About Your Pride and My Prejudice

Side Story Chapter 9: Five Days

Side Story Episode 9: Five Days

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Early in the morning, Alan stood with his back to the entrance of the main building and gently asked, “Are you disappointed?”

Melissa looked up at him with tearful eyes. She seemed to have something she wanted to say, but finally decided to hide her feelings and simply wrapped her arms around him tightly.

With October nearing its end, the weather had turned much colder, and so had the number of layers she wore. Though she wouldn’t be able to see him in his comfortable shirt for a while, it wasn’t unbearable. Soon, she would meet a winter gentleman who would make her heart race.

Mrs. Flynn murmured as she rubbed her cheek against the soft velvet coat. “…No.”

“You promised not to lie.”

After a bath the night before, Melissa’s lush brown hair was lovingly combed by his large hand. The gentle touch made her smile subtly, like a lazy cat.

“It’s impossible not to feel disappointed. Of all times, your imperial business trip coincides with my birthday.”

“It’s okay; mom and Mrs. Kearney will be there… We can have a party with everyone at the estate. We’ll have cake too.”

It would be a lie to say it didn’t matter, but Melissa had never placed significance on her birthday until she became Alan’s partner. This imperial visit was crucial for both of them, as Alan was on the verge of finalizing a trade negotiation he had worked on for a long time.

Though she wouldn’t be able to see him for over a month starting today,

“And when Alan returns, my birthday will already be long gone…”

Regardless, once this trip was over, he would finally have time to breathe, and they could enjoy some intimate moments together.

“What should I bring you as a gift, Melissa?”

Melissa shook her head gently while resting her forehead against his chest. She could sense Alan’s quiet laughter at her response.

But she genuinely felt that gifts were unnecessary. The best gift was Alan returning with the cold season.

“When you come back, let’s have our own little party.”

As she whispered this, Alan placed a soft kiss on her cheek. Melissa, who often lingered in sleep, blinked her still-drowsy eyes and smiled.

“Have a safe trip, Alan.”

“I love you.”

Instead of waking her with a deep kiss, Alan simply held her tightly. He thought of the mysterious woman who reminded him of a divine presence, almost too perfect to believe.

As Alan pressed his lips to her head, he playfully patted her bottom and said,

“Go back to sleep.”

In response, Melissa pulled him closer and quickly pressed her lips to his. The sweet whisper that followed floated between them like a sigh.

“Come back soon, darling.”

* * *

“William.”

As Alan stepped out of the estate, he handed the large suitcase he was carrying to the butler following behind him.

“I’m heading to Winford now.”

“You’re leaving right away, then.”

The suitcase, which seemed packed for a long trip of over a month, was actually empty. Alan was traveling as a diplomatic envoy, accompanied by several representatives from the religious sector and members of the Senate. However, they all had to unpack their pre-prepared luggage.

The reason was simple: the Empire of Hua had hastily sent a reply expressing their desire for a direct visit. Naturally, this was in response to Alan’s request.

Since the great Eastern nation of Hua had only opened its doors to a limited extent, no one had dared to move their royalty until now. Thus, when the Empire accepted the proposal, the key figures of the duchy were all in shock. It was a moment that could not help but recognize Count Elsinore’s diplomatic prowess.

Little did they know that the bold request was linked to his wife’s birthday.

With less than a week left until October’s end, and Melissa’s birthday, Alan felt a growing urgency. There was little time to manage everything he had planned.

The man hurriedly mounted his horse. His jet-black hair, untouched by any gray, whipped in the autumn sun.

“I’ll be back in five days. You can count on me to keep this a secret.”

William bowed deeply, signaling his intent to follow his master’s wishes.

Though he had renounced his family’s name, the boy had retained the meticulous nature of his adoptive father. The difference now, having escaped that harsh greenhouse, was that all his strategies and plans were devoted to one singular love.

William thought it was indeed a delightful and wondrous change.

The black horse carrying Alan raced away with the speed of the wind. Winford was a town located in the northern part of the duchy. It was home to the renowned Madame Conte’s tailor shop, celebrated for its artistic flair.

