Solo For Two

Three Days LaterThe Paris Central Station was bustling as always.Ladies in various hats and gentlemen with canes passed under the clock tower. From the bakery inside the station, the fragrant smell of freshly baked bread filled the high ceiling, and newspaper boys sat crouched outside, sniffing the aroma.Georg, accompanied by a lady, slowly descended to the platform through the busy station.“The train will arrive at 4 PM, so you’ll have to wait a little longer.”“I know.”The lady following Georg, Madame Rambouillet, replied.“Won’t the Lord Scar be surprised to see you here?”Madame Rambouillet didn’t respond to the comment, only smiling instead.Georg’s businesslike and direct tone often disregarded social hierarchies, sometimes causing discomfort to others. However, Madame Rambouillet did not pay much attention to his words. Since her teenage years, she had been sent off to a distant country through a marriage of convenience. She endured a loveless marriage, separation, and the death of her first husband due to the revolution. Her life’s journey had been far from smooth.As a result, she did not prioritize appearances like other notable ladies in Parisian high society, nor was she swayed by a few rumors.‘That’s probably why I’m able to stay by the Captain’s side.’Despite the rumor that the Lord Scar had been infatuated with a male dancer and promised a substantial sponsorship, she turned a blind eye.Soon after, they reached the platform, and Georg led her to the ladies’ waiting room.“When the Lord Scar gets off the train, I’ll personally escort him. Please wait here until then.”“Understood.”“Is there anything you need? Perhaps a newspaper?”“There seems to be one here. I’m fine.”Georg bowed politely and left the waiting room. Then, he stood outside, crossed his arms, and looked at his watch.4:01 PM.From afar, a massive black train entered the station, pushing through the air with smoke.Amid the deafening noise, Georg glanced at Madame Rambouillet in the waiting room and then approached the first-class carriage. As soon as the doors opened, impatient passengers exited first. Once the line of disembarking passengers ended, Georg quickly ascended the stairs and headed for the seat he had reserved earlier.At the far end of the first-class carriage, a seat decorated with purple silk and gold thread curtains awaited.Upon reaching the seat, Georg cleared his throat and spoke up.“It’s Georg. I’m here to escort you.”There was no response from Karel, but instead, a quiet voice roused him from his slumber.“Sasha, wake up. We’re here.”After a moment, a gloved hand emerged and drew back the curtain.Karel stood up first and exited the curtain, while Georg helped the still groggy Sasha. It seemed Sasha wasn’t merely sleepy, so Georg looked at Karel as if to inquire, and Karel responded.“I couldn’t sleep at all during the business trip, so I took a sleeping pill on the train.”“Yes….”Georg decided not to ask why Sasha hadn’t been able to sleep. He had caught a glimpse of the marks of an intense affair inside Sasha’s shirt, which made him all the more sure.This trip to Palatinate was more of a honeymoon than a business trip. Fortunately, it might be a good thing that the ballet company wasn’t in the middle of a season. If such marks were found on the body of a principal dancer who had to perform daily, rumors would undoubtedly spread like wildfire.“Call a doctor as soon as we return and have Sasha’s condition checked.”“Understood, but….”Karel, who was supporting Sasha and walking ahead, turned around. Georg, instead of hesitating, immediately responded.“Madame is here to greet you.”It was Sasha who reacted first to Georg’s words. Sasha stopped and looked back and forth between Georg and Karel.“There are a lot of eyes here, and given that the engagement announcement was made not long ago, there might be reporters who followed saying that the Lord Scar was being greeted.”“You don’t need to explain it in such detail.”Karel interrupted bluntly, seemingly conscious of Sasha listening.“Madame is in the waiting room.”As soon as Georg finished speaking, Karel lifted Sasha’s chin with his fingers and kissed his lips briefly and deeply.It was a very brief kiss. Not giving him time to embrace with outstretched arms.“I’ll be back soon.”With that, Karel swiftly walked away from the narrow corridor, his long coat tails fluttering.Soon, a station worker peeked into the carriage. With a gesture urging them to vacate the carriage quickly, Georg patted Sasha on the back, leading him out of the train’s corridor.Sasha’s side profile, looking as if tears would fall with a slight nudge, was pitiful. Although Georg had inadvertently witnessed the kiss between his superior and his paramour in the narrow train corridor, he didn’t feel particularly repulsed. Rather, he felt a surge of sympathy for Sasha.At that moment, Georg thought of “The Lady of the Camellias.”A work depicting the love and downfall of a high-class courtesan reigning as the flower of society, “The Lady of the Camellias” was a novel Georg couldn’t understand at all. He couldn’t believe the existence of a high-class courtesan who lived by selling charm, no matter how beautiful, nor could he find any plausibility in a noble youth falling in love with such a person.But if the protagonist of “The Lady of the Camellias” had been a real person, he would not have been able to hate her either. Seeing Sasha made him think that way.Georg let out a sigh that couldn’t be heard.