Chapter 36

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 36

Chapter Title: The Handkerchief

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"Ouch!"

Lucia let out a small cry as she pricked her finger with the needle. She hurriedly brought her bleeding fingertip to her lips.

A metallic taste filled her mouth.

"Miss, are you all right? Should I fetch a doctor?"

"This is nothing. More importantly, I need to finish this quickly..."

Lucia smiled sheepishly as she gazed down at the item in her hands. What she was making was a handkerchief for Herwin.

As it was her final confession, she wanted to give him something meaningful.

A week was a tight deadline, and she'd already given him most typical gifts after much deliberation, so a handmade handkerchief had come to mind.

It wouldn't take up much space, and it could be quite useful even on the battlefield.

It was usually a gift for lovers or fiancés, but friends sometimes exchanged them too, so he wouldn't feel burdened.

'Herwin probably wouldn't even notice if I embroidered my initials on it.'

Herwin was meticulous yet oddly oblivious at times. He'd likely just accept it without a second thought, even with Lucia's initials stitched on.

After finishing Herwin's initials, Lucia stared intently at the handkerchief for a moment before letting out a sigh and lowering her hands.

"...It'll all be for nothing if Herwin doesn't accept it."

What meaning did it have if she embroidered her initials and he still rejected her confession?

"Pardon? What did you say?"

Sein, who had been working on something else, lifted her head. Lucia shook her head.

Seeing Lucia inwardly agonizing once more, Sein wore a worried expression.

"Miss, you have a date with the young lord of Peneus tomorrow, don't you?"

Lucia's hands trembled faintly. Even knowing she was rattled, Sein pretended not to notice.

"Our adorable miss personally embroidering a handkerchief like this... When do you think the young lord of Peneus will realize your feelings?"

"...Yeah. When, I wonder?"

Lucia chuckled at Sein's words, meant to lift her spirits.

"Even if the young lord of Peneus doesn't accept it, don't take it to heart. You're more lovable than anyone, miss."

"Ha ha, are you comforting me already? I haven't been rejected yet."

"If I've overstepped, I apologize. Lately, you've seemed so down..."

As Sein bowed her head, Lucia lightly patted her shoulder.

"Sorry for worrying you, Sein. I've just had a lot on my mind lately."

Even as Lucia smiled brightly, Sein couldn't shake her concern. If anything, the furrow in her brow deepened.

"Miss, if you keep shouldering everything alone, you'll wear yourself out."

Sein gently clasped Lucia's hand.

"Sometimes sharing the burden with others can give you strength. I'm always on your side. If something's weighing on you, share it with me anytime."

Lucia kept her smile. Sein felt regret that she still wouldn't open up, but sensed now wasn't the time.

Sein smiled lightly and patted Lucia's delicate hand.

"It was just something off the cuff. Let it go in one ear and out the other."

"Yeah, but you said it for my sake, right? Thanks."

"No need to thank me. Have you finished the embroidery? If you're stuck anywhere, I can help."

"No, it's fine. I'm almost done. Look, not bad, right?"

Lucia showed off the nearly completed handkerchief. She wasn't without talent for needlework, so her stitching looked quite refined.

"I hope the young lord of Peneus likes it."

"This should please Herwin."

Lucia gently stroked Herwin's initials.

The handkerchief, completed over three days. Tomorrow was finally the big day.

As she added the final stitches one by one, Lucia silently wished.

'Please, let my feelings reach him.'

Lucia paced anxiously in circles.

"Sein, nothing looks weird on me, right?"

"Of course not. You look beautiful."

"If I'd known it'd be like this, I should've bought some new clothes beforehand... Is this dress really okay?"

"Yes, absolutely. It suits our lovely miss perfectly."

Sein tried to soothe her not to worry too much, but Lucia couldn't calm down.

'What on earth is making her so nervous?'

She was always cute and beautiful, but today her charm shone even brighter.

It was only natural, having risen at dawn and mobilized all the maids.

To match her cute and delicate image, she wore a yellow dress, her flowing brown hair neatly braided for a subtle accent, and pearl accessories for an elegant touch.

With makeup she rarely bothered with, there was no reason for her to feel insecure.

'If he doesn't fall head over heels for her like this, there must be something wrong with young lord Herwin.'

Just then, word came that Herwin had arrived.

"Miss, the young lord of Peneus is here."

Lucia stiffened rigidly and stepped forward stiffly. Sein quickly grabbed her.

"Miss, you forgot the most important thing."

Only after Sein handed her the small gift box did Lucia snap out of her daze.

"Oh my goodness, look at me spacing out. Thanks, Sein."

"No need. Miss, don't be nervous. Everything will go perfectly!"

As Sein gripped Lucia's trembling hand firmly, her shakes eased a bit. Lucia's eyes gleamed with resolve.

"I'll be off."

"Yes, have a wonderful time."

With Sein's send-off and encouragement, Lucia took a step forward. A carriage bearing the Peneus family crest stood before the Agnes Count House.