Although there was already a backlog of reservations for years, Alan Flynn’s social standing and title as count would allow him to order a dress delivered directly to the estate. However, Alan wanted to be involved in every detail of creating a special dress for his wife.

Melissa always wore simple clothes. It was understandable, given her modest lifestyle during her time in the kingdom, but even in the guesthouse prepared just for her, she insisted on choosing only the most unadorned dresses.

Alan, frustrated by her refusal of clothing gifts after their marriage, once used his status as an excuse to take her to a famous tailor in the capital. Yet, even then, she would only select plain and simple dresses. In response, Alan would carefully choose the most expensive and high-quality versions of similar designs to have delivered to the estate, but it never sat well with him.

Of course, her simplicity was clean and beautiful. However, when they walked the streets, he often remembered how her gaze would be drawn to the elaborate attire of other women, her admiration evident. Hearing her mumble that it wouldn’t suit her caused him a deep pang of anguish.

“Even at the wedding, she wore a simple dress. That stubbornness…”

Alan resolved to change her misconception that such opulence didn’t suit her. It would surely be dazzling enough to take one’s breath away.

He also intended to help her shed those ingrained habits of frugality. No more needing to save on hats or fretting at the crossroads of cafes and bookstores. Though he may no longer be the son of a billionaire, his resources were still abundant enough to fulfill her every desire.

So, he hoped she would simply live beside him, nobly and gently, as his eternal love.

Arriving in Winford just before midnight, Alan tied his horse at an old inn.

“Ah, welcome. Are you alone?”

As a dashing gentleman clad in pitch-black attire entered, curious glances swarmed around him. It was something he was tediously accustomed to. Alan, who had only requested a simple snack, went straight to the room he was guided to as soon as he finished his meal.

Sleeping in such an old and dirty place was a torment, but after riding all day, he thought he could fall asleep without much difficulty. However, the real problem lay elsewhere.

“Sigh.”

His mind wouldn’t calm down on nights without Melissa. Even before they got married, he would drive himself madly into work just to increase the time he could spend by her side, pushing himself to the limit just to catch her eye for a moment.

Without the warmth of her body clinging to him like a part of himself, without being enveloped in her fragrant skin and taking in her sweet breath, he couldn’t even think of falling asleep… It was difficult to maintain even the bare minimum of his humanity.

“…It’s driving me crazy.”

Even if it hadn’t been her birthday, he would have found a way to evade the business trip to the Hwa Empire. He couldn’t bring Melissa along on a trip with those snake-like high-ranking officials.

It had been a long time since she had become the sole reason for Alan Flynn’s existence. He genuinely thought that if he couldn’t hold her for more than a month, he’d rather die.

If the world he lived in—the setting of this “novel,” according to his muse—had been a hundred years earlier, wars would have still been frequent. In that case, the best he could have done would be to swear to her, who would be weeping in fear that this might be their last night together, that he would love her eternally even in death.

Would I fear the blood and killing of the battlefield, or the nights I must spend without her?

He found it amusing that he didn’t need a moment’s hesitation to answer this question.

But even if he were mocked, even if he remained a fool blinded by love, it didn’t matter. Because Melissa Collins, now to be called Flynn, loved him.

She, once a small droplet, had surged into him like an expansive ocean over an immeasurable time. Such love could never be encountered again, even if he repeated countless lifetimes. He wanted to be submerged in her, to gasp for breath. He wanted to sink forever.

Seated on the old bed, he called out a single name with a weary voice.

“Melissa.”

Alan imagined her spending the night without him. Her hair, slightly damp. Wearing a white chemise that subtly revealed her figure, she would be kneeling on the bed, engrossed in a book.

By the flickering candlelight, she would occasionally furrow her delicate brows, her clear eyes shining unaware of the approaching dawn. Her soft, downy face would glow transparently in the faint light, and her flower-like lips, exhaling tender breaths…

“Ah, Melissa…”

This time, it was a near-whisper, almost a groan. Alan leaned back in surrender. As the damp sheets touched his back, his hands hastily unfastened his belt.

The first of the five nights he had to spend without her was painfully passing.

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