The Emperor Is My Brother's Best Friend
Ch. 109 - Side Story 4

Side Story 4

Allison struggled to contain her amusement as she turned to Wells, her mouth agape.

"Wells, does Young Lady Honeywell know who the boy who escorted her was? " 

She asked out of curiosity.

"Rose must have been too distressed to recall any details, and if she did, she hasn't mentioned anything. I regret not being able to reward that boy." 

With a mature air about him, Wells replied solemnly.

Allison glanced at Russell discreetly. 

His once radiant face now cloaked in darkness as he came to the realization that he had been forgotten.

Under the table, Allison pinched her thigh to stifle the joyous laughter.

"How old is the young lady?" 

Allison asked, trying to redirect the conversation.

"She's six." 

Wells replied with pride.

"Ah, too young for an imperial invitation." 

Allison remarked, a little disappointed at not meeting the young lady who has dazzled her younger brother. 

"Curious, aren't you? But Wells' love for his sister is renowned. After my debut, I'll extend an invitation to you." 

Her brother commented.

"Thank you."

"Will her debut be at the Imperial Palace like yours?" 

Allison inquired further.

"Well, my debut was at the Imperial Palace because I'm the heir to the Duke of Honeywell. As for Rose, I'm unsure." 

Wells hesitated as he explained.

"But..." 

Allison trailed off, considering the implications.

A debutante ball at the Imperial Palace was reserved for imperial and ducal heirs, making Rose ineligible regardless of being a member of a ducal family.

"It would be splendid if Young Lady Honeywell's debutante were hosted by the imperial family, wouldn't it?" 

Allison prodded her brother.

"... Yes?" 

Russell responded, startled by the direct address.

Allison's laughter bubbled up uncontrollably, prompting her decision to catch up with Russell after tea and inquire about his festival encounter.

Once Wells departed, Allison seized Russell before he could make his escape, pressing him to divulge the details of his meeting with Rose.

"Please keep this from Wells. If he learns of my affection for his sister, he might disclose my secret outing." 

Russell pleaded, his face flushed with embarrassment.

"He's still the same old Wells." 

Allison remarked knowingly, sharing a glance with him, who nodded in agreement.

"After hearing Wells' account, it seems that the Young Lady Honeywell remains unaware of your identity." 

She pointed this out, causing Russell to sighed. 

"Yeah, even with the fireworks, I carried her on my back and hardly looked at me face to face. She wouldn't recognize me."

Allison gasped, covering her mouth in surprise. 

"You gave her a piggyback ride?"

Both Russell and Rose seemed incredibly young to Allison. 

She restrained herself from commenting further.

"Russell, I need to ensure we can make a connection with the Young Lady Honeywell." 

Allison continued.

Russell pondered. 

"Well, she hasn't had her debutante ball yet, so she won't be attending any parties."

"True... But to visit the Honeywell estate, you need your father's permission." 

Allison softly reminded him.

"Since we're all within the Tristan Empire, perhaps we'll cross paths someday." 

Russell mused to himself, hoping to catch a glimpse of the little girl once more.

"Right. So, the first step is... Young Lady Honeywell's debut?" 

Allison suggested.

Russell hesitated. 

"It might be a bit complicated. Only heirs of earls or higher can directly attend the imperial family's debutante balls. We're talking about a duke's daughter's debut..."

Allison sighed. 

"It would be ideal if the imperial family hosted Young Lady Honeywell's debutante ball, but that seems unlikely."

Allison contemplated how Russell and Rose might meet, unable to discern his current thoughts.

---

As the National Foundation Festival concluded and summer waned, Allison took every opportunity to tease Russell.

Encountering him at the Imperial Library, she couldn't resist another jab. 

"Russell, did you ask father about allowing just anyone to have a debut at the imperial court?"

Russell's expression soured slightly. 

"You already know. Why keep asking?"

Allison grinned. 

"I just like hearing your response."

Russell's lips twitched. 

"If I do, I might get to see her under the guise of attending a ball."

"So... Did you mention that to your father?" 

Allison inquired.

"Of course not! I simply shared my thoughts on the idea of the imperial family hosting a lavish debutante event." 

Russell clarified with tinted cheeks. 

A thought flashed in Allison's mind as she observed Russell's repetitive actions of picking up and putting down books.

"How about attending Wells' birthday celebration in person?" 

"Wells' birthday?" 

Russell echoed.

"Yes. It's likely in the fall, isn't it? It's coming up soon. You've only sent gifts so far, but why not express your congratulations in person? Then, you can see Young Lady Honeywell in person again." 

