Can't Come Back - Side Story 1

Side Story 1 – The Man with a Pure Heart (3)

“Isn’t today the day you get off early from work? How about we get a drink after?”

He would generally have declined. Even on his days off, he would refuse to be idle and would go to work out. Grant, for whatever reason, nodded in response to Martin’s idea.

“Right. Should we go somewhere?”

“…What?”

Martin, who had offered Grant that they go out for a drink, was likewise taken aback by his reaction. He had asked him for a drink daily, but Grant had never accepted.

“Really?”

“I’m not one for empty rhetoric, Martin.”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Martin concurred. Even though today was a little different, Grant was not one to speak insincerely or make empty promises.

“Let’s meet at 6:30 at Nella’s bar in the middle of the street. It’s in bold, so it’ll be easy to find.”

“Alright.”

* * *

The atmosphere inside the bar was lively. Because the next day was a holiday, even more people were drinking. The meeting was scheduled for 6:30, but Grant had been waiting for Martin since 6:00.

“Would you like to place an order?”

Nella, the bar’s proprietor, approached Grant and inquired. When she stared at his face, her cheeks flushed slightly.

‘We haven’t had such a handsome guest in a long time. Was there a man like him around here?’

Objectively, Grant was quite attractive. He had a muscular frame, as befitting a knight. It was a look that many ladies would find appealing. On the other hand, Grant had little interest in women and was a ‘wall’ to all women save Berlia.

“I’m accompanied. We’ll place our order when he arrives.”

He replied without looking at Nella.

‘What’s with his stern demeanor? He didn’t even bother looking at me.’

Nella, who had intended to cast a seductive glance if their gazes met, turned away, disappointed. Martin arrived a little later, about 6:40.

“You got here first.”

“You’re already 10 minutes late, Martin.”

“Are you still as punctual as ever? Okay, I’m sorry about that. Please, Nella, two dark beers! And any munchies will suffice.”

Martin took up a chair and sat down after ordering, then asked Grant,

“Is there something going on? I was taken aback when you said you’d come.”

“…Didn’t you mention that you’ve met a lot of women?”

“Yeah, I’ve been out and about for quite some time, right? I’ve met and dated a few. Is it because it’s about a woman? If so, please tell me everything. I’ll give you my response.”

Martin spoke with self-assurance.

Meanwhile, the beer and appetizers arrived.

“Cheers.”

The glasses clinked against each other. Martin let out a loud sigh of relief after taking large gulps of his drink. Grant took a few sips of his drink and shouted to him, following his lead.

“…Martin.”

He could feel the alcohol seeping into his veins. Grant knows almost nothing about women. But, given that he was 22 and his mother was ready for him to marry, he decided it was time to start dating. Of course, Berlia was the woman he had in mind.

“Yes, yes, yes.”

Grant mustered the guts to speak about his feelings after a few more clinks and drinks. He decided to approach Martin.

“What should I do if I’m interested in a woman?”

“I knew you’d say something like that. You must, after all, make the first move. Women won’t know if you don’t indicate interest, right? And, in this cold weather, offer them your jacket or make subtle physical touch to get their heart racing.”

“Subtle physical contact…?”

“Yes, women want to be embraced by a man’s broad chest, even if they don’t say it, right?”

“Is that right?”

Grant believed Martin’s words. Martin’s classes continued after that. They both stood up to depart after drinking more than ten glasses between them.

“I’ll cover the bill.”

“Are you buying drinks? What’s with that? Thanks.”

Martin thanked him drunkenly, clapping Grant on the shoulder. With each step, he staggered.

On the other hand, Grant walked straight to the counter after drinking a lot to ask Nella for the bill.

“How much is it?”

‘When you get a good look at him, he’s extremely gorgeous.’

She had previously expressed regret, but now she sees another possibility. Nella feigned to know Grant.

“Oh, you were Martin’s friend? I had no idea Martin had such a handsome friend. You don’t reside near here, given that this is my first time seeing you?”

Nella queried Grant in a flirtatious tone of voice. Grant’s expression, though, remained unchanged.

“I sincerely apologize, but I came to pay.”

Nella’s displeasure grew as a result of his remark. How could he be so unconcerned? She’d been rejected before, but never like this. In her rage, she quoted him twice the actual amount.

“…200 shillings.”

“Here you go.”

“Nella. Isn’t the pricing a little high?”

