Don't Concern Yourself With That Book
Chapter Side Story 3-8

Side Story 3-8

Translator: yun

Click. After the door closed, Ashley sighed as she stared at the tightly shut door. 

“Urgh.”

Shaking her head, she massaged her chin. Her gaze remained on the door through which Rebecca had just left. A grumble left her lips.

“Because we’re in a time of peace huh… What pointless drivel am I saying?” 

Of course, that was not Rebecca’s fault. The blame laid entirely on that disappointing brother of hers for worrying Rebecca.

She took up too much time talking to Rebecca. Ashley had long noticed Rebecca’s distress. 

“What do you think?”

Ashley’s question echoed in the empty room. But suddenly, a cloth hung upon one of the walls of the study seemed to flutter before Dane stuck his head out from behind. 

“What’s drivel?”

Ashley shifted her gaze before staring at Ray who was standing behind Dane. 

“Something Ray would be good at.”

But to be more exact, the drivel he would be good at would be more like shovelling. (1) Ashley smirked before saying.

“It’s nothing.”

Even before Rebecca arrived, the three had been present in the small room adjacent to this study. 

‘Actually, I wanted to ask how Rebecca really felt but…’

With a glance, Ashley looked at Fleon who revealed himself from behind the cloth last.

‘I don’t want any more of this back and forth. I just want to see their happy ending already.’

Fleon had been chasing her around but there was still little progress made between them–perhaps because of Fleon’s lack of awareness. It had already been three years and Ashley still couldn’t believe they were still where they started. 

‘It’s obvious who the fool is here. This damned brother of mine.’

Ashley pouted her lips.

“Alright alright. Everyone, please share your opinions for this poor brother of mine.”

Fleon who had been still thus far raised his eyebrows. 

“Oi. Are you pitying me now?”

“Yes! What the hell is wrong with you! Ah, I am well aware of all your shortcomings, Fleon, so you don’t need to remind me.”

“What?”

Fleon’s temper flared but he soon zipped his lips. He had heard how Rebecca had been crying from the secret room which was why he was confused. 

“Right. So how can we help my brother with his happiness while ensuring that he doesn’t make any more mistakes? Throw in your suggestions for his happy ending.”’

Blinking slowly, Dane parted his lips.

“I’ll pass.”

“I already said that I don’t want to be involved in other people’s love affairs.”

“… You people.”

Furrowing her brows, Ashley waved the closest quill she could find. 

“Alright, try again. I just wanted to use a pseudonym. So quickly share your opinions. You know I can send you to the distant borders if you disobey me right?”

“… Can you abuse your powers like this?”

“Yes, I can. Do you want to have a go at me? You don’t, do you?”

“… That’s unfair.”

“Yes, it is. I am a corrupted leader. Being a tyrant had been my ultimate goal. So, give me a satisfactory answer.”

As he stared at Ashley who was smirking with her chin in her palm, Ray shook his head.

“My lifelong goal is actually to be a righteous and honest subordinate. So, it will go against my principles to submit to corrupted power.”

“That’s funny. Since when have you been so righteous?”

Pouting her lips again Ashley tilted her head before clicking her tongue. She then turned to Dane but when she noticed him just smiling, she realised that he was not going to say anything. 

“Nobody is helping.”

“Well, Ashley.”

Dane smiled brightly. 

“I’m a man who has yet to achieve my own love. Isn’t it too early for me to give advice on someone else’s?”

“… No. Hold on. Wait.”

Ashley was shocked.

“You’re going to bring that up here? No. That’s how you’re trying to get out of this, aren’t you?”

Quickly returning to her senses, Ashley replied but she couldn’t bring herself to say anymore. Ray spoke on Ashley’s behalf. 

“Wow. I’m seriously impressed by how willing you are to deprecate yourself for a joke, my prince.”

“… Don’t be sarcastic with me, Ray.”

Smiling like a flower, Dane threw Ray a glance. 

Ashley then stared at Fleon who had remained silent thus far. Agonising, Ashley released her chin from her palm. 

Certainly, one’s problem was best addressed by oneself. That was what she thought. But how could these people be so heartless?

‘Everyone is so indifferent to this.’

Whether they hated him or loved him, they were still family. She shook her head. She reminded herself that these were the lives she had toiled to save. 

“But shall I give you another chance?” S~ᴇaʀᴄh the ɴøvᴇlFɪre.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

Ashley grinned before muttering. 

“Fleon.”

Fleon raised his head upon hearing his name. 

At times, people might find themselves unable to escape a particular memory. It was already in the past but death might still be difficult to accept. 

She knew what the wall separating Rebecca and Fleon was. The man whose death she had witnessed had returned alive. She was thankful for the miracle but she had yet to overcome her loss. Having been hurt and lost herself, Ashley understood.

“Brother, do you still remember the day you came running to me?”

It was the day the 2nd Queen had invited her to attend a symposium. It was the same day she discovered that her brothers had been protecting her out of sight. 

Briefly reminiscing the past, Ashley smiled. 

“To be honest with you, at the time, I had thought of you as my spring. I’m being too sentimental, aren’t I? But that’s how I really felt, you know? The spring that had been keeping me warm without me even knowing.”

She was telling the truth. Ashley thought of Fleon as the person who brought her warmth out of sight. 

After awakening all her powers, Ashley realised. That Rebecca could have been a templar. She might have missed her chance but at times, she would see a miniscule amount of divinity dancing beside her. Unfortunate as it was, its dance looked beautiful. 

What would a person who did not manage to end up as a templar feel when she discovered she had lost someone she cherished due to a coup? Did Rebecca not resent herself for being weak as she once was? 

Everyone had their own scars. Ashley thought the best season for healing wounds was spring. A spring that came knocking without any warning. Just as her love did. 

