Chapter 6~
“Looks like you don’t have much of an appetite. Let’s leave it at that.”
Theros wiped his mouth with a napkin and stood up.
“Where are you going?”
Cecilia looked up at him, her eyes still brimming with tears.
“To one of Hasblue’s famous spots.”
“Where is that?”
Cecilia quickly wiped the tears falling down her cheeks so Theros wouldn’t see them and stood up. Beyond her complicated feelings, she had now reached the point of simply letting things happen as they would.
“It’s hard to explain. You’ll see when we get there.”
Theros stepped behind her as she rose and pulled her chair aside. Startled by his sudden closeness, Cecilia stiffened, and his low voice brushed past her ear.
“You’ll soon become the lady of Hasblue. It’s better to see it in advance.”
Ah… I’ve never even been in a proper relationship, and now it’s an arranged marriage. I wanted my first love to be with someone I truly liked.
A quiet sigh built up inside Cecilia.
When they stepped out into the garden in front of the mansion, the butler was waiting with two horses—a magnificent black one and a smaller white one.
Both were well-groomed, their coats shining smoothly.
“How beautiful…”
Having always loved animals, Cecilia naturally approached the pure white horse and gently stroked its mane.
“If you like it, I’ll give it to you.”
“What? That’s too extravagant a gift!”
Startled, Cecilia quickly withdrew her hand.
“It’s not excessive. If you’re going to marry into this place anyway, you’ll need a horse to ride. Do you know how to ride?”
As if it were nothing, Theros brought up the marriage again and shifted the conversation before Cecilia could protest.
“I can ride, though not very fast.”
“That’s good. Let’s each ride our own horse today.”
Theros placed a hand on her waist and helped her onto the saddle.
The two horses left the mansion, climbed a quiet hillside path, and eventually entered a forest road thick with trees.
Cecilia’s thoughts raced.
Even if I strongly oppose the marriage now, it won’t work on Theros. I should pretend to consider his proposal, stall for time, and then refuse.
And…
‘I just have to hold out like this for six months.’
If she rejected him outright, it would only make him more stubborn. Better to drag things out as if she might accept.
Once the drug wore off, Theros would return to normal.
“Sir Theros, please delay sending the proposal letter for a month.”
“Why?”
“My father is away for a month. Even if you send it now, he won’t be able to read it.”
“I see. That’s a reasonable explanation.”
Good! The proposal will come in a month, and then I can persuade Father to delay his approval.
“Then during that month, we should prepare in advance.”
“Prepare what?”
“When proposing, it’s only proper to send gifts along with it. We should visit the finest dressmakers and jewelers. Since it has to suit your taste, you’ll need to come with me.”
“No! I can’t start preparing for a wedding without my father’s permission!”
Her reflexive protest made Theros narrow his eyes as he stared at her. His gaze, trying to read her thoughts, was dark and cold, impossible to decipher.
Fearing he might see through her intentions, Cecilia turned her head away.
After a moment, as if he had understood everything, Theros spoke firmly.
“Cecilia, your father’s permission isn’t important. Once I’ve decided, this marriage is set. I’m only trying to avoid offending him if possible.”
His icy words silenced her, and only the sound of hooves crunching leaves filled the quiet forest.
They continued down the narrow path in silence.
At some point, the path widened, and soon a vast lake shimmering under the sunlight came into view.
“Wow…”
The breathtaking sight made Cecilia forget her discomfort and gasp in admiration.
The lake’s surface shimmered in different colors depending on its depth, creating a mysterious atmosphere.
“Judging by your reaction, you like this lake.”
Though he was gauging her feelings, Theros himself looked even more satisfied.
He untied a small boat by the shore, helped Cecilia aboard, and began rowing toward the center.
The creaking of the oars and the gentle splashing of water filled the forest’s stillness.
Cecilia sat mesmerized, watching the lake’s surface constantly shifting in color.
“I’ve never seen a lake this beautiful.”
“The people who’ve lived in Hasblue for a long time call this place ‘Daphne’s Lake.’ They say a fairy named Daphne lives here. Recently, there have even been people claiming to have seen her. They say you should come with others so you don’t get enchanted.”
