Side Story 01: Alice

Lady!

My head automatically turned to the familiar voice that made my body respond first.

This one.

Ah.

I grinned at the handkerchief that Bessie handed me.

I almost forgot.

Although, its not a big deal if you forget your handkerchief.

Bessie looked around at my body as if she were checking my appearance.

I burst out looking at Bessies familiar labours.

Bessie.

What?

Why do you still call me lady?

Bessie took her eyes off my dress and looked at me. Her hair head, neatly tied together, tilted to the right.

What should I call my lady as, if its not lady?

You know, Im married now.

I was just reciting the facts, but somehow I felt ashamed to say it with my own words.

I coughed and went on.

Im already married, am I not?

Lady, Im about to be upset.

Huh?

But for saying so, Bessies expression was still soft.

Bessie, who found the stitches in my shoulder with her hawks eyes, said at intervals.

Its been more than 20 years since I have been serving you by calling you lady.

Yes, it is.

But what if someone who I had called her lady suddenly disappears? I would be in vain and dont know what to do.

..really?

Of course.

I suddenly remembered the butler as I listened to Bessie.

As soon as the wedding finished, the butler started calling me maam.

Rather, it was the speed at which I couldnt adapt.

The butler

Its because his emotions have dried up.

Bessie made a firm arrangement even before I could finish talking.

I see. Okay, then lets do that. It wasnt that important anyway.

By the way, there is one more person in this mansion who is full of emotions.

Have a safe trip, my lady.

I dont even have to call him, but he just showed up on his own.

I spoke to Sir Davery, who I found standing behind Bessie and keeping an ambiguous distance.

Why are you there?

Is there something wrong with my position?

Youre too far. Why are you standing so far away?

Um

I observed Sir Davery while he was mulling his answers.

I could see a sword in his right hand.

Sweat smell?

As soon as I spat out what came to mind, I could see Sir Davery smiling awkwardly.

I was embarrassed to tell you, but you just make fun of me.

Aha, youve just finished your training, havent you?

It wasnt until I said so, that I remembered that it was still sunny and bright. Wait a minute.

no, that seems wasnt the case, so skipping the training?

Please dont try to know too much about me.

Such a thing.

Did he really skip the training?

I cant believe he skipped the training in the middle just to come out and see me off. Its not really important though.

Of course, it is more plausible to say that he uses the excuse of seeing me off for skipping the training.

Im letting it go. Ive decided to overlook Sir Daverys negligence this time.

Thank you anyway. Bessie, Ill be right back.

Have a safe trip, my lady. Youre coming back in the evening, right?

Yeah. Itll probably be over before then.

I recalled my destination.

A simple social party hosted by Count Slurp will be held at his mansion from noon today.

As Count Slurp likes to open and finish everything quickly, the party seemed to last a half-day at the longest.

Well, if it doesnt end up in that time, I can just leave.

It was when I turned to the carriage thinking so.

Instead of the waiting horseman, I could see a hand opening the door of the carriage.

I raised my head with pleasure.

Ash.

Ash kissed my forehead as if it were a greeting and reached out.

Shall we go?

At this point, Ive gotten used to it, so its okay, but its not easier than I thought.

I climbed into the carriage with a heart as heavy as the tickling sensation that left on my forehead.

..?

I climbed into the carriage and looked out of the window habitually, and I saw Bessie saying something to Sir Davery.

Huh? Is she scolding him?

from the shape of his mouth and hand movements, Sir Davery seems to answer, Its okay, dont worry.

Whats this? Whats going on? Its hard to see Sir Davery being scolded by Bessie.

Shall I ask later?

As soon as I thought so, the carriage started.

I took a brief look at the rapidly changing landscape and turned my head straight.

I saw Ash sitting cross-legged in the opposite seat, holding the document with one hand.

I watched silently and put my chin on the carriage windows.

Well, thats nice.

The name of the art is My Working Man.

I dont know who made it, but its a masterpiece.

I cant believe the aesthetic sense just by looking at it. I cant believe theres such a masterpiece.

If this opened to the public, all painters and sculptors will surely fall into a severe slump.

I had no choice but to look at this art alone for them, but suddenly I felt that the air had gotten quite warm.

But I dont think its because of the mood. The season was just past spring and summer was coming.

Summer.

When did the time go like this?

I glanced at Ashs left hand without the papers, then looked down at my left hand.

A ring of the same design glistened on each finger.

At the moment, a happy smile came out without even realizing it.

And at the same time, a sigh came out.

How hard it must have been to pick out this ring.

You dont know how much trouble I went through before turning this into a wedding ring.

The ring is platinum that resembles the colour of Ashs hair.

The Jewelry is a bright yellow that resembles his eyes.

In fact, the ring was easy. The problem was the jewellery. No matter how pretty, expensive, and famous the jewellery is, compared to Ashs eyes, it looks like its not worthy.

However, I managed to complete the ring by picking and choosing it myself.

I couldnt say how proud I was when I put this on Ashs finger.

Ive managed to change the customs, saying that I would insert it by myself.

But that was two months ago.

I married before the air got warm in earnest. That was spring.

But I felt very strange that summer was already approaching.

In any case, time is very unknown.

Sometimes the moment seems like it stopped like this, but when you look past it, theres nothing like it.

When I was looking at the wedding ring, I was in such a mood.

I suddenly felt the gaze and looked up, and Ash was looking at me.

why?

Just.

Ash looked at me slowly and smiled with his eyes bent.

On a break

Really? By the way. Hed better not smiled like that elsewhere.

As I was contemplating whether to say this or not, Ash, who put down the document, reached out to me.

The body moved first before even thinking about what that hand meant.

As soon as I took his hand, Ash drew me to him.

.!

In an instant, I sat up on Ash and blinked.

As soon as I felt relieved that the ceiling of the carriage was high, Ash hugged me around my waist.

.what is this?

Charge.

I see. Charging his energy in a break. Yeah, he does need that in the middle of the day when he works. Thats logical.

I put my arm around Ashs neck, thinking how long before the carriage reaches its destination.

Of course, the idea soon became less important,

***

Your Excellency, Duchess!

I finally checked my dress quickly, listening to a voice getting closer.

Dress? The creases are straightened. Lip makeup? I fixed it.

Done. Perfect.

The count, who ran in front of us in a hurry, leaned deeply in his back.

Thank you very much for coming. Its an honour.

Well, thanks for inviting me.

No, Im just honoured and too honoured. Then Ill take you to the party right away. This way.

The count took the lead by taking out a handkerchief and wiping the sweat off his forehead.

I walked after the count arm in arm with Ash and suddenly looked up.

Why?

It was amazing that our eyes met right away, and I laughed a little.

I spoke with a low voice.

Well do you have something to say?

What can I say?

Thanks?

What?

I did everything you asked me to do.

I remembered how we got to the party.

Simply put, it was actually a bets reward.

A very small bet between me and Ash last night.

I won the bet that was played like a joke, and I demanded to attend the party as a reward for the victory.

It is natural for the loser to follow the words of the winner.

No wonder the loser follows the winner.

If you say so, well.

Actually, thats true, too. If winning the bet was Ash, I would obediently have followed his demands.

I wont be the winner no matter what.

Huh?

Just as I was about to say I didnt hear it right, a splendid door appeared in front of me.

Then the servant shouted with all his might at the door.

His Excellency, Duke of Ash Widgreen and Duchess of Lydia Widgreen is entering!