Side Story 1. A Cool Goodbye (1)
Early December. As I stepped down from the carriage, the chilly wind brushed against my cheek.
Seeing me shiver, the coachman asked,
"Miss Dory, are you sure you're alright? I can drive the carriage closer to the theater entrance."
"No, it's fine. It's not that far."
"But if you catch a cold, a lot of people will be worried!"
He probably meant people like Redfield the Second, Natalie, and Grace's precious little sister.
"Getting no fresh air in winter is worse for your health. This much is fine. And besides, someone else who'll be even more concerned about me is already waiting at the meeting spot."
"Understood. I'll see you at the Count's residence!"
The coachman set off again. I waved nonchalantly and began walking toward the opera hall.
Right foot, left foot, right foot…
Even though I've done this for nearly thirty years, I felt like a puppet just learning how to move.
It wasn't just the walking that felt awkward. My face must've been stiff with nerves—especially with one corner of my mouth slightly curled up in a hard-to-define expression.
The real reason I sent the coachman off early?
I'm too embarrassed for anyone to see me like this!
Doris Redfield. Age 21. Has dating experience.
Had one so-called "boyfriend" in a past life—more of a nemesis than anything.
But still…
"…Ah, Dory!"
In front of the opera hall, standing in the shade, Tristan called my name. And the moment I saw him, my heart started pounding in every direction—
Like I wasn't going on a date, but heading into a duel.
Wait… how do you even go on a date again?
Last November.
After Tristan made the out-of-character choice to run away, I chased after him, confessed my true feelings, and we confirmed that we were the only ones who could ease each other's fears.
I returned from the Blue Atrium a step ahead of Tristan, riding in a royal carriage.
When my parents saw the royal crest on the carriage and me stepping down from it at the Count's mansion, they pressed their hands to their foreheads.
"Dory! I'm glad you're safe, but I never imagined you'd do something so reckless. Why did you chase after His Highness without saying a word? Not even Natalie would've done that!"
Telling them the whole truth would've been way too much info.
Thankfully, Natalie swooped in as my savior.
"Mother, don't underestimate me. I don't know why Dory chased after him, but if it were me, I would've kept His Highness in the capital."
"Kept him? How?"
"We had leftover fireworks after the festival, right? I'd have 'accidentally' set off a few outside the gates to spook the horses. Then, when the carriage slowed down, I'd bust a wheel."
"If only Dory had asked me for help, you wouldn't have had to worry so much—"
"That's even worse! Breaking the wheels of the royal carriage?!"
"If you frame it right, you could call it an accident."
Thanks to my sister raising the stakes with an even bigger worry, my little runaway stunt suddenly looked pretty tame.
And later that very day, a massive bouquet Tristan had pre-arranged arrived at our mansion, further easing my parents' concerns.
"His Highness must be really smitten with you… I can't believe I'm saying this, but it looks like it's true."
Later, my sister quietly asked me,
"Did you get what you wanted?"
"Yeah. Thank you so much… especially for this."
I pointed to the bag she'd sent with me. She checked inside to see the hammer still unused, and said,
"I don't believe people can change. But relationships? Someone made me believe they can."
"Sis…"
"I trust your decision too. Just… if you ever hit a problem that can't be solved your way, don't suffer alone. Call me. I'll take care of the problem—or the source of it."
"…Okay! I promise I will!"
I was a little worried about what she meant by "take care of", but… she's a reliable sister.
About a week later—
Word spread that Tristan's carriage had returned to the capital after his business trip to the Blue Atrium.
I figured he'd head straight to the palace. I even dreamed a little dream that we might see each other the next day.
But just minutes after the news arrived, Tristan's carriage stopped right in front of the Redfield mansion.
He jumped out, ran through the gates, and knelt before me just as I was stepping out of the front door.
"Tristan Winter Albion reports the completion of his duties… and makes his first announcement to Doris Redfield, the woman who will be his final family."
His flushed cheeks and breathless voice, still winded from running, set my own face ablaze.
Behind me, I heard Mother let out a scream of joy.
Everything after that fell neatly into place.
Our wedding date was set. Next March, the social season will begin with our ceremony.