As Lucia approached, the door opened, and Herwin appeared.

"Good morning, Lucia."

For a moment, Lucia faltered at the sight of him.

He wasn't in his usual uniform but dressed in a sharp suit.

The man who always said his sword was part of him and rarely went anywhere without it looked so different today that it felt strangely off-putting.

It almost seemed like he'd dressed up for the date.

"What's with ditching the uniform?"

Unable to hold back her curiosity, she asked, and Herwin scratched his head sheepishly.

"I was going to wear it..."

Herwin trailed off. Puzzled, Lucia prompted him.

"But?"

"I, uh, just suddenly felt like wearing something else today."

"Really? How mysterious."

As expected, there was no deeper meaning. Still, knowing this might make for a more date-like date lifted her spirits a little.

Seeing Lucia seated opposite him, Herwin let out a secret sigh of relief.

'Young master! Whatever you do, don't say anything unnecessary to Lady Agnes! And you know not to mention that I suggested this outfit, right?'

He recalled his valet Jerome's words right before departure. This suit was what Jerome had insisted on after talking him out of the uniform.

He still didn't quite understand why, but...

Herwin stole a glance at Lucia. Her mood seemed much brighter than before as she gazed at the passing scenery.

'Good things are good, I guess.'

If it made Lucia happy, that was all that mattered.

"So, you wanted my day to yourself. Got anything in mind?"

"You're the one who won't mind being at my beck and call all day, right?"

Lucia playfully shot back at Herwin's sly question.

"What outrageous thing are you planning? Guess I should brace myself."

"Ha ha, anyone hearing that would think I'm bullying you. It's just... you'll be heading back north soon, and I won't see you for a while, so I wanted to hang out, just us two, before then."

"True, it's been ages since it's just been us. We've always had the others around lately."

Since starting at the academy, chances for just the two of them had been rare.

Even when they had time, it was only brief chats. Otherwise, they were always in groups of three or more.

Before she knew it, thinking of today as a date felt like going back to before the academy, stirring fresh emotions.

"Young master, we're approaching the bustling district. Where to?"

The window to the driver's seat slid open, and the coachman asked.

Herwin turned to Lucia, who quickly replied.

"To the 'Alaine' restaurant, please."

"Yes, understood."

The coachman promptly turned toward the restaurant Lucia mentioned.

"First stop's a restaurant?"

"It's lunchtime now. Gotta fill up before we get moving. I reserved ahead."

Herwin and Lucia chatted nonstop until they arrived.

No matter how much Lucia liked Herwin, their long-shared history left not a trace of awkwardness between them.

Upon reaching the restaurant, they were seated by a server.

She'd asked a maid knowledgeable about the capital to reserve a nice spot, and it was spot-on.

Being a place popular with couples, pairs of presumed lovers filled the tables around them.

"Hmm, great atmosphere, and the food looks delicious. We should come back sometime."

She wanted to ask if he meant with someone else later, but Lucia held her tongue.

"Glad you like it. Truth be told, it's my first time here too. It's gaining popularity, so reservations might get tough later."

"Really? Then I'm even more excited for the main course. What'd you order?"

"The most popular one. Everyone comes here for it, so expect great things."

Soon, the main course arrived. But the moment she saw it, Lucia froze unwittingly.

The server droned on about the dish, but it didn't register in her ears.

"Then, please call if you need anything."

As the server left, Herwin picked up his fork and knife. Just as he went to cut into the steak, he noticed Lucia hadn't touched hers.

"What's wrong?"

"Huh? Oh, nothing. Looks tasty, right?"

Lucia spoke awkwardly and hastily cut in. Herwin watched her suspiciously.

Then, spotting something, he grabbed her hand.

"Why?"

"Why? You can't eat mushrooms."

Herwin's brow furrowed. Different dishes sat before them.

His steak had a wine reduction sauce, while Lucia's featured a mushroom-infused sauce.

The only difference was the sauce, but the problem was Lucia's aversion to mushrooms.

"Here, let's swap."

"N-no, it's fine. It'd be rude to..."

"Just do it."

With Herwin's firm tone, Lucia reluctantly set down her utensils. He swapped their plates.

Only then did his furrowed expression relax in satisfaction.

"...It's not an allergy or anything. You could just eat around them."

"It's not mere pickiness. Mushrooms upset your stomach. Remember last time you forced some down and suffered all day?"

As he said, ever since a bad stomachache from mushrooms in childhood, even a little made her queasy the whole day.

Still, she hadn't expected him to swap entire plates.

Exchanging plates mid-meal was a major etiquette breach.

Yet Herwin treated it as no big deal, casually savoring his new dish.

"What're you waiting for? Eat up."

"...Okay."

Lucia's ears flushed pink.

A trivial gesture, but his thoughtfulness reignited the tension she'd barely shaken off.

By dessert, she could barely meet his eyes, while the oblivious Herwin cheerfully kept the conversation going.

Lucia felt grateful for his denseness.