Chapter 1 – Reunion
I lifted the teacup in front of me.
The man sitting across from me flinched at my small movement.
Watching him react like that made me want to sigh.
I sipped my tea, holding back the sigh that was ready to escape.
This is awkward…
The air between us was full of uncomfortable tension.
It wasn’t just me feeling it. He was also sitting there silently, only sipping his tea.
Is this what blind dates are always like?
I thought back to my past life. But then I realized this wasn’t the same.
Back then, I went to blind dates with a light heart, thinking, I’m lonely, so why not find a boyfriend?
But this was different—it was a meeting for a marriage between noble families.
Here, one wrong word or action could cause problems. That’s why we were both being so careful, and the result was this suffocating awkwardness.
The sound of my teacup touching the saucer pulled me out of my thoughts. I looked at the man in front of me.
“I think I’ve made this meeting boring for you. I’m sorry.”
“No, I’m the one who should apologize. This is my first time in such a meeting too, so I wasn’t sure what to say.”
He was the second son of Count Inklaive.
As I looked at his serious expression, I started thinking hard.
He had a good reputation in society—known for being hardworking in the knights’ order. His only flaw was being too strict and proper. Oh, and his looks… he was plain compared to the flashy nobles in high society.
But… he’s not bad.
I smiled softly while thinking.
I had grown up as a pampered noble lady, doing whatever I wanted—wearing fine clothes, eating the best food.
Because I lived so comfortably, I never dreamed of marrying for love.
I always knew I would repay my family by agreeing to a political marriage.
If he’s this proper, he won’t cheat, and he won’t cause trouble with mistresses.
A marriage with him didn’t seem like a bad idea.
So I gave him my brightest, sweetest smile.
“I was thinking so hard about what to say, but if I looked bored to you, I truly apologize.”
My overly sweet smile seemed to surprise him—his eyes widened, then he smiled warmly back.
It was a smile that matched his warm brown hair and deep brown eyes.
“The knights spoke about you, but their words weren’t enough to describe you.”
What? The knights?
They wouldn’t have said good things about me…
Come to think of it, wasn’t he junior to me in the knights’ order?
“So you looked into me before coming here?”
He looked a little guilty.
“I’m sorry if that bothered you. I didn’t want to make a mistake…”
“It’s fine. I understand—you were being considerate.”
I realized I didn’t know much about him, but he had clearly prepared for this meeting.
“Still, I hope you won’t judge me just by what you’ve heard. As you know, a lady and a knight can seem very different.”
“Of course. From now on, I’ll only remember the version of you I see with my own eyes.”
“Then I’d be grateful.”
I decided I would act even more like the perfect lady from now on.
“But there’s one thing I was glad to learn about you.”
“What is it?”
“That you enjoy horseback riding.”
I widened my eyes and tilted my head slightly, pretending curiosity.
“Would you go riding with me sometime?”
Seeing his smile, I knew my “cute act” was working.
“That’s a wonderful idea, but you’ve missed something.”
“Missed something?”
“Yes.”
Just as I thought, he was honest and straightforward—very different from the cunning people in society.
“We’ve only just met today, and we haven’t even had a meal together yet. The capital has many fine restaurants, but I’ve never been to them.”
His lips and jaw twitched, as if he was holding back a big smile.
“Then would you allow me to take you to dinner? I’ll choose somewhere beautiful.”
Hearing the answer I wanted, I started planning how to lead him on after dinner.
But before I could speak—
“I’m afraid I can’t let you accept his offer.”
The unexpected voice cut me off.
“My sister will be having dinner with me.”
I turned toward the voice, startled.
“Long time no see, sister.”
A tall, broad-shouldered man with black hair and red eyes stepped in from the balcony. His features were sharp, his skin flawless, and he was undeniably handsome.
Someone I had never seen before.
“Who…?”
I stammered. I knew no man like him who called me “sister.”
“Think carefully with that small head of yours. You know me.”
Was he listening to our conversation?
Before I could think further, my hands gripped the armrests of my chair and I pushed myself back—instinctively creating distance.
His smirk deepened, and his red eyes locked on me.
His gaze made my skin prickle.
“After all this time, you greet me like this…”
The cold air around him made my jaw clench.
His smile twisted further.
“Lord Inklaive, tell me—who should I blame for this?”
His eyes moved away from me and toward the man across the table.
Count Inklaive’s son was now stiff with fear, a bead of sweat running down his face.
“I’m sorry, sir.”
“If you’re sorry, then leave. And don’t make this mistake again.”
He bit his lip, stood up, and without another word, bowed to the black-haired man before leaving.
“What was that?”
I muttered without meaning to.
My good meeting had been completely ruined by this stranger.
“And who exactly are you?”
“Lady Relliana.”
“…Yes?”
“You’ve completely forgotten me.”
He unfolded his arms and walked straight toward me.
“Did you lose a lot of weight or get injured? I’m sorry, but I really don’t remember you.”
He only smiled faintly and kept approaching.
“Even if we did know each other, interrupting my meeting like this is still—”
“Have you forgotten?”
I stopped mid-sentence.
It wasn’t because he leaned down so close I could almost feel his breath, or because his hand rested on the table beside me.
It was his eyes.
Those red eyes staring at me.
I knew that gaze.
I had seen that desperate look before.
“Sister.”
A memory flashed—black hair, red eyes, a boy who used to follow me everywhere.
The male lead of this story.
“You…”
“Kashiar!”
At my shout, his eyes softened for the first time.
He released the table and reached out to me.
“Then you remember me?”
In his hand was a strand of my ivory-colored hair. He brought it to his lips and kissed it—like a predator pleased to claim his prize.
