Can't Come Back - Side Story 1

Side Story 1 – The Man with a Pure Heart (1)

Grant Laimbron is a 22-year-old single man. He was the Deputy Commander of the Knights in Tbilisi Principality at the time. His coworkers perceived him to be sincere in all matters. He was a strict enforcer of rules and regulations, making no exceptions. He was the type of person who could adjust to and follow any scenario without complaint. This is the most excellent way to characterize him.

He was originally a citizen of the Talisbon Kingdom. However, when the Principality of Tbilisi was established not long ago, he found himself in a somewhat perplexing predicament. Notium conquered the city where he grew up as a boy, and Talisbon admitted defeat by handing up all of their lands and related rights. As a result, Grant became a citizen of the Principality of Tbilisi.

While having his nationality changed overnight was unsettling, he adjusted to reality. Fortunately, he had all his family with him; thus, he avoided the horror of being separated due to the war.

The night was calm, and he patrolled inside Grand Duke Tbilisi’s fortress.

“Grant, how about a drink tonight?” 

Martin, who appeared to be on his way home, offered. Martin, a Principality of Tbilisi administrative officer, was a big drinker. Grant, on the other hand, declined Martin’s invitation.

“What are you on about? You’re aware that it’s our time to patrol tonight.”

“Come on, delegate that to your subordinates. Do you know your absence won’t be a significant problem? The Principality is now stable, and there is rarely any conflict.”

“Certainly not. It’s my responsibility. After all, I’m the commander. What would my subordinates think if I took a break?”

“Ugh, you’re so rigid.”

Martin sighed after hearing Grant’s statement. Grant’s response was model-like, yet he was too rigid.

“Alright, that’s why you could be a commander. Then I’ll have to find someone else.”

Despite not being a native of Notium, Grant rose through the ranks of the Knights of the Principality of Tbilisi due to his diligence and swordsmanship. Grand Duke Cain Tbilisi directly commanded the 1st and 2nd Knight divisions.

Grant was pleased with himself. He never considered ignoring his responsibilities, hoping to become commander of the 1st Knight Division.

“Don’t go overboard. But I know you’re not going to listen.”

“Take good care.”

Martin did not press Grant any further and swiftly went away, most likely in search of another drinking friend.

Grant began patrolling inside the castle after dispatching Martin. He expected tonight, like any other night, to be routine. But he took care not to be careless.

‘I’m almost finished for today.’

Then he arrived in the garden of Grand Duke Cain Tbilisi.

Even though he was a commander, he scrutinized every aspect as if he were a regular member. With the notion of completing his duties, he gently stepped into the garden.

‘Huh?’

Someone was working in the garden. It was 11 p.m., a different time than the Duke or Duchess would be available. Grant approached the person.

“Excuse me, but you shouldn’t be here.”

Grant’s voice drew the person’s attention. She was stunning with her flowing golden blonde hair. It felt like time had stopped when her emerald eyes met his. She was the perfect woman he had always desired. Grant’s face flushed for a brief moment.

‘Who exactly is she?’

He was flustered for a second but couldn’t let her alone because she was his perfect kind.

“Pardon me? Oh, I am…”

Grant instantly took hold of his responsibilities and informed her,

“This is a place for the Duke and Duchess.”

‘Did she start working here recently?’

The Notium Empire was considered to be full of beautiful women. The woman before him didn’t look like she was from Talisbon. Grant imagined she was a newly arrived maid from Notium because of the ongoing migration from Notium to the Tbilisi Duchy.

“First and foremost, you must leave this place.”

“Oh, but…”

“It’ll be a problem if you get caught. It’s becoming late; you should return.”

He led her away from the garden. He bowed to her and exited the castle to return home.

‘Doesn’t he know who I am…?’

Berlia gazed at Grant’s receding form, puzzled. Even though he didn’t recognize her, she was the duchess. As the lady of the castle, she was perplexed by the recent turn of events.

‘He must be new to Tbilisi, given I haven’t seen him before.’

Grant had just lately arrived at this fortress, as Berlia had suspected. Before becoming the 2nd Knights Division commander, he mostly defended the border areas.

