Chapter 51
“What?”
Before Herwin could even fully process what she was saying, Lucia continued.
“What’s so curious? Whether I go on a matchmaking meeting or get engaged has nothing to do with you.”
Herwin flinched at Lucia’s cold tone, feeling a sudden surge of emotion.
“Nothing to do with me? How can you say that! You’re my…!”
“My… what? You and I are just friends. No matter how close we are, I don’t think it’s right to interfere in each other’s personal matters.”
“That may be true, but… it would’ve been nice if you had at least told me.”
Herwin’s disappointment spilled out, yet in Lucia’s eyes, it wasn’t just disappointment she saw on his face.
Jealousy. And a tangled mix of emotions stemming from it seemed to swirl across his features.
Lucia couldn’t understand him even more. What right did he have… no, why was he reacting this way now…?
‘Because… Herwin likes you.’
Suddenly, Bianca’s words came to mind. She had thought it was a bad joke at the time, but now it seemed it might not have been a joke at all.
“Sorry if I surprised you. But Herwin, even if you had known, I still would’ve gone to the matchmaking meeting.”
Herwin opened his mouth but could make no rebuttal. Lucia was right.
Even if he had known first, what could he have done? Lucia was going to meet someone, find a fiancé—that was the reality.
Yet, something felt lodged in his throat, making him suffocated and restless.
“Then why… to me…?”
Herwin murmured unconsciously and quickly clamped his hand over his mouth.
‘Why did you confess?’
He had a strong premonition that if he asked this question, he would never be able to face Lucia again.
Herwin wrinkled the bridge of his nose. He had been the one to reject her confession, yet to question her matchmaking felt selfish, even to him.
Eventually, when Herwin said nothing, Lucia let out a faint sigh.
“The matchmaking was my parents’ wish. I’ve reached the age for marriage anyway, and someday I have to fulfill my family’s duty by marrying someone.”
Lowering her head, she returned to her usual smile.
“It’s time for us to face reality too, isn’t it? I just came to terms with it a bit faster than others.”
It was the familiar smile he had always seen, yet today it felt unusually bitter. Herwin brushed his dry face with his hand.
“Still… this is too fast.”
Herwin’s expression, contorted as if he might cry, seemed to mirror her own feelings.
Lucia looked at him without a hint of playfulness.
“If you really don’t want me to get engaged, would you like to be my fiancé?”
Herwin’s red eyes wavered aimlessly. Flustered, he couldn’t respond and froze.
It wasn’t surprising—it was exactly the reaction she had expected.
“See? You don’t want that.”
“Lucia.”
“Try officially proposing to the Lydia family. Who knows? Maybe it could work out.”
By now, Lucia’s heart no longer raced. With each word she spoke, the remaining attachment she felt toward Herwin seemed to dissolve a little more.
So she could speak more calmly than she had anticipated.
“You’ve been the man I’ve liked for thirteen years. That’s how attractive you are. Surely Arista will also find your charm appealing, so give it your best. If you miss the timing, someone else might take her.”
She joked to ease the mood, but Herwin didn’t smile at all. His face was stiff.
The awkwardness made her smile even more brightly.
“From now on, let’s really just be close friends. I’m sorry for making things difficult all this time.”
“That means…”
“Lucia! Sorry I’m late. I got a bit lost on the way…”
Before Herwin could respond, Bern appeared, carrying drinks. Apologizing for being late, he stopped in his tracks when he noticed Herwin.
“Prince Peneus? You two were together? Were you in the middle of a conversation?”
“Almost finished.”
Unlike the visibly uncomfortable Herwin, Lucia shook her head and approached Bern. His hair was damp with sweat, strands falling over his forehead, so her excuse about getting lost wasn’t entirely false.
Beads of sweat covered his face, so Lucia took out a handkerchief.
“You must have run. You could’ve taken your time.”
“I couldn’t be leisurely, as I was gone too long.”
Bern’s hands held wine glasses, and Lucia helped wipe his sweat. At first, he seemed flustered, but then bowed slightly to make it easier for her.
“Thank you, Lucia.”
“No problem. It’s nothing. Is this mine?”
Lucia took a wine glass from Bern. The aroma was pleasant.
“I didn’t know the prince was here, so I only brought two glasses. Would you like this one?”
“…No, it’s fine.”
Herwin refused the wine offered by Bern. Bern briefly looked at the rejected glass before slyly sipping it himself.
“Lucia, how’s your ankle? If it still hurts, shall we head home?”
“My foot? Ah…”
Lucia sighed, noticing Herwin’s subtle glance at Bern. She had previously used her sore ankle as an excuse to avoid him, and had forgotten about it by now. Could Herwin have noticed her lie?
