Side Story 5
Allison swiftly changed the subject, masking her discomfort with an awkward laugh.
"Now that I think about it, how did this year's debutante ball turn out? Thanks to Your Majesty, the imperial family could host the celebration. I missed visiting because my schedule this spring had been busy at the Rosenberg Manor... Is Young Lady Honeywell present as well? I believe she's nearing the age for her debut."
She inquired curiously.
In the spring, an event was held for noble sons making their debut at the imperial court. Even if Russell couldn't converse with Rose, he likely observed from a distance.
"The age for a debutante is determined by the guardian. How old is she? Is it fourteen? That's not quite old enough for her debut."
Allison mused, her chin resting on her hand. However, Russell remained silent.
She glanced at him, wondering why he was so quiet.
Suddenly, she bit back on the words that were on the tip of her tongue.
"Oh my goodness, Your Majesty...?"
Allison's concern grew as she noticed Russell's visibly darkened complexion, quite different from when they had discussed Elliot's story earlier.
He slumped against the backrest, a shadow crossing his features.
"I heard Rose had her debutante some time ago."
Russell finally spoke, his tone heavy with emotion.
"How long ago? It's already fall now..."
Allison trailed off, surprised.
"Indeed. It was at Honeywell Manor."
Russell confirmed, his shoulders all but slumped.
Allison covered her mouth with both hands, stifling a gasp.
She nearly unintentionally made light of Russell's feelings.
With sad eyes, Allison lowered her hands, a realization dawning on her.
"Then isn't it for the best?"
"What do you mean?"
Russell queried his sister's sudden remark.
"Young Lady Honeywell's debut means she can now be invited to parties or tea times. When events are held at the Imperial Palace, she will always receive an invitation. Let's see... What's the earliest event in the imperial family's calendar?"
Allison pondered aloud, counting on her fingers.
Russell chuckled softly as she recited upcoming events.
"Even if we extend an invitation in the name of the royal family, Rose won't attend."
"Why not? Surely she would not turn down an invitation from the Imperial family. Is Duke Honeywell still shielding his sister?"
Allison inquired, disbelief coloring her tone.
"Perhaps... But I believe she dislikes social gatherings, Wells informed me before. Rose dislikes mingling, so even during her debut, she made a brief greeting before disappearing."
"Truly?"
Allison murmured in disbelief.
"Ah, he mentioned it was Rose's debutante ball, but without a main character."
Allison replied, her voice trailing off awkwardly.
"Ah... I see, well... Um..."
Allison stuttered, feeling embarrassed and unable to continue the conversation.
Russell couldn't help but laugh at her discomfort.
"Maybe she and I aren't meant to be. I'm the only one who recalls our brief encounter that day. Eight years have passed, and it's been over a year since I became emperor... We should focus more on the empire."
Russell remarked with a wistful smile.
However, beneath the smile lay a hint of bitterness that left Allison speechless.
Rumors about the young lady were rampant in the capital.
She seldom left the mansion and declined invitations from noble ladies.
Some even claimed it was harder to catch a glimpse of Rose than the Emperor himself. Russell had heard these rumors, initially dismissing them as unlikely.
But as time passed, his longing for Rose diminished.
Governing the empire consumed him, leaving little room for thoughts of the past.
Yet, occasionally, when curiosity about her well-being arose, he found himself reflecting on Wells' demeanor.
The resemblance between the siblings, especially in their youth, was striking.
Russell's last encounter with Rose occurred at a coming-of-age celebration held at the Imperial Palace.
Initially, he failed to recognize her.
However, upon realizing her true identity, his emotions overwhelmed him.
Despite his intention to approach her, his duties prevented him from attending the banquet.
Instead, he watched from a distance, contemplating his missed opportunity.
"This is your chance. Let's go down, Your Majesty."
Allison had urged, breaking the silence.
However, the response she received was unexpected and perplexing.
"Allison, isn't Rose behaving a bit strangely?"
Russell queried, prompting Allison's interest.
"Hmm?"
Allison replied, trailing behind Russell as they observed the banquet below.
She, too, harbored curiosity about Rose.
Despite the crowded gathering, Rose stood out effortlessly.
Even in a modest dress, all eyes gravitated toward her, her presence commanding attention.
Allison contemplated before responding with her honest thoughts.
"I've heard that Young Lady Honeywell isn't fond of social gatherings. Perhaps that's why she's withdrawn, or maybe she simply dislikes crowds."
Observing Rose closely, Allison noticed her tense posture and her bowed head, which deterred others from approaching.
Suddenly, Rose stirred, lifting her head.
Her tear-stained eyes glistened slightly, a faint blush coloring her previously blank expression.
Allison observed Rose's gaze, realizing it was fixed on a specific spot.
Elliot Proud.
"That's it! Young Lady Honeywell mentioned she admires Duke Proud."
Allison mused, connecting the dots.
She pondered the unlikely pairing of Rose and Elliot, silently hoping for reciprocated feelings.
However, Elliot's indifference toward the lady dashed those hopes.
Their interactions, if any, only seemed to spark tension.
Recognizing Rose's admiration for Elliot, Allison empathized with her brother's unrequited affection, feeling a pang of sympathy.
