Falling To Paradise

‘There was……a chance,……perhaps?’

 

This disjointed imagination reminded him of the nonsensical words spoken by the former emperor a few years ago.

 

It was a time when his end was near, and on a day when the patient’s mind seemed unusually clear despite his usual rambling.

 

‘Aiden, my one and only son.’

 

‘One and only son?’ Aiden thought. It was because of such senile remarks that Philip hated him. Even though he was secretly fed up, he answered obediently.

 

‘Yes, Father. What do you need?’

 

By law, he should have addressed him as ‘Your Majesty,’ but the emperor would sulk and refuse to eat if he did, so Aiden had no choice.

 

‘Have you ever thought about becoming the crown prince?’

 

The emperor asked in a low voice, so the dozing servant wouldn’t hear. His eyes gleamed ominously, like a child enticing someone to play with fire.

 

Aiden, puzzled by the contextless question, asked back.

 

‘The crown prince… you mean?’

 

‘Yes, the crown prince. Then, after I die, you would become the emperor, and this crown would be yours.’

 

With a trembling hand, a side effect of the opium, the emperor pointed to the crown beside him.

 

Adorned with a large ruby and various other jewels, the gold crown, despite having been worn for so long, had not lost its shine.

 

‘And not just the crown. This palace, this country, all would be yours. Those who belittled you would bow down and grovel.’

 

Young and full of vitality at the time, Aiden briefly pondered his question before audaciously replying.

 

‘That crown looks too heavy for me, Father. It seems like my neck would hurt if I wore it for long.’

 

It was a clear expression that such status and honor would be burdensome to him.

 

In the emperor’s eyes, so similar to Aiden’s but devoid of vitality and youth, something faintly sparkled and then faded.

 

Like a falling star blazing one last time before hitting the ground.

 

‘Indeed, that’s an answer befitting the son of Nancy Dilton and me.’

 

The emperor chuckled, then coughed up blood stained phlegm. Aiden carefully wiped his mouth.

 

The former emperor, knowing Aiden was his son, had forcibly kept him in the palace under the pretext of being his aide, but Aiden found him pitiful despite the resentment.

 

The former emperor, due to habitual drinking and opium use since his twenties, lost his youth and health at an early age, making it difficult for him to move. His relationships with his legitimate sons, born of the empress, were also not on good terms.

 

He only wore a peaceful expression once a day, and that was only when he listened to Aiden’s stories about his mother, Nancy.

 

‘What good is it to wear silk pajamas, be covered in a gold-embroidered quilt, and be served delicacies at every meal? My grandfather and mother looked happier.’

 

At the time, he thought that way, so he could firmly say that he was not interested in being an emperor or a crown prince. For him, Leslie, where the memories of his family remained, was the best place.

 

But what if the late emperor asked the same question now? Would he be able to refuse as firmly as before?

 

He had been biting his lip for a while when he let out a groan at the bitter metallic taste in his mouth.

 

“Ah.”

 

He finally realized it. He couldn’t help but realize it. Why was he reminiscing with such regret after so many years?

 

He was still not interested in ruling the country, gold and silver treasures, or people bowing their heads to him.

 

However, he imagined what it would have been like if he could have been a legitimate companion to Lady Anje Glasster instead of an opponent for her downfall. The beast within him, which had been rampant with envy and inferiority, seemed to be nodding in satisfaction.

 

“So that’s how it was.”

 

Aiden lifted his head from where it had been resting against the wall and looked at the center of the barn.

 

A flowerpot sitting in a spot where sunlight streamed through a not-so-large window.

 

There, in silence, were the sunflowers that he had been growing to secretly replace Anje’s sunflowers when they died.

 

The lush green plants that had grown despite the lack of sunlight and wind in the barn.

 

* * *

 

Aiden returned from the barn. Watching him all afternoon, Anje thought she had done a good job of dodging the topic of the kiss.

 

Now, he didn’t shy away or maintain excessive distance when their eyes met, looking more ‘stable’ than before.

 

Well, he had a more ‘stable’ feel than before.

 

‘Sometimes in life, you have to tell white lies for the greater good.’

 

For example, like telling a young lady, who was wearing a dress that didn’t suit her at all, “You look great” in a hypocritical way.

 

Before learning the art of persuasion, Anje, who was a wild and free princess at the age of eight, had a history of making people cry by saying things like, “Oh my, can I recommend a better tailor?” unintentionally.

 

‘Yeah, yeah, that’s well said.’

 

Since they were going to part ways soon, she didn’t want to maintain an awkward atmosphere at the end.

 

Without knowing what she was thinking, Aiden suggested, placing clotted cream and jam on the table.

