Side Story 3
Excitement surged within Russell's chest, momentarily drowning out all other sensations. Before he could ponder this sudden rush of emotions that seemed to want to overpower him, he turned his attention to the girl.
"Are you, by any chance, the young lady of the Honeywell?"
As if confirming her identity, Rose clutched Russell's hand tightly, tears streaming down her childish cheeks.
Unable to find the right words to comfort her, Russell awkwardly dabbed at her tears with a handkerchief.
"This is my first time consoling someone who's in tears."
Russell admitted that his movements were clumsy, but he was sincere.
Though he could not do much to comfort the young, distressed girl, he tried his best with what he could.
"I saw Duke Honeywell and Wells desperately searching for you. Can you walk? I'll guide you to them."
Earnest to ease her worries, he asked, concern etched in his voice.
"Hic---! My legs feel like jelly."
Rose confessed, her strength failing her as she collapsed to the ground.
Without hesitation, the young prince crouched down and offered his back to the teary-eyed girl.
Gently lifting Rose onto his back, he began to make his way toward where Duke Honeywell awaited.
From a distance, Devos observed this scene with a mix of surprise and concern, ready to intervene if needed.
Russell signaled for him to stay back, understanding that his towering presence might startle Rose.
"It felt like I was flying high when my brother or father carried me."
Rose remarked with a childlike innocence, her voice wavering with emotion.
Trying to lighten the mood, Russell quipped.
"Do you know how expensive it is to ride on my back?"
Unfortunately, his attempt at humor only seemed to deepen Rose's sorrow.
Determined to shift her focus, Russell pointed out a nearby store with a distinctive blue sign.
"See that shop over there? The blue hues remind me of the sea."
"Oh... I've never seen the sea."
Rose confessed softly, her gaze distant.
"Hmm, is that so? Then I'll take you there one day."
Russell promised with a warm smile, momentarily pausing to admire the fireworks illuminating the sky before continuing on their path toward Duke Honeywell.
Duke Honeywell, his expression darkening with each report from the knights, grew visibly more distressed as his daughter remained missing.
It was Devos who approached him first to provide him with comforting news.
"Duke Honeywell."
"Lord Devos? What's happening here? Is something wrong?"
Duke Honeywell's surprise was evident as he recognized Devos.
Without a word, the knight gestured towards the back, where Russell was carrying Rose.
Upon spotting his daughter on Russell's back, Duke Honeywell dashed forward, calling out her name. Despite his efforts, Rose remained unresponsive, lost in deep slumber.
"Rose! My daughter! Thank heavens, you're unharmed."
Duke Honeywell breathed a sigh of relief as he cradled her close, his hand gently stroking her hair.
Observing the scene, Russell took a step back, realizing that Duke Honeywell hadn't recognized him.
Perhaps I could quietly slip away, unnoticed.
But fate had other plans.
"Prince...?"
Duke Honeywell's voice trailed off as recognition dawned upon him, his gaze locking onto Russell.
In that moment, Russell found himself flanked by four imperial knights, their presence lending weight to his identity.
Exhaling heavily, he had no choice but to acknowledge his status.
"Yes, that's correct."
"What brings you here? Does His Majesty know you've left the safety of the Imperial Palace?"
Duke Honeywell inquired, his tone tinged with concern.
Caught off guard, Russell struggled to respond timeously.
Meeting Duke Honeywell's gaze, he pleaded silently.
"Ah, Duke, keep this encounter to yourself, especially from my father."
Russell implored with a sense of urgency.
"So, you snuck out? Despite being accompanied by knights..."
Duke Honeywell's disbelief was palpable.
"Let's return to the mansion swiftly. Rose needs rest."
Russell interjected, successfully redirecting the conversation.
Thankfully, Duke Honeywell complied.
"Of course. My wife and my son await our arrival. Thank you for bringing my daughter to us safely. Your kindness knows no bounds, Your Highness."
Duke Honeywell expressed his gratitude sincerely.
"If you truly appreciate it, then please keep my escapade a secret. My father's ire is not something I wish to face."
Russell urged, a note of desperation creeping into his voice.
"Very well. Then, I'll arrange for a carriage to take you back to the Imperial Palace."
The offer was from the duke.
Russell shook his head decisively.
"I'd rather not. Riding in the Honeywell family's carriage would surely draw attention. You go ahead; I'll go with Lord Devos."
