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chapter 62
Ding–
“Thank you for visiting!”
After finishing her errand, Lucia stepped outside. It was the start of summer, and the sunlight felt warm and pleasant.
Right after the tea party ended, Lucia stopped by a flower shop nearby to pick out flowers for Bern’s mother, Tiana.
She’d heard Tiana liked hydrangeas, so Lucia ordered a bouquet mixed with white and blue hydrangeas and arranged for it to be delivered to her residence.
She had originally hoped to send them before lunchtime, but the tea party had taken longer than expected, so she was later than planned.
“Well, it’s still within the day, so it should be fine… right?”
Bern had insisted she didn’t need to worry so much, so Lucia decided not to prepare anything more. Honestly, it was a bit strange to give a future mother-in-law birthday gifts when she wasn’t even officially engaged yet.
“Come to think of it, this is…”
Lucia, who had been heading toward the carriage storage, paused and looked around.
She had rushed in without paying attention, but realized this was Terban Street.
The avenue right next to the Imperial Academy. She used to visit often when she attended school.
“It really has been a long time.”
It had been nearly three years since she graduated. Many parts of the street looked different now.
Feeling nostalgic, Lucia strolled along. Then she spotted a cake shop she used to visit often and headed toward it.
It looked even more popular than before—customers were packed inside.
“Well, since I’m here anyway, maybe I should buy one.”
Lucia joined the end of the line, peering through the shop window.
Kyahaha—
Up ahead, girls who looked like Academy students were laughing over some funny story.
Back then, the main topic among students was romance—crushes, rumors, breakups—there was always something dramatic happening.
Adults aren’t all that different, I guess…
It reminded her too much of the tea party conversations, leaving her with a strange feeling.
“Kyaaa! Look over there!”
“No way! I can’t believe we’re seeing him here!”
“So jealous! I want to talk to him too!”
Hearing the girls squealing behind her, Lucia tilted her head in confusion. It seemed their fuss was directed toward someone in the front.
A crowd of girls surrounded three young men.
At first, Lucia assumed they were all one group, but the girls seemed to be the only ones clinging on.
“Must be someone popular.”
Curious, Lucia tiptoed to get a better look.
But she was too short—she couldn’t see their faces properly.
Then, she spotted black hair sticking out above the crowd.
“…Henry?”
A head of black hair, gentle features, and distinct red eyes—Lucia unconsciously muttered the name.
As if he heard her, the young man snapped his head up and searched around. His red eyes met Lucia’s blue ones.
“…Lucia noona?”
It really was Henry. Lucia waved slightly.
The girls around him began whispering, asking who she was.
“Why? You know her?”
“Yeah. You guys eat without me.”
Henry brushed off his friends and walked straight toward Lucia. Everyone parted when he smiled brightly.
“Oh my god! Noona! It’s been forever!”
Overcome with joy, Henry pulled Lucia into a big hug. Lucia, suddenly pressed against his chest, stared up in surprise.
“What are you doing all the way here? Your house is far from here!”
“I had something nearby. But look at you…”
Lucia slowly scanned him from bottom to top. Henry tilted his head with a smile.
“When did you get this tall? You weren’t this tall last year!”
“Really? I didn’t notice.”
“You look about the same height as Herwin.”
“We’re pretty close. He’s still a little taller though.”
“Wow… I can’t believe the little kid who followed me around calling me ‘noona’ is this big.”
Lucia laughed, remembering his childhood.
“Do you remember? When you were little you went around telling everyone we’d get married.”
“Ah! Noona! That was ages ago!”
Embarrassed, Henry raised his voice. But when he looked down and realized Lucia was now small enough to fit snugly in his arms, his ears turned red.
“It’s still valid, though…”
“Huh? What did you say?”
He muttered under his breath, and when Lucia stared up at him with a clear expression, he coughed awkwardly.
“It’s nothing. Ahem! So you came here for something? Are you done now?”
“Yeah. I finished and was heading back, but I realized this was Terban Street. Since I haven’t visited since graduation, I thought I’d stroll a bit—and pick up a cake while I’m here.”
While they talked, Lucia’s turn in line came.
“Henry, do you want something? I’ll buy it for you.”
“What? No, no. I should treat you.”
“This is when you use ‘noona privilege.’ Pick whatever you want.”
Knowing Lucia wouldn’t back down, Henry reluctantly ordered.
“Please wait just a moment.”
After paying, Lucia handed the cake box to Henry.
“…Thanks. I’ll enjoy it.”
“Sure, eat well.”
