Episode 114

A grand and majestic carriage passed through the workers’ housing area near the factory. 

The carriage bore the unmistakable crest of a noble family recognized by anyone in the empire. The man who stepped out of the carriage was Ethan Conway.

Ethan adjusted his top hat and wrinkled his nose. The moment he entered the factory district, the air became heavy and stifling. 

The continuous operation of mana engines and the smoke from the chimneys added to the discomfort. The higher the mana content in the air, the more oppressive it felt to humans.

‘Damn it, it’s suffocating.’

There was also a faint, unpleasant smell of smoke that subtly irritated people’s nerves. Ethan walked with a displeased expression. His assistant and guards followed closely behind him.

Ethan’s footsteps were heavy, filled with tension. Just before leaving home, he had a conversation with Charlotte that kept replaying in his mind. 

While their relationship had been cold for a while, today felt different. Charlotte’s eyes had been empty, and the lack of emotion in her gaze bothered him more than if she had shown negative emotions.

‘I need to talk to Charlotte.’

Ethan thought, but it would have to wait for now. He had more pressing matters to attend to. Ethan Conway was not only a husband but also had various responsibilities as the eldest son of the Conway family.

One of those duties was to oversee his younger brother Jasper’s actions. 

‘I can’t let Jasper ruin his marriage.’

Ethan’s complexion became even drier and darker. He couldn’t figure out how his marriage had turned so desolate. 

It wasn’t that he disliked Charlotte. On the contrary, she was the perfect match in every way. Ethan believed they had an ideal marriage when they first met.

Charlotte was more beautiful in person than in any portrait, and their union was almost flawless until Charlotte couldn’t bear Lord Conway’s airs any longer.

Ethan remembered a conversation he had with Charlotte several years ago.

“This place is different from Atwood. Maybe it’s because I’m from the north, but it feels like the nobles here are more insincere… and there are so many new protocols to learn.”

“Didn’t the Lord teach you?”

“… Instead, my father taught me how to wield a sword.”

“Charlotte, this is a place where you fight with words, not swords. I hope you adapt soon. You’re the mistress of the Dukedom now. By the way, didn’t the Bluewoods invite you today?”

“I must admit, it’s all a bit overwhelming…”

“Today’s gathering is essential. I visited the council, and I might be a little late to the event. Go ahead without me.”

“…Aren’t you coming with me?”

“I won’t be much later. Oh, and this. I had this necklace custom-made with great difficulty. There’s no one else in the capital who can wear it except you. Wear it today.”

“…”

“Carry yourself with confidence. Don’t forget you’re Ethan Conway’s wife.”

Ethan remembered Charlotte’s expression when he gave her the necklace.

Ethan continued walking but stopped briefly. His throat felt tight, and the area around his Adam’s apple seemed to be throbbing. Charlotte was a woman who didn’t fit the role of the duke’s hostess.

He thought that with time, she would adjust and blend into high society. Outwardly, it seemed like she was getting the hang of it. However, her relationship with Ethan deteriorated gradually, and she began to reject their marital bond. 

Perhaps it had been a mistake, and he should have married a different woman. Maybe they should have split early on and found another woman.

But for some reason, he didn’t want that. He didn’t want anyone other than Charlotte, the woman without the Conway name.

‘Jasper’s marriage will be different.’

Adela was the celebrated daughter of the Bluewoods, a central figure in high society. Unlike Charlotte, she had no trouble adapting to life in the capital.

Moreover, if Jasper’s child were to be born, the Conway family line would continue. 

It was possible that Charlotte would continue to reject the idea of marriage, and Ethan wasn’t one to force someone who didn’t want it. Luckily, there was another son in the Conway family.

However, even the second son had his troubles. 

Ethan had come to the factory district to deal with Jasper’s recent erratic behavior. Ethan believed that Jasper’s biggest reason for wandering was likely a girl, perhaps the petite Rose Bell. After conducting some investigations, it was revealed that Rose’s father worked at the factory.

The factory owner was already waiting when Ethan arrived in front of the factory. Upon seeing Ethan, he nervously bowed.

“Have you come, Sir?”

The factory owner had heard that Ethan was coming, but he didn’t know the purpose of the visit, so he was quite anxious.

Ethan looked at the factory owner with a gaze befitting someone who had lived with authority and then slowly opened his mouth.

“I heard there is a man here named George Bell.”

