101CF 01

Chapter : 01

The blue sky was filled with clouds drifting lazily, and the sun shone brightly on a fine day.

In a secluded corner of a grand mansion, where people rarely passed, a man and woman stood together.

The man, taller than most, had jet-black hair that fell like silk and crimson eyes darker than blood. His striking figure was enough to draw anyone’s gaze as he leaned against the wall in a casual pose, looking down at the woman before him.

In front of this chillingly aloof man stood a petite, dainty young woman, fidgeting nervously with her hands.

Though not as breathtakingly stunning as the man, she was still undeniably beautiful, with chestnut-brown hair like sturdy wood and bright blue eyes as clear as the sunny sky.

Her face flushed red as she squeezed her eyes shut and summoned all the courage she had.

“Herwin! I like you! Please go out with me!”

“I refuse.”

Without a second of hesitation, the man—called Herwin—rejected her confession bluntly.

With an exasperated sigh, Herwin ran his hand through his hair.

“Lucia, just how many times is this now? Don’t you ever get tired of it?”

His tone, though dismissive, carried a hint of familiarity.

Lucia opened her eyes hesitantly, her flushed cheeks impossible to hide, and gave an awkward smile.

“Uh… the 98th time.”

“You already know my answer never changes, yet you still won’t give up. That’s so very you.”

Herwin shook his head as though weary of the situation.

Even though it could have been deeply humiliating, Lucia could only laugh foolishly.

Casting her a sidelong glance, Herwin sighed again and pushed himself away from the wall.

“At this point, you’d think you’d give up. Do you really like me that much? Even when I keep rejecting you?”

Lucia fell silent for a moment, then curved her eyes into a soft smile.

“Yeah. Of course, I’d love it if you accepted my feelings, but even if you can’t, I still want to tell you how I feel. At least I don’t confess in front of everyone, right?”

“Ugh, don’t you dare pull another stunt like on your sixteenth birthday. If you ever confess to me in public again, I won’t see you for a month.”

“That can’t happen!”

Lucia’s playful yet serious reply made Herwin sigh in frustration.

“I just… like you, that’s all. Don’t feel pressured.”

For a woman of twenty-one, her words were almost childishly pure.

That purity felt unbearably heavy to Herwin, who frowned.

“…Lucia Agnes. I like Arista.”

“…”

Herwin spoke calmly, revealing the name of the woman in his heart. Still, he couldn’t help but glance at Lucia to see her reaction.

A fleeting sadness passed through her blue eyes.

“…I know.”

“Ha…”

Trying to ease the weight in his chest, Herwin drew in a deep breath and looked at her again.

“Let’s go. If we stay here too long, people will start making assumptions.”

“I don’t want to cause you trouble. Let’s go quickly!”

Lucia immediately put on her usual bright smile, returning to her cheerful self.

Relieved, Herwin followed behind her as she walked ahead.

For a girl who had just been rejected, and a man who had turned her down without hesitation, there was strangely little awkwardness between them.

The odd atmosphere faded as the two left the spot—leaving behind only a lingering shadow.

“Oh, there they are.”

“So you were together. We were just about to go looking for you.”

“What’s this, huh? Did you two sneak off for a little secret rendezvous?”

When Herwin and Lucia returned together to the social gathering of friends, people began teasing them with playful remarks.

Herwin brushed off Ethan, who poked him in the ribs, with a swat of his hand, frowning.

“Don’t say stupid things. Nothing like that happened.”

“Come on, you were with Lucia, of all people. Lucia! ”

Ethan wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

“How many years has she liked you now? Don’t you think it’s about time you said yes?”

He jabbed Herwin again, only to be met with a chilling glare.

Herwin’s crimson eyes turned sharp and murderous.

Ethan froze, cold sweat trickling down his face.

The eyes said it clearly: Shut your mouth.

Though Herwin hadn’t spoken, Ethan understood perfectly, clamping his lips shut.

“Ethan’s not wrong though. Everyone knows Lucia likes you.”

This time, it was Brian who spoke, setting down his teacup.

As he swept back his long hair, nearby maids let out squeals, swooning at the sight.

Herwin gritted his teeth.

“You. Shut it.”