The cost was greater than usual. Martin noticed and informed Nella, but Grant was unconcerned. He reasoned that if the owner says so, it must be true. He left the bar after paying the 200 shillings.

* * *

It was time to return to work at the castle the day after the holiday. Cain’s orders required him to visit the border region briefly by tomorrow. He was sure that if he didn’t confess to Berlia during that moment, his thoughts would be consumed by her even at the border, preventing him from executing his role effectively.

Her presence both irritated and enthralled him. He had spent the entire day yesterday, a vacation, contemplating how to express his thoughts to her.

He despised wasting time that could be spent doing anything productive. Nonetheless, he had been unable to concentrate on anything else that day. He eventually decided to take Martin’s suggestion and confess to Berlia.

Grant purposefully wandered the castle in the afternoon to meet her. He finally saw the woman he had wished to see.

“…We’re meeting again.”

“Oh. Wasn’t your name Grant?”

Berlia smiled as she greeted Grant, who had approached her. He indeed recognized her as a noblewoman now.

“Certainly, Grant Laimbron. I possess the rank of Second Knight Commander.”

Grant took advantage of the chance to reintroduce himself, thinking that knowing his status might change her opinion of him.

Berlia, on the other hand, misinterpreted it, believing he was reasserting his position as a noble to her.

“I see. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Grant’s face flushed when he saw her smile. It was incredible how she had such an impact on him.

“You seem to be alone again today.”

“I’m waiting for Cain. We intended to go for a walk together.”

Was there another Cain in the castle other than the Grand Duke?

‘Cain?’

Grant had some reservations but reasoned that someone with the same name might exist, given that a maid would not carelessly address the Grand Duke by his name. 

More importantly, he was envious of Cain, who wanted to accompany her on her walk.

‘No, I heard the head maid is single. She even claimed not to have a boyfriend…’

He had to be the one to make the first move. Many men must be lusting after such a lovely lady. With no one else around, the opportunity was now. Grant believed it was time to take a risk, as Martin recommended.

“I… I like you!”

Grant confessed to Berlia.

“Excuse me…?”

Berlia thought she had misheard something. He had feelings for her?

“From the moment I saw you, I fell in love with you at first sight!” Grant continued before she could ask.

Berlia was noticeably surprised. So it was a genuine confession. So she didn’t mishear?

“Wait a minute, Sir Laimbron; what are you?”

Then the voice of Cain resonated in Grant and Berlia’s ears.

“What exactly are you doing?”

Cain was perplexed by what he had just witnessed. He’d only seen her with another man beyond his brother, Dean. Knowing his beloved was his sister-in-law was agonizing but never caused jealousy. It was just heartfelt and affectionate because Berlia was his brother’s wife.

But what about this current situation? Berlia is his wife. He didn’t feel he was the only one experiencing unrequited love because they cared intensely for each other. Yet here she was, getting another man’s confession. Something exploded deep within Cain.

“Berlia.”

“Ca, Cain.”

Berlia was equally agitated. Cain had witnessed such a situation. Even though she was entirely ignorant and taken aback by the statement, she felt she had done something wrong. She needed to communicate the problem to Cain as soon as possible.

“Your Highness!”

And Grant, who hadn’t realized what was going on, bowed to Cain. He was surprised that His Highness would appear at such a time.

“…Knight Laimbron.”

“Yes!”

“What exactly are you doing?”

“…Pardon?”

“What exactly did you just say to my wife?”

“To Your Highness’s wife?… What?!”

As he gazed at Berlia, Grant’s eyes widened in surprise. She was the lone female in there. But what about His Highness’s wife? Could this lady be…

“I… I’ve made a grave error, Your Highness!”

She was the consort, not a lady-in-waiting! Grant was taken aback. How could he have been so unaware? There was no other ‘Cain’ in this fortress! He felt very stupid for misreading her title. How could he have missed the Grand Duchess’s name?

“I sincerely apologize! I had no idea you were the Grand Duchess and dared to do such a thing…”

Cain added as he watched a distressed Grant repeatedly apologize,

“Knight Laimbron, I know you’re going to the borderlands tomorrow… I hope you leave these blasphemous feelings behind.”

Cain vanished from Grant’s sight while holding Berlia’s hand. With a confused face, Grant watched their receding shapes. To have fallen in love with his lord’s lady. Even going so far as to admit it. He had done the unthinkable.

Laimbron, Grant. 22 years old. Single. The Tbilisi Empire’s current Deputy Knight Commander. His brief love affair had come to an end.