About Your Pride and My Prejudice

Side Story Chapter 16: Departure

Side Story Episode 16: Departure

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“To Whitewood?”

Alan asked in a dazed voice, looking unusually blank.

Melissa’s smile grew at his unguarded expression.

“Yes, your parents’ hometown.”

“Melissa, you don’t have to…”

In reality, Alan didn’t find much significance in his biological parents. It was only natural since he had no small memories of them.

He had buried the existence of parents whose faces he didn’t even remember deep within his heart. It was like a symbol, a feeling not too sentimental.

However, Melissa cherished them sincerely. Sometimes, she would vividly recount stories as if they were right before her eyes, and during those moments, his wife seemed as magical as a fairy from a dream.

He felt immensely grateful, even if it was sudden.

At that moment, Melissa muttered softly.

“I was worried that you seemed tired.”

“..…”

“And we haven’t had a proper trip together in a long time. Since you’ve been cutting down on work….”

Melissa’s lips, as she looked up, were as red as flower petals.

“More than anything, if we go to Whitewood together, it will be more meaningful and… happier than any place.”

“……”

“Yes? Alan.”

Melissa gently extended her arms.

“If you like it, hug me.”

At those words, Alan stood up and held her tightly in his arms.

“Wait, just a moment…!”

The woman hidden in his embrace barely managed to stretch her arms out. The way she fumbled to steady herself by feeling his solid back seemed even more endearing than a baby deer to him.

Melissa, struggling to see clearly, and Alan, with his face resting sideways on her head, moved as if dancing in the delicate sunlight. Like a perfectly blended pancake and butter, they were seamlessly melted into each other.

It was a dance for just the two of them, with no orchestra or champagne.

* * *

A week passed swiftly, like an arrow released from its bow.

The day of their departure to the port was fortunately sunny, but Melissa felt unwell, perhaps due to a sleepless night. It was a relief that she could catch a nap before reaching the port.

This trip to Sourne was different from a ‘trip for just the two of them,’ as it was an official visit. As Mrs. Flynn accompanying the count’s staff, even walking the streets alongside Alan was a source of concern.

Still, the thought of watching sunsets over the winter sea or fireworks on the deck with Alan made even the dreadful seasickness seem like a welcome experience.

A cold wind blew through the winter garden, where flowers had withered. Melissa stood against this chilly backdrop with the carriage behind her.

Wearing a rose-colored velvet bonnet, she looked exceedingly elegant, making Alan’s heart flutter. The bonnet was carefully tied with a black ribbon under her slender chin. As he approached and fastened the winter spencer lined with marten fur, which matched the color of her bonnet, he asked,

“Is that all the luggage?”

“Yes!”

Melissa smiled brightly, holding a large suitcase with both hands. Although the suitcase was quite big, it seemed too minimal for a voyage of this length…

Alan chuckled and shook his head quietly, feeling grateful that he was her husband and sharing the same thought.

Soon, after helping Melissa into the carriage and loading the suitcase, Alan climbed in and sat beside her. A bewildered question immediately followed.

“Huh? Are we leaving like this?”

“Yes.”

“Aren’t we forgetting any luggage?”

“I’ve packed it separately.”

It didn’t seem like something she should be concerned about. Alan shrugged and spoke in a calm voice.

“But your clothes… is it alright to go dressed like this?”

Inside the dark frock coat, Alan wore a shirt without a cravat. It was only then that Melissa noticed something odd and furrowed her brow slightly.

“… What about your aide? Your secretary? Aren’t they supposed to leave with us? Or are we meeting them at the port?”

“Not quite.”

Alan responded, sinking deeply into the seat with a tone that seemed oddly amused.

“What? Why?”

Surprised, Melissa asked again, and Alan immediately pulled her hand to his lips. He slowly kissed the back of her soft, gloved hand and gently murmured:

“We don’t need any distractions. It’s just going to be the two of us.”

“But… we need to go to the palace, and we’ll need to discuss the inheritance matters. Just the two of us won’t be enough…”

“I’ve already taken care of that.”

He placed a light kiss on his bewildered wife’s cheek and tapped a few times on the door.

As the carriage finally set off, Alan added in a relaxed, deep voice,

“Do you think your husband, a member of the imperial family, can’t handle a mere procedure by himself?”

“Is it really alright? What about the academy…?”

“Don’t worry, just get some rest, dear.”

“……”

“You didn’t sleep at all.”

With a beautiful smile but a decidedly mischievous tone, Alan added,

“If you don’t sleep, I’ll bother you. Just like last night.”

Melissa gasped, holding her breath. Just the thought of the previous night made her shiver with embarrassment.

Last night, he had suddenly transformed from quietly watching her to aggressively pursuing her, even though she had merely been talking about Whitewood.

She often wondered what exactly triggered him, but last night felt as if she were being consumed like cream.

He had thrown her onto the plush bed and then busily kissed and licked every inch of her, like a large, hungry cat.

