Chapter 1

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 1

Chapter Title: 101st Confession

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Under a clear blue sky where clouds drifted lazily, and with sunlight pouring down brightly, the weather was splendid.

In a secluded corner of a grand mansion where few people passed through, a young man and woman stood facing each other.

The man was tall and striking, with silky black hair that fell smoothly like fine silk and eyes a deep crimson darker than blood.

He was the kind of man who could catch anyone's eye as they passed by, leaning casually against the building wall as he looked down at the woman before him.

Standing awkwardly in front of this man, who seemed to exude a chill, was a petite and dainty young woman fidgeting with her hands.

She wasn't a breathtaking beauty that would make heads spin like the man before her, but she was quite lovely in her own right. Her deep brown hair resembled the color of rich wood, and her eyes were a vivid blue like the bright sky on a sunny day—a cute young woman.

Her face flushed bright red, she squeezed her eyes shut and mustered all her courage to confess to the man before her.

"Herwin! I like you! Go out with me!"

"I refuse."

Without even a second's hesitation, the man called Herwin rejected the woman's confession coldly.

Herwin let out a breath tinged with annoyance as he ran a hand through his hair, pushing it back.

"Lucia, how many times is this now? Don't you ever get tired of it?"

For a rejection, his tone carried a surprising familiarity.

Lucia cautiously opened her eyes, unable to hide her burning cheeks, and gave an awkward smile.

"Heh... 98th time."

"You never give up, even knowing my answer's always the same. You're something else."

Herwin shook his head as if the whole situation was wearing on him.

In what could have been an utterly embarrassing moment, all Lucia could do was laugh like a fool with a silly "Hehe."

Glancing at her briefly, Herwin sighed again and pushed off from the wall.

"At this point, most people would give up. Do you like me that much? Even when I never accept your confessions?"

After a moment of silence, Lucia's eyes curved into a smile.

"Yeah, it'd be great if you accepted, but if that's not possible, I still want to let you know how I feel like this. At least I'm not confessing in front of everyone, right?"

"Ugh, just try pulling another public confession like on your 16th birthday. I'll avoid you for a whole month."

"No way!"

Lucia responded firmly in a playful tone to Herwin's lighthearted warning.

"I'm doing this because I want to. Don't feel burdened."

For a 21-year-old adult, her words were disarmingly pure.

That innocence felt like too much pressure, and Herwin furrowed his brow.

"...Lucia Agnes. I like Arista."

"........."

Herwin stated plainly the name of the woman he held in his heart. Even as he spoke, he glanced at Lucia, clearly concerned about her reaction.

A shadow of sadness flickered across Lucia's blue eyes.

"...I know that."

"Haa..."

Herwin took a deep breath to ease his frustration and stole another glance at her.

"Let's go. If we stay longer, the others will get the wrong idea."

"Can't have that. Let's hurry!"

Lucia snapped back to her usual cheerful self, flashing her bright smile as always.

Relieved by her demeanor, Herwin followed behind as she walked ahead.

For a woman who'd just confessed and been firmly rejected, and a man who'd rejected her without a hint of hesitation, their parting seemed oddly casual.

The bizarre atmosphere dissipated as the two left the spot.

Only a deep shadow lingered in the now-empty space.

"Oh, there they come."

"You were together. We were just about to go looking for you since you'd been gone so long."

"What? What? Were you two having a secret rendezvous?"

As Herwin and Lucia reappeared together at the social gathering among close friends of both genders, people tossed teasing jokes their way.

Herwin frowned and swatted away Ethan's poking finger from his side with an irritated hand.

"It's not like that, so don't say weird stuff."

"But come on, of all people, it was Lucia. Lucia!"

Ethan waggled his eyebrows with a smug, knowing grin.

"How many years has Lucia been into you? Isn't it about time you gave in?"

Ethan prodded Herwin again.

Herwin's crimson eyes narrowed coldly as he looked down at Ethan imperiously.

Meeting that murderous glare head-on, Ethan froze with a dumb expression, sweat trickling down his face.

Shut your mouth.

His red eyes seemed to say it clearly, even without words.

Perfectly understanding the unspoken command, Ethan clammed up and backed off.

"Ethan's not entirely wrong, though. Everyone knows Lucia likes you."

This time, Brian, who had been quietly sipping his tea, spoke up.

As he swept his long hair back, the nearby maids squealed and melted into puddles.

Brian, annoying in a different way from Ethan, started getting on Herwin's nerves.

"You, shut your mouth."