* * *

The sky was gradually losing its twilight hues, and darkness began to envelop the area. People at the festival gathered in groups, taking their places and waiting for the fireworks display.

Amidst the anticipation for the fireworks that would light up the sky, Rose walked away from the crowd and entered a secluded annex away from the main festivities. This area was quieter and less crowded due to its distance from the main building.

With an excited heart, Rose approached the laboratory where she had first started her secret lessons with Jasper. Jasper had set up a place in the laboratory for watching the fireworks.

‘Are we going to watch them together here?’

She could still see the fireworks adequately indoors, even if the view was somewhat obstructed by the main building. 

It didn’t matter if she couldn’t see the fireworks; it was important to be with Jasper in the moment.

Rose’s heart pounded as she entered the hallway that led to the lab. In the middle of the empty hallway stood Jasper.

“Jasper!”

It had only been a few hours, but she felt genuinely delighted to see him. Rose couldn’t help but smile broadly as she approached Jasper.

Jasper momentarily paused with a music box in his hand and then quickly extended his long legs to reach Rose. Despite the darkening hallway, the light from the music box cast a warm glow.

Rose looked up at Jasper and inquired.

“Have you been resting? I’ve been wandering everywhere and couldn’t find you.”

“I’ve just been doing this and that.”

Jasper naturally stood by Rose’s side. Rose thought they would head to the laboratory, but Jasper’s steps took them in the opposite direction.

“Where are you going?” 

“To a place where we can be alone.”

Rose followed after him, bewildered. Jasper led the way up the stairs, asking how she enjoyed the festival. Engaging in lively conversation, Rose had been unaware of the direction they were taking. 

Surprisingly, the steps led them to the top floor. There were no regular stairs to be seen; instead, tightly spiraled stairs that wound their way up.

It was apparent to Rose that Jasper knew where he was going. She observed his determined steps as they ascended and descended, focusing on the spiral staircase, which was different from the typical layout.

When they reached the top, they stood before the clock tower attached to the annex. It was unlike the main building’s clock tower, as it did not have a bell and was relatively small inside.

Rose looked surprised and slightly anxious, her eyes darting between the spiraled stairs and Jasper. She asked.

“Is it okay to come up here without permission?”

Jasper shrugged his shoulders. 

“Who would care about the annex clock tower on a day like today?”

“…Ha, but.”

“I looked up the rules just in case you were worried, and there doesn’t seem to be any rule against going into the clock tower.”

In that case, Rose had nothing more to say. She was simply in awe of Jasper’s thorough preparation. 

She was relieved to know that there wasn’t anything that would violate the rules.

As Rose ascended the spiraled stairs, she asked.

“I’ve never been in here before.”

It’s probably going to be dusty and cluttered inside, but unlike the laboratory, they would probably be able to see the fireworks properly. It was much closer to the sky, so it would feel more real.

Having climbed up the stairs and faced the interior of the clock tower, it was quite different from what Rose had expected.

She had thought it would be an empty place with only the sound of the clock ticking regularly. She had thought that dust would accumulate on the floor, as it wasn’t a place where people frequently visited.

However, the interior was incredibly neat. Rose could feel that someone’s touch had been there near the glass windows on the wall. There were folding chairs, small cushions, a small mat, and a portable heater.

“What is this…?”

Rose muttered in surprise. Jasper, who had silently climbed the stairs and stood by Rose’s side, calmly replied.

“Let’s sit down quickly before the fireworks go off.”

“Was this place like this originally? Oh, no, that can’t be right. When did you prepare all this?”

“Today.”

“What?”

“You said it was your first time properly enjoying the festival, so I thought I’d make it special.”

As soon as the club booth ended, he disappeared, saying he’d take a break. She never expected him to decorate this place by himself. She couldn’t have imagined Jasper going up and down the stairs, cleaning up, and putting various things here.

Rose found herself in an entirely unexpected situation. She was startled, and as she took a deep breath, the scent of roses lingered in her nose. Thanks to the gum Briley had given her as a preparation for a kiss.

It was gum that melted and disappeared in saliva, but the scent lingered for quite a while. The tip of her tongue tasted sweet.

Jasper set the lamp music box down on the floor and gently pulled Rose, who was frozen stiff.

“Let’s sit down first.”

Rose sat in the folding chair with an awkward gesture and stared at Jasper intently. 

Her heart was beating wildly.