Chapter 246

Side Story 2 – Chapter 7

* * *

“Ri-rival?”

“No matter how hard my brother tries, I’m Melody’s eternal first. He still doesn’t seem to accept that.”

“Don’t be silly.”

Melody chuckled, knowing that wasn’t true.

Claude might not admit it openly, but based on the original novel’s setting, he was a brother who loved his sister excessively.

Even after marrying Melody, his fundamental nature wouldn’t have changed to the point of seeing his beloved sister as a ‘rival’.

“It’s true. He’s probably fuming right now, hearing that I’ve captured Melody.”

“Claude wouldn’t fume over something like that. He’s a gentleman.”

“Oh Melody, you trust my brother too much. Well, he’s only fourth place anyway.”

Until a few years ago, Loretta used to call Claude ‘Melody’s third’, explaining that he held the position following Loretta and the Duke.

However, there had been a slight change in the rankings recently. Edmund had joined Loretta as ‘joint first place’.

As a result, the Duke, who had been second, was bumped down to third, and Claude was pushed to fourth.

“Of course, being Melody’s fourth is still a very good position.”

“Hehehe.”

Loretta carefully untangled a knot at the end of Melody’s hair, completely focused on the task.

Melody silently watched Loretta’s reflection in the mirror, not wanting to interrupt her concentration.

“Melody.”

Suddenly Loretta spoke again, her gaze still fixed on Melody’s hair.

“Yes.”

“You’re worried about something, aren’t you?”

Melody was startled by her insightful question. Loretta answered as if it were obvious.

“I know even if my brother doesn’t tell me. Actually, I knew before he did.”

“Loretta.”

“I was watching when His Majesty made you that offer. And the next day, I heard about the Records Keeper exam. So…”

Loretta trailed off, setting the wooden comb down on the vanity table. Then she wrapped her arms around Melody’s neck in a warm embrace.

“I thought…you would definitely worry about it. Because Melody is kind.”

“Thank…you.”

Her thanks weren’t for the compliment on her kindness. It was for Loretta remembering those fleeting moments and understanding Melody’s heart.

“Of course. You’re my eternal first.”

Their cheeks touched lightly, and Melody gently stroked Loretta’s arm as it held her in an embrace.

“Loretta, actually… I told Claude I wasn’t going to take the exam.”

“I bet he told you to think it over.”

“How did you know?”

Melody raised her head in surprise.

“Because that’s what my precious brother would do. He wouldn’t leave my Melody alone if he hadn’t said that.”

Loretta released her embrace, turning around to face Melody and leaning against the vanity table.

“Melody, do you remember when I used to visit you on every stormy night?”

She wasn’t sure why Loretta was bringing up the past, but Melody nodded.

Loretta would often seek her out on stormy nights, even after she grew much older.

Now, Magician Evan or Echo the cat seemed to be taking care of her.

“I told you before, but even with you covering my ears, the thunder wouldn’t stop.”

“You also said it was much less scary when I was with you.”

“Right. Compared to the joy of being with you, fear is just a small thing.”

I love you, Melody.@@novelbin@@

Loretta mouthed the words silently, then gave a playful wink.

“But if it had been just my one-sided feelings, it would have been different.”

“Of course, I also…”

Loretta, unusually, interrupted Melody’s confession.

“I know, Melody likes me. That’s why you’re happy to spend time with me. We’ve always had a genuine connection, so I can be certain.”

After a brief pause, she looked into Melody’s eyes, repeating the same phrase.

“A genuine connection.”

The word ‘genuine’ weighed heavily on Melody’s heart, bringing to mind a certain discomfort.

“…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 unconsciously clenched the hem of her thin pajamas.

But her words had been more of a hopeful aspiration than a blatant lie.

A hope to become a wife worthy of his reputation.

“Melody.”

She lifted her head, drawn by Loretta’s voice, and saw her looking down, a melancholic expression on her face.

“Being an adult is tough, isn’t it?”

“…Yes.”

“I wish we could just think about the things we love forever. Without any burdens to carry.”

“Even as children, we didn’t just think about things we loved.”

“That’s true, but…”

Loretta leaned forward and took Melody’s hand in hers.

“You always try to carry everyone else’s burdens, while hiding your own deep inside a box.”

“…”

“Bring it out into the sunlight, Melody.”

Loretta squeezed Melody’s hand tightly, as if trying to give her courage.

“It’s strange to just peek at its silhouette in the darkness, make a conclusion, and then close the lid.”

Was she right?

Melody thought of the box hidden deep within her heart.

She needed honor that wouldn’t shame Claude. To repay his passionate love…

“Melody.”

Loretta tugged her hand again, urging her to meet her gaze.

“Once you bring it out and examine it under the bright sunlight, you might find that it holds something entirely different from what you imagined.”

Her blue eyes, meeting Melody’s, held a strong conviction.

* * *

After finishing her story, Loretta yawned and promptly fell asleep, much to Melody’s surprise.

Perhaps she had been fighting off sleep the whole time to talk to Melody.

‘Loretta.’

Melody’s heart ached, realizing her unchanging heart.

This unwavering love had saved Melody countless times.

‘She must have been the one most curious about my true feelings…’

Yet, Loretta never pressed her for an answer. It was probably out of consideration for Claude.

‘She’s truly kind.’

Melody now understood why Claude would sometimes say with a smile, “Perhaps Father will choose Loretta as his heir. It makes me feel a bit more at ease.”

He might have been taking Loretta’s thoughtfulness into account.

“I’ll do as you say, Loretta.”

Melody whispered softly, stroking Loretta’s moonlit hair.

“I’ll tell Claude everything.”

Loretta, deep asleep, didn’t budge, only taking deep, even breaths.

“…Thank you, and…”

I love you too, Loretta.

Melody mouthed the words silently, just like Loretta had done earlier.

As if sensing her feelings, Loretta’s lips curved into a slight smile.

‘She’s still so cute.’

Melody gently poked Loretta’s cheek before turning to lie on her back, facing the ceiling.

As her gaze traced the familiar patterns, a worry crept into her mind.

‘I’ve decided to tell him… but when?’

Melody considered the best time, carefully examining Claude’s shared schedule.

She hoped to find a day when he didn’t have any important events… but unfortunately, there weren’t any.

It was the New Year season, and both Claude and Loretta were busy receiving greetings from other nobles and distant relatives in place of the Duke.

With a constant stream of visitors to the mansion each day, it was extremely difficult to find a moment for a leisurely conversation.

‘Actually…’

Melody delved deeper into her heart, confronting her true feelings.

‘I… don’t have the courage.’

It was a daunting task to reveal the thoughts she had harbored alone for so long. She couldn’t even imagine how he would react.

As Melody let out a heavy sigh, unable to reach a conclusion…

She heard a familiar sound coming from beyond her room.

She jumped out of bed, not even bothering to put on her slippers, and rushed into the hallway.

The sound of a child’s startled cry echoed through the dimly lit hallway, quickening her steps.

However, before she could reach the source, the crying gradually subsided.

The nanny, who was closest to the child, must have woken up and comforted him.

By the time the crying softened into whimpers, Melody arrived at Edmund’s room and flung open the door.

A single figure stood in the lamp-lit room, holding the child in their arms.

Contrary to what Melody expected, it wasn’t the nanny.