101-75

Chapter 75

Herwin stared helplessly at Lucia as she slowly drifted away.

Just like in his dream, she was already leaving his side. And now, he feared he might never see her again…

“You’re already whining before even starting?”

Arista’s words suddenly came to mind, making Herwin’s hand twitch.

“Are you sure you won’t regret it? If you do nothing and anxiously watch everything slip away, you’ll regret it even more later.”

“Right… I’ll regret it…”

“Now it’s your turn. You need to take the courage first.”

Arista was right. Despite being rejected countless times, Lucia had always tried to approach him. Compared to her, he hadn’t even begun.

No matter how painful her rejections were, no matter how much it hurt to think she might go to another man, he couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.

Clenching his fists, Herwin strode toward Lucia.

Gently grabbing her shoulder to turn her around, he saw her crying.

The fact that he had made her cry filled him with a deep sense of self-loathing. Yet, on the other hand, he felt relieved that she still seemed affected by him.

Herwin held her shoulder firmly and met her eyes.

“What are you… doing?”

“I will never give up on you.”

Seeing the steadfast red in his eyes, Lucia pressed her lips tightly together.

“This time, I’ll wait for you.”

Herwin, unable to take his eyes off her lips, carefully took her hand.

His trembling lips lightly touched the back of her hand.

“I love you, Lucia.”

Herwin’s eyes glistened red, his expression softening.

Lucia, who had been staring blankly at him, twisted her face, pushed him away, and entered the mansion.

Even after she went inside, Herwin couldn’t leave the spot in front of the mansion until the sky grew dark.

“Miss, you’re here? You’re a bit late today…”

Sein greeted Lucia. She passed him by before he could approach.

Startled, Sein turned around and watched her hurriedly walk away.

“Is she crying?”

Her face was too red for it to be just crying.

More than crying…

“She seems embarrassed, though.”

Unsure whether to continue his work or talk to Lucia, Sein decided to step aside.

“Let’s give her some time alone.”

Whatever had happened, she seemed to need her own space.

Meanwhile, Lucia hurried into her room, leaning against the door and collapsing.

“Ha… ha…”

Her heart was pounding so hard it was hard to breathe.

The vivid image of his eyes from her dream wouldn’t leave her mind. It felt as if his breath still lingered on her hand.

Lucia tightly grasped her trembling hand.

“Herwin… he…”

He likes me. The one who had never seen her as anything more than a friend, now likes her.

It was unbelievable, almost impossible to accept, and the racing in her chest brought a creeping anxiety.

The way he had looked at her, the last touch of his hand—nothing seemed false, making her heart waver.

“Ha… haha…”

She couldn’t tell if the laugh was from relief or joy. She could only laugh uncontrollably.

“My confession ended at number ninety-nine…”

She had thought she could never reach a hundred confessions, yet here was Herwin, filling the gap.

After thirteen long years and ninety-nine confessions, having given up on everything, she couldn’t believe Herwin had finally noticed her.

Lucia, dazed by Herwin’s confession, gradually came back to reality and clenched her fists.

“Why… why now…?”

It was true that Herwin’s confession felt like a dream, exhilarating, but it was already too late.

She had promised to be engaged to Bern today. Once the engagement ceremony was over, marriage would soon follow.

Having already promised her future to another man, she could not accept Herwin.

“No, this is much better.”

Herwin was confusing jealousy over losing a close friend with love.

No, it must be a misunderstanding. If it isn’t, it’s far too tragic.

She had finally let go of her feelings for Herwin and prepared to marry another, yet now he came to claim her—it made no sense.

“What should I do…?”

Tears welled up unbidden. Seeing them fall, she rubbed her eyes.

Her feelings for Herwin, the days she had struggled to let him go, and the joy of hearing he liked her—everything collided, leaving her head spinning.

As she silently wept, someone knocked on the door.

Startled, she hastily wiped her tears.

“Uh… a-hem… wh-who is it?”

“Lucia, it’s me. Can I come in for a moment?”

It was Lucas. She had only expected Sein, so she quickly composed herself and sat on the sofa as if nothing had happened.

“Come in.”

The door opened, and Lucas peeked inside.

“I could hear your voice from right outside the door. When did you get there?”

“W-what do you mean? I’ve been here all along.”

“Really? Never mind then.”

Lucas tilted his head in suspicion, and Lucia quickly changed the subject.

