Chapter 40
The day of an important appointment.
As always, Lucia allowed the maids to help her get dressed.
But unlike before, their faces were clouded with worry as they kept glancing nervously at her closed eyes.
No wonder — the reason she was adorning herself so finely today was because she was going on a marriage meeting.
Just a few days ago, they had cheered her on, believing things would work out with Herwin. Now that it had come to this, they couldn’t help but feel conflicted.
Of course, when Lucia had shown up crying, they could more or less guess that something had happened between her and Herwin. But they hadn’t expected she’d be going to a marriage meeting so soon.
“…It’s done, my lady.”
At the maid’s words, Lucia opened her eyes. As expected, the face reflected in the mirror was beautiful.
Whereas last time her makeup had highlighted her cuteness with a fresh and lively style, today her look was more composed and elegant.
Lucia seemed satisfied too, the corners of her lips finally lifting.
“Thank you, the makeup turned out well again.”
“…”
Normally, the maids would have been delighted by their mistress’s praise, but none of them smiled. Her faint smile instead seemed to tremble with sadness.
“Why those faces? Someone might think I’m being dragged off somewhere against my will.”
“But, my lady… to suddenly have a marriage meeting like this, it’s too soon.”
“That’s right, how long has it even been since you broke up with—oh!”
One maid realized her slip and quickly covered her mouth. She glanced fearfully at Lucia, but Lucia only smiled.
“Say it properly. I wasn’t the one who broke it off, I was rejected. We never even dated in the first place.”
“My lady…”
“And don’t blame Father. I was the one who asked to be introduced first.”
Lucia rose from her seat, ready to leave.
“My lady, it’s about time.”
Just then, Aaron appeared. Leaving behind her sighing maids, Lucia went downstairs with Sein.
“Oh? Father.”
As she was about to board the carriage, Lucia noticed Johann standing there, hands folded behind his back.
“So today’s the day of the marriage meeting, isn’t it?”
“Yes, today I’ll be meeting the first candidate.”
“…”
Johann studied her face. Unlike the despair she had been drowning in after her heartbreak, today she looked almost peaceful, as if nothing had ever happened.
But to Johann, that only made her look more worrisome.
It had barely been a week since her rejection. She had harbored feelings for over ten years, so he had expected it would take far longer for her to recover.
She isn’t pushing herself too hard, is she?
He worried that she might be forcing herself to the point of numbness. Though he had much to say, Johann kept his words brief.
“Go see for yourself. If you don’t like any of the four, tell me. I’ll find other candidates.”
“Yes, I’ll do that. It’s nearly time, so I’ll be going now.”
Lucia took Johann’s escort and boarded the carriage.
Even as the carriage pulled away, Johann remained standing there for a long time. Only when the house vanished from view did Lucia turn her gaze forward.
“Haa…”
A sigh slipped from her lips, whether from nerves or fatigue she couldn’t tell.
“Are you nervous?”
Sein, sitting across from her, asked. Lucia forced a smile and shook her head.
“Not really… it just feels strange, realizing I’m really going to get married.”
“You haven’t even gotten engaged yet.”
“Once you’re engaged, marriage follows soon enough. I just hope he isn’t a strange man.”
“…”
Sein looked out the window, then back at her, worried as Johann had been.
“…Are you truly all right now?”
Lucia replied with a vague, thoughtful look.
“Who knows.”
“I’m glad you’re recovering quickly, but I can’t help worrying that you’re pushing yourself too hard.”
Lucia fell silent. She recalled the past three days, when she had been too distraught from heartbreak to even think straight.
She had let herself be swept away by the storm of emotions. But because she had poured out everything, she was able to regain her composure more quickly than expected.
Of course, her feelings for Herwin hadn’t disappeared completely. She had simply let go of her lingering attachment.
Herwin and I were never meant to be.
Just as he said, they were only meant to be friends — that was the limit of their bond.
By admitting what she had subconsciously denied, her mind felt unexpectedly clear. She even felt she could accept calmly if he were to court Arista or any other woman.
“Maybe… it’s thanks to what you told me.”
“…Pardon?”
At Lucia’s muttered words, Sein tilted his head.
“I always gave Herwin my best. That’s why I have no regrets. It just wasn’t something I could achieve, no matter how much effort I put in.”
“…I see.”
“So when we return, make sure to tell the others. Even I can’t bear being looked at with pitying eyes.”
Realizing she meant the maids, Sein nodded firmly.
“Yes, I’ll make sure no such talk continues.”
Sometimes silence was more helpful than a hundred words. Sein’s quiet support at her side gave her strength.
“Thank you, Sein.”
“It’s nothing. I haven’t really done anything.”