Lucia instinctively reached up to pat Henry’s head like she used to, but stopped when she realized his head was way above her reach. Sensing what she wanted, Henry bent down slightly.
She patted his hair and Henry smiled brightly—exactly like when he was young. Lucia froze for a moment.
“Herwin should learn from you. He’s way too stiff.”
“Hey, trust me. Compared to how he is normally, he’s way more relaxed around you.”
“Huh? Really?”
“Yeah. Doesn’t he smile at you sometimes?”
Lucia recalled Herwin’s rare smiles and nodded reluctantly.
“I… guess?”
“See? At home he NEVER smiles. Mom even complains she must have given birth to a soulless ice block.”
She wondered if he was really that expressionless—but she had seen him joke around in front of friends, so maybe she wasn’t special.
“But one day, when he’s with someone he really likes, I bet he’ll smile wide.”
At that, Henry frowned slightly.
“That’s what I’m saying. He smiles around you.”
“…Are you saying Herwin likes me?”
“Doesn’t he?”
Lucia let out a short, bitter laugh and shook her head. Henry looked confused.
“No way. Herwin doesn’t like me.”
“What? That makes no—”
“It’s true. He doesn’t like me. And he smiles around other friends too, not just me.”
With every word she said, Henry’s face hardened.
“So if you’re saying this, I guess Herwin didn’t tell you yet?”
“Tell me what?”
“I’m getting engaged.”
Henry’s eyes widened instantly.
“You’re… getting engaged?”
“Yes. To Marquis Casper. I bought flowers earlier for his mother.”
Henry opened and closed his mouth in shock.
“…And my brother just sat and watched that happen?”
“Why do you keep bringing up Herwin?”
“Because he—!”
He cut himself short. Lucia’s expression looked too bitter.
“I’ll invite you to the engagement. You’ll come, right?”
“…Yeah.”
Displeasure was written all over Henry’s face. Lucia gave him a small, helpless smile and patted his shoulder.
“Don’t be upset. I thought Herwin would’ve told you.”
“…I haven’t been home a while, so I didn’t know. When was this decided?”
“About two months ago.”
“Two months—and that bastard didn’t—”
The low curse made Lucia flinch. Was this really the angelic Henry she knew?
The way he silently gritted his teeth reminded her so much of Herwin.
Herwin…
Five days ago, when he escorted her home, his reaction made it clear—he didn’t like her.
But why does Bianca think so… and Henry too? Why does everyone think Herwin likes me?
She’d always been rejected by him.
“Oh! Look at the time. Henry, I should go.”
It was already past four—Lucia hurried to leave.
“I’ll walk you to the carriage.”
“It’s fine. Your friends are waiting. It’s the weekend—you should have fun with them.”
Lucia waved and refused. As she walked away, Henry’s smile disappeared.
“Henry, do you know her?”
Seeing him part with Lucia, his friends approached. But seeing the cold expression on his face, they shrank back.
“W-Why are you suddenly mad?”
“You two looked close… or did you not like her?”
“That’s not it.”
“…I mean, you were smiling wider than ever.”
“I’ve never seen you grin like that!”
Lucia had said Herwin should learn from Henry—but she didn’t know anything.
Henry only showed warmth to his family and to Lucia. Scarlett once said the two brothers were terrifyingly similar.
His friends kept chatting nervously, but Henry stared at the disappearing figure of Lucia with a hardened face.
“That idiot…!”
He kicked the ground angrily. His friends flinched back.
“That wasn’t directed at us, right…?”
“Hey! Where are you going?!”
Henry suddenly took off.
“Home for a bit. You guys go back to the Academy. I’ve got business.”
Leaving his friends behind, Henry headed to the mansion.
“Master Henry? What brings you home at this hour?”
Jerome, who was at the estate, greeted him.
“Is my brother home?”
“Yes. He’s in the study—wait! Young master!”
Before Jerome could stop him, Henry marched straight there.
He didn’t know that Herwin had been in a terrible mood for days. But Henry looked just as furious.
Fearing something serious might happen, Jerome rushed after him.
Bang!
“Herwin!”
Henry burst into the study, slamming the door open.
Herwin, who had been lying on the sofa resting, slowly sat up.
“Henry? What are you doing here—”
“Lucia noona is getting engaged?!”
Before any greeting, the words exploded out. Herwin flinched and scowled.
“You barged in without knocking just to say that?”
“Why didn’t you tell me?! If she hadn’t told me, were you never going to say anything?!”
“You met Lucia?”
“Answer me!”
Seeing his younger brother seething with anger, Herwin let out a quiet sigh.