“The Lady of the Camellias” ends with the death of its protagonist, the high-class courtesan.‘I wonder how it will turn out in reality.’It was pointless to speculate on Karel’s feelings, who held the most significant influence in this situation. The only thing that mattered was what “Scar” needed.The two walked down the corridor and exited through the second-class entrance, far from the waiting room where Madame Rambouillet was waiting. Georg skillfully navigated the crowded platform and led Sasha to a different entrance.“I will escort you to the mansion.”Sasha nodded silently.As they got into the car and drove through the busy city center, Sasha propped his chin on his hand and gazed vacantly at the passing scenery. He thought of the past three days when he had exclusive access to Karel’s bedroom, which felt like a dream.However, such days would soon come to an end. Moreover, the wait might be longer than he anticipated.Believing he needed to understand “sacrifice,” Sasha, with a slightly pale face, headed home.＊ ＊ ＊Madame Rambouillet recalled the stares of the ladies gathering at the entrance when “Scar” entered the waiting room. His tall stature, which one had to look up at to meet his eyes, and his solid frame draped in luxurious fabrics. As he called her name in a low voice and looked straight at her, not at anyone else, Madame Rambouillet felt a moment of rapture.As she received his escort, standing at the waiting room’s entrance and walking to the carriage, she found she didn’t mind the usual disdainful stares of others. It felt different from when she held Karel’s hand and received his escort at a theater in St. Petersburg long ago.Karel led Madame Rambouillet to a high-end restaurant in the 5th arrondissement. They were seated at a reserved window table, always kept available for reservations. It was a romantic spot overlooking the river flowing through Paris.“Did you have any success on your business trip?”“Yes, I managed to procure some excellent wine.”“I hope I get to taste it too.”Upon her words, Karel gestured, and as if on cue, a server brought the wine.“I hope you enjoy it.”At the sight of the wine glasses being set, Madame Rambouillet squealed softly, clasping her cheeks like a young girl.“It’s my first time tasting wine from Palatinate.”Filled with happiness by the luxurious dinner prepared for her and the wine Karel had brought, Madame Rambouillet rarely showed her emotions so openly. Karel simply smiled at her without revealing his feelings.Originally, he was supposed to bring Sasha along.Karel recalled Sasha, who complained in jest that he had brought wine to be drunk only during dinner and that he hadn’t been invited to join the drinking. He had wanted to serve a meal that paired well with that wine, along with just enough alcohol to not get intoxicated and relieve the fatigue of the trip. But that plan would have to be postponed for now.Karel silently poured the wine.After taking a sip, the lady savored the taste and soon shared her thoughts.“It has a cherry aroma.”“Does it?”“Yes, in the Burgundy region, they plant roses under the vines. Growing roses together prevents pests and gives a unique flavor. I wonder if they do the same in Palatinate.”With rosy cheeks, flushed from a single sip of alcohol, Madame Rambouillet lowered her gaze. She had applied blush and colored her cheeks, hoping he would notice, but revealing those feelings was embarrassing.“I detected the scent of wet earth. The bitterness was striking.”“Now that you mention it, I think I sense that too….”At Karel’s completely different response, Madame Rambouillet forced a smile. Understanding his true feelings had always been difficult, both in the past and now.Once again, Madame Rambouillet tried to detect the “wet earth” scent and tilted her glass. A bitter taste filled her mouth, different from before.“Do you perhaps feel uncomfortable about my coming to meet you?”“No, not at all.”Karel shook his head.“I won’t apologize. I believe I have the right to do so.”“…….”Karel sighed at her words and leaned in closer. He then took the lady’s small hand, clad in dark green velvet gloves.“There’s no need to be anxious.”“Karel, how can I not be anxious?”Madame Rambouillet looked at Karel with desperation.She hadn’t asked who Karel had accompanied on this trip, and his loyal secretary, Georg, hadn’t answered either. However, she had found out through her own investigation that Sasha Cedrin had completely vacated his residence. She was almost certain that Karel and Sasha had visited their old nest together.But Madame Rambouillet did not confront Karel or blame him. Her finely tuned instincts told her she shouldn’t be too sure she had Karel entirely to herself just because of the “engagement.”She suppressed her emotions and expressed only a hint of her insecurity.