“So, what brings you here at this hour?”

“Ah, I… just thought I’d check if everything’s alright…”

But then Lucas stopped as he caught sight of Lucia’s face.

He stiffened and approached her.

“You… cried?”

“…Huh?”

“I asked if you cried.”

She had wiped her tears and caught her breath—how could he know she had cried?

Lucia stammered, unable to answer, causing Lucas to furrow his brow further.

“If I had known, I would’ve just kicked him out…”

Lucas’s murmured words pierced her ears.

Confused, she suddenly remembered Herwin waiting at the front gate.

She wondered why he hadn’t come inside, and now she understood…

“Oppa, did Herwin come here?”

“So you ran into that bastard, huh.”

Lucia jumped at his sudden curse.

“That bastard…! Why would you say that about Herwin! No wonder he didn’t come inside and stayed at the gate! If a guest comes, you should let them in!”

“A guest? Who’s the guest?”

“Oppa!”

Lucia glared at Lucas in shock.

No matter what had happened between her and Herwin, Lucas was also close to him.

She couldn’t believe Lucas would react so sharply toward Herwin.

“Is this because I liked Herwin? Don’t do that! You’re close with him, aren’t you? You’ve always treated him like a younger brother. No matter what happened between us…”

“Lucia, are you defending him?”

“I’m not defending him, it’s just the truth! If you do this, Herwin will get hurt!”

“Hurt? So you expect me to just grin like an idiot and welcome the guy who hurt you?”

“…Oppa.”

Lucas’s cold glare and biting tone were unlike anything she had ever seen. She realized he was truly angry.

“I erased him from my life the moment he rejected you.”

“But when I confessed to Herwin in first grade, you stayed silent.”

After the birthday incident, Lucas had been a little awkward with Herwin but quickly warmed up. So why now…?

“At that time, it was your matter. I thought it wasn’t my place to interfere. I assumed you liked each other and would eventually become a couple. But you said you confessed to him multiple times. That means he knew your feelings and still gave you leeway, right?”

“No. Herwin never did that.”

Lucas raised his voice, clearly frustrated that she kept defending Herwin.

“No, from my eyes, he just played with you. He hurt you in every way and now suddenly shows up…!”

But then he faltered, unable to continue.

“…Anyway! I’ve erased him from my life. I just didn’t want the guy who hurt you to come into our house.”

“Even my parents aren’t fond of Herwin, so now you too… this is my problem with Herwin, not something for you or my parents to meddle in.”

“It’s your matter, but how can we just stay silent?”

Lucia glared at him, realizing talking was futile.

“If you keep saying that, leave my room.”

She stood up and pushed him away, leaving Lucas stunned.

“W-wait, Lucia! Listen to me…”

“No! The more you say that, the guiltier I feel toward Herwin! I don’t even want to see you right now, so leave!”

Bang!

Finally forced out, Lucas stared at the firmly closed door with a sullen expression.

He knocked desperately, pleading for her to listen, but she showed no response.

Sighing, Lucas stared at the solid door.

“She doesn’t even understand my feelings…”

How could it be comfortable for her to chase Herwin away?

Just as Lucia had said, Lucas had considered Herwin like a younger brother. Knowing he had hurt her, he couldn’t help but feel angry.

Ever since learning the reason Lucia attended the matchmaking meeting was due to Herwin’s past actions, Lucas had been unable to sleep.

At that time, he had smiled at her casually but harbored resentment toward Herwin.

If only Herwin had accepted her, she wouldn’t have gone through all that hardship, nor spent nights in tears.

Even if Lucia behaved normally, her family could see her losing vitality day by day.

She didn’t know how many sighs Johann and Julian had let out, worrying when she wasn’t around.

“Of all times, he had to come after she finally made up her mind…”

Seven hours ago, Herwin had visited the mansion.

Only Lucas was home, so he greeted him.

“What brings you here?”

The source of all of Lucia’s troubles—Lucas couldn’t view Herwin kindly.

“I came because there’s something I really want to say to Lucia. Is she here?”

Herwin seemed worse off than the last time Lucas had seen him. He looked desperate, and Lucas narrowed his eyes.

“She’s not here.”

“Really? Then when will she be back…?”

“Before that, you. What business do you have visiting Lucia?”

Completely focused on Lucia, Herwin realized from Lucas’s sharp voice that he viewed him as an enemy.