Upon arriving at the Imperial Palace, the two decided to part ways at the fork leading to the Knights’ dormitory.
This was because, even for a married couple, the Knights’ dormitory was a restricted area that outsiders could not enter due to security protocols.
Clyde, glancing at the large bag beside Beatrice, raised an eyebrow and spoke.
“Are you really going to part ways here and go to Neria Palace by yourself?”
“Ah, I told you, yes.”
“Why don’t you just come with me? You have luggage, too.”
“Forget it. When we were inspected in front of the palace and came in, I contacted Lady Kaya. She knew I had luggage and said she’d come out to the plaza in front of the bridge.”
“Then I guess we’ll part there. Let’s go.”
Hearing Clyde’s words, Beatrice looked at him as if to ask if he was serious.
From the fork where they currently stood to the bridge was a distance one could cover in a stone’s throw.
Before Beatrice could even add a word, he snatched up her luggage and started walking first.
“What are you doing? Aren’t you coming?”
“I’m coming, I’m coming.”
Well, it wasn’t like her plan would be discovered just because they parted ways in front of the bridge.
To be honest now, Beatrice felt a slight bit of gratitude toward her second brother for completely overturning the board.
Thanks to him, she no longer had to face off against the quick-witted Clyde, and her plans for tomorrow remained unhindered.
‘I was worried about how to coordinate the timing if I had to go see Clyde off with the rest of my family.’
Was that all?
She had even considered the situation where her family might meddle, offering to drop her off at the meeting place with her friends.
‘If that bickering had continued, I would have eventually missed the window, and everything would have ended before it even began….’
“Bea.”
“…Ah, yeah?”
“What are you thinking about so seriously?”
“Oh, nothing…. Just, imagining what would have happened tomorrow if we hadn’t fled to the Palace….”
“Ah. That. Well…. It would be exactly as you’re imagining.”
He gave a short answer as if he understood, but a moment later, Clyde’s pace slowed slightly to match Beatrice’s stride.
Creating a distance of half a step—a distance where they could hear each other’s voices clearly yet hide their expressions—he spoke in a low voice.
“Since the situation isn’t exactly ideal to talk about it here…. I’ll tell you everything once I’m back.”
“…Tell me what?”
At Beatrice’s bewildered voice, Clyde turned his head slightly to gaze at her.
Looking at Beatrice with eyes that seemed to ask if she had already forgotten everything, he quickly clarified the subject.
“What else? The thing you grabbed me by the collar and urged me to confess.”
“Aha.”
“Ah, damn, I’m too honest for my own good. If I had just pretended not to know, you would have forgotten on your own.”
“Whatever.”
Beatrice reflexively went to punch Clyde in the ribs with her fist but then tilted her chin up as if being magnanimous.
“Well, fine. I’ll wait that much for you.”
“……Why are you answering so meekly for once? I thought you’d complain, asking how you’re supposed to know when I’m going and when I’m coming back.”
That’s because I have no intention of waiting.
“Besides, you were discontented with me for telling you not to come to the Marquisate of Downer.”
Not anymore. Since I’ve prepared my own way.
However, she couldn’t exactly reveal the whole truth!
Beatrice raised her eyebrows and glared at him with a slightly sharp look.
“Who are you calling childish, seriously! Am I a kid? I finally decide to be kind, and look at you…!”
“Alright, alright. I get it.”
“And I’m busy too. I told you, I’m doing research with Her Majesty. We’re moving early, so I can’t even go see you off tomorrow.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I’m telling you in advance so that a certain petty guy—who came all the way to my house complaining about his husband being sidelined—won’t feel neglected.”
“I’m truly honored.”
As they affectionately exchanged sarcasms, the bridge leading to the Central Palace was suddenly before them.
Waiting in front of it was Lady Kaya, the Head Maid of the Empress’s Palace, who gave a light curtsy.
Clyde, returning the greeting with a slight nod of his eyes, faced Beatrice.
“So, is it goodbye for a while now?”
“…Um, yeah.”
“….”
A short silence followed.
Even though time, their relationship, and the situation were all completely different, somehow this scene brought the past to mind.
That is, the time when Beatrice, having taken refuge in the Dukedom after the Count’s estate burned down, saw him off.
At that moment, Clyde stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her before she could even blink.
Beatrice’s body stiffened this time at Clyde’s sudden action.
