BELLE POUPÉE_ARCHIVE_C11: EPILOGUE PART 1

 BELLE POUPÉE

Epilogue – Part One

Under a radiant blue sky and a dazzling sun, the garden basked in golden light.

It was a special garden, constructed within the palace at Gilbert’s request—his private sanctuary to spend time alone with Leticia. Nearly every plant and flower was chosen for its association with “love” or “eternity.” Anyone well-versed in botanical symbolism, history, or floral lore would surely be at a loss for words upon seeing it.

That was how deeply infused this garden was with powerful emotion.

Of course, when all the symbolic meanings had been explained to Leticia, she’d simply laughed and said, “Haha! How lovely,” brushing it off—only deepening Gilbert’s love for her.

Since marrying Leticia, Gilbert had grown far more spirited, using the power of his so-called “cursed” crimson eyes—his keen intellect—to its fullest potential.

He kept a low profile to avoid unnecessary entanglements, so only a handful of people—his father, Emperor Rossman, members of the Orelsean family, and a select few—were even aware of his involvement behind the scenes. But Leticia’s father had praised him without reservation, saying, “He’s incredible.” That alone spoke volumes.

Thanks to all that, he had finally secured this blissful time with Leticia.

“Leticia, sorry to keep you waiting. I baked cookies for today’s tea. I tried to make them all just the way you like—tell me which one’s the best. I’ll use it as a reference next time.”

 

“Hmm? Ah, thank you as always, Gilbert. I’m looking forward to them.”

“Something on your mind?”

“No, just a letter from home.”

Seated at the table in the center of the garden, Leticia had been reading the letter before Gilbert arrived. But as soon as she saw him, she folded the paper and returned it to the envelope. The contents were somewhat troublesome, but now was not the time for that. This moment was for the two of them.

“I’ll talk to you about it later. What matters most right now… is you.”

“…That makes me happy. Am I really your number one?”

“Of course you are.”

She reached up to gently caress Gilbert’s cheek, her touch full of affection. Instantly, his eyes softened, melting like simmered strawberry jam—so sweet it looked delicious.

Leticia grabbed him by the collar, pulled him close, and kissed his eyelid.

 

“L-Leticia…”

“Still getting shy? That’s exactly what makes you so adorable, my dear husband.”

“Will you… stop liking me if I ever get used to it?”

“Not at all. If you get used to it, I’ll just get bolder. That works for me too.”

“Bolder than this?!”

Blushing bright red, Gilbert crumpled to the ground. Leticia smiled, eyes narrowing fondly.

Leticia and Gilbert were no longer merely fiancés. Everything had progressed swiftly—almost bewilderingly so—and before anyone realized it, they were married.

The biggest catalyst had likely been the day, just a few days after the Founding Day celebration, when Leticia visited the palace with her father to report on the incident. 

 

Gilbert, who had been attending to official duties, arrived partway through. The moment he saw Leticia, he rushed to her side without hesitation, acting as if it were the most natural thing in the world to nestle against her and say, “I did my best today, Leticia,” like a child seeking praise.

Leticia, in turn, scooped him up and cornered him at the edge of the sofa with a delighted, “As expected of you, Gilbert. Such a good boy. Ahh, truly adorable,” lavishing affection on him without restraint.

 

The Duke of Orelsean had watched in stunned silence.

And beside him, Emperor Rossman blinked in disbelief at the absurd scene before him.

“I’d heard he was brilliant, difficult, and… had a complicated history with women, but…”

“Wait—Belle Poupée? That manly guy? You’re telling me he was the Doll Princess?!”

The two fathers exchanged glances… and then nodded firmly before shaking hands in earnest.

“To think Leticia could act so naturally with someone—I'm overjoyed as her father. Please take good care of my daughter, Your Majesty!”

“No, no, I should be the one thanking you, Lord Orelsean! I never imagined anyone could embrace Gilbert’s… intensity… with such grace. Now then—shall we set a date for the ceremony?”

 

And so, within just a few weeks of their engagement, they officially became husband and wife.

Some who didn’t know the full story spread rumors that it had been a forced marriage orchestrated by imperial power—but anyone who saw the blissful couple together quickly discarded such ideas.

“This one’s a crisp and buttery florentine, this is a melt-in-your-mouth snowball cookie, and this heart-shaped one has strawberry jam in the center. These are chocolate chip, and since I know you love chocolate, I even dipped some in extra chocolate. Which one do you want to try first?”

“Fufu.”

“…Leticia? Did I say something weird?”

Gilbert tilted his head, holding the plate of cookies with both hands. His earnest devotion made her smile without meaning to.

“No, it’s just… I thought you preferred more mature, refined women?” (eun: refer to c1)

“…I did say that. I did. But when I’m with you, all of that fades into the past. So, um… sorry.”

“It’s fine, don’t worry. I was pretending to be someone else back then too.”

“Pretending is putting it lightly…”

He furrowed his brow, recalling the days when Leticia wore the mask of Belle Poupée. She plucked a florentine from his hand. The aroma of roasted almonds and its delightful crunch were irresistible.

“Ah. I was going to feed you that one.”

“Didn’t you once say, ‘She should be able to eat on her own’?” (eun: Looool. All the stuff he said before are coming to bite his a$$)

“…Oof. Today’s Leticia is awfully mean.”

“Haha, well, sometimes I like to tease a little.”

“As long as you’re enjoying yourself, I don’t mind.”

She continued picking at the cookies while Gilbert sulked with a pout. Each and every treat perfectly suited her tastes—there was no way she could choose just one favorite.

Had he not been a prince, perhaps opening a small shop and living a quiet life might have been an option.

But nothing ever goes quite the way we want.

“By the way, Gilbert, I have a small request. Something’s come up, and I might be away from your side for a while. I’d prefer if you didn’t push yourself too hard—if possible, I’d like you to stay safely indoors.”

“Ah, yes. I’ve heard some things. Seems like someone’s laid a very clever trap. Rumor has it the Orelsean family might be facing a scandal. But don’t worry. It’ll be resolved soon enough.”

“…What did you just say?”

eun: AAAAAAAAAH they're sooooo cute together!!! i loveeee them. 

 

        

 

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