About Your Pride and My Prejudice

Side Story Episode 12: Princess

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It was still deep night, possibly the early hours before dawn. In the thick, oppressive heat that could easily cause one to collapse from exhaustion, Melissa let out a quiet breath.

The humid afterglow enveloped them as if they were submerged in warm water. Alan, who was holding her tightly, was also breathing heavily.

On a day when Melissa was deeply wounded by her passionate love for Alan Leopold, she had once thought this: One day, his heart will beat wildly from loving someone.

Then he too will realize that his heart can ache and beat rapidly because of love. He might even feel afraid that his heart might burst out of his chest and run away.

But now, the heart of Alan Leopold, who is now her husband Alan Flynn, was pounding vigorously against her back. Despite swimming through the depths of their intense love all night, it showed no signs of exhaustion.

That heartbeat somehow felt like a profound confession. It was as if it was knocking fervently and earnestly, asking to stay in her heart.

Of course, there was no need to ask for permission. She was born into this world to love him alone, to the very end and for all eternity.

There are moments in life that are overwhelmingly intense. Like the dawn the two of them were experiencing now. Melissa suddenly wanted to define this moment with his words, gently caressing the strong arms and beautiful hands that held her.

“Alan.”

At the sound of that miraculous name, he rested his sweat-drenched, cool chin on Melissa’s shoulder. She could feel his distinct heartbeat against her back.

“Tell me. How are you feeling right now?”

“…How am I feeling?”

His low voice was deeper than usual. For a moment, Melissa felt a wave of drowsy sleep rising at her feet.

“Just now… with us like this…”

That we’re in love. Aren’t you surprised? Isn’t it unbearably overwhelming? Her question melted away on her tongue, overtaken by Alan’s shocking response.

“It feels like hot jelly inside.”

“No…”

Melissa squirmed, startled.

“I didn’t ask about that—”

“It’s too tight right now, Melissa.”

“…”

With no way to counter him, Melissa closed her eyes tightly. Alan groaned softly on her shoulder.

“Are you trying to kill your husband, my lady?”

In the end, Melissa covered her face. Even though they weren’t facing each other, warmth spread to the tips of her ears. His heartbeat on her back continued to shout something. Though she never thought she could understand what a heartbeat was saying, it felt strangely clear.

“I love you this much.”

At that moment, Alan, who had been kissing her flushed ears, whispered softly, “Dying like this wouldn’t be so bad.”

* * *

That day, his cool and tender hands repeatedly stroked her curly brown hair.

“Melissa.”

“Mmm…”

Melissa made a groan, feeling achy all over.

“It seems you’ve slept too long. The sun is high in the sky.”

“Just a bit more…”

Alan chuckled softly at her curled-up form with her face buried in the pillow. He tried to sound solemn as he coaxed her, “Get up now, miss. Don’t say you couldn’t sleep last night.”

“…”

With her eyes barely open, Melissa reached out, and he expertly lifted her up. After kissing her slightly swollen eyelids and cheeks, her clear eyes began to shine.

Unlike her just-awakened state, her husband stood before her, looking like a perfect gentleman. Dressed in a white shirt, cravat, cream-colored vest, and a black frock coat, he resembled a breathtaking painting.

“Where are you going?”

With a voice still tinged with sleep, Melissa asked as Alan handed her a glass of water and replied, “To the palace. It seems the delegation from the Empire has arrived at dawn.”

“Already?”

“Drink up, Melissa. Your lips are dry.”

Even swollen. The concern in his voice made her swallow the water silently, thinking, …It’s because of you, you fool.

At that moment, Alan’s fingers gently wiped away a droplet of water from her lips. The touch was ticklish, causing Melissa to grab his hand and, in the middle of a small yawn, ask, “Then… the treaty…”

“It will be signed this afternoon. I need to head out now as the parliament is being convened.”

“I see… finally.”

“Yes, finally.”

Thinking that her time alone with Alan would soon increase, Melissa beamed with a still-sleepy face. Seeing her smile, Alan’s face also broke into a bright grin.

However, instead of getting up to leave as he had said, Alan merely gazed at his wife’s radiant face. His light-colored eyes sparkled like jewels in the noontime sunlight streaming through the window.

Melissa, both puzzled and entranced by his gaze, forgot to breathe for a moment. A small kiss, carrying the scent of dewy roses, lightly touched and then withdrew from her cheek.