She bent her waist awkwardly, feigning pain, and touched her right foot. Both men immediately moved closer.
“Are you okay?”
“Are you alright?”
Their words overlapped. Herwin and Bern looked at each other briefly, then back at Lucia.
“Let’s see. If you twisted it, it needs treatment, or you’ll have trouble later.”
“It’s nothing serious. Just a little stiff.”
Avoiding Herwin’s gaze, Lucia held onto Bern’s arm. He matched her pace and supported her.
“Then the party would be too much. I’ll take you home. Come with me.”
Without a chance for Herwin to intervene, Lucia leaned on Bern. Herwin’s hand, meant to help her, felt embarrassed.
He said nothing, clenching his fists as he watched the two walk away.
“I’ll go now. See you later, Herwin.”
“…Yeah.”
Bern offered a brief farewell, supporting Lucia as they walked away, chatting affectionately.
It was awkward now, but it was a scene he would have to get used to.
Herwin watched Lucia’s retreating back, then looked down at his own hands. He could no longer reach her.
Her words about being true friends—and Bern’s arrival preventing him from asking a final question—kept replaying in his mind.
‘…She doesn’t like me anymore, does she?’
Herwin lifted his lowered head.
“Lucia.”
There was no one left to answer him.
“Lucia is really getting engaged, isn’t she?”
“You saw it yourself. They danced and left together.”
“This is the first time I’ve seen Lucia refuse Herwin.”
While Lucia and Herwin were away, their friends continued talking about her.
It was incomprehensible—she had brought a fiancé, and the situation made no sense. The last time they had gathered, things hadn’t been so bad. What happened in just a month?
“I don’t know anymore. It’s their business; they’ll handle it themselves.”
Ethan ruffled his hair in frustration and gave up.
“I was sure they were dating. Before she introduced Marquis Casper as her fiancé, I wondered if they were acting or something.”
Christine muttered that she was still being deceived. Her misunderstanding wasn’t surprising, considering the pair’s usual behavior.
They always excused everything as being childhood friends, but the chemistry between them often went beyond friendship.
Whenever the two disappeared together, people assumed they were secretly affectionate. When they reappeared, their friends joked that they should either reveal the secret relationship or officially date.
“I never imagined it would turn out like this,” Arista murmured, and the others nodded in agreement.
She patted her arm and looked up, shivering as she noticed someone.
“Hey, do you guys know anything about Lucia?”
Without greeting, Lucas cut straight to the point. He seemed just as confused about Lucia’s situation, his gaze shaking like an earthquake.
Knowing his protective attitude toward his sister, the friends exchanged glances.
“Are you talking about Marquis Casper?”
“Yes, that shameless… hmm, I mean, Lucia’s engagement candidate. I wondered if you, as her close friends, knew anything.”
“We don’t. We just found out today.”
“Yes, we were so surprised to hear about her fiancé,” Brian added. Christine agreed.
Lucas’ eyes narrowed.
“Fiancé?! Who’s the fiancé! They’re not engaged yet!”
“…Really?”
Everyone stepped back at his unexpected anger.
“Shouldn’t you know better than us, since you’re family?”
Ethan asked, and Lucas exhaled deeply.
“Exactly! Why wasn’t I told about something this important? I only found out today! She’s too young to marry, what’s the rush with the parents…”
Lucas clicked his tongue repeatedly, voicing his displeasure.
“Maybe they’re trying to send Lucia off first because you haven’t gotten engaged?”
“What?”
Lucas raised his eyebrows at Brian’s comment, and Christine nodded in agreement.
“That’s possible. She’s only two years younger, so if one marries first, the parents might feel more at ease. Arista said her brother got off the marriage nagging by getting engaged too.”
“Oh? Right. At least it’ll be quiet for a year, I guess.”
Arista replied slightly late.
“Ugh… could it really be that?”
Lucas seriously considered the possibility, folding his arms. Arista, watching him, clenched her fist quietly.
“Looks like he came with a woman today… he’s not involved with her, right?”
“You mean Becky? She’s my girlfriend.”
“Oh, he has a girlfriend.”
“She’s quite beautiful and capable too.”
“Haha, she is indeed very pretty.”
Lucas laughed heartily, in a good mood. Christine asked next:
“Do you plan to get engaged to your girlfriend?”
“Hmm… we haven’t known each other long, so engagement feels too soon. Engagement is serious, so we need to be careful. But if Lucia is being forced into an unwanted engagement because of me, then I need to seriously consider marriage myself.”
Thinking he had caused Lucia harm, Lucas’ smile disappeared.
Seeing his determined expression, Arista clenched her fist silently.
Unlock soon!~