pulled her hand closer, lightly kissing her wrist above her glove.

The depth of his affection was evident…even from this simple gesture.

Embarrassed, Melody quickly changed the subject.

“You said… you wouldn’t be able to make it today.”

“The meeting ended earlier than expected.”

“Then you should get some rest.”

He didn’t remove his lips from her wrist, looking up at her with a faint smile.

“I wanted to see you.”

Hearing that answer, it only solidified her resolve.

For his passionate heart, it was right for her to choose a definite path to honor.

Not a useless dream.

 

* * *

 

That evening, Melody sat in ‘Higgins’ office’, carefully recording the recent events at the Duke’s mansion in the family ledger.

Until a few years ago, this task had been handled by her father, but after his retirement and her marriage to Claude, she inherited this important duty.

There was no set format, but she was obligated to meticulously document all significant matters concerning the family and the mansion.

For someone in the distant future who might need it, just like she had needed it once.

Melody began by detailing the recent renovations of the mansion.

The ancient mansion required the meticulous care of skilled artisans from time to time.

She then briefly documented the important visitors who had come to the Duke’s mansion and the matters discussed during meetings.

Condensing the events of the past few days into a few lines of text was one of Melody’s favorite activities.

To record facts, but with a perspective that looked beyond the surface.

She enjoyed maintaining a delicate balance, ensuring that her emotions didn’t overpower the objectivity of the record.

A sense of pride filled her as she reread the completed, neat sentences.

This important task, passed down through generations of the Higgins family, now flowed through her hands. It was truly a source of pride.

As Melody put down her pen, Loretta, who had been sitting in a  chair opposite her, raised her head and spoke in a cheerful voice.

“Are you done?”

Loretta had been following Melody ever since she entered the office, waiting for her to finish recording.

This was a signal that meant ‘I’m sleeping with Melody tonight!’, and on these nights, even Claude wouldn’t dare to intrude on Melody’s bedroom.

“Yes, I just have to wait for the ink to dry.”

As Melody set down the pen, Loretta considerately took it and wiped the remaining ink from its nib.

“But Loretta.”

“Yes?”

“Weren’t you supposed to go to Ronny’s banquet tonight with Magician Evan?”

Loretta loved to show off her adorable lover to the world and would take him to every banquet whenever the opportunity arose.

However, she had seemingly given up on that joy today to be with Melody.

“I was planning to, but I changed my mind.”

“Did something happen at the Magic Tower? Or…between you two?”

Melody pushed the cleaned pen nib into a small glass vial and tucked it away in a drawer.

“We’re fine, but Melody.”

Loretta lifted her head, staring intently at Melody.

“Do you… perhaps need it?”

What was she talking about?

As Melody stared back, bewildered, Loretta poked her cheek and grinned brightly.

“Your best friend to hug you all night?”

“Ah.”

Those were truly tempting words, so Melody readily nodded.

 

* * *

 

Once Melody returned to her room and changed into her pajamas, Loretta led her to the vanity table.

“I’ll brush your hair.”

“Loretta, I can do that myself.”

“Absolutely not.”

Loretta grabbed the hairbrush, refusing to yield, a bright smile on her face.

“Have you forgotten that Loretta is the older sister when we’re playing?”

Melody chuckled. What a nostalgic time.

Young Loretta, despite being a scaredy-cat, had a strangely courageous side and always wanted to protect Melody.

With a confident declaration that ‘Just trust Loretta.’

“…You’re right.”

Melody nodded weakly and sat down on the vanity  chair as Loretta insisted.

As she tilted her head up, she could see Loretta’s face reflected in the mirror behind her.

“Loretta, about that…”

“Yes? What is it?”

Loretta began gently brushing her hair, carefully gathering it in sections.

“Did…Claude say anything to you?”

“That’s absurd.”

Loretta pouted.

“He sees me as a rival! He wouldn’t tell me anything.”