Herwin warned through gritted teeth, but Brian just shrugged nonchalantly, refusing to back down like Ethan.

Herwin found Brian's slippery evasiveness utterly infuriating.

His fists trembled, and a thick vein bulged on his forehead.

"Honestly, with Lucia right here, how can you say such things? Lucia, just ignore them."

Christine, who had been silent despite Lucia's presence, finally spoke up as the others kept treating her like she wasn't there and mentioning her name.

"Thanks for looking out for me, Christine. But I'm fine, really."

Lucia calmed Christine and took her seat.

"So, where did you two disappear to?"

The one who spoke now was Arista, the very woman Herwin had openly admitted to liking.

She was a beauty so divine it made perfect sense why Herwin harbored feelings for her, like a goddess descended to earth.

Her light golden hair fluttered gently in the breeze, each strand like fine gold thread meticulously woven by the gods themselves, and beneath her long lashes lay enigmatic purple eyes.

Lucia waved her hand with a laugh.

"No, we just happened to run into each other on the way."

"Yeah, nothing happened, so don't misunderstand, Arista."

Herwin added to Lucia's words.

Arista tilted her head curiously before shrugging it off.

"If you say so, then that's that."

With the suspicion brushed aside harmlessly, Herwin let out a quiet sigh of relief where no one could see.

He slipped into the seat between Lucia and Arista.

Conversation flowed around the round table.

Exchanging light, trivial banter, Lucia burst into loud laughter.

Her fresh, vitamin-packed laugh lit up the group, but she stole a sidelong glance without anyone noticing.

Herwin seemed to be enjoying the chat too, a smile on his face.

The usually cold man was wearing such a warm smile now.

And that smile was directed not to the woman on his left, Lucia, but to the one on his right—Arista.

Lucia trembled for a moment before hiding her hands under the tablecloth, clasping them tightly together.

Arista let out a hearty laugh at Ethan's silly joke.

There was something captivating about how she laughed so freely without losing her noble grace.

Even Lucia, a woman herself, couldn't help but be drawn to her—how much more so for Herwin, who liked her?

Throb—throb—

Lucia felt a dull ache building in her chest.

The familiar discord felt especially grating today.

For a fleeting moment, she wished Herwin would turn his head her way, just a little, and let his eyes rest on her.

As if that would ever happen.

Sensing how futile her wish was, Lucia shook her head vigorously.

She couldn't ruin a rare gathering with old friends.

Determined to enjoy the moment, she ignored the drilling pain in her heart.

She blended seamlessly into the laughter around her.

No one suspected she was lost in other thoughts—it was perfect harmony.

"Haa... That was fun today."

The gathering ended late, so Lucia didn't make it home until night had fully fallen.

Even after a good time, fatigue was inevitable. Rubbing her sore shoulders, she handed her outer coat to the maids.

"Young Lady, you've returned?"

At that moment, an elderly gentleman with neatly combed-back white hair approached. It was Aaron, the Head Butler. Lucia smiled warmly.

"Yeah, did I come back too late?"

"Not at all. You were just catching up with old friends after so long."

"Hehe, thanks for understanding."

"The Count is looking for you, Young Lady."

Aaron got to the point. Lucia, who had been heading to her room, whipped around in surprise.

"At this hour?"

She wondered if he was going to scold her for coming home late.

"Shall I escort you to the Count right away?"

Aaron tactfully gave her an easy out, and she nodded.

"Yes, please."

Following Aaron led her to the tea room where the Count and Countess often enjoyed their tea.

Expecting the study, Lucia tilted her head but stepped inside as Aaron opened the door.

"...Mother's here too?"

In the tea room were Lucia's father, Yohan, and her mother, Julian.

They welcomed their somewhat reluctant daughter.

"You're finally here. Did you have a good time with your friends?"

"Yeah... sort of. But what are you both doing here so late? Were you waiting for me?"

As Lucia sat beside Julian and took her hand, Yohan quietly set down his teacup.

Seeing his deep blue eyes shift from their usual gentleness to the stern gaze of the family head, Lucia instinctively straightened her back.

"We were waiting because we have something to discuss."

"...What is it?"

Unsure what serious matter required such gravity, Lucia swallowed nervously.

"You're 21 now, aren't you? You've been of marriageable age for a while."

Her body stiffened at the word "marriage."

"We knew you liked the Young Lord Peneus, so we've waited until now, but it's time to stop."

"You don't mean..."

"Meet a suitor, Lucia."

Her blue eyes, identical to Yohan's, slowly widened.