“I’m sorry. I guess I feel uneasy because the wedding date hasn’t been set.”“I’m sorry for making you worry.”Karel calmly apologized.“You said you needed me, right?”“Yes, I do.”“I’m also glad that I have something to offer you.”Madame Rambouillet removed her long gloves and clasped his large hand with both of hers. She wanted to take off his gloves and feel the warmth of his scarred hand.“I wish it were something that could be bought with money and status.”“What could Madame Rambouillet possibly not have?”…Your heart.But before she could say it out loud, Rambouillet bit her lips.From a distance, the man and woman holding hands looked truly affectionate. Karel lifted Rambouillet’s hand and kissed the back of it, anticipating that someone might see them.There was a faint shutter sound from outside, audible only to someone very sensitive. However, it was quieter than the chirping birds or the sound of wine being poured, so few noticed it.Having created the scene he desired, Karel lowered his gaze and answered.“I will end all other relationships.”“…I didn’t ask for that.”“I’m doing it because I want to.”Rambouillet felt confused. While she was unsure whether to believe him, Karel slowly raised his head.Despite the years and the scars that war had left on his face, Rambouillet still thought his green eyes were as beautiful as in his youth.“Let’s move the wedding date up.”＊ ＊ ＊When Sasha returned to the mansion, he was holding a small paper bag. Feeling sorry for his forlorn appearance, Georg had turned the car around and bought him ice cream from a famous shop.“I will visit with the doctor around dinner time.”Georg briefly delivered the message and left the mansion.As soon as Sasha entered the house, he sat on the sofa without even taking off his coat and tore open the paper bag. When he removed the small paper pack of ice pieces, he found various colored ice cream bars neatly lined up. Just as he was wondering which flavor to start with, Levin’s voice reached his ears.“Are you back?”“Levin….”“Why ice cream instead of dinner? Hand it over. Have it after your meal.”“Oh, wait… Georg bought it for me. And I’m not that hungry.”“You sound just like my younger brother.”“Then I’ll just have one.”Sasha managed to grab a lemon sorbet. Levin took away the rest of the ice cream. While Levin prepared dinner, Sasha played with Charles and was reminded not to feed the baby ice cream.“But you came back alone? Where is Lord Scar?”“He went to meet his fiancée.”Levin pressed her lips together at Sasha’s gloomy response and placed a large pasta dish in front of him. He regretted asking.“She was waiting in the station’s lounge… He went to meet her as soon as he got off the train.”“Alright, stop thinking about it and eat.”Levin quickly left the table, feeling he knew why Georg had bought ice cream and why Sasha had said he wasn’t hungry. Levin felt unsure about talking to the melancholic Sasha.Fortunately, Sasha didn’t seem to plan on skipping the meal; the quiet sound of cutlery against the plate was regular.After finishing his meal, having another ice cream, and playing with Charles for a while, the doorbell rang. Sasha, thinking it might be Karel, quickly got up and opened the door, only to find Georg and the doctor standing there.As usual, the doctor conducted the check-up, prescribed the same medication, and, after hearing Georg’s whispered words, added a few vitamins.“Why the vitamins?”“I heard the trip was quite exhausting.”“…….”Sasha glared slightly at Georg, thinking he had said something unnecessary. Georg nonchalantly replied, “It was at Lord Scar’s request.”The doctor then asked, “When does the next season start?”“In three months.”“Make sure to rest enough until then. Even three months might be too soon….”Sasha nodded and stood up to see the doctor out.As the doctor left, Georg followed. Feeling like Georg was rushing, Sasha quickly grabbed his arm. Georg stiffened and turned back.“When will Karel return?”It was the last question Georg wanted to hear. He sighed and shook off Sasha’s grip. The sight of Sasha’s limp hand and crestfallen expression made Georg uncomfortable.“He won’t be coming back tonight.”“Why? He said he would be back soon….”“I don’t know. It’s a private matter.”Georg’s businesslike and cold attitude reminded Sasha of their first meeting, leaving him speechless.“So don’t wait up and get some sleep.”Georg said, dusting off his wrinkled sleeve. As Sasha, internally hurt by his cold demeanor, remained silent, Georg turned to Levin.“Make sure he takes the vitamins prescribed today. He didn’t sleep much during the trip, so you can give him a sleeping pill.”“But the doctor advised controlling the use of sleeping pills.”Sasha, who had a history of drug dependency, sometimes acted intoxicated even from cold medicine or sleeping pills. The doctor explained this was because, having been addicted before, even a slight similarity in ingredients could stimulate his peripheral nerves.As Levin expressed concern, Georg quickly responded.