CWMBR SS5

Side story 5

***

Declan, who had been away for a while managing clients in the capital and its surrounding areas, arrived in Glynford when the sun was high in the sky. Iliont was there to meet him at the Glynford train station. As soon as he saw the familiar face, Declan vented his frustration as if he’d been waiting for this moment.

“I was so worried it would break the whole way here! I may look like this, but I’m a professional who gets paid good money—does it make any sense to ask me to do something like this?”

“Hahaha……………”

Declan clicked his tongue after confirming that there was no life in Iliont’s eyes, which were smiling as smoothly as if painted.

It seemed Iliont had been tormented by Ain for quite some time.

Since Declan was practically the only person around Ain who could openly call him out on his behavior, whenever he stepped away for a moment and returned, the office staff’s expressions would have turned completely grim.

Back in the day, all he had to do was work hard, but these days he had to put up with all sorts of bizarre nonsense directed at Bridget—a kind of mental exhaustion that made him look even more worn out.

“I’m sorry to have contacted you so urgently, but thank you for helping me out like this.”

Iliont, taking the box from Declan, sighed and thanked him.

To be honest, Declan had just resolved to make a big show of it while carrying this over. After all, he’d had to completely disrupt his carefully planned, leisurely route just to deliver the item Ain had ordered. But when he actually saw Iliont’s pale face, any thoughts of making a show of it vanished, replaced by nothing but pity.

“With all those urgent messages coming one after another, I thought a building had collapsed or something.”

At first, he’d assumed the urgent messages meant something truly terrible had happened. But once he confirmed on his way to Glynford that it was just a request to stop by a village and pick up some items, he’d gotten annoyed. Thinking Ain was trying to treat him like some errand boy, he tried to ignore it, but perhaps sensing Declan’s feelings, Ain continued to send urgent messages one after another.

What’s so important about picking up a single item that he’s making such a fuss?

It was absurd and baffling, but at the same time, Declan guessed this was a gift for Bridget. Ain wouldn’t be making such a fuss unless Bridget was involved.

“This teapot set is produced in limited quantities, so if you miss the window, you’ll have to wait several months.”

“Well, it is beautiful, but do you think Miss Pennington will accept it? She’ll probably send it right back.”

Declan muttered skeptically.

When he’d gone to pick up the item, he’d inadvertently caught a glimpse of its contents: a tea set that was undeniably beautiful and elegant. It seemed perfectly suitable as a gift, with a classic design that most people would appreciate. But would Bridget even bother to open the box once she received it?

“This is a gift for Mrs. Ottertz.”

“......Huh?”

Declan looked at Iliont with a puzzled expression. Iliont checked the contents of the box, then carefully cradled it and set off first. Following behind him, Declan tilted his head in confusion. A gift for Mrs. Otertz? What kind of scheme was he cooking up this time?

Narrowing his eyes and thinking for a moment, Declan asked in a subtle tone.

“Are you giving that to her today?”

“Yes. Miss Pennington is only working the morning shift today and is scheduled to be at home this afternoon.”

In short, it meant he was using the excuse of giving Mrs. Ottertz a gift to go see Bridget at the mansion.

Declan’s eyes sparkled with interest.

“I suppose I should go pay her a visit myself, since it’s been a while.”

He’d even run an errand, so surely he’d allow him this much of a peek. Declan set off, looking forward to seeing what kind of foolish antics Ain would pull today.

No matter what, watching Ain was the most entertaining thing of all.

***

Iliont took the item Declan had given him and headed straight for Bridget’s mansion. Ain, who had arrived at the mansion long ago, gave a look of annoyance at the sight of Declan trailing behind Iliont, but soon lost interest.

Instead, he stood before the mansion’s main gate with a look of intense nervousness. He had polished himself from head to toe until he gleamed, looking exceptionally neat and dapper. Just seeing him like that was already amusing to Declan.

Declan had just realized that the cufflinks Ain had pinned to his cuffs were the latest model featured in this month’s issue of Terbia Monthly.

They must have been featured in the “How to Look Attractive to the Opposite Sex: The Latest Fashion Accessories” section, right?

