Chapter 2

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 2

Chapter Title: 2화

-----------------------------------------------------------------

```html

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 2

Chapter Title: Herwin's Sunflower

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Lucia Agnes.

She was the eldest daughter among the one son and one daughter of the Agnes Count House, a family of some renown in the Peros Empire—a precious gem in the Agnes lineage, where only sons had been born down through the generations.

Raised with unwavering love and affection from her grandfather, her parents, and her brother two years her senior, she was truly a lovable young woman.

Herwin Peneus.

The eldest son of the second son in the northern ducal house—one of the empire's four great ducal families, positioned at the forefront of the front lines.

He boasted not only an illustrious family background and striking good looks but also swordsmanship skills so exceptional that he would soon reach the realm of Sword Master.

He was the sort of man any woman might have dreamed of at least once.

Lucia was one of countless women who harbored feelings for Herwin, but she had one unique trait.

For over thirteen years, she had loved only him in unrequited silence.

The Peneus and Agnes houses had shared ties since time immemorial, maintaining active exchanges even to this day.

In short, Lucia and Herwin could be called childhood friends.

Lucia had fallen for Herwin at the tender age of eight, fixating on him alone like a sunflower forever chasing the blazing sun.

At first, no one knew of Lucia's affection for Herwin.

But after a certain incident, her feelings became public knowledge. When it emerged that her crush had lasted far longer than anyone imagined, high society dubbed her "Herwin's Sunflower."

It would have been wonderful if Herwin returned her feelings in kind, but sadly, he saw her as nothing more than a friend.

And so, thirteen years slipped by with no progress between them.

Most nobles entered engagements or marriages upon reaching the marriageable age of nineteen.

Yet Lucia was now twenty-one. Her family could not cheer on her love indefinitely.

After much deliberation, Yohan and Julian resolved to arrange an engagement for her.

"A match, then..."

Lucia steadied her quivering lips and forced the words out.

"It's time for suitors. We can wait no longer for you."

Lucia raised her bowed head to gaze at Yohan seated across from her.

His blue eyes held unyielding resolve. Sensing his sincerity, she clutched the hem of her skirt.

"...How long have you been planning this?"

"We've thought on it for years now. I hoped you'd let go of Young Lord Peneus on your own, but that doesn't seem likely."

"......"

At a loss for words, Lucia fell silent.

She knew her position all too well. Born a noble, she had a duty to marry into another house for her family's sake.

"I've picked out some fine young masters from respectable families for you."

Yohan, preparations complete, set four documents on the table.

"Each one is outstanding without exception. Houses that would pair perfectly with our Agnes Count House."

It was clear Yohan had put real thought into it.

Typically, families pushed daughters toward men a decade older for alliances, yet none here exceeded a five-year gap with Lucia.

"I'll set up meetings with them. Keep that in mind."

"...You've already made up your minds."

Lucia's opinion held no weight in this engagement.

She had anticipated it someday, but its swift arrival left a bitter taste.

As their bright-spirited daughter wilted, Julian—holding her hand—and even Yohan watched her closely.

With such a cherished daughter, their resolve softened inevitably.

"We're not sending you tomorrow. Take time to gather yourself first."

"...No, Mother. It's time I ended this crush."

Lucia mustered a smile, but its strain tugged at their hearts.

Julian hesitated to comfort her, silenced by Yohan's firm gaze, her lips merely parting.

"I understand your wishes, Father, Mother. I'll do my duty as a daughter of Agnes."

Surprisingly, Lucia accepted the matches readily.

"But grant me just a little time."

"How much?"

"Well..."

A cryptic reply.

She asked for time yet seemed unsure herself.

"Just this once—truly the very last time—until I confess to Herwin..."

The room fell deathly quiet.

Julian stroked her daughter's back with pity; Yohan sighed wearily.

Knowing her parents' views, Lucia still couldn't release her attachment to Herwin.

"If Herwin accepts me by some miracle, may I become engaged to him?"

"If it's the man you love, we'd rejoice. But should Young Lord Peneus refuse—as he will—you'll meet the suitors without protest. Clear?"

Where Lucia clung to hope, Yohan was brutally pragmatic.

Even such wounding certainty drew only a calm nod from her.