“As long as it’s not taken every day, it’s okay to use the correct dosage.”Levin nodded silently at the added comment. Georg gave a slight nod and left the mansion.Meanwhile, Sasha stood still like a statue, staring at the floor of the entrance hall. When Levin approached and looked at Sasha’s face, he quickly turned away with a stern expression.“I’d rather drink alcohol than take sleeping pills.”“Sasha.”“When I force myself to sleep with pills, my head hurts too much the next day. I’d rather deal with a hangover.”Instead of saying anything, Levin just watched Sasha rummage roughly through the cupboard.She knew Sasha was just irritated for a moment because of Lord Scar’s absence. But his gloomy and irritable demeanor reminded Levin of the old Sasha.Levin thought that after meeting Scar, Sasha seemed more stable compared to before. After becoming the principal dancer, Sasha’s private life seemed to drift aimlessly, like rolling in the mud. He had lost a sense of purpose in life.At first, Levin believed that Charles played a significant role in Sasha’s ability to quit alcohol and drugs. However, now he realized it wasn’t just that. Sasha was changing because of his blind affection for the person he called “Karel.” With someone to cling to, Sasha had stopped wasting his life.This also meant that if Scar’s attention left, Sasha would quickly become unstable.“Sasha, Lord Scar won’t like that.”Months ago, Levin would have taken a step back instead of confronting an irritable Sasha. But now, she decided not to stand by. She provided a reason more compelling than telling him to take care of himself or think of Charles.As expected, Sasha hesitated for a moment before slamming the cupboard shut.“Karel doesn’t care about someone like me. He doesn’t even keep his promises.”“That’s not true. He’ll notice if the bottle is empty when he returns. Do you want to see him angry? And if Sasha only gets scolded, that’d be fine; he’d probably reprimand me too….”It didn’t take much persuasion.With just a few words from Levin, Sasha quickly calmed down and showed signs of self-reproach.“I’m sorry.”Sasha began to regret again, thinking he was dragging others into his own tragedy. Levin comforted him as they climbed to the second-floor bedroom.“Take a sleeping pill and rest. If your head hurts, stay in bed all day tomorrow. Maybe by then, Lord Scar will return?”Sasha nodded silently.“That would be better. If I look sick, he might worry about me….”“Yes.”“I’m pathetic, aren’t I?”“No.”“If I were him, I’d be annoyed with myself. Instead of helping a busy person, I’m just sulking in bed, demanding attention….”“No one has said that yet.”But even as Sasha took the sleeping pill and was about to sleep, he continued to berate himself.“Levin, I’m sorry. Don’t mind me; go get some rest.”“I’ll stay until you fall asleep.”“No, I’m not a child…. I don’t want to be a burden to anyone.”Levin quietly left the room, refraining from offering any premature comfort.Just before the door closed, Sasha’s sobbing was faintly heard from the other side.＊ ＊ ＊“I’m afraid I can’t take you back today. Here’s your carriage fare; please return safely.”Accepting the generous payment, the doctor boarded the carriage. Once Georg watched him leave completely, he immediately drove towards the castle.The entrance of the massive castle, with all its lights turned off, exuded an eerie atmosphere starting from the iron gate. This was the castle’s usual state, devoid of party lights, luxurious carriages, and laughter. Georg operated the gate manually and entered the garden. Once the car engine was turned off, the spacious garden fell silent.The castle was known to host gatherings for patron clubs or for Scar to meet and entertain high-status businessmen. However, its most familiar use for Karel and Georg was different.Georg entered the castle.Inside, all chandeliers and lamps were off, with only tall candlesticks flickering here and there. Georg carefully picked up one of the candlesticks and climbed the stone steps deeper into the castle. The stairs leading to the top tower, unlike the rest, retained unfinished stone walls, giving a sense of the centuries-old era when the castle was built.Just before the stairs ended, Georg walked down a narrow hallway and stood before a door with medieval design.“It’s Georg.”He announced his arrival briefly before entering.The murmur of voices inside suddenly ceased. Soon, the sound of a chair being pushed back and a familiar voice came.“Come in.”Karel’s short permission came from beyond the door.As Georg opened the door, he saw five men seated around a table. It was a familiar scene. Some were smoking, and most wore shirts without ties. They appeared weary after a long discussion and intense debate.“It’s been a while, secretary.”One man with a strong British accent greeted Georg. Georg responded with a slight nod.Karel, dressed in a shirt with suspenders like the others, approached Georg. Although Karel also seemed quite tired, there was still a strong focus in his eyes.