‘… Probably a very hungry cat.’

After the breathless play that left the bed sheets in disarray, Melissa always ended up feeling limp. The next step was to catch her breath with her sweat-soaked body resting on Alan’s chest.

When she occasionally asked in a hoarse voice, “What’s the occasion today? Why did you lose your patience?” His answers were always disappointingly trivial.

I like watching your lips move.

I love how your wet hair and exposed neck look.

Your mole on your cheek is cute.

Your gaze tickles me.

Because of you, Melissa.

It was obvious that a similar answer would come back last night, so she didn’t ask, but… Melissa found it hard to accept that something as trivial as that could make her feel like she was about to explode with heat at any moment.

One thing was certain: Alan was still obsessively in love with her.

‘It seems to be getting worse…’

Still, Melissa felt a warm wave deep in her heart. She was helplessly comforted by Alan’s love, as she was Melissa Flynn.

“…….”

However, as she was receiving his intense gaze, she couldn’t help but relive the previous night’s memories. With her face flushed with heat, Melissa quickly covered her face.

Of course, Alan wouldn’t just let that go. He gently pulled down her slender wrists and then swiftly drew her waist towards him with the other hand.

Then, as he slowly pressed his lips against hers and whispered gently, “What should I do?” the breath she was about to exhale was swallowed. Melissa, pale and trembling, stamped her feet.

“How can we do that here?”

“Shouldn’t we close the curtains—”

“No…!”

Then a soft laugh scattered. With his lips touching her trembling eyelids and then her flushed cheeks, Alan adjusted his posture to make her more comfortable.

“Then, let’s go to bed, honey. You’re tired.”

He even gently caressed her flat stomach with his elegant hand wrapped around her waist, as if putting a baby to sleep.

“…….”

So, he intended this from the beginning. He just wanted to see her flustered face.

No matter how many times she was caught off guard, she always fell for his mischievous antics.

“Phew.”

Melissa sighed and closed her eyes, burrowing a bit deeper into the fragrant and cozy embrace that was uniquely hers.

* * *

The luxurious passenger ship, Moonlight, was docked on the deep blue sea. The surprisingly narrow and thin metal staircase was the passage to the cabins, and the first-class suite where the Flynn couple would stay was located at the very top of the enormous Moonlight.

Unfortunately.

“……Ah!”

Melissa, climbing the stairs while holding onto the railing tightly, finally faltered. The moment she let out a small scream, Alan, who was ahead, reached out with his large hand. His beautifully encased hand in fine leather was waiting for her.

“Be careful, Melissa.”

The moment he took her hand, the black waves that had been swirling beneath her feet as if they would swallow her up soon calmed down as if by magic. His warmth always reassured Melissa, in any way possible.

As they barely reached the boarding gate, a strong sea breeze blew. While Melissa struggled against the wind, clutching her rose-colored skirt, Alan handed over the tickets.

The steward, hastily adjusting his wind-tossed hat, took the tickets with proper courtesy.

“Count Elsinore, Countess Elsinore. It is an honor to have you with us this time. Have you loaded all your luggage?”

Alan nodded lightly, and the steward bowed again.

“Have a good trip.”

“Melissa, come here.”

As they passed the steward and entered the ship, the biting sea wind was replaced by a gentle, warm breeze that touched their skin.

This luxurious corridor, with its red carpet, was certainly not new. However, the feelings of fear, anxiety, and embarrassment that she had felt on her first boarding of the Moonlight were no longer present.

Alan, walking with the most graceful and elegant steps, was by her side. Now, walking in step with his wife, Melissa’s cheeks glowed with a happiness brighter than any noblewoman who had boarded the Moonlight before.

Melissa, with a dreamy expression, parted her lips.

“I was alone back then…”

“Alone?”

Alan, holding her hand and walking with calm steps, murmured in a soothing low voice.

“It can’t be.”

“…Hah.”

At Alan’s nonchalant response, Melissa laughed in disbelief and lightly tapped his waist with their joined hands.

“Are you really going to keep quiet about it!”

At that moment, a well-built elderly gentleman and a lady were quickly approaching, engaged in an animated conversation. Alan, with his hands resting on Melissa’s shoulders and waist, twirled her around in a smooth and graceful motion, as if they were dancing.

Now, they stood behind a column in the corridor. His dawn-like eyes shone with an even cooler and more transparent hue in the shadow cast by the column. Melissa faced him, forgetting to blink, their faces so close that their breaths mingled.

In that profound silence, Alan gently brushed her soft brown hair behind her ear and brought his lips close to her ear.

“From now on, when you think of the Moonlight…”

“……”

“You’ll only remember this trip.”

His intensely seductive whisper sent a shiver down her spine. Melissa, eyes tightly shut, trembled slightly and, unable to resist, embraced Alan’s neck.

Naturally, their kiss followed like a piece of heaven. With a smile, she pressed her lips to his, as if she were willing to give up every breath in her lungs.

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