101-63

chapter 63

“Yeah. She’s getting engaged. It’s not confirmed yet, but…”

Herwin trailed off, but that wasn’t what mattered to Henry right now.

“If my sister hadn’t told me today, I would’ve found out only after seeing her get engaged to another man! What are you even doing?!”

Herwin remembered how Henry had especially liked Lucia ever since they were young.

“…Don’t tell me. You still like Lucia?”

“Yes! I do! She’s practically family to me!”

But Henry’s feelings toward Lucia weren’t romantic.

Feeling relieved without realizing it, Herwin let out a small sigh.

“So what is Brother doing? Aren’t you going to stop her?”

But when Henry continued, Herwin lifted his downcast gaze.

“At this rate, she might really go to another man! She’ll get married! And you’re just going to stand there and watch?!”

“…What are you even talking about?”

“What do you mean what? Just go out there and—!”

Henry was yelling, but stopped when he saw Herwin’s confused expression.

Then he recalled what Lucia had told him:

‘Herwin doesn’t like me.’

Henry’s face slowly twisted into disbelief—then shifted into a look of contempt as he stared down at Herwin.

“…Brother. You don’t like my sister?”

Herwin stiffened, then looked away from Henry’s gaze.

“I… like someone else.”

Throb—

Even though he had said it himself, his chest felt strangely heavy. A dull ache spread through his ribs, and Herwin was puzzled.

It was the first time he’d ever said he liked someone.

Henry’s expression cooled over like ice.

“Come to think of it, you’ve never once said you like her…”

Henry muttered quietly. Yes—Herwin had never said he liked Lucia.

But anyone who saw the two of them together didn’t need such words. It was blatantly obvious they cared for each other. That’s why—

“Do you know why I gave up on her?”

After the emptiness came anger. Henry clenched his fists until his knuckles turned pale.

“You didn’t tell her that to her face… right?”

When Herwin couldn’t meet his eyes, Henry instantly knew his guess was correct.

Henry let out a cold, empty laugh.

“You have no idea what it felt like to give up on her, do you?”

Herwin slowly lifted his head.

“I liked her—since we were kids. All the way until now. But I gave up because I thought you two liked each other. If it’s you, she wouldn’t be wasted on you… but I guess I was an idiot.”

“You… said you didn’t like Lucia.”

“Yeah. I was going to give up. But now? I don’t have to. You can go live happily ever after with whoever it is you claim to like. But I’m not going to sit here and watch my sister get engaged to some other guy.”

Henry spat out the cruel words and narrowed his eyes.

‘You said you didn’t like her.’

A faint shadow of despair fell across Herwin’s face.

Anyone could tell it wasn’t the face of someone watching a mere “friend” being taken away. It was the look of someone losing the person he loved.

His feelings were written clearly on his face—yet he didn’t seem to realize them himself.

‘Hmph. Go suffer alone, then.’

The carriage left. Whatever happened next would be his problem to solve.

Henry turned to leave the bewildered Herwin—but paused as something came to mind.

“Do your parents know she’s getting engaged?”

“No.”

“I thought so. If they did, they wouldn’t sit still.”

Henry shook his head. Their parents had been waiting ever since Herwin graduated from the Academy to hear the news of Herwin and Lucia’s engagement.

“They’ll flip when they find out.”

He could already imagine them rushing down to the capital—serves him right.

When Henry finally left, Herwin ruffled his hair in frustration.

“What the hell am I supposed to do…?”

Was he supposed to go to Lucia and ask her to get engaged to him?

‘She doesn’t like me.’

Right—he didn’t like Lucia. The person he liked was Arista.

‘It’s not like she’ll marry me.’

If he rushed into a marriage without loving Lucia, she’d notice instantly and would drift further away from him.

Just the thought of Lucia not looking his way anymore made his chest feel unbearably heavy.

It felt like wandering in a maze with no exit. He had no idea what to do.

In the end, Herwin buried his face in his hands and closed his eyes.
He felt abandoned in a pitch-dark void.

✿✿✿

“Haa… Mother, how long do we have to keep doing this?”

“Oh, hush. We’re just getting started. Please bring more dresses over.”

“Yes, just a moment, Madam.”

Arista had come to pick out clothes, but her mother was the one who seemed the most excited. Arista shook her head.

She’d been feeling restless lately and had shut herself away in the training hall. Her mother had cried that having a daughter felt no different from having none at all, and in the end, Arista had been dragged outside.

She had planned to endure anything her mother wanted for just one day, but regret soon flooded in.

After changing into her fifth dress, Arista glared flatly at her beaming mother.

“Oh my! You’re so beautiful, my daughter! You look like an angel—whose child are you, really?”

“You said that literally five minutes ago.”

“Hoho, did I? Ah! Arista, try this one too. It will look perfect on you.”

Seeing the endless row of dresses hanging on the rack, Arista’s face went pale.

She slowly backed away and grabbed the first excuse she could.

“I need the restroom. Just for a moment.”

“All right. But hurry back.”

The Duchess smiled sweetly—but it was a terrifying smile that meant If you run, you’re dead.

Arista, who had indeed been planning to escape, swallowed and took advantage of her temporary freedom.