“Brother, now it is time for you to be someone else’s spring.”

After these three years, Fleon noticed too. Rebecca was actually more cautious than anyone else. Perhaps that was why Fleon could not approach her so easily at first. 

“… I’m not sure what you’re talking about but do you want me to pay attention to the ducal princess instead of you now?”

“Correct. You’re quite sensible at times like this, aren’t you?’

Fleon furrowed her brows. 

“… Even without you reminding me, I was already planning on doing that. You damned chick.”

Fleon sprang to his feet. 

He was really tall.

“Rebecca should be along the hallway on the first floor. I am sure the maids are stalling her.”

Maids, who had worked here for long, liked the strict yet kind Rebecca and would try to talk to her. Ashley pointed towards the door. 

“Run like you did back then.’

She grinned at Fleon who shot off.

“Hurry!”

Fleon sprinted. 

***

In fact, ever since he had been resuscitated, Fleon and Rebecca never had a serious conversation. Fleon could not explain how he came to life after dying while Rebecca was uncomfortable bringing up death. 

She might have found it more difficult to mention it as she was used to hiding her true feelings. 

Hence, they would only hold small chats as they joke around each other as the presents Fleon gifted her piled up in Rebecca’s room. 

But those gifts were not what they needed. 

“Ducal princess!”

With Fleon’s appearance, the maids surrounding Rebecca dispersed. With only the two of them left in the hallway, Fleon was panting. 

“… My prince?”

“Ducal princess, your hand… Could you give me your hand?”

Fleon managed to say as he pulled at his stifling cravat. Though she was surprised that Fleon did not look his usual tidy self. Rebecca held out her hand which Fleon promptly grabbed. 

“”When I first came back from death, I thought I had been dreaming. I thought I had been blessed with a fantasy by Jupinel’s Heavens.”

“… Huh?”

“Because I never thought I would ever get to see you again. I thought I had been sent to the heaven of pure happiness.”

Surprised by Fleon’s sudden confession, Rebecca quickly scanned her surroundings though she found that there was no one around but them. 

Upon reaching a topic she had never wanted to talk about before, Rebecca stubbornly pressed her lips together. It was because she did not know how to react. 

“Why… are you bringing it up now?”

“I don’t have any ulterior motives. I had always wanted to bring this up.”

“…..”

Though the hand that grabbed her firmly was unfamiliar, Rebecca stared at the warmth creeping onto her skin. 

“Also, during the final moments of my death, you were the only one I thought about.”

Swallowing nervously, Fleon continued. 

“If I was alive, the first person I wanted to see was you.”

Rebecca lowered her head. After flinching, Fleon called for her cautiously. 

“W-why haven’t you… mentioned it until now? Do you have to do this now?”

Tears flowed down Rebecca’s cheeks. These were the tears she had stubbornly suppressed. 

Rebecca was a strong-minded person. But her strength had been eroded and worn. Even though they were now in times of peace, what had been sliced could not be undone. She was afraid that he would disappear again. 

No, this fear had manifested from the lack of communication between Fleon and herself. What was the point of exhibiting impeccable etiquette? They were both terrible with relationships. 

“You’re so mean. Did you know that?”

“… I do.”

“Why do you keep giving me flowers when you hate them?”

“… T-that’s because even though I-I don’t like them, you do… which is why I like them.”

Frustrated, Fleon managed to blurt out. Even with a tear-stricken and reddening face, Rebecca’s eyes stared directly at Fleon. Even though they were wet with tears, her eyes were clear and noble, reminding him of glass stars. 

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Hearing her blame him for his blunders, Fleon was rendered speechless. Moreso because Rebecca burst into tears again. 

“Hmph, hurry and propose to me.’

“What… huh?”

“Hurry.”

“A-alright. M-marry me.”

Feeling hurried, Fleon exclaimed. After shouting, Fleon felt as though there were many things wrong with what just happened. 

“… That was so not romantic.”

“…..”

Fleon had nothing to say because he agreed. 

“The prince who promised to propose after he returned only to forget was so not romantic.”

“…..”

Having nothing to say, Fleon lowered his head. He had never felt more unimpressive and dejected before in his life. The moment he was sweeping his hand down his face in embarrassment. 

Rebecca pulled him to her. Surprised by the strength displayed by a woman who did not look that strong, Fleon could only part his lips and welcome the approaching ones. Their position soon changed as his firm arms wrapped around Rebecca’s waist. 

Rebecca suddenly recalled something someone told her. 

“You will find someone very precious to you someday. You will encounter sadness but you will also have your happiness.”

“… Even if you cannot understand it now.”

Fate had turned around and perhaps this was finally the moment Ferdinand was referring to. 

Rebecca blamed herself for forgetting him as she recalled the 5th Prince after he died. Perhaps soon the 5th Prince would regularly have flowers placed on his grave. Rebecca opened her closed eyes. 

Just as Ferdinand said, she did find someone very precious to her. 

“You’re turning red.”

“… I know. I know I don’t look cool.”

“Yes. You don’t.”

Rebecca smiled before holding his cheek. Her icy eyes softened. Spring. For some reason, she could feel a gust of spring breeze accompanied by the sound of grasshoppers. For all she knew, it was currently spring. Because she felt warm enough. 

“But it is my fault for falling in love with you. So, you’ll have to take responsibility.”

Fleon lowered his head before smiling. 

“I will. For the rest of my life.”

T/N:

(1): Ashley used an slang here ‘삽질’ which means something along the lines of ‘fruitless work’ or  a ‘waste of time’ which Ray and Dane obviously wouldn’t understand. But the word also means shovel (like dirt) but it is confusing lmao. 

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