Can't Come Back - Side Story 2

Side Story 2 – The Fruits of Jealousy (1)

“The renovation of the central capital facility began with the 2nd district. The first and fourth districts are next in line.”

“I see.”

“However, there is a minor issue with the proposition that the 7th district, where many commercial facilities are located, should be renovated first.”

“I see.”

“What should we do about this?”

“I see.”

Martin felt assured after hearing Cain’s comments up to this point. Lord Cain didn’t seem to be listening to him at all.

Administrator Martin was briefing Cain on the Tbilisi Kingdom’s principal capital facility redevelopment status. Cain, on the other hand, sighs instead of paying attention.

“Sigh…”

Martin recognized they would be working late if they continued to wonder what was on Cain’s thoughts that caused him to appear so serious. He despised overtime, especially because leaving work late made it challenging to meet drinking buddies. The worst part was just thinking about it. Martin couldn’t help but ask Cain directly.

“Do you have anything bothering you, Lord Cain?”

“Does it look that way?”

“Without a doubt. I’ve repeated myself, but you keep responding, ‘I see.’ And haven’t you been sighing a lot?”

“It can’t be helped, then.”

Cain mumbled quietly to himself.

“You don’t mean… you’re thinking of letting me leave early?”

Martin inquired, concerned. Given the quantity of work he had recently, it was plausible that Cain was dissatisfied with his consistent punctuality. Cain, on the other hand, glanced at Martin as if he was saying something strange and then laid down his pen, contrary to Martin’s expectations.

“Sigh… Let’s call this discussion a day. With so much on my thoughts, I can’t concentrate.”

“All right! Then I’ll say my goodbyes.”

“See you tomorrow.”

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He was not only exempt from working extra, but he was also leaving early! Martin rushed out of Cain’s office before he could reconsider. Cain was alone as the door closed with a quiet bang.

“Sigh…”

He sighed deeply, and the sound boomed throughout the large office.

‘How could Sir Grant have such emotions?’

This was the only notion Cain had for several days. How dare one of the palace officials develop feelings for Duchess Berlia? 

Cain realized that this couldn’t go on. Berlia was, without a doubt, the most attractive woman in the room. Her beauty evolved and strengthened with age rather than disappearing. This incident was unavoidable because they had a public wedding with the entire Tbilisi Kingdom watching.

If he kept thinking like this, he might believe everyone in the castle could fall for Berlia. Cain couldn’t stop thinking about it, even though he knew it wouldn’t happen.

“Sigh…”

Cain’s sigh became more pronounced. He had never experienced jealousy before. Berlia was Duchess Hildayden at the time, and because she was his sister-in-law, he couldn’t even feel envy toward his brother, Dean. Instead, their inability to communicate made him feel even more affectionate.

Who would dare to approach Berlia romantically, especially now that she was his wife? It was entirely unexpected.

Nonetheless, it occurred. Cain felt he couldn’t relax any longer. Perhaps, like Grant, there is someone who secretly admires Berlia.

‘Perhaps the fact that Knight Laimbron isn’t in the castle means that everything still needs to be resolved.’

Grant Laimbron had resigned as the second knight commander and applied for a job at the frontier. Cain agreed without hesitation to his request. It was the correct thing to do. Grant appeared to be aware of the gravity of his error.

Of course, Grant was a valuable skill that Cain desired to have by his side, but given his feelings, it felt too distasteful. Allowing him to serve at the border for several years felt natural.

So, while the episode appeared to be over, Cain’s concerns remained. How could he ensure that no one desired Berlia? For Cain, this was more vital than any other worry.

“…After all, do we need a child?”

Cain grumbled to himself. After all, having a child was the answer. A successor was also required to carry on the Tbilisi lineage. He envisaged the child that might be born from his union with Berlia. It didn’t matter if it was a son or a daughter. No rule said the Grand Duke couldn’t be a woman.

He felt he could relax once Berlia had their child and gave birth.

“No, I’m still not sure. We should appear together more frequently at upcoming official events.”

He was unconvinced. Cain moved his head from side to side. He felt more severe than at any other time in his life.

He resolved to bring Berlia to public events so that her face may be seen. No one, like Grant, should be unaware of Berlia’s look. He thought he had kept her too concealed up until now. Cain exhibited a look of regret as he reflected on his past actions.

