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SEVERAL days later, a carriage from the Duchy of Bering arrived at Seagrove Manor. Emma and her family spent time saying goodbye to each other before she started dragging her luggage out. When she stepped through the front door, as usual, she found herself dazzled by the scenery outside. But something was different this time.
The trees in this area bloomed with white flowers. Only during this season did their sweet, nostalgic scent permeate the air. And he stood under one such tree, his gaze focused beyond the fence. Emma narrowed her eyes against the bright sunlight streaming through the tree branches and flowers.
“Glen! I didn’t expect you to come yourself.”
“Should I not have bothered?”
“Oh, you know, I’m incredibly happy to see you here.”
Smiling at him, just as she reached for his hand, the door behind Emma opened again.
“Hello, Duke Bering.”
Her grandmother stepped out of the foyer and into the garden. Acknowledging her greeting, Glen responded with a courteous one of his own.
“A pleasure to meet you. My name is Glen Ray Bering.”
“So that is the name you’re living under, hm?”
Her grandmother tittered. Emma stared curiously at her meaningful smile. What does she mean…? I haven’t told her anything about Glen whatsoever.
His expression changed.
“I take it… You’re aware of who I am?”
“Indeed, I’ve heard many rumors about you, young man. The prince of my homeland, one of great promise to boot. Your grandfather and I were great friends in our youth, you know. I feel quite nostalgic seeing you now.”
His grandfather. Which would mean Ulster’s previous emperor? This was the first Emma heard of her grandmother having such connections. Did she just hear the older woman refer to the Empire of Ulster as her homeland? Hearing one new piece of information after another stunned her speechless. Next to her, Glen reintroduced himself.
“My name in the Empire of Ulster is Lester Ray Quinziato. I apologize for my earlier oversight.”
He hardly ever used his original full name, which made this situation all the more baffling to Emma. Her grandmother nodded in acknowledgment, then took her time looking at them in turn, her eyes deeply amused. She giggled again before speaking.
“I see, I see… I do believe I have the gist of things now. Then you must be familiar with the unwritten rule, yes?”
Unwritten…rule? Her confusion deepened, but Glen understood what her grandmother meant right away.
“Of course I am. Ahem… On my life, I make this vow.”
Hand pressed to his chest, he bowed respectfully to her grandmother, who smiled in delight.
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ONCE they settled into the carriage and departed, Emma questioned Glen.
“Glen. What was that…?”
“Frankly, I was surprised too. I do believe your grandmother is related to Ulster’s royal family.”
“She’s what…?! Impossible! I’ve never heard anything of the sort in my whole life.”
“I’m guessing she hid her connection due to complicated circumstances. Which would explain why you ended up with an affinity for all the elements. I suspect that when I gave you my version of time, your blood reacted powerfully to the new addition, recognizing its link to Ulster’s imperial bloodline. Mind you, this is all conjecture on my part, but I believe we’ll discover the truth once we properly and thoroughly investigate your grandmother’s true origins.”
Glen’s words made hope bloom within Emma’s chest. He mentioned how the pool of marriage partners for the Ulster royal family was limited in order to retain their standing as heads of the suzerain state. This whole time, I thought I had no connection, but perhaps… When her hope threatened to expand beyond her control, she silently admonished herself and changed the topic.
“Oh, what did she mean by ‘unwritten rule’?”
“Right, that. Hm… Right, okay. Emma, do you know the biggest difference between the Monarchy of Reauxvil and the Empire of Ulster?”
“Ummm. National power?”
Glen snorted with laughter at her inelegant, unsophisticated reply. When he subsided into quiet chuckles, he spoke again. “Not quite. The Empire of Ulster has a very, very old unwritten rule for its people—to love one person, and only one, their entire life.”
“Oh… How lovely.”
If only Emma had stopped herself at that point. But her mind turned back to the scene in the garden, where Glen had bowed to her grandmother after she mentioned the unwritten rule. The words he said rang in her ears. Her face went up in flames. Then… He… Earlier…
“Emma.”
“…Yes, my lord.”
She hadn’t even noticed him take her hand, which he gripped tightly in his. Then he made his declaration.
“Emma, on my life, I vow to love and protect you until the end of my days. You are the only one for me.”
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She knew better than anyone that he wasn’t just paying her lip service. Everything he had done for her until now flashed through her mind. At this point, words felt like an extravagance she didn’t need. Yet he gave them to her anyway. Her heart bursting with love, Emma murmured quietly.
“You know… For some reason, that sounds like you’re promising your future to me.”
“Of course I am. What other meaning is there?”
The devilish glint returned to his eyes, and, though she blushed, she couldn’t help thinking, Yes, I do love him. Then Glen lowered his face to hers, and their lips pressed together.
This kiss was different from the last one. Warm, gentle. The carriage trod its way smoothly even now, without a single errant sway. Cocooned by the many ways he expressed his gentleness, gratified by it, Emma knew she would be happy for the rest of her life. She was glad she hadn’t resigned herself to her fate the first time around, because she couldn’t imagine not knowing this truth.
The childhood dream she hadn’t been able to give up was now coming to fruition. Meeting her special, once-in-a-lifetime friend. A carriage that didn’t rock. This sense of security allowed her to accept anything, no matter what happened. All of it and more Glen had given her without saying a word. Though she was beyond grateful to him, at the same time, her own cowardice vexed her.
Once they arrived at the Bering residence, she realized there was no need for such a negative sentiment. At long last, she had become the lady’s maid she aspired to be. Though plenty of room remained for improvement in her magic, she possessed the confidence to protect Brigitte. She could pour a delicious cup of tea and draw all sorts of special baths. Not to mention her mastery of even the most difficult hairstyles. Her knowledge base had an additional three years’ worth of information. If anything, she planned on reading many more books so she could study even more difficult magic and how to use it.
Emma doubted she would peek into the future again. She might end up overly relying on Glen occasionally, but as long as she took care not to imbibe spirits or let the impulsive side of her take control, things would work out. One way or another. She was sure of it. Using all the weapons and tools he’d so generously given her over the years, she would do everything in her power to protect her very own charge.