"Yes. I will."

Their beloved daughter—so dear they could poke her eyes out unharmed—yielded without defiance, tearing at Yohan's heart.

"...Very well. You must be exhausted from your outing. Go rest."

"Yes, then. Good night."

Lucia planted light kisses on their cheeks and departed quietly.

Long after the door shut, they stared at it before turning to each other.

"Were we too abrupt? We should have eased her into it..."

"You know we've given her chances for years. You agreed too. No turning back now."

"True, but..."

"...Julian, come here."

Julian approached, eyes downcast. Yohan pulled his troubled wife into a tight embrace.

"It'll be fine. Everything will work out. Ours was arranged too, yet here we are."

"Meeting you was pure luck. But for our daughter to have that same fortune..."

Noble marriages.

Arranged ones especially ignored the couple's wishes, forging house-to-house bonds—so most fared poorly.

Gentlemen abroad proved wife-beaters with curses and fists at home; dutiful wives siphoned family fortunes in secret.

Adultery abounded too.

Even milder cases devolved into constant bickering from mismatched temperaments.

By those measures, arranged Yohan and Julian matched like soulmates.

No blaze of love at first sight, but affection bloomed steadily; now, life without the other was unthinkable.

Julian, clutching her scant sliver of luck amid cruel odds, fretted for her daughter.

A duty-bound marriage someday, yes—but she yearned for her a worthy partner.

"It'll be fine. Lucia has your eye for people. Seems delicate, but her spirit's steel."

"I know. Worry's inevitable, though."

Comforting Julian, Yohan's own heart ached no less.

Still, he soothed her slender shoulders, staying by her side until calm returned.

For parents fretting over their daughter, the night dragged endlessly.

In the pitch-black night, Lucia lay abed unlike others lost to dreams, sleep eluding her.

She stared blankly at the silken canopy before shielding her eyes with both arms.

"Haa... an engagement."

The word startled her, yet long foreseen, it held no true shock.

Even Father's declaration evoked only, So the time has come at last.

Lucia slid her arms away, bolting upright to approach her desk.

Striking the lamp's wick ignited a crackling glow, bathing the surface in warm orange.

Quills and ink for frequent use, letters from friends, dainty pressed flowers for her diary—all cluttered it.

From the array, her hand sought the music box case. Fifteen years on, it chimed with crystalline clarity.

Within nestled pretty gemstones, preserved four-leaf clovers, handkerchiefs—treasures without rhyme or reason.

Lucia's most prized possessions, bar none.

"Herwin..."

Eyes brimming, she squeezed them shut and clutched the box tenderly.

Seated, she slumped facedown on the desk for ages. Chestnut locks tumbled across it, tousled.

Trailing those strands led to a lone frame.

It held Herwin's boyhood likeness.

[Imperial Calendar 723, December 28]

After a year of trials, the empire's grand annual affair—the New Year's Banquet—ushered in hopes for a safe year ahead.

The reclusive Peneus Ducal House descended on the capital after ages, attending this once.

They would lodge with the Agnes Count House through the festivities.

Longtime allies, and with Julian and Duchess Scarlett inseparable academy chums, their wishes shaped it.

Thus, days before New Year's dawn—December 28—the Peneus retinue arrived.

"Welcome to the Agnes Count House."

Julian curtsied after Yohan's greeting, their children mimicking awkwardly beside them.

At the lavish welcome, Duke Hail Peneus offered a gentle smile.

"Our thanks for hosting us."

"Julian! It's been forever!"

Scarlett swept in beside Hail mid-handshake with Yohan, enfolding Julian in uncontained glee.

Julian startled, then laughed, hugging back her friend unseen in years.

"Indeed, how many years? You've been well?"

"Thriving. Goodness, your glow's brighter than ever—the Count dotes, I see?"

"Oh, you. No end to your cheek."

Julian flushed, swatting Scarlett's arm; she roared with laughter.

"Hahaha. Ah, these your children?"

Scarlett spotted the siblings belatedly beside Julian.

"Yes. Lucas turns seven soon, Lucia five. Children, greet her—Mother's dear friend."

"Pleased to meet you. Lucas Agnes."

"L-Lucia Agnes..."

Bold Lucas contrasted Lucia's shy skirt-lift, timid and fumbling.

"So these are Lucas and Lucia. Your mother speaks of you often. Lucia turns five soon?"

"Y-Yes..."

"I have two boys—one your age exactly. Herwin, come say hello?"

Scarlett beckoned her son from behind.

Intrigued by "same age," Lucia craned forward.

A boy emerged past Scarlett. Lucia's eyes widened by degrees.

Black hair, ruby eyes aglitter.

Beauty so exquisite, absent his gender's mention, one might deem him a girl.

```