Meanwhile, unaware of Allison's thoughts, Russell quietly observed Rose before rising from his seat.
"Your Majesty, are you planning to approach her?"
Stunned, Allison inquired.
"No. I intend to return to the palace. My role here concludes with the speech."
Russell replied without looking back.
"You're not interested in seeing her again after all this time?"
Unwilling to let the matter lie, Allison probed further.
"Huh. I had a feeling she'd flee if I approached her as the emperor rather than Russell. Enjoy yourself and return safely, Allison."
Russell bid farewell to Allison before departing the banquet with his escort knights.
Rather than entering the Emperor's Palace, Russell made his way to the adjacent garden, greeted by a burst of spring blooms.
Walking alone through the garden after dismissing his guards at the entrance, he paused to inhale the fragrance of flowers, gazing up at the evening sky.
The festivities of the banquet contrasted with the gathering dusk, evoking memories of fireworks from the old square, inevitably reminding him of Rose.
Russell smirked at his self-deprecation.
"Everyone could see that Rose, gazing at Elliot, was smitten."
Disgruntled, he mused, oblivious to Elliot's lack of reciprocal feelings.
Perhaps it was because of his assumption that there would never be someone who would reject Rose's affection that clouded his judgment.
Closing his eyes momentarily, Russell drew a deep breath, contemplating the unwritten feud between the Honeywells and the Prouds.
He pondered Rose's role in the conflict and speculated on Wells's eventual decision.
It was Wells who opposed Rose's desire to be engaged to Elliot, a stance Russell found surprising yet understandable.
Wells, deeply protective of his sister, seemed reluctant to let Rose go.
Russell couldn't help but draw parallels between himself and Wells.
Seeing the duke, who appeared unyielding, eventually relent was a revelation.
When he heard of Rose's tearfully approaching her brother, threatening a hunger strike unless allowed to engage Elliot, Russell felt conflicted.
"...I must let you go. Your happiness lies in your engagement to Elliot."
Russell conceded as he affixed his seal to the document authorizing Elliot Proud and Rose Honeywell's engagement and marriage.
Releasing the emotions he had harbored, Russell found sleep elusive that night.
An unwritten decree passed down through generations of the imperial family forbade unions between the Honeywells and the Prouds.
Russell's emotions were entangled by this tradition, especially now that Rose belonged to another man.
Unable to find sleep until dawn, he spent the night gazing up at the starlit sky.
In the late morning, as the moon began to wane, Russell sat at a table on the terrace, his gaze fixed on the night sky, adorned only by stars.
His thoughts wandered back to a distant memory, almost long forgotten.
He turned his head at the sound of soft footsteps approaching.
"Your Majesty, are you still awake?"
Rose stood before him.
Startled, Russell, clad in pajamas and without a robe, draped the blanket he held around Rose's shoulders.
"Did you just wake from sleep?"
"Yes. It seems I can't rest unless I'm in Your Majesty's embrace."
Rose covered her mouth, giggling softly.
Russell found her laughter enchanting and leaned in to kiss her smiling lips.
"As summer yields to fall, the dawn grows chilly. Make sure to don a robe when leaving bed."
Worried about her catching a cold from the chilling breeze, Russell advised.
"If I wear a gown, will Your Majesty still hold me?"
Rose playfully tugged at the hem of Russell's pajamas, her eyes wide with mischief.
For a moment, he stared at her in silence before enveloping her in a warm embrace.
"Truly, I find myself at a loss for words in describing my affection for my wife these days."
He confessed as Rose nestled against his neck, her laughter filling the tranquil dawn.
Returning to the table, he settled into his chair with Rose on his lap, holding her close beneath the protective cover of the blanket.
"By the way, Your Majesty, why were you out here instead of sleeping?"
"I was admiring the night sky."
"Is there something special? Are we expecting a meteor shower?"
Rose's gaze was fixed on the heavens above.
As Russell smoothed her wind-tousled hair, he replied softly.
"During this time, I struggle to stay awake at night because of someone."
Russell confessed to the woman in his arms.
"Who is it?"
Rose inquired, her curiosity piqued.
"A person who has caused my heart much distress. The one who left me conflicted by accepting an engagement to a man she cared for."
Russell explained, his words tinged with emotion.
Rose blushed, awaiting his response.
With a soft voice, she timidly asked.
"...Can you let go of those feelings?"
"Hmm... I doubt I could forget, even after years or decades."
Not wanting to hide his thoughts, Russell admitted it solemnly.
"It's too much, then. For now, just be my majesty."
Rose pleaded, her voice barely a whisper.
"In that case, help me find something new to occupy my thoughts by next year."
Russell proposed in a whisper shared between the two.
"How?"
Rose inquired, puzzled.
"Well, that's up to you."
Russell replied, lowering his head to meet Rose's lips in a tender kiss.
As their embrace deepened, the blanket shielding Rose from the autumn breeze slipped from her shoulders, drifting to the terrace floor.
Russell's hand found its place around her neck, their breaths mingling in the cool night air.
With determination in his voice, Russell declared.
"By this time next year, something else will occupy my thoughts."
-The End.