Allison proposed.

"But will Wells invite me?" 

Russell inquired.

"The only challenge is that you can't go around as a prince, but there's no one who wouldn't want to invite you. As Wells' birthday approaches, drop hints. I'll assist you." 

Allison assured him.

"Thank you, sister!" 

Russell's eyes sparkled with gratitude, despite the dim lighting.

Seeing his excitement, Allison couldn't help but smile. 

She anticipated witnessing Russell's nervousness in front of the girl he admired after his separation from Rose.

---

The news struck unexpectedly one fall, just before Wells' birthday. 

Word spread across the empire of a tragic carriage accident involving the Duke and Duchess Honeywell.

There was little chance of intervention, and they perished instantly at the scene, plunging the Tristan Empire into mourning. 

The imperial family, too, mourned the loss of a valued subject and long-time friend.

The evening following the funeral, Allison sought out Russell in his room.

"Russell, are you awake?" 

She inquired, entering quietly. 

Russell was seated at his desk.

"Sister, what brings you here?" 

"Just... I heard you went to the park earlier." 

Allison said it gently.

Russell had attended the funeral alongside the Emperor of Tristan.

"Yes." 

Russell confirmed.

"What about Wells?".

"He didn't shed tears. Perhaps it's because of the crowd." 

Russell replied with an air of gloom.

"I see. Have you seen Young Lady Honeywell?" 

Allison questioned.

"No, I didn't see her in person, but I heard from others that she was too distraught to attend the funeral." 

Russell explained.

Allison sighed, expressing her regret. 

"It's all so sudden. The Duke and Duchess of Honeywell, in an accident..."

Observing Russell's somber demeanor, she realized the weight of the situation had sunk in.

"It's quite surreal how Wells has suddenly become the Duke of Honeywell, isn't it?" 

Allison remarked, seeking her brother's perspective.

Russell hesitated. 

"Yeah, it's... unexpected."

Allison grasped the weight of Russell's words. 

At a tender age and without even undergoing his coming-of-age ceremony, Wells assumed the responsibilities of a duke, likely making him the busiest and most occupied individual in the empire. 

Russell implied his reluctance to involve himself further, understanding the gravity of Wells' new role.

After a moment of silence, Allison embraced Russell gently. 

"If there's a connection between you and Rose Honeywell, you will cross paths eventually." 

She reassured him, hoping to comfort him.

Russell nodded. 

"Yeah... Maybe we can delay the introductions for now."

"Alright then. Get some rest. But what's this?" 

Allison noticed an item on the desk and pointed it out to Russell.

Russell picked it up. 

"It's a postcard."

Allison observed the illustration of the sea. 

"It's from Director Devos's recent trip to the port. I requested a postcard featuring the sea."

"I see. But why a postcard?" 

Allison inquired curiously.

"Because it's the only way I can share the sea with her." 

Russell replied with a smile, evading further explanation.

Sensing Russell's reticence, Allison smiled back and bid him goodnight before leaving the room.

Alone, Russell gazed at the depiction of the sea on the postcard, contemplating his next steps. 

He intended to congratulate Wells once he had settled into his role as duke. 

However, rumors circulated that Rose Honeywell was enamored with Elliot Proud from the Proud family, thwarting his plans to visit the Honeywell Manor.

As eight years passed since Wells assumed the mantle of Duke of Honeywell, Russell briefly ascended to the throne while Allison departed from the imperial family, marrying the Marquis of Rosenberg, supported by Russell's loyal followers among the nobility.

Meanwhile, the tale of Rose's affection for Elliot became widespread knowledge, highlighting her deep feelings for him.

"But can't we at least acknowledge each other?" 

Russell pondered aloud, longing for a connection amidst the complexities of their circumstances.

After leaving Tristan's royal family in the capital due to her marriage to the Marquis of Rosenberg, Allison paid a long-overdue visit. 

Russell paused before responding to Allison's inquiry, then carefully articulated his apprehension.

"I hesitate because I'm unsure how to handle encountering Rose Honeywell."

"Really?" 

Allison's curiosity was piqued.

"I'm concerned you might misinterpret my intentions. I fear you'll question why Rose, the object of my affection, favors Elliot."

"Hmm. Sir Elliot Proud seems to have captivated her. It's intriguing; I wonder how he managed to capture the heart of our Empire's Rose." 

Allison mused aloud.

As Allison ruminated on Rose and Elliot, she abruptly halted, realizing Russell's discomfort too late. 

His expression had hardened like stone, hinting at his inner turmoil.