“That makes it sound a bit scary…”
A chill ran down Cecilia’s arms.
“You believe such stories? I’ve come here alone many times and never seen any fairy. Some say it was a legend made up by a former lord to keep the view all to himself.”
Cecilia couldn’t take her eyes off the shimmering water.
Even though she could have looked at the surrounding forest or the wide sky, her attention remained fixed on the lake—its colors and the deep shadows lurking beneath.
She carefully reached down and touched the water.
As she leaned a little further over the edge, Theros suddenly grabbed her shoulder and pulled her upright.
“I told you not to worry, but don’t be careless. It’s dangerous to lean too far.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize…”
“When you become the lady of Hasblue, this lake will be yours too. It wouldn’t be bad to come here together from time to time.”
At his constant reminders of marriage, Cecilia’s shoulders slumped.
She couldn’t understand a man who pushed ahead with marriage regardless of her will. His cold expression and tone didn’t feel like love—only a strange obsession to keep her by his side.
Come to think of it, he had asked her to marry him earlier, but never once expressed his feelings.
‘From the outside, it doesn’t even seem like he likes me.’
As she grumbled inwardly, she recalled something Hadel had said:
[“There are many ways to express interest.”]
Is possessiveness his way of loving? Keeping a woman he’s interested in by his side no matter what?
The thought sent a chill down her spine.
At that moment, she saw her reflection on the lake’s surface.
Her lips were pouting, her brows lowered—she looked unmistakably sullen.
But as she stared, something felt off.
The features were hers, but the atmosphere felt… different.
Curious, she leaned closer again.
Though she remembered Theros’s warning, she couldn’t resist. Something beneath the surface—something beyond logic—was pulling her in.
The more she leaned, the more her gaze dulled, as if entranced.
Then—
She froze.
The face in the water was no longer hers.
Instead, she saw a strange woman with flowing red hair staring back at her.
[“They say a fairy named Daphne lives in this lake… and people have seen her.”]
‘Daphne?’
A scream caught in her throat.
As she finally let out a sound, Theros turned toward her—
And at that same moment, something yanked her violently.
Splash!
She was dragged into the lake.
‘Something is definitely pulling me down!’
She struggled desperately, but only sank deeper.
Bubbles escaped from her nose and mouth. Icy water flooded in, tearing at her throat.
Looking up, she saw the underside of the boat wavering above her.
Pain gave way to numbness, and her eyes kept closing.
A dull, echoing sound filled her ears, like nothing from this world.
As her consciousness faded, she felt a rough force suddenly pulling her upward.
She dreamed briefly.
Warm summer sunlight bathed her skin. The scent of grass tickled her nose. A gentle breeze brushed her lips, breathing warmth into her.
Cecilia, floating in that hazy dream, frowned as someone called her name insistently.
As she woke, the warmth vanished, replaced by chilling cold and sharp pain in her lungs.
“Cecilia! Cecilia!”
‘You’re too loud… stop calling me…’
Smack!
A sharp sting spread across her cheek.
‘Did he just hit me?’
She wanted to get up and protest, but she couldn’t even open her eyes—her breath was completely blocked.
Then she felt her tight dress loosen.
Cough!
Water poured out of her mouth as she finally regained consciousness.
She was lying in the boat, and right before her was Theros, looking down at her with relief.
His face was a strange mix of worry, relief, shock, and joy.
It was the first time she had seen such an expression on him.
‘He can make that kind of face?’
The rigid ice mask he had worn at the engagement ceremony was gone—completely shattered the moment she fell into the water.
All the emotions he had carefully hidden behind that cold expression were now laid bare.
[“Sir Theros has already fallen for you.”]
Hadel had been right.
The heavy weight of his feelings hit her all at once, leaving Cecilia feeling both guilty and flustered.
Theros gently touched the cheek he had slapped, as if handling something fragile.
“Are you conscious? Please… say something.”
Unable to face what she believed to be fake feelings caused by the drug, Cecilia tightly shut her eyes and turned her head away.
