CH 52

After a stormy night, Lucia’s routine has changed slightly.

After the public announcement of her engagement to Bern at the Empress’ engagement party, invitations to various social events began to pour in.

She hadn’t understood when Julian had told her that she would be busy once they were officially engaged, but as the days went by, she realized that she was right.

If she was this busy when they weren’t even officially engaged, she didn’t want to imagine what it would be like when they were.

“Hah… he’ll not want to go here.”

“Oh, how can you say that he’s going to die with this?”

Julian, who had been helping her sort through the invitations, nudged Lucia, who, unlike the exhausted Lucia, had a wide grin spread across her face.

“He’s the Marquis of Casper, after all. As it happens, the Marquis’ ransom has been rising lately.”

“A ransom?”

At Lucia’s question, Julian chuckled and told her what had happened at one of his favorite gatherings.

Apparently, most gatherings of her age were centered around marrying off their children, so they would discuss which young men were good and which were bad.

Bern was definitely at the top of their list.

“Yes, the Marquis is only three years older than you, and he only inherited the Marquis last year, though he was forced to do so when the previous Marquis Casper died in an accident.”

It was certainly unusual for a young man of twenty-four to inherit a title.

“And that’s it? No siblings, no risk of disinheritance. A good-looking, good-natured, capable, young, unmarried young man. You can’t find people like that easily.”

As she listened to each of Julian’s points, Lucia realized they were all true.

Despite what the world thinks of him, in person, he’s a perfect person with no flaws.

He’s kind, caring, understanding, and gentle – a perfect man to marry.

‘I, on the other hand, am…….’

Lucia snapped her fingers, trying to assess herself objectively, but she couldn’t find anything wrong with her except that she was younger than him.

Lucia broke out in a cold sweat.

“Mother, why on earth did the Marquis pick me?”

“Huh?”

Julian looked up from her invitation. Lucia’s eyes fluttered.

“What a wonderful bride my daughter is, what are you nervous about, or did the Marquis say something to you?”

“……No. He says he likes me.”

“What’s to worry about him liking you?”

“Well, it’s just that I can’t put the pieces together. I even asked him why he picked me, but he just said he picked me because I resemble him a lot.”

“A lot like?”

Julian, imagining Bern and Lucia side by side, met her palm.

“Oh, I wonder if it’s because you’re nice, yes, now that I think about it, you do have a bit of a personality.”

“I don’t think it was in those nuances.”

The last time she asked him at a party, he answered 90% of the questions she still had, but the other 10% remained unanswered.

She couldn’t put her finger on what it was, it just felt like all the cogs weren’t aligned.

“Miss, I have a letter from your friend.”

Sean came in and handed Lucia the letter that had just arrived.

When she checked the sender, she saw Christine’s name on it. Lucia opened the letter right then and there.

The first page was a short greeting and a small story, and the ultimate reason for her letter was written on the last page.

[It’s a shame that we didn’t talk properly at the party. There are a lot of questions I want to ask.

If Lucia doesn’t mind, I’d like to invite Arista and have a girls’ night out.

Let’s get together and share some stories!

I look forward to hearing back from you.]

The time she spent with her friends at the party was extremely short, so she didn’t tell them how she came to see them.

Seeing that Christine’s handwriting is a little messy, she must have been very curious.

‘A girls’ night out.’

She was trying to discourage Herwin from attending in the name of a girls’ night out.

Lucia gave a small laugh at Christine’s concern.

“Who is it from?”

Lucia’s smile caught Julian’s attention.

“It’s Christine, and she wants to get together sometime soon.”

At the mention of a get-together, Julian gave her a quizzical look.

“By any chance, will Herwin be attending…….?”

“No, it’s a girls’ night out this time.”

“Oh, well, I’m glad to hear that.”

Seeing Julian visibly relieved, Lucia’s mouth turned a little bitter.

As much as she was childhood friends with him, her parents had seen him for a long time and were quite fond of him. But she was worried that this was going to make them dislike him.

“Okay, I’m done sorting.”

Julian finally finished sorting the invitations and put her hands on her hips with pride.

“These are the ones you don’t have to go to, these are the ones that’s not bad to go to, and these are the ones you should go to. You take a look, and you decide which one you want to go to.”

It’s a nice way to organize them into three categories of importance, and she has a lot less to do.

“Thanks, Mom, I’ll check it out.”

“Okay. Let me know if you need anything else later. I’m always happy to help.”

Julian took a moment to reminisce about her social life.

Knock. Knock.

The door opened and Lucas poked his head in.

“Hey, big brother, what can I do for you?”

“I just needed to talk to you for a minute. I see mother is here, too?”

Lucas planted a quick kiss on Julian’s cheek. Julian returned his son’s greeting, then realized he was watching her and stood up.

“I’d better get going, It’s been a long time since you two met, so please talk.”

“Thank you.”

Recognizing Julian’s consideration, Lucas thanked her, and she went outside with a wink.

“Something to talk about, what is it?”