Ain used to scoff at the idea that a tabloid could be of any help, but now it seemed he had become a devoted reader.

Just as Declan was admiring the polished appearance Ain had achieved through her hidden efforts, the mansion’s front gate swung open and Bridget appeared. She seemed to have already heard from a servant about Ain’s visit; she stood with her arms crossed, wearing a sullen expression.

“You do know that someone who visits unannounced without an invitation is called an uninvited guest, right?”

Bridget spoke curtly, skipping the usual greetings. However, Ain pointed behind Bridget with a confident expression.

“I have an appointment with Mrs. Ottertz.”

Jane, suddenly singled out by Ain, blinked in surprise.

“The person I made an appointment with is that young man over there…”

Jane’s gaze shifted to Iliont, who was standing behind Ain. Iliont seemed to feel guilty for being looked at by Jane; he gave an awkward smile and quietly lowered his eyes. Noticing Iliont’s reaction, Bridget narrowed her eyes and stared at Ain.

“That’s what she says.”

Before he could even hand over the gift, he was in danger of being treated like an unwelcome guest and kicked out. Declan, standing a short distance away, watched Ain with the mindset of an audience member watching a fascinating play. Ain, who had been subtly nervous until Bridget appeared, now looked quite at ease.

“Since you’ve been taking good care of my aide, it’s only proper for me, as his superior, to formally introduce myself at least once. Especially since Iliont is working in a strange region where he has no connections, so this kind of attention and consideration is truly appreciated.”

Having confidently stated the reason for her visit, Ain gave Iliont a nod.

“Um, well………………”

Iliont quickly handed the box he was holding to Jane. Jane, who had taken it somewhat absentmindedly, was surprised by its heavier-than-expected weight. She glanced around to see if anyone was watching, then quietly peeked inside the box. Peering through the slightly open lid, Jane’s eyes widened in astonishment.

“Oh my, this is way too much!”

“Please don’t feel pressured—this is a gift to show our appreciation for your continued support of Iliont. By the way, Iliont personally selected it.”

To be precise, it was likely an item Iliont had personally selected “upon his superior’s orders.” Even as Ain skillfully omitted the truth, Iliont merely smiled faintly and remained silent. Declan, who had been watching the scene with an amused expression, cheerfully chimed in.

“As it happens, I brought some excellent tea leaves back from the capital. They seem like the perfect match for that teapot—would it be all right if I gave them to you as a gift?”

Although he hadn’t brought them specifically as a gift, when he took out the tea leaves—which were of a quality suitable for gifting—Jane’s eyes widened.

“It’s a bit awkward for me to just accept so many gifts out of the blue like this…………………”

Jane, looking flustered, glanced at Bridget. Bridget, who couldn’t interfere with gifts her servant received and had been quietly watching, narrowed her eyes. Her expression made it clear she didn’t care for the atmosphere that had naturally formed. Just as Declan, who had been observing her face, was about to interject again—

“No, it’s not proper for an uninvited guest to expect hospitality. I’ll be heading back now. Iliont, you can stay a little longer.”

Surprisingly, Ain, having made a perfectly reasonable and normal remark, stepped back. As if he truly intended to leave Iliont behind, he promptly nudged Iliont’s back and turned away. At the same moment, Bridget pursed her lips.

“Come in.”

Ain, who had already turned halfway away, reacted immediately to those words.

“Then I won’t refuse.”

Seeing Ain accept the invitation with a bright smile, as if he’d been waiting for it, Bridget looked utterly bewildered. Although she had told Ain to come in herself, she seemed a bit flustered by his immediate response.

“You were just talking about duty?”

“It might have just been a polite offer on your part. I’ve decided I won’t waste my only chance by acting recklessly anymore.”

“………………Huh.”

Bridget looked dumbfounded, but that was all.

Declan, watching the scene from behind, chuckled. The phrase “Pride in the face of love is mere foolishness” was actually a piece of dating advice printed in the monthly magazine Terbia. It seemed Terbia was saving yet another foolish man this time as well.

Books really were a treasure trove of knowledge, indeed.