“Haa… What time is it?”

She’d only been inside for thirty minutes. Shopping with her mother took a minimum of two hours. Realizing the suffering ahead, Arista sighed deeply.

“…Fine, restroom first.”

Dragging her tired feet, Arista headed toward the restroom. She was walking slowly when she caught a familiar voice.

“Honey, so the Viscountess Lamario used to date that man?”

“I’m telling you, it’s true. Anyone who knew them back then knew about it.”

That deliberately sweet voice—there was no mistaking it. It was Becky, Lucas’s lover.

If Becky was here… was Lucas here too?

Turning toward the voices, Arista followed them to a nearby room.

“Hehe, really? Thank you! You really are the best.”

“Well… if you’re that grateful, how about tonight—”

“Oh, don’t say things like that here.”

Arista frowned instinctively at the vulgar conversation. But then she noticed something strange.

The man speaking with Becky had a completely unfamiliar voice. No matter how Lucas disguised his voice, this tone was entirely different.

No way…

With a frown, Arista pushed open the door to the room.

Becky—who had once glared at Arista from Lucas’s arms—was now giggling in the arms of a man Arista had never seen before.

Arista froze, unable to immediately process what she was seeing.

Becky noticed someone at the door and quickly turned. When she saw Arista, she stiffened.

Meanwhile, the man beside her brazenly looked Arista up and down and cleared his throat.

“Ahem. We have a guest.”

“…Ah. Sorry. Wrong room.”

“No need to apologize. If you’re lost, I can—”

As the man eyed her like a snake sizing up prey, Arista’s expression turned cold and haughty.

“No. You seem to be… enjoying yourselves. Sorry to interrupt.”

When Arista left, the man snorted.

“Pretty face, but awful personality. But you know you’re the prettiest, right?”

Becky, who had been staring at the door Arista had gone through, snapped back to herself.

“Huh? Oh, right. I’m the prettiest.”

“So you’re done asking questions?”

“Yeah. That’s enough. Thanks.”

Becky quickly regained her composure. The man slid his hand along her waist and whispered:

“If you ever need more help, just tell me. But why is young Lady Agnes asking about that guy anyway?”

“Her little sister is getting engaged to Marquis Casper’s son. I guess she wants to know what kind of person he is.”

“Hm. Well, that makes sense.”

When the man asked her to pay attention to him instead, Becky wrapped her arms around his neck with a seductive smile.

Even as she did, she thought of Arista.

She’s not going to tell Lucas… right?

Well, she had only seen Arista once before. Chances were high Arista didn’t remember her.

And Arista hadn’t shown the slightest reaction. She had to have forgotten.

Feeling reassured, Becky erased Arista from her mind.

✿✿✿

“…That’s all the information I found.”

A few days after running into Arista, Becky visited Lucas’ office and reported everything she’d learned.

As he listened, Lucas’s expression hardened—then twisted into a rage Becky had never once seen on him.

Feeling chills, Becky gently took his hand.

“Honey, are you angry?”

“Huh? Ah… no. I was just surprised. Thank you, Becky. If it weren’t for you, I couldn’t have found this out.”

“It’s nothing, really.”

Lucas gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, and Becky giggled sweetly.

“So, what are you going to do now? Are you going to tell your sister?”

“Of course. She doesn’t know any of this. I need to tell her right away. If this breaks the engagement, that would be even better…”

Watching him mutter eagerly, Becky smirked.

So the rumors were true—he really is obsessed with his little sister.

She’d heard plenty of stories before they started dating. His family devotion was so strong it was almost a flaw. She’d been concerned—but he turned out to be a better man than expected.

She couldn’t understand why so many women had dumped him.

A man who supports her, loves her fiercely, and will give her everything? Women who rejected him had to be insane.

Where else would I find a man like this?

She was guaranteed to be the next Countess, and she had a man who would love her completely.

Of course, seeing other men was a separate matter.

Her cheating problem was something she couldn’t control—even she didn’t believe she could ever love only one man.

As long as I hide it well.

Telling the truth would only hurt Lucas more.

A knock sounded.

“Brother, are you inside?”

Arista appeared. Becky, who’d been smiling victoriously, flinched at the sight of her.

Arista, too, paused at the sight of Becky, then quickly looked away.

“Arista? What brings you here?”

“I need something checked. Can you take a look?”

“Sure. Let me see…”

While Lucas reviewed the document Arista handed him, Becky bit her lip, unable to hide her anxiety.

…Does she remember me?

Becky couldn’t take her eyes off Arista—but Arista didn’t spare her even one glance.

“I’ll handle this separately. Good job.”

“Okay. I’ll get going then.”

“Take care.”

To Becky’s relief, Arista said nothing about that day.

…She really doesn’t remember.

Becky exhaled in relief.

“Becky, are you okay? You look pale.”

“Me? I’m fine! When will you be done with work?”

“Hm… might take a bit. Just wait for me, and I’ll finish quickly.”

“Really? Then I’ll trust you!”

Kyaahaha—

Listening to the laughter coming from the office, Arista stared at the closed door.

After a long, cold silence, she let out a small, cynical laugh and walked away.