But unlike Ethan, Brian only shrugged, unbothered by the threat.

Herwin’s fists trembled, veins bulging on his forehead.

“Honestly, how rude of you all. Lucia’s right here. You shouldn’t speak of her like she isn’t.”

Finally, Christine—who had been quiet—intervened.

“Thanks, Christine, but I’m fine. I don’t mind.”

Lucia reassured her friend with a gentle smile and sat down.

“But really, where did you two go?”

The one asking this time was Arista—the very woman Herwin had admitted to loving.

Her beauty was dazzling, almost divine: pale golden hair like strands of sunlight, violet eyes full of mystery, and an elegance that seemed otherworldly.

Lucia laughed, waving her hand.

“Oh, we just happened to meet on the way.”

“Yeah, nothing happened. Don’t misunderstand, Arista.”

Herwin quickly added, his voice firmer than necessary.

Arista tilted her head but let it go with a shrug.

“If you both say so, I’ll believe you.”

Herwin let out a subtle breath of relief.

He then sat down in the seat between Lucia and Arista.

Conversations continued around the round table, light and playful.

Lucia laughed brightly, her smile as refreshing as sunshine.

But when no one was looking, she stole a glance sideways.

Herwin was smiling too, his normally cold face softened with warmth.

Yet that smile wasn’t for her.

It was for Arista, seated on his other side.

Lucia’s hands trembled. She quickly hid them beneath the tablecloth, clenching tightly.

When Arista laughed at one of Ethan’s silly jokes, her charm shone brilliantly.

Even Lucia, another woman, couldn’t look away from her. How much more, then, must Herwin be drawn to her?

Throb. Throb.

A dull ache spread in Lucia’s chest.

That discordant note she always felt—today it rang louder than ever.

She wished, if only for a fleeting moment, that Herwin would turn his head just a little, and let his eyes rest on her instead.

But she knew better.

‘That will never happen.’

Shaking her head hard, she banished the foolish thought.

She couldn’t let her feelings ruin this gathering with friends.

Forcing herself to ignore the pain stabbing at her heart, she resolved to enjoy the evening.

And so, amid the laughter and chatter, Lucia blended in perfectly—so perfectly that no one realized she was thinking of something else entirely.

“Ha… today was fun.”

By the time the gathering ended, it was already late at night when Lucia returned home.

Though she’d enjoyed herself, she couldn’t escape the fatigue. Rubbing her stiff shoulders, she handed her coat to a maid.

“Welcome home, my lady.”

An elderly man with neatly slicked-back white hair approached. It was Aaron, the head butler.

Lucia smiled warmly.

“Yes, I’m home. Did I come back too late?”

“Not at all, my lady. After all, you were meeting with your dear friends.”

“Hehe, thank you for understanding.”

Aaron’s expression turned serious.

“The Count wishes to see you.”

Lucia froze, halfway to her room.

“At this hour?”

Had her father called her to scold her for coming home late?

“Shall I escort you to him?”

Aaron offered kindly, and Lucia nodded.

“Yes, please.”

He led her to the tea room where the Count and Countess often enjoyed their tea.

Expecting to be taken to the study, Lucia tilted her head curiously as Aaron opened the door for her.

“…Mother, you’re here too?”

Inside were her father, Johan, and her mother, Julianne.

They greeted Lucia as she stepped in hesitantly.

“You’re finally back. Did you have a good time with your friends?”

“Yes… it was nice. But what are you both doing here so late? Were you waiting for me this whole time?”

Sitting down beside her mother, Lucia clasped her hand.

Johan silently set down his teacup.

His usually gentle blue eyes were now stern, carrying the weight of the family head.

Lucia instinctively straightened her back.

“We’ve been waiting because we have something to tell you.”

“…What is it?”

Lucia swallowed nervously, sensing the gravity of the moment.

“You’re twenty-one now. Well past the age for marriage.”

At the word marriage, her body stiffened.

“We know you’ve long harbored feelings for Lord Peneus, which is why we’ve waited until now. But that must end.”

“Wait… you don’t mean—”

“It’s time for you to meet a suitor, Lucia.”

Her blue eyes, the same shade as her father’s, widened in shock.