The Notium Empire formed the Tbilisi Duchy primarily to defend its boundaries. Grant’s abilities were critical in this situation. He helped to stabilize the turbulent border regions after the war. Cain appointed Grant as leader of the knights and recently took him to the castle, recognizing his qualities.

“I’m home.”

Grant removed his armor and changed into more comfortable clothes after returning home. His dozing mother was startled awake by the sound of his homecoming.

“Grant, you’re back?”

“Yes, I’ve just gotten in.”

“That’s great. But, Grant…”

As Grant was getting ready for bed, his mother appeared hesitant. He waited for her to proceed.

“Yes?”

“It’s great that you became commander, but when do you intend to marry? You’ve already turned 22.”

“…Mother, I’ll handle it. Given my age, it’s not an urgent problem.”

“How often have you said that? The Notium Empire has a lot of gorgeous women. Can’t you do anything about it? You should have no issue with your stature, face, and decent work. Why aren’t you bringing any women home with you? I was overjoyed when you became Commander of the Knights, thinking you’d finally marry. There is still no news.” 

His mother was overjoyed not because her son had become commander and she was proud of him but because she hoped he might finally marry. Despite unusual circumstances, She felt her kid had earned this honor, but she was proven incorrect.

“While the border region may be dangerous, aren’t women in the castle also? Do you dislike any of the maids?”

But, oblivious to the shock in his heart, his mother continued speaking.

“Maids…”

A maid piqued his curiosity. Grant remembered the blonde woman he met today as he tried to answer his mother’s query.

Usually, he would just respond that he didn’t like anyone, but after seeing Grant’s surprising reaction, his mother said, “Wait, did you meet a nice young lady?”

“…No.”

“From your reaction, it appears that you’re hiding something. Please tell me as soon as possible! Who is she?”

“But I don’t even know her name.” 

Grant made a shaky motion with his head. He had no notion who the woman he was thinking about was.

“I honestly don’t know. I’m going to take a shower right now. You should also try to get some rest.”

Grant reasoned that he should ask her name if he ran into her again. Grant’s mother sighed deeply as she watched her son enter the shower.

“Oh, this is so aggravating. At this rate, his younger sibling may marry before him.”

***

“Hello, Grant. How did the patrol go yesterday?”

He ran into Martin the next day when he got to the castle. He seemed hungover and may have had a good drinking buddy last night. Grant said with a click of his tongue, 

“Martin, if you keep drinking like this, you might get fired.”

“Stop being ridiculous. This is how everyone lives. You are the odd one out. That is why you are unable to find a woman.”

Martin’s statements caused Grant to pause for a time. Last night, it was his mother, and today it’s Martin. Why is everyone talking about women now?

“What on earth does that have to do with finding a woman?”

“If you want to meet women, you must go out and have fun. How are you supposed to meet women if you’re always in the castle?”

Martin shrugged, but Grant was not convinced.

‘Given that I met that woman just yesterday, that doesn’t appear true.’

He wondered about the woman he had met in the garden once more.

“Even if you stay inside the castle, you never know.”

Grant’s response was out of character for him. Martin narrowed his eyes and pushed Grant in the chest, thinking something was wrong.

“What is this? There’s something fishy going on here.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You said, ‘You never know.’ I know you well, and you’re not the type to say something like that, are you? Did you happen to see a nice woman in this castle?”

“…No, you must be mistaken.”

On the other hand, Grant differed from the sort to discuss such details with others. He chose not to respond further.

“You’re not much fun.”

Martin was one of the people that was familiar with Grant. Martin vanished, knowing he couldn’t gather any more information no matter how hard he tried.

When he was left alone, Grant went to the training grounds. Today was a day with no specific tasks. Nonetheless, he had no plans to leave early or slack off. He couldn’t afford to squander time.

‘I can’t ignore training even on a day off.’

The training ground where the knights frequently practiced was immediately beyond the visible garden. A familiar figure caught Grant’s attention as he peered absentmindedly toward the green.

‘What…?’

Blonde hair that is long and flowing. Grant ran into her again. Running into her again today was somewhat unexpected after last night.

Grant had intended to go to the training area to make the most of his time, but he found himself approaching her instinctively.

‘To meet twice in a row. Could this be destiny?’

Grant was standing behind her before he knew it. He decided to approach her.

“Did you get back home safely yesterday?”