 

“How about going to town this weekend? I heard the market is open that day.”

 

“Th-that sounds good. Sure.”

 

Anje, who had just taken the freshly baked scones out of the oven and put them in a basket, nodded absentmindedly.

 

Thanks to Aiden, who had been working like crazy last week to take her mind off things, the wheat field harvest was long over.

 

However, Aiden was hesitating about the ring, and Anje was just keeping her mouth shut, not knowing when she should leave this place.

 

‘It hasn’t been long since Sir Aiden suffered such a loss because of me, so it would be a shame to leave this early.’

 

She tried to give him money several times, but no matter how stealthily she tried to give it to him, he stubbornly returned it.

 

“You seem to be less than thrilled to receive the letter you’ve been waiting for.”

 

Noticing the doubt in his eyes, Anje quickly denied it.

 

“Oh, no way! I’m happy. But I’m not sure what clothes to wear.”

 

“Clothes…”

 

Come to think of it, most of the clothes Anje had been wearing lately were his mother’s, so they looked a bit worn.

 

‘I’ll have to get new clothes for the princess when I go to town. Something practical but also to the princess’s taste.’

 

He was about to talk to Anje about clothes, but then stopped.

 

He thought it would be more impressive to give it to her as a surprise gift on the day rather than announcing it in advance. He remembered Aunt Meg saying something similar before.

 

“Ehem…”

 

After refining his voice, he suggested,

 

“Wouldn’t it be fine to wear the clothes you brought from the capital?”

 

‘I’d look like a party guest who misunderstood the dress code.’

 

In addition, if she was going to escape by taking advantage of Aiden’s vulnerability, it would be better to wear comfortable clothes.

 

“I’ll just go in the clothes I always wear.”

 

Going back to the capital in a shabby state was unthinkable when she thought of her former stronghold.

 

However, conversely, it also meant that there would be fewer people who would recognize that she was Lady Glasster in such a disguise. There would also be less risk of being caught by the Emperor that she had returned.

 

Considering it in many ways, she felt that her judgment to go in plain clothes was right.

 

She felt ashamed of her foolish past self who tried to run away wearing a silk dress and high heels.

 

‘I hate to admit it, but back then… I didn’t think at all, as Sir Aiden said.’

 

Aiden, who didn’t know what she was thinking, continued his question about clothes.

 

“Then you’re not going to wear your favorite cage… I mean, cinolrine either?”

 

“Crinoline.”

 

Anje corrected the pronunciation, frowning.

 

“Didn’t you hate it?”

 

“I do hate it.”

 

To be precise, he didn’t want to see her having trouble moving while wearing it. But at the same time.

 

“You can wear it if you want.”

 

He also wanted her to do whatever she wanted.

 

‘Sir Aiden, why are you suddenly being so nice? Is it compensation for being cold all along? I feel even more sorry for leaving because you’re being too nice.’

 

After some thought, Anje answered moderately.

 

“It’s okay. I’ve gotten used to not wearing it, since I didn’t wear it often. It’s more comfortable not to wear it now.”

 

It was convenient that she didn’t have to worry about the structure surrounding her lower body when she sat down or went through narrow spaces.

 

“I see.”

 

Aiden, who was spreading jam on the scones, stopped his hand and thought for a moment. Come to think of it, there was no place in town to ‘fit’ her clothes.

 

Here, most people buy fabric and clothes patterns and make their clothes at home, so there aren’t separate professional tailors, seamstresses, or clothing stores like in the capital.

 

He, too, only bought clothes that were difficult to make himself, such as shoes and coats, but he usually made his own shirts and pants that he needed for everyday wear.

 

‘I can make shirts and pants, but I have no idea about women’s clothing.’

 

He fell into thought and looked at the scones that were thickly spread with jam. At times like this, it was definitely inconvenient to live in the countryside.

 

“Do you need more cream?”

 

“Oh, yes. Thank you.”

 

Thinking she had misunderstood his pause for another reason, Anje extended the plate of cream towards him. Even such a small gesture made Aiden’s heart ache and swell with emotion.

 

At first, she had been a lady who would ignore even his simple requests. She would grimace when they crossed paths, and her dislike for this place seemed palpable.

 

But somehow, she had gradually changed. She had become someone who could consider others’ needs and enjoyed helping others. True to her name, she could be as angelic as her smile, and she genuinely cared for this farm.

 

So it was only natural that other feelings would start to bud in his heart. For now, it was like a small, budding green leaf of simple affection.

 

After finishing the remaining tea in one gulp, Aiden stood up. The thought of going to town to find the ring and getting her the clothes she loved suddenly filled him with energy.

 

* * * *

 

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