“…You jerk, are you doing this to pay me back for what happened earlier?”
“Yeah.”
“Ugh, seriously, how childish…!”
“You’re just realizing that? I’m going to win the bet as fast as possible and work you to the bone.”
“Hey.”
It was then, as Beatrice was flailing her arms to escape his embrace.
A small whisper, closer to a vow made to himself, landed by her ear.
“So, it won’t take long this time.”
“….”
That was all.
Beatrice hesitated for a moment before lightly gripping his sleeve with her fingertips.
It was embarrassing to hug him back, but it felt like a cruel thing to do to pull away.
How many seconds passed?
Clyde naturally released his arms and took a step back with a nonchalant face.
“That’s enough. Go on ahead.”
“W-what? What’s enough?”
“A farewell befitting a newlywed couple? You wouldn’t know since your back was turned, but Lady Kaya’s expression was quite something.”
…Kaya?
‘Ah.’
Only then did Beatrice return to reality, blinking rapidly.
She let out a short, feigned cough and then nudged his shoulder with her fist.
It was a way to hide the awkward and sheepish feelings that suddenly surged.
“…Damn it, seriously. Say something before you do that.”
“I asked how long ago it’s been since I told you to get used to it, darling.”
“Messing around again. I’m leaving.”
“Sure.”
“Don’t go bringing shame to us regressors, okay? Handle things swiftly on your own. I’ll be watching, seriously.”
“And how exactly are you going to watch, honey? Through the power of love or something?”
“Ah, it’s just a saying! You nitpick every single thing!”
Beatrice, shouting back, turned around sharply.
She didn’t care that she hadn’t said goodbye or wished him a safe trip. This was their original relationship, after all.
The most important problem now was….
‘Whew, that was a close call at the end! Sigh, can I really pull this off without getting caught? Ah, as expected, avoiding him is the best policy! Should I ask Her Majesty for a map of the Marquisate?’
It was thinking about how she could wander around the Marquisate while avoiding Clyde Dalton’s eyes.
In truth, after hearing Clyde’s words, she had actually hesitated for a very brief moment—maybe about three seconds.
Since Clyde had stepped back and promised to tell her the reason, she wondered if it was right for her to tell the truth as well.
‘…But, this is Clyde Dalton we’re talking about.’
There was a reason why Beatrice and Clyde were exceptionally quick to read each other.
It was because they had frequently deceived and were deceived by one other since childhood.
They had a history of selling each other out to get a little more allowance from their parents, and they had even used the other as a sacrificial lamb to flee from crises.
‘I was the one who said we should trust each other, but what if he only tells me a tiny portion again?’
Just like at the masquerade ball.
So, it was only fair that she also got some time to push ahead recklessly at least once.
‘Right. If you’re so wronged, you should have behaved better in the first place!’
Roughly finishing her rationalization that this was all Clyde’s fault, she headed toward the Empress’s Palace with the Head Maid.
She needed to rest well today.
For the sake of tomorrow, if nothing else!
* * *
“Now, there are many of us, so servants, please gather according to your respective departments!”
“Kitchen staff to the left, attendants and maids to the center…!”
…Did I worry for nothing?
‘With this many people… I won’t even need to try that hard to avoid him.’
Beatrice, who had joined early thanks to staying at the Empress’s Palace, scratched her cheek while watching the busy people through the carriage window.
For now, she was confident she wouldn’t even recognize an acquaintance if they were mixed in here.
“Ah, Bea… no, Lady Ria. Is there anything concerning you, by any chance?”
At the question from Nao, the Head Maid of the Crown Prince’s Palace, Beatrice quickly shook her head.
“No. It just feels like there are more people than I expected.”
“Ah… I see.”
Quickly grasping Beatrice’s concern, the Head Maid leaned in slightly and whispered softly to her.
“His Highness and Sir Clyde will be moving with the main unit. You won’t run into them, so please remain at ease until we arrive at the Marquisate.”
“Oh….”
That was somewhat of a relief. Relaxing her stiff neck, Beatrice sat back comfortably in her seat.
Of course, just like the saying that plans exist to be revised…….
—Knock
“Lady Nao.”
“What is it?”
“His Highness has called an emergency meeting. It seems a problem has arisen at the gateway entering the Marquisate.”
An unexpected variable had occurred.
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