“Have a good day, darling.”

“…….”

Isn’t it?

As Melissa tilted her head in confusion, Alan finally removed his lips from hers.

“This evening, royalty from the Empire will be coming to our home.”

“…Here?”

Melissa froze in surprise at the news.

“I thought we should host a dinner. We need to show proper hospitality.”

After all, her husband was the kind of daring person who invited royalty to their mansion so that he could spend his wife’s birthday. It was clear that the Empire, which accepted his invitation, was no ordinary entity.

“Sorry for the suddenness. Are you nervous?”

“Hmm…”

“I actually want to show you off. They still seem to doubt my marriage.”

That statement oddly snapped her to attention. The realization that she was the wife of this remarkable man and, moreover, held the noble title of Countess Elsinore—something she often forgot—suddenly became vivid.

There had been countless moments when she vowed to stand proudly by his side as his wife. The great Eastern Empire, which Alan had formed a deep bond with since his days as Leopold, was both his wings and stage. At the same time, it was a presence of no small significance within her as well.

On a day when she was still staying in the annex, waiting desperately for Alan for over two months had all been due to the Hua Empire, and the beautiful hairpin that had already become one of Melissa’s treasures was also an item from Hua.

‘I’m curious about the continent’s royalty, but I might also see a new side of Alan that I didn’t know before.’

Above all, Melissa felt a sense of responsibility in hosting the delegation.

“Are you okay, Melissa?”

To her anxious husband waiting for a response, Melissa’s eyes shone resolutely.

“I’m fine, Alan.”

There was no chance she could hold a proper conversation with them, having never heard the Hua Empire’s language. So there would be no risk of making a verbal mistake. She would simply keep a polite smile and look the part of an elegant wife. She would smile when they did and be gracious.

And, with Mrs. Kearney’s help, she would make the dessert herself. She needed to show warm hospitality and dedication as the hostess.

Steeling herself, Melissa gently caressed Alan’s clear, flawless cheek.

“Don’t worry, just go and come back.”

* * *

Winter had already come to the Principality. Although it was still late autumn, the days had grown as short as winter.

In the evening, as the sun set and twilight spread, her husband, filled with the scent of the wind, returned.

Hearing the sound of the horse’s hooves, Melissa hurried to the garden. Alan dismounted and handed the reins to a servant before striding towards her.

“Melissa.”

As if on cue, the black coat wrapped around her. The collar of the oversized frock coat peeked out, highlighting her blushing face.

A series of tender kisses fell upon the forehead of the woman, who was buried in the scent she had eagerly awaited all day and blinked with dreamy eyes.

“Why are you dressed so warmly?”

The soft scolding was endlessly sweet. Feeling her toes curl from the ticklish sensation, Melissa mumbled, “I just came out for a bit… Did everything go well?”

“Yes. Thanks to you.”

“I’m glad! What about the guests?”

At that moment, the estate’s carriage sped through the garden. It seemed Alan had provided a carriage for the guests.

‘But why is there only one carriage? I would have expected at least a few more.’

The Hua Empire was said to be unimaginably vast, with countless people and animals. Wasn’t there talk of hundreds of royals, and more than ten princes and princesses?

“Not everyone has arrived?”

“No.”

Just as Alan finished speaking, the carriage came to a stop. The coachman opened the door, and the person carefully escorted out was, surprisingly, a young woman. And just one person at that.

‘A beauty…’

A moment later, two men who appeared to be attendants followed her out of the carriage.

“Alan.”

At the clear voice, Alan turned and approached. The sleeves made of blue silk fluttered gracefully as he lifted them. He gently kissed the back of the woman’s hand.

“Yes, Princess Tianling.”

Melissa, observing the scene, was frozen with a strange feeling. Even though she was royalty, to address Alan by his first name was unexpected. Moreover, Alan seemed just as familiar with her. The closeness between them was undeniable.

Melissa understood that this was part of his duty and that Alan was merely observing the proper etiquette. Yet, the fact that the woman was so young and beautiful made her feel uneasy.

The princess’s cold, sharp gaze, having scrutinized the mansion, now scanned Melissa up and down as she awkwardly stood in her large coat.

As Melissa instinctively shrugged her shoulders, the princess spoke.

“So, you’re Alan’s wife?”

The question was asked in flawlessly fluent Sourne.

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