Can't Come Back - Side Story 1

Side Story 1 – The Man with a Pure Heart (2)

Berlia spun around. Grant’s heart seemed to stop when he faced her. Don’t they say that a lot? Love at first sight.

Such sayings never piqued Grant’s curiosity. He believed that love and dating were unimportant. He had always assumed that when he reached the appropriate age, he would just meet someone suitable and marry.

He had to admit, though, that he was charmed with the woman in front of him at first sight.

“You…? You’re the same guy from yesterday…”

Berlia’s eyes expanded with delight. The man who had requested her to leave the garden stood right in front of her. How agitated she had been the night before! She couldn’t sleep and admired the flowers when he abruptly instructed her to leave. Berlia gazed at Grant, recalling their interaction the day before.

He had no idea she was the Grand Duchess.

“Hello, my name is Grant. It must be fate that we meet again after yesterday. May I ask what your name is?”

“Ah, my name is… Berlia.”

But he’d have heard her name even if he didn’t know her face.

“Berlia… Are you a native of the Notium Empire?”

“Yes, I came here after the principality was established.”

“I see. I suspected you were from Notium. Where are you staying? I’m a member of the 2nd Knights Division.”

“Ah, I’m right over there…”

Was he still unaware? Berlia, a little flustered, pointed to the castle where she was staying. There were only her, Cain, and their maids living there. Berlia assumed that Grant would have realized by now. She was embarrassed to tell him she was the Grand Duchess and hoped he’d figure it out alone.

“Ah, yes, I see.”

Grant, contrary to her expectations, imagined Berlia was a maid serving the Grand Duchess.

‘She must be the Grand Duchess’ maid.’ He’d never felt his heart beat faster for anyone. Perhaps he hadn’t met somebody who had made his heart skip a beat until now.

‘Perhaps it’s fate.’

“The weather is fantastic today. Today you’re in this garden. Did you come here to walk?”

There was no restriction on the entrance to this garden. Grant inquired. Berlia gave the nod. She waited for Betty, who had gone to get a picnic mat and some refreshments.

“In a way. Because the weather was so nice, I considered having a picnic for a while.”

A picnic in the castle garden by a maid? Grant’s face hardened briefly. The primary responsibility of a maid was to serve the duke and duchess, clean the castle, and administer the household.

Yet here she was, brazenly discussing having a picnic. Perhaps she was as cunning and fun as Martin.

Grant always needed to understand Martin. He needed help understanding why somebody would want to do as little labor as possible instead of devoting themselves to their duties.

Grant despised such people.

“So you’re having a picnic right now…”

‘I feel like you’re forgetting about your duties as a maid.’ This is what Grant intended to express. Like Martin, he wished she had stopped slacking off. But he couldn’t speak for whatever reason. He wasn’t feeling like himself. He was concerned that bringing up such a subject might make her dislike him. His thoughts kept him from speaking.

‘Is he upset because he chased me out of that garden yesterday?’

Berlia mistook Grant’s cautious tone because he had just realized she was the Duchess. And it made perfect sense. In broad daylight, a woman enjoys a picnic in the castle garden. Who else except the Duchess of the castle could it be?

Berlia reassured Grant after realizing he had realized his error. “It’s fine. Don’t be concerned.”

“Really…?” Grant was surprised. Was she okay even when she tried to escape the situation? She appeared to be a little shameless, contrary to her image. Even though she came to dislike him, Grant felt compelled to handle the situation. Grant was ready to say something when…

“Regardless…”

“Grant! I’ve been searching for you. The Grand Duke has called.”

Delbaton, the captain of the first knights, yelled out to Grant at that moment.

“Ah…” Grant was overcome with remorse. He wished to continue their discussion. At this point, the Grand Duke summoned him and made him feel almost spiteful. Nonetheless, since they had already met twice at the castle, he thought they would have another chance to meet.

“I’ll see you again next time.” Grant waved goodbye to Berlia, his expression filled with regret, and then vanished. Berlia breathed a sigh of relief as she watched Grant go away.

“It’s my first time having such an experience.” 

She was relieved that he had finally acknowledged her.

“Duchess! Have you been waiting a long time?” 

Betty arrived moments later with refreshments and a picnic blanket for Berlia. Betty had been by Berlia’s side since she came here after she became the Grand Duchess of Tbilisi, and she had now ascended to the rank of top maid.

