Chapter 40

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 40

Chapter Title: The First Blind Date

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The day of an important appointment.

Lucia got dressed with the help of her maids, just as she always did.

But unlike before, the maids' faces were clouded over as they kept glancing at Lucia's closed eyes.

And for good reason. The purpose of her careful primping was to go on a blind date.

Just a few days ago, they had been cheering her on, saying things would work out with Herwin. Now that things had turned out like this, they couldn't help feeling conflicted.

Of course, when Lucia had shown up crying before, they could roughly guess what had happened between her and Herwin. But they never imagined she'd be going on a blind date so soon.

"...All done, miss."

At the maid's words, Lucia opened her eyes. As expected, her reflection in the mirror was beautiful.

Last time, it had been a fresh, cute makeup style that highlighted her charm. This time, it was a refined, serene look.

Lucia seemed satisfied too, as she lifted the corners of her mouth that had been downturned.

"Thanks. The makeup turned out great this time too."

".........."

No one looked pleased at their lady's praise. Instead, her smile only made them want to tear up.

"Why the long faces? Someone might think I'm being dragged off somewhere."

"But miss, a blind date all of a sudden like this. It's too soon."

"Yeah, it's only been how long since the breakup... Oh!"

One maid realized her slip and quickly covered her mouth. She looked at Lucia anxiously, but Lucia just smiled.

"Watch your words. We didn't break up. He rejected me. We weren't even dating to begin with."

"Miss..."

"And don't blame Father. I asked to go on the blind date first."

Lucia stood from her seat, finishing her preparations to leave.

"Miss, it's about time to go."

Aaron had arrived right on cue. Lucia left the sighing maids behind and headed downstairs with him.

"Oh? Father."

Lucia spotted Yohan standing there as she was about to board the carriage.

As if he'