Just then, the carriage stopped. Seeing the tea house through the window, Sein straightened her attire.
“My lady, I hope the gentleman will be to your liking.”
“I hope so too. I’ll be back.”
Lucia stepped out and entered the tea house where the meeting was arranged.
Checking the clock, she saw she was about five minutes early. She glanced around, wondering if her partner had arrived already. She had memorized the sketch of his face that had come with the documents.
Could it be him?
At a distance, a man with reddish-brown hair sat alone. He looked similar to the sketch, so Lucia cautiously approached.
“Are you Young Master Simon Dayhard, by any chance?”
The handsome man turned and stood.
“Yes, that’s me.”
“Ah, I thought so. Pleased to meet you, I’m Lucia Agnes.”
They greeted each other somewhat stiffly and sat down.
“You arrived early, though there’s still time.”
“I had business nearby, so I came ahead of schedule.”
Their conversation began with the usual polite, meaningless exchanges. Still, the atmosphere wasn’t bad, and her nerves began to ease.
Not bad.
Simon Dayhard.
The second son of Count Dayhard, and said to be the designated successor of the Count’s trading company.
He was five years older than her, the eldest among the candidates. The age gap lent him a seriousness and composure she hadn’t felt from her peers. His speech, manners, and bearing were all acceptable.
Once the initial awkwardness faded, Simon leaned forward slightly.
“To be honest, I was surprised that House Agnes requested this meeting first. I had heard you had long harbored feelings for someone else.”
The question she had half-expected finally came.
“I heard you’ve admired Lord Herwin Peneus for quite some time. Is that true?”
His gentle voice carried a hidden blade.
Just as she was evaluating him, he too was testing whether she was a suitable partner.
She understood, but the bitterness remained.
It was no secret in society that Lucia liked Herwin. Worse, rumors from the academy had been distorted, making it seem as if she were desperately clinging to him.
It wasn’t the fact that she had liked another man that was the problem — it was the stigma of those rumors. And Herwin wasn’t just anyone, but the heir of the Duke of Peneus.
Simon needed to confirm if he could accept Lucia along with all that gossip.
“…It’s not untrue.”
There was no point lying. At her admission, Simon’s eyes glimmered.
“I see. I suppose I didn’t know the details since I’m older… but…”
Lucia realized too late he had been probing her. Though her composure faltered for a moment, she quickly steadied herself.
If it was something he could easily confirm anyway, it was better to be honest now.
She raised her eyes to study his expression. He rubbed his chin as though pondering, then his lips curled in a smile.
“Well, that’s good. That means I don’t have to hold back.”
“…Excuse me?”
Good? What exactly did he mean by that?
Lucia noticed his demeanor had shifted. Though his appearance hadn’t changed, he suddenly gave off an almost roguish air.
“I should tell you… I already have a lover.”
Lucia’s eyes widened at the unexpected bombshell. Simon smirked.
“But you didn’t come here expecting my love anyway, did you?”
“That may be true, but… I think you owe me a clearer explanation. You can’t just drop such a statement without context.”
“Oh, why so naïve?”
At his mocking tone, Lucia frowned.
“Since neither of us has feelings for the other, why not give each other freedom? You have your entanglement with Lord Peneus, don’t you?”
His words were so outrageous and shameless that Lucia could only gape.
“My lover is a commoner, so marriage is impossible. But I’ve promised to give them my whole heart. That’s why I need a respectable wife in name only. It’s not a bad deal for you either. Realistically, you can’t marry Lord Peneus, can you?”
“…Are you suggesting we marry but live separately, each free to have lovers?”
“Exactly. We’d only hold the title of marriage. Of course, I would still treat you properly as my wife and provide full support.”
Simon spoke proudly, as if he were offering her a wonderful bargain.
For a long moment, Lucia sat frozen in disbelief. Then her face hardened, and she rose from her seat.
“Where are you going?”
“I think it’s best we consider this meeting void.”
As Lucia hurriedly turned to leave, Simon jumped up and grabbed her arm.
“Why suddenly? Don’t you like my proposal?”
Grinding down her seething anger, Lucia looked back at him.
“No. It’s far too rude for me to sit here and listen any longer.”
“…What?”
Simon’s face twisted, but Lucia glared back resolutely.
“I’m looking for a faithful, devoted husband. I have no use for a debauched man.”
“Hah, did you just call me debauched?”
He gave a crooked, irritated smile.
“And you dare say that, of all people—”
“And another thing. You seem to be under some misunderstanding. I merely admired Lord Peneus. I was never his lover, nor anything more. So refrain from such offensive assumptions.”
With that, Lucia yanked her arm free and strode out of the café.