Lucia asked, not taking her eyes off the invitation. Lucas lowered his voice, double-checking that no one else was in the room.

“How you came to be engaged to the Marquis of Casper, and I’m here to find out why.”

Lucia paused and looked up. Lucas’ face was serious.

She wondered why he was asking because it wasn’t a lighthearted sentiment.

“Didn’t you hear anything from our parents?”

“A brief overview, but nothing more. They were kind of sketchy when I asked, and I didn’t really have time to talk to them after the party because I was working.”

“……that’s why you’re just asking me?”

Lucas nodded. Lucia sighed softly and leaned back against the back of the couch.

“Ask me anything you want. I’ll answer.”

Lucas pursed his lips, then asked the questions he’d been dying to know.

He asked how she’d come to see him, and if she was thinking about getting engaged to Bern. Lucia answered honestly.

When Lucas got the general picture, he frowned and ran a hand over his face.

“I thought you’d be engaged to Herwin.”

Lucia’s hands twitched. But she showed no more agitation than that, her eyes wistful.

“…… Is that so?”

“Yes. I don’t know about now, but you’ve had a crush on Herwin for a long time, and even though he’s had his dirty laundry, you and Herwin know each other, and you’ve known each other for a long time, so I figured if you got married, it would be with him.”

After her unintentional public confession at the academy, she never confessed to Herwin in front of other people.

So while people know that Lucia likes Herwin, they don’t know that she has consistently confessed.

And that goes for Lucas as well.

“That’s why I don’t understand. It’s not that Marquis Casper is bad, of course, it’s just that I don’t understand why you would choose to…….”

“I see what you’re saying.”

Lucia interrupted Lucas’ rambling. Lucas looked awkward and waited for Lucia to answer.

“Just to get the facts out of the way. I got dumped.”

Lucas didn’t speak, his eyes slowly widening. Lucia went on before his brows gradually frown.

“I’ve never told anyone else, but I’ve confessed a lot to Herwin.”

“……You’ve confessed? A lot? How much?”

“……More than you realize, brother. Maybe it’s because I’ve confessed so much that he thinks I’ve lost my mind.”

Lucia tried to laugh, but Lucas couldn’t bring himself to join her. No, he couldn’t.

“I only stood up to him because I made a promise to our father. He said he couldn’t stand to see me fall in love with Herwin anymore, so I told him that if Herwin doesn’t accept my confession, I’ll see Bern.”

“That means…….”

Unable to say the latter, Lucas could see the exact reason why Lucia had come to see a date.

“It’s all my choice, and I have no regrets, so don’t blame our father. On the contrary, you should be grateful that he made me such an offer. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have made up my mind about Herwin by now.”

Lucas clenched his fists so tightly that his molars drew blood. He was looking at something other than Lucia.

And it made him feel even scarier than usual. Lucia noticed Lucas’ lowered mood.

“You’re not mad, are you? I’m fine, it’s been a while.”

Lucas looked at Lucia for a moment. She must be the one who will be sad and angry now, but he felt so sorry for her who takes care of himself first.

Lucas closed his eyes tightly and opened them, relaxing his stiff body.

“……Yes, as long as you’re happy.”

“Really?”

“Of course! I didn’t realize it had happened. I actually thought maybe the arrow that was meant for me went to you because I’ve never been engaged?”

Lucia’s eyes widened, unable to believe he would have thought such a thing.

“Oh, no. You’re only two years older than me.”

“That’s because all my friends are engaged, and this time Ares is engaged to a princess.”

“But I don’t think that’s why father recommended me to have a date. You know our dad’s personality. He thinks I’m very pretty.”

“Yes, I know.”

Lucas smirked at Lucia’s joke. No matter how much of a brother fool Lucas was, he couldn’t keep up with John.

“Brother.”

“Huh?”

“Is there someone you like now?”

“Yeah, I have a girlfriend.”

“Really? I thought you broke up last time.”

“This is my new girlfriend, we’ve only been together for two months.”

“Really? Do you like her?”

“I like her because I like her. Otherwise, why would I date her?”

Lucas finally burst out laughing at her repeated questions. Lucia stared at him, her mouth turning bitter.

“I want you to marry someone you really like.”

Lucas sighed, straightening his hunched back. Lucia’s eyes narrowed as she watched him sway within the walls.

“I know I didn’t end up with my favorite person, but I don’t want my brother to be the same.”

“Lucia.”

“Can you promise me that?”

Lucia’s walls seemed to fill with water. But in reality, her eyes were dry.

Lucas clamped his open mouth shut and nodded with a serious expression.

“Okay, I promise. I’ll keep it, but I need you to promise me something.”

“What is it?”

“To always be happy, and to always tell me if something is bothering you. Just keep those two things.”

Normally, Lucas’ concern for her was overwhelming and sometimes annoying, but for once, she felt safe with him.

Lucia hadn’t realized how comforting it was to have someone to lean on.

“……Yes, I’ll try to be happy.”

Lucia and Lucas interlocked their pinky fingers in a promise, each determined to keep their word.