"In that case... Please excuse me."
Duke Honeywell acquiesced before departing with Rose in his arms.
Even after their departure, Russell remained rooted to the spot, his gaze lingering on the empty street where the Honeywells' carriage had vanished.
"Your Highness, now that the festivities are over, shall we return to the Imperial Palace?"
Devos inquired, breaking the silence.
Without his prompt, Russell might have stood there until dawn.
"Indeed. Let's go back. They'll be expecting us."
Russell replied, tearing his gaze away.
With one last glance at the now-deserted street, Russell put his disguise of cloak and cap back and rode back to the castle on horseback, nestled securely in Devos' arms.
Recognizing Devos, the palace guards allowed them entry without question, and Russell slipped back into the Imperial Palace unnoticed.
"Sister, I've returned."
Russell announced this as he entered Allison's room, where she sat engrossed in a book.
"It seems like you had quite the adventure."
Gazing upon his joyous expression, Allison observed.
"Yes, it was challenging but enjoyable."
"Very well. Your clothes from earlier are there. You can change into them and return to your quarters."
Allison instructed her younger brother.
It was time to hide the evidence of his escape.
Russell complied, returning to his original attire.
As he removed the blue wig, he found himself contemplating its fate.
"Why keep it?"
Allison asked, noticing her brother's hesitation.
"I wonder... Perhaps as a memento."
Russell mused, clutching the wig close.
Allison narrowed her eyes, suspecting his intentions.
"You're not planning another escapade, are you?"
Russell merely smiled enigmatically, concealing the wig in his arms.
He made a swift exit from Allison's room, bidding her goodnight without a word.
Ever since his encounter with Rose at the National Founding Festival, Russell has found himself frequently thinking about her.
He pondered what her life must be like in the Honeywell household and wondered how he could enrich her experiences, especially considering she had never seen the sea.
Despite his amusement at the thought of Rose, he couldn't shake off a lingering sense of melancholy stemming from their lack of personal interaction.
The first to notice his absentmindedness was Allison, who decided to seek him out in the garden after three days of Russell's distracted behavior.
"Russell, I've been looking for you."
Allison announced as she entered the garden, where Russell was engaged in tea time with Wells.
Wells rose from his seat to greet Allison politely.
"I greet the young moon of the Empire, Princess Allison."
Surprised by Wells's presence, Allison greeted him back.
"Oh, yes, greetings, Wells. I didn't know you were here."
Russell, meanwhile, seemed momentarily hesitant but eventually instructed his servant to prepare a teacup for Allison.
As Wells pulled out a chair for Allison, she inquired about Russell's sudden summons.
"Why did you call for Wells so unexpectedly today?"
Russell vehemently denied any ulterior motives, surprising both Allison and Wells with the intensity of his reaction.
Clearing his throat awkwardly, he seemed to regret his outburst.
"Hmm... Oh, indeed... Wells, did you enjoy your visit to the plaza on National Founding Day?"
Allison inquired, tilting her head curiously as she sipped her tea.
"You mentioned you were going with your family."
Allison quietly observed the exchange between the two, sensing an underlying tension.
She noticed Wells sighing before responding, piquing her interest further.
"Yes, it was enjoyable initially. However, an unexpected incident arose."
Wells confessed, prompting Allison to probe further.
Russell's reaction to the conversation struck Allison as peculiar, as if he were oddly relieved to discuss the matter.
"That day, while heading to the restaurant reserved by my father for the fireworks viewing, my younger sister and I roamed the streets. Unfortunately, we got separated, and I lost sight of her."
Wells explained, his tone tinged with remorse.
Allison sympathetically covered her mouth, expressing her concern.
"The fireworks began, and despite the efforts of the knights, we couldn't locate Rose, whether in the sky or on the ground. Eventually, my mother and I returned home while my father continued the search for her whereabouts."
Wells recounted, his worry evident even if the search had long come to an end.
Relieved, Allison inquired if they eventually found Rose, to which Wells nodded.
"Yes, thankfully. A young boy stumbled upon her and brought her to my father."
Allison's interest piqued upon learning about the mysterious boy.
"A boy? What did he look like?"
Curiosity piped, she questioned, her gaze subtly shifting to Russell.
Wells described the boy with blue hair, prompting Allison to glance at her brother.
She noticed a faint blush coloring his cheeks, sparking her curiosity even further.