Chapter 37

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 37

Chapter Title: Shopping and the Theater Date

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Having finished a meal filled with both joy and tension, Herwin and Lucia finally began their date in earnest.

Of course, it was a date only in Lucia's mind.

The two, enjoying a rare leisurely time together after so long, wandered through the bustling streets, watching street performances or popping into eye-catching shops to shop.

"Herwin, look at this. This would suit you too. Should I get one?"

Lucia, spotting a brooch that would go well with Herwin, asked with sparkling eyes. Herwin replied in a puzzled tone.

"It feels like you're only buying stuff for me. You already got me a fountain pen and a tie."

Herwin shook the shopping bag in his hand, and Lucia inwardly winced.

Being with Herwin after so long had made her so excited she'd lost track. After a brief moment of fluster, she recalled their conversation in the carriage and cleared her throat.

"Ahem, you promised to give me this whole day. You said you'd go along with whatever I do, right?"

"Did I say that?"

He hadn't exactly agreed, but Lucia pushed forward anyway.

"Yeah! It's not like you're buying it, so no pressure. Here."

Before Herwin could object, Lucia quickly called the clerk.

"I'll take this one."

"Yes, I'll help you with the payment right away."

Herwin scratched his head, unable to stop Lucia as she walked off with the clerk.

Why was she so thrilled about buying something for someone else that wasn't even hers?

Herwin couldn't understand Lucia's feelings at all.

Still, everything she'd bought him seemed useful, so he wasn't really complaining. If anything, it was just a bit burdensome.

As Herwin approached her at the counter, where she was having the brooch wrapped, he happened to notice a display case nearby.

He stopped and turned to examine the items inside.

"Is there something you'd like?"

A nearby attendant approached. Herwin hesitated before pointing to a pair of earrings embedded with a sparkling aquamarine.

"Could I see these up close?"

"Yes, one moment please."

The clerk brought out the earrings, and Herwin held them up, peering toward Lucia in the distance.

The flawless aquamarine, like a clear sky, matched perfectly with her happy smile from afar.

After a moment's thought, Herwin grinned.

"Wrap them up."

"Yes, sir. Anything else you need?"

"No, that's it."

"Very well. I'll help you at the counter."

The clerk assisting Herwin brought the new aquamarine earrings and started wrapping them next to the one helping Lucia.

Once all payments were done, Lucia blinked in confusion, looking back and forth between Herwin and the opposite clerk.

"Did you buy something too?"

Herwin took the gift Lucia handed him and gazed at her for a moment.

As her innocent eyes blinked unknowing, a mischievous urge rose in him.

"What did you buy? Who’s it for?"

"Secret."

"What? That's not fair."

No matter how much Lucia whined for him to tell her, Herwin held back a laugh and paid for the earrings.

"What did you get?"

"It's a secret. You bought stuff without asking me, so I'll do what I want too."

Herwin even stuck out his tongue to tease her, leaving Lucia dumbfounded.

It was childish behavior, but a surge of emotion welled up inside her. Lucia pouted her lips.

"You said today was up to me. I didn't even buy anything weird."

"That's that, and this is this. It's nothing, so don't worry about it."

Before Lucia could press further, Herwin hurried out of the shop.

Mindful of the people around, Lucia clamped her mouth shut. Then, in a small voice only Herwin could hear, she grumbled.

"Sneaky. If it's nothing, you could just tell me."

Herwin glanced at Lucia, imagining the pearl earrings in her ears replaced by the ones he'd bought.

They suited the eyes looking at him so well that he chuckled softly.

"Why aren't you answering?"

Growing impatient with Herwin's silence, Lucia finally spoke up. Realizing he'd been staring too openly, Herwin quickly turned his head.

"Later. I'll tell you later."

"...Fine. Not curious at all."

Hurt by his words, Lucia snorted and strode ahead.

Herwin caught up quickly, trying to soothe her sulking with jokes, but she was already quite upset.

'It was definitely women's jewelry.'

She didn't know what was inside, but given the shop's habit of color-coding ribbons by gift type, it was surely for a woman.

'Who on earth is he giving it to?'

The Duchess up north? Or another woman? Maybe... Arista?

Imagining Herwin shyly handing the gift box to Arista made her buoyant mood plummet.

Herwin stopped as Lucia halted, observing her. Her face had darkened noticeably compared to moments ago.