“Sasha?”Even before Karel finished asking, Georg responded as if he had anticipated the question.“He appears to be resting after a doctor’s examination. The doctor advised him to recover fully before the season and prescribed vitamins for overwork. He seemed a bit downhearted when told he couldn’t return today.”“You should’ve stayed until he fell asleep.”My goodness.Georg tried not to show his shock at Karel’s criticism. Karel ignored Georg’s reaction and returned to the table. It seemed he wanted to wrap up today’s meeting quickly.The five men, including Karel, were a secret alliance formed through connections from Eton. Besides Karel, the other four members were currently scholars, war correspondents turned journalists, and newspaper editors. They were some of the most effective watchmen Karel employed. Unlike Georg, who followed Karel with a soldier’s loyalty, these successful elites were not entirely subservient. As intellectuals who had seen the horrors of war, they shared a common leftist ideology and a camaraderie that transcended nationality.The ‘Apostles’ of the secret club.Though they dreamed of overthrowing the regime, they didn’t always engage in grand actions for their cause. They didn’t distinguish between the quality and urgency of information. Sometimes, they dealt with issues that seemed trivial and crude to Georg. They believed they could control the world through the press, although Georg still found it hard to grasp.For example…“This was taken from a distance…”“There’s no issue here.”“Yeah, without an issue, it can’t be a main piece.”Like Scar’s private life.A newspaper editor squinted as he examined a photo taken today. It depicted Scar and Rambouillet having dinner together. The picture, with the two holding hands, looked quite fitting with the background.“Didn’t his wife come out to greet him?”“That feels a bit weak, doesn’t it? Even with the photos….”Leaning against the table, Karel listened to their conversation and added a comment.“I know it’s not good enough for a proper article. Just leak it as gossip in the tabloids.”“So, you’re pulling the trigger?”“Since there hasn’t been an official announcement yet, just keep it as a rumor.”After discussing a few potential stories surrounding Scar, the group members left one by one. It seemed they had already covered the important topics before Georg arrived.Once everyone had left and only the two of them remained, Georg asked.“Does pulling the trigger have anything to do with this trip to Austria?”Karel didn’t answer immediately, instead staring at Georg for a while, as if observing him deeply. Georg felt a bit tense under Karel’s scrutinizing gaze.“I thought you already knew.”“There were no separate orders received from Austria.”“Really?”Karel responded indifferently and began burning the photos and foreign newspapers on the table in the fireplace.As he lit a cigarette with a burning document, Karel handed one to Georg. Normally, Georg would refuse, but feeling complicated, he accepted the cigarette.“If it were something you needed to know… the Security Bureau would have already informed you.”“Captain.”“If you don’t know, it’s better to stay that way. It’s safer.”In business, information is the lifeblood, but in espionage, the more you know, the more dangerous it becomes. And Karel always drew a line this way.“Captain, the Security Bureau won’t contact me.”Karel looked up at Georg’s words.“My allegiance is not to the Security Bureau but to you. And they know that I won’t follow their orders.”“……”“I’ve served my time as a soldier, so you should take me in.”Karel touched his tired eyes and sat down at the table.“Hmm… I’m grateful, but it’s a bit burdensome.”Georg anxiously awaited Karel’s response, hoping he would reveal the truth. Surprisingly, Karel disclosed the facts without much delay.“They’re telling me to quit the espionage life.”“Just like that?”“Yes. The order is to wrap everything up within three months… and return.”There were additional orders, but Karel kept silent. At a time when it was unclear whether revealing the information was safe, it was best to remain quiet. It was a habit ingrained in Karel to not disclose all the information he had.Georg, filled with anger, questioned further.“You’ve worked your way up on your own! Does the homeland have the right to take away your life completely? What did they promise you?”“Well, Georg. This isn’t a deal. It’s an order. Whether I’ll live as an officer again or be ‘used’ in another way is unknown, but that’s not something I can question.”Karel spoke as if it was someone else’s business.“I told you. They want to prove that they hold my life in their hands. Having released me into the military as a convict with a 25-year sentence, it means they can reclaim me whenever they want.”Georg felt the last shred of patriotism for his homeland fade away. However, Karel remained composed.“It’s going to get busy.”Karel casually remarked.