Until then, Tristan would make a few more trips to and from Blue Atrium to prepare for succession, and I would remain in the capital, preparing for the wedding and learning the duties of a lord's wife.
That was the public side of things.
And on the private side…
We had finally earned the time to behave like lovers who had confirmed each other's feelings.
So, on a certain December day, Tristan sent a letter asking if I'd like to go see an opera. I accepted, and now I had arrived at the meeting place, a bit nervous.
'Why am I so nervous?'
It wasn't like this was the first time I'd met Tristan alone. We'd even spent time truly alone, with no one else around, more than once.
Come on, it's no big deal! Just act like I used to!
Right before arriving, I took a deep breath and ran into the shade where Tristan was waiting.
"Have you been waiting long, Your Highness?"
As I lifted my head, his face slowly came into view.
Unlike the time he had rushed here straight from his business trip, he now looked much more relaxed as he gazed down at me.
Just that alone made my heart pound… but then—
His response flowed so smoothly it nearly took my breath away.
"Not at all. More than anything, just knowing you'd be coming already made this time enjoyable, so you don't need to feel bad."
"Ah…"
How does he say things like that so easily?
'I need to say something too!'
But the 'nice thing' my anxious mind managed to produce was this weak line:
"I'm glad… You look… healthy, Your Highness!"
"…Healthy?"
Ack! What am I, his grandmother?
"I-I mean, it's been a while since we last saw each other! Should we head inside before the show starts?"
"Let's do that."
Tristan extended his left arm toward me. Thankfully, I was able to take it naturally, as I had practiced the escort gesture enough.
We were, of course, guided to the royal family's private box.
The space was quite large for just two people. We sat down, and soon, the curtain slowly rose.
The performance was a satirical play based on a romance.
A tenor sang cheerfully, announcing the play's direction to the audience. On the brightly lit stage, jokes flew left and right, and laughter erupted from the seats.
…But I couldn't quite get into it.
'It's funny enough even at a glance, so if I focused more, I'd probably enjoy it even more!'
But Tristan's face was more interesting!
From the side, I could see him smiling at times and smirking wryly at others as he watched the stage. He looked like a doll carved from ivory by a master artisan.
'I actually pressed my lips to that face… I was so brave.'
Even just sitting next to him made our looks feel miles apart.
The problem was… I wanted to touch him again.
If I moved my hips just half a hand-span, I could lean on him. If I moved my hand slightly, we could intertwine our fingers.
In truth, the amount of contact didn't even matter. Even just the tips of our fingers brushing would be enough.
It would be more than enough joy if those silvery-blue eyes, always at their most beautiful when he's serious, turned to me.
'…No. Stop thinking nonsense.'
An opera house isn't for dating! It's for appreciating performances!
And this was an invitation from Tristan, who remembered how much I liked theater. I should behave and just watch.
Determined to twist my inner turmoil into submission, I clenched both fists tightly and focused my gaze forward.
Just then, Tristan also straightened his head—which had been tilted slightly toward me until now—and turned his attention back to the stage.
Even though I got into it a bit late, the opera was truly enjoyable. I clapped enthusiastically until the final curtain call and exited the theater in high spirits.
"That was really fun, Your Highness. How did you even find such a show?"
"I'd heard good reviews, so I made a note of it. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I had a feeling you'd like the butcher character. Was my guess correct?"
"Oh, it was! How did you know?"
"That odd fairness—grumbling at all customers regardless of status, yet still slicing meat generously—just seemed like your type. A character who dislikes individuals but not humanity as a whole, shall we say?"
"…I think you understand my taste better than I do."
If it were me, I'd have just said, "He's a grumbler who gives lots of meat, so he's okay."
As I admired how Tristan's mind always found ways to surprise me, he spoke again, naturally leading me along.
"It's about lunchtime now. A fish dish with some winter fat sounds perfect as a main. What do you think?"
"Yes, that sounds great."
I hadn't even thought about food, but the moment he said "winter" and "fat," my instincts answered. That is the voice of delicious logic.
Tristan nodded.
"I'm glad. I made a reservation in advance. Let's take our time heading over."
His graceful escort left me no time to feel nervous.
Not that I didn't like it, but…
'This isn't the time to blurt out some childish wish like wanting to hold hands.'