* * *

“How long has it been, Berlia?”

“Cadelin. Have you been doing well? Particularly after I visited the Notium Empire…”

Berlia was conversing with Cadelin in the meantime. Cadelin returned to Tbilisi after a lengthy absence. Berlia has been the Duchess of Tbilisi for just over a year.

“I came simply because I wanted to. You don’t have to apologize.”

“However, I believe your body has not fully recovered. Have you been looking after yourself?”

“Of course,” she says. “I’ve been eating well and sleeping a lot. So much so that I can no longer fit into the outfits I wore before my pregnancy.”

Cadelin laughed. Due to her pregnancy, Cadelin couldn’t visit Tbilisi for a while after Berlia and Cain’s wedding.

And she came to meet Berlia around four months ago after giving birth to a healthy baby and concluding her postnatal treatment. The two, who had last seen each other in the Notium Empire, were overjoyed to see each other after a year.

“How could I simply summon the esteemed Duchess? I should be the one to show up.”

“Oh, Cadelin…”

“And if Berlia comes to Notium, I can’t get away from childcare, can I? It’s okay to delegate some tasks to your partner every now and again.”

Cadelin appeared to be relieved. She would be preoccupied with her child even if she was a Countess. Berlia smiled softly, recognizing Cadelin’s desire for a temporary respite from parenting.

“Thank you for coming, for whatever reason. I even went out of my way to make extra preparations for tonight’s meal because you said you’d come.”

Berlia had planned a special meal for Cadelin. The dishes were made with great care by the castle’s chef. Cadelin’s eyes brightened at seeing a wine bottle while enjoying the excellent food.

“Oh, isn’t this the wine made from grapes grown in the Arente mountains? It’s nearly impossible to come across in Talisbon, let alone Notium!”

“Since the Arente mountains became part of Tbilisi’s domain. As a Duchess, I can, at the very least, make something for a friend.”

A maid near them poured the red wine into Cadelin’s glass as Berlia spoke. Cadelin took a sniff with anticipation and seemed satisfied.

“It’s above and beyond my expectations.”

She drank a sip. The aroma of the wine entered her mouth, and she exclaimed.

“Wow, it’s light but has a strong scent. I couldn’t drink wine freely while pregnant, which was difficult. I’m grateful to have such a wonderful friend who can supply me with Arente wine. But, Berlia, is there anything new?”

“What?”

Berlia responded, perplexed by Cadelin’s question. She put down her glass of wine, trying to figure out what Cadelin was on about. Berlia was ready to take another sip when she looked perplexed.

“I mean, about a baby.”

“What?! What about the baby? Oh…!”

In response to Cadelin’s statements, Berlia’s wine glass shook violently. Fortunately, the somewhat larger glass did not spill the wine, although it almost resulted in a waste of the priceless beverage. When Cadelin noticed this, she said,

“Oh, not yet. Shouldn’t you start planning now? In comparison to my contemporaries, I needed to catch up. Of course, having a child is not required…”

Cadelin’s voice trailed off. True to her claims, no law required people to have children. On the other hand, Cain and Berlia’s circumstances may be a little different. They were to carry on the legacy of the newly formed Tbilisi bloodline. The bloodline could not be broken that quickly.

If the wife were infertile or couldn’t bear children, some would have a concubine to maintain the bloodline, but Cain would never consider it. Any passerby would find the prospect of the well-known Duke of Tbilisi taking a concubine amusing.

Cain and Berlia’s love story was already well-known in Notium. The two, who had an impossible relationship, becoming a Duke and Duchess acknowledged by others piqued the public’s interest.

Cain’s older brother and Berlia’s ex-husband, Dean Hildayden, who had passed away, had kept them apart for nearly three years owing to his intervention. The citizens of the Notium Empire were emotionally impacted by their terrible story of being unable to come together despite their feelings. Most people were pulling for the couple as they started their new life in Tbilisi.

However, after the two left for Tbilisi and their story went viral, the people involved probably needed to be made aware of their rising fame. Novels were even written based on imagined events between them.

‘There was undoubtedly a novel… What was its name? The Point of No Return, was it?’

Cadelin remembered a famous Notium novel that depicted their story. Berlia, with a little crimson cheek, queried Cadelin as her thoughts wandered.