She didn’t have to attend to Berlia directly as the chief maid, but she always aided her while executing her tasks.

“Was there a problem?” 

“Hm? No, it’s only… Are many people in this castle who don’t know who I am?”

Berlia’s question took Betty aback. She chuckled and brushed aside the remark. Who in the mansion has not heard of Berlia Tbilisi, the house mistress?

“Oh, please. That is not possible. You had a very public wedding.”

“Hmm… I suppose so, right?”

Indeed, even that knight must have discovered her true identity by now. Berlia agreed with Betty’s sentiments and settled down to enjoy the picnic.

On the other side, Grant was on his way to Grand Duke Cain Tbilisi with Delbaton, the commander of the first knights. Even though he had been walking for some time, he couldn’t help but look fleeting at Berlia. 

When Delbaton noticed this, he nodded as if he knew everything. “Well, the Grand Duchess is indeed lovely.”

But Grant was perplexed why Delbaton had suddenly brought up the Grand Duchess. 

“The Duchess? Yeah, I think so.”

Grant gave a grumpy response. What’s the sense of praising a woman who is already taken? The woman who introduced herself as ‘Berlia’ was the most gorgeous to him.

“Looking at her like that, and then saying…”

“Don’t you think the maid serving her is even more beautiful?”

“Are you referring to the chief maid? She’s not too awful. However, defeating the Duchess… So, if that’s your preference, I’ll respect it.”

Delbaton only now clapped as if he knew Grant’s heart. When Grant approached, he noticed the main maid walking towards the Duchess.

Delbaton bowed again, assuming Grant’s gaze was on Chief Maid Betty rather than the Duchess.

“The chief maid… Ah, I see.”

She was the chief maid. Grant now understood why she felt more liberated than the other servants. 

He was a knight commander himself. A knight commander and a chief maid… He walked happily, thinking it wasn’t a bad combo.

* * *

“Let’s end this month on that note.”

“Yes, I understood.”

Delbaton responded to Cain’s remarks. Cain turned to look at Grant and remarked,

“And, Lord Laimbron, please inspect the border area within three days. Tasilbron, which had been quiet, has been generating problems again.”

“…”

But Grant remained silent. He couldn’t concentrate on Cain and Delbaton’s chat. Berlia consumed his thoughts. In his mind, he had already dated and married Berlia for around six months.

Wouldn’t a marriage between a commander of knights and a head maid be well received? His mother would be ecstatic.

“Lord Laimbron?”

Grant remained mute despite being addressed, forcing Cain to call him again.

“…”

Nonetheless, he remained silent. When Delbaton noticed this, he poked Grant’s side with his elbow.

“Grant, the Grand Duke is calling you.”

Only then did Grant respond, surprised, saying,

“Huh?! Yes! Your Excellency!”

“Lord Laimbron, you’re not your usual self. Are you feeling sick?”

“No… Please accept my apologies. Could you repeat what you said?”

Grant was agitated. He’d never had such a depressed demeanor before. Even when he was sick, he performed his assigned responsibilities before resting. He’d never been this way before.

“In three days, inspect the border area, particularly the area adjacent to Tasilbron.”

Grant’s typical diligence was well known to Cain. Although he thought Grant’s action was strange, he was aware of Grant’s distinct loyalty and attentiveness and chose not to reprimand him.

“Yes! Understood.”

“I’ll leave it to you. You may leave now.”

“Yes! Your Excellency.”

Delbaton and Grant left Cain’s office after saying their goodbyes. Delbaton inquired as they headed down the corridor,

“Grant, what was it you said earlier? That wasn’t typical of you.”

“Sigh… You’re right.”

Grant exhaled a sigh. He had acted contrary to his customary convictions. He was always concerned about being alert in any given situation. He felt guilty for being preoccupied in front of his lord.

“You should go home early today and rest. I have some stuff to do, so I’ll depart early.”

“… Right because he was alone, Grant decided it would be best to go early, as Delbaton suggested, to clear his head.

‘Who am I to chastise someone?’

He remembered wanting to chastise her earlier for wishing to picnic in the garden. It was pitiful. He had no authority to advise anyone.

And what made him feel even worse was that he was still thinking about her in this position.

“Grant. Are you available this evening?”

Someone yelled out to Grant at that exact moment. Martin.