Realizing his mistake, Herwin panicked.

"...Are you mad?"

Lucia stared at the ground without responding to Herwin's question.

'What are you doing, Lucia Agnes?'

Wasn't today her last chance? Making up scenarios and sulking on her own would just kick away the opportunity herself.

'I don't even know for sure who it's for.'

Lucia took a deep breath to calm her churning stomach. Only then could she properly see Herwin's anxious expression.

The sight of him, a head taller than her, bending down on one knee to check on her, lifted her sunken mood a little.

"Actually, who I bought it for is..."

As Herwin hurried to reveal the recipient, Lucia covered his mouth.

"You don't have to tell me."

"Huh? But..."

"Like you said, it's really nothing, and I overreacted. Sorry."

Lucia offered a small apology with an awkward smile.

Herwin nodded dazedly, sensing her eased mind from her clear blue eyes.

"Oh, look at the time already. Let's hurry."

"Huh? Why?"

"I booked us for a play. It starts soon."

Caught off guard by the unexpected news, Herwin looked stunned, so Lucia grabbed his arm.

"Come on."

Only after Lucia led the way did Herwin start walking.

Gazing at her brown hair swaying ahead, he glanced at one of the shopping bags in his right hand.

'I'll tell her later.'

He'd wanted to say he bought it because it suited her, but he'd missed the timing.

Resolving to give it to her by the end of the day, Herwin headed with Lucia to the largest theater in the bustling district.

As the sky darkened into a twilight painted with orange hues, the two safely entered the theater.

Herwin had wanted a private box seat, but since they weren't dating, it felt too much, so he booked regular seats instead.

Still, being in the front row gave a clear view of the actors' faces and the stage.

"This is my first play."

"Huh? Really?"

Lucia turned to Herwin in surprise. He was looking at the play's pamphlet.

"Places like this are usually for family or lovers. My parents are up north, Henry’s at the academy, so no chance. And I've never come with the guys either."

"Now that you mention it, yeah."

She'd thought they'd done all sorts of things together with friends, but surprisingly, never a play.

"Wonder what The Other Side of Love is about."

Herwin murmured the title.

The Other Side of Love told the tale of three people entangled in a complex web of love.

Soon, the lights dimmed, and the actors took the stage.

The play flowed gently. Midway, the actors' ad-libs and brilliant performances drew laughter from the audience.

Lucia laughed along, then sneaked a glance beside her. Herwin was chuckling softly too, clearly enjoying it.

Considering this play a success, she turned back.

"Oh, heavens above. Why do you give me this trial? For her to love my friend... Isn't this too cruel!"

The second male lead poured out his anguish to the heavens with tearful acting.

He'd just learned the woman he'd long one-sidedly loved was in love with his closest friend.

Torn between love and friendship, he writhed in the pain of an unattainable love.

In contrast, on one side of the stage, the heroine shared a happy scene with the other male lead. Their love highlighted his unrequited suffering even more pathetically.

"Why him and not me! I've been by your side far longer!"

"I'm sorry, Celian. I've never seen you that way..."

As the play built toward its climax, the actors' emotions intensified.

Finally, the heroine chose her love, splitting the two men in joy and sorrow.

The audience watched the spotlighted happy couple heading to their ending, but only Lucia's eyes followed the other male lead's lonely exit into the darkness.

'We're both just loving someone, so why different endings?'

The divide came down to one thing: the heroine's choice.

Suddenly, Lucia's nose stung, and tears fell unbidden. While everyone else laughed at the actors' happy performances, she couldn't.

She didn't even know why she was crying.

Did she see herself in the unchosen male lead?

Fearing others might notice, Lucia quickly wiped her tears. Fortunately, Herwin was engrossed and didn't see.

Seeing Herwin enjoy it should make this a successful date, but her heart wasn't at ease.

In the end, Lucia couldn't focus until the play finished. No, the happy-ending actors looked like Herwin and Arista, preventing her from concentrating.

Clap clap clap clap!

Startled by the applause around her, she looked about. The play had ended, and all the actors were out bowing in turn.

Lucia clapped along, gazing at the actor she'd empathized with. He smiled brightly now, proving his pathetic anguish had been mere acting.

Seeing that brought her back to reality.

"More fun than I thought, right?"

"Yeah."

Following the others, Herwin and Lucia stood.

Herwin, walking ahead, didn't notice Lucia's sunken expression.