Side Story, Episode 6
Even though Ian said that, I wasn’t someone to easily back down once I had made up my mind.
The next morning, in my office.
Sitting at my desk and wrestling with parchment for quite some time, I finally lifted the paper with a victorious smile.
“Done!”
Looking at the densely written paper with satisfaction, I couldn’t help but let out a triumphant laugh.
The reason I had shut myself in the office from early morning was simple.
I was devising the best proposal plan for Ian before our wedding day.
‘It’s a bit embarrassing to call it a proposal since we’re already married and have even set a wedding date.’
But really, when else would I get the chance to prepare something like this?
The idea might have been spurred by the Empress’ suggestion, but at this point, I was far more enthusiastic about the plan than she was.
I skimmed the contents of the paper with a pleased look.
On it was a grand plan spanning no less than five pages.
I had prepared a very traditional and classic event.
‘They say classics are timeless. Classic is the best.’
The plan went like this:
Three weeks from now—one week before the wedding.
On a day when Ian leaves early in the morning and returns in the evening, I’ll execute the plan.
First, while Ian is out, I’ll decorate the garden with ten thousand red roses specially sourced, along with lights and candles.
‘It’s still early spring, so preparing that many roses will be a bit tricky, but it’s not impossible.’
When Ian comes back, we’ll enjoy dinner as usual. Afterward, I’ll casually suggest having dessert on the terrace and lead him to the garden.
As Ian is moved by the sight of the roses and candles in the garden, I’ll bring out the cake I prepared.
Of course, this won’t be just any cake—it’ll be a homemade cake with a ring hidden inside.
When Ian discovers the ring while eating the cake, I’ll deliver a heartfelt line like, “A lifetime with you will be happiness itself!”
“Ahhh.”
Even I couldn’t help but be amazed by my brilliant plan.
Who would’ve thought all the dramas I watched as a kid would come in handy like this?
“It’s perfect. Ian won’t be able to resist being moved.”
I praised myself and was flipping through the paper with satisfaction when—
Knock knock.
“Eloise, are you there?”
“Ah!”
Startled by the knock at the office door, I quickly hid the paper in a drawer.
Honestly, Ian Cloud can’t leave me alone, can he?
“…Eloise?”
“Y-Yes!”
“May I come in?”
“Yes, come in!”
While hurriedly tidying up my desk, the door creaked open at just the right moment.
Through the door came Ian, with his neatly combed hair and composed demeanor.
“Are you busy?”
“No, I was just about to take a break.”
I smiled at him as if nothing had happened.
Ian’s gaze briefly shifted to my desk before settling back on me.
“If you’re not busy, would you like to go for a walk with me?”
“A walk? Sure.”
I sprang up from my seat as if I had been waiting for him to ask.
“I’ll come now, Ian.”
A few days later, I shared my grand plan with three visitors who came to the Grand Duke’s residence.
Naturally, their reactions were explosive.
All three expressed their eagerness to join in without hesitation.
First, the Empress promised to sweep the southern empire’s flower markets and source ten thousand roses for me.
Diana and Madame Zed helped by assisting with the design of my dress and Ian’s formal wear, using it as an excuse to frequently visit the mansion.
Finally, even Vivi, who found out about the entire plan, joined us to take care of the smaller details, making the preparation smoother than expected.
The most challenging part of all this was keeping the entire process a secret from Ian.
Coordinating a covert operation with five women during Ian’s outings was no small task.
And so, after three full weeks of effort—
On the day Ian was out as planned, the three visitors and Vivi arrived at the Grand Duke’s residence, their expressions resolute.
“…We managed to gather here unnoticed again today, right?”
“His Grace left early this morning.”
“We used the portal instead of the main entrance, so we shouldn’t have been seen.”
“Excellent.”
The Empress nodded in satisfaction and interlaced his fingers beneath his nose, muttering to himself.
The way he lowered his voice unnecessarily, despite there being no one around, gave the situation an odd air of solemnity.
‘It looks like a scene straight out of a noir film.’
Although, to be fair, comparing it to that genre was a bit of a stretch, considering the luxurious drawing room we were in, the extravagant dresses we wore, and the brightly lit surroundings.
“…Tomorrow’s the big day. How’s everything going?”
The Empress’s question was answered first by Diana.
“We’re right on track. Madame Zed and I finished the formal wear yesterday, and the shoes are nearly complete. Oh, and the ring for the proposal should be delivered by the artisan today.”
“A ring with a blue diamond, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, we matched its color with the dress and shoes.”
“Excellent.”
“What about you, Your Highness?”
“I’m all set. I cleared out the southern flower markets. By now, all those roses should have arrived in the capital.”
“As expected of Your Highness.”
“That goes without saying.”
The Empress flashed a proud smile, giving a thumbs-up.
Finally, everyone’s attention turned to me.
“And you, El? How’s your part coming along?”
I cleared my throat and answered.
“I’ve coordinated with the head chef. As soon as the Grand Duke leaves tomorrow, I’ll start making the cake.”
I rolled my eyes slightly before adding quietly.
“…Although I’m not entirely confident.”
If there was one thing I overlooked while making this plan, it was that neither I nor Eloise had any talent for cooking.
However, realizing this came far too late, so I decided to rely on the Grand Duke’s chef for help.
When I told the chef about my plan, he beamed with enthusiasm and agreed to share one of his secret cake recipes with me.
“Good, then we’re all set.”
The Empress clapped his hands together with a laugh.
“By now, my brother probably doesn’t have the slightest clue.”
A small path near the Grand Duke’s residence.
The sun setting to the west cast long, deep shadows.
Faint light flickered from a magnificent carriage that had stopped in the middle of the path.
Ian had just flipped through the third page of a document when Kyle appeared in a burst of bright light.
“My lord.”
“How is it?”
Ian asked without sparing a glance at Kyle.
Kyle, accustomed to his master’s mannerisms, answered calmly.
“They still seem to be in the drawing room.”
“They’re staying quite late today.”
“Yes, you might need to wait another hour or so.”
Kyle glanced briefly at the sunset sky, shrugging slightly as he muttered.
For the past few weeks, whenever Ian was out, visitors had been flocking to the Grand Duke’s residence, and their departure times had gradually been getting later.
While they had always left before sunset, today seemed different, likely because it was the day before the proposal.
“Well, I’ll just wait a bit longer.”
Ian responded nonchalantly, flipping another page of the document.
Watching him quietly, Kyle clicked his tongue softly.
He found it astonishing that the Grand Duchess would now go to such lengths for a proposal, but what amazed him even more was that his lord seemed fully aware of it and was intentionally delaying his return.
To think that this couple had been so cold to each other just a year ago.
Even after witnessing it all, it was sometimes hard to believe.
Looking conflicted, Kyle glanced at his lord and cautiously asked.
“…But won’t things get awkward later when the Grand Duchess finds out? She seems to have prepared quite meticulously.”
Only then did Ian look up briefly, raising an eyebrow.
“As long as you keep your mouth shut, no one will know.”
Hearing Ian’s firm response, Kyle waved his hands dismissively as if the idea was absurd.
No matter how loose-tongued he might be, he wouldn’t dare say anything about this.
“The real issue is whether you can keep a straight face tomorrow. If you break into a smile at the wrong moment….”
“What’s the problem?”
“Pardon?”
Ian answered indifferently, his eyes still fixed on the document.
“It doesn’t matter. I’ll probably be smiling the entire time anyway.”
“……”
“Because it’s always the same when I see her—she’s just too lovely.”
Hearing his superior’s outrageous words, Kyle turned away, suppressing a gag.
Ah, if only this couple would fall apart.
• • •
Please Support my translation 🤞
