Chapter 3. Every Day for Four Years
“Aizen!”
Aizen, who had been standing in the chill of dawn, turned at the sound of Roa’s voice calling out to him.
“Is your bed uncomfortable?”
Unlike the daytime when she kept to formalities, she had come down just before bedtime in a relaxed attire, her face filled with concern as she approached him.
“It’s not that.”
Aizen reassured her, seeing how breathless she was from hurrying out.
“Then why are you out here?”
“It just doesn’t feel real.”
Every moment until now, he had endured for this day alone. Now that it had truly come to pass—now that he had stepped into her estate—his heart pounded so fiercely he couldn’t sleep.
“Would you take a walk with me, my lady?”
Aizen extended his hand to her with polite formality. Roa, after a quick glance around, quickly stepped to his side and held his hand. Just as they had in the day, the two of them began to walk together. The garden they had seen earlier in the daylight carried a completely different air at night.
“Being out here secretly at night like this… it reminds me of back then.”
Perhaps because of the night, or perhaps because she was already growing used to it, Roa’s expression and tone felt far more natural than in the day.
“I thought of that night every single day for four years.”
Not once—not even for a moment—had he been able to forget her. Even at the brink of despair, when he wanted to abandon everything, there was only one reason he could steel his will: her.
Unlike his composure in the day, there was now a desperate gleam in his eyes. A cold wind swept between them.
Roa’s most frequent visitor used to be Bellanis. But once Bellanis grew busy after her debutante, the person who visited Roa the most changed.
Since that day, Aizen came to the Clarion estate whenever he had free time. And every time, Roa greeted him with a bright smile. The Clarion family and servants alike quickly realized Aizen’s intentions.
Courtship toward Roa, who was soon to debut. And Roa, without rejecting him, devoted her time to him in return.
Though he was the son of Duke Trone, Aizen had pursued his own dream and become an admirable knight. Because everything about him resembled her second brother Kylon, everyone viewed him favorably.
“Roa.”
When Roa entered the dining hall and picked up her teacup, she turned at the sound of Sheindric calling her.
“What do you think of Sir Aizen?”
The mere mention of “Aizen” from Sheindric’s lips made her face flush bright red.
“W-what do you mean?”
Sheindric laughed at his sister’s reaction—it was far too easy to read.
“It’s obvious why he comes to see you so often.”
“No, he said he wants to serve as my escort knight.”
Roa didn’t bother to bring up what he had told her about wanting to propose. She hadn’t even decided her own feelings yet; she wanted to wait until she did before saying anything.
“Do you really think that’s all?”
Sheindric sipped his tea with a thoughtful hum.
“I like Sir Aizen’s steadfast character very much. Since you, Roa, are free-spirited and reckless, a knight who can watch over you suits you well.”
“I’m not reckless.”
Roa frowned at Sheindric’s teasing, her face full of indignation. He only chuckled and set down his teacup.
“Well, in front of Sir Aizen you act like a proper lady.”
Roa blinked in surprise at a change in herself she hadn’t even realized. Now that she thought about it, she did feel strangely tense in front of him, making it harder to act naturally. Perhaps that had made her seem more dignified.
“A woman naturally becomes ladylike in front of the man she wants to impress.”
Sheindric’s wife chimed in support of his words.
“That’s not true!”
Roa, her ears burning red, hotly denied it, lowering her head—only to catch her own flustered reflection in the tea.
“Anyway, think carefully about it, Roa. What matters most is your decision.”
Sheindric softened his tone to comfort her.
“If it’s a choice that makes you happy, Father won’t oppose it.”
As time passed, Roa’s worries only deepened. The knighting ceremony at Luktia Castle, which he had mentioned, was just a week away. Before that day arrived, there was only one more chance for him to visit the castle. Whether her answer was yes or no, Roa would have to give him a reply then.
On the day of his final visit before the ceremony, Roa took much longer than usual to prepare herself. She fussed over her appearance so long that she even left him waiting outside. When her maid tugged tight the ribbon on her hair, Roa quickly leapt up and dashed down the stairs.
“My lady, please slow down!”
Startled, the servants tried to stop her, but she heard nothing.
“Sir Aizen!”
Breathless from running, Roa still managed to smile before him. Just as Sheindric had said, her natural reckless self slipped out.
“To think my lady would rush out like this to greet me.”
Even after nearly a month without an answer, Aizen still smiled warmly at her. As he drew closer, Roa let go of her skirt hem, which she had been clutching in both hands.
“It pleases me, but you might hurt yourself like that.”
Aizen dropped to one knee before her. Roa, by now, easily extended her pale hand. The light brush of his lips against her hand felt more vivid than usual today.
When he rose, he found himself briefly speechless at the sight of her beauty, more radiant than ever.
“Why? Do I look strange?”
Roa grew self-conscious under his gaze.
“No. You’re so beautiful I found myself staring.”
At his frank words, Roa’s cheeks grew pink and her eyes dropped to the ground.
“…Honestly, Aizen.”
She muttered just loud enough for him to hear.
The air between them soon eased. They walked side by side in the garden as usual, and only then did Aizen notice the red ribbon in her golden hair. It suited her perfectly.
As always, they ended up on the terrace overlooking the courtyard. Maids brought fragrant tea, and the two began their quiet conversation.
“I went back home during my free time. I didn’t want to, but I had to inform my family of the knighting ceremony.”
No matter what he said, Roa couldn’t focus—because he never mentioned his proposal first. He didn’t want to pressure her, so if it was to be brought up, it would have to be by her. But the longer she waited, the more anxious she felt.
“So I brought you a gift, Roa.”
“Huh?”
Lost in thought about what to say, she missed what came before. Aizen produced a small box and offered it to her.
“What is it?”
“Open it.”
Catching only the word “gift,” Roa’s heart pounded as she opened it.
“Oh…”
Inside lay a sparkling ruby pendant necklace.
“I thought it would suit you.”
Aizen had carried that ruby necklace since his very first visit to the Clarion estate. He had held back from giving it right away, fearing it would burden her, and waited until now. The sight of her wearing a red ribbon today gave him courage—his judgment had been right: red suited her.
“It’s so pretty. Are you sure I can accept it?”
“Of course.”
Taking the necklace from her hands, Aizen stood and approached her.
“May I put it on for you?”
Caught off guard by his closeness, Roa panicked.
He just wants to fasten the necklace. Don’t think of anything else.
She couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes—her heart felt like it might burst. Gathering herself, she lifted her hair. Aizen bent down as though embracing her neck, his breath brushing against her cheek. Roa even held her own breath, afraid he might feel it.
Her eyes strayed to his sharp jawline and the masculine curve of his throat as he leaned close. Before he straightened, she quickly looked away.
“It suits you well.”
Aizen returned to his seat, his gaze lingering on the necklace he had clasped around her neck. Or rather, on the soft, pale nape it adorned. The fragrance there was sweeter than any osmanthus. He found it so alluring he wanted to bite it.
Sensing his heated gaze, Roa lifted a hand to toy with the pendant. His eyes followed, now fixed on her fingers.
Next time, he swore, he would place a ring on that hand.
“Um, Aizen.”
Only when she called his name did he lift his eyes to hers.
“Yes?”
Suppressing his surging desire, he answered with a gentle smile. Roa glanced at the nearby maids and, in a voice so soft they couldn’t hear, whispered:
“There’s something I want to tell you when we’re alone. Don’t go to sleep tonight—come to the back garden.”
At her shyly shared secret, Aizen’s lips curved upward of their own accord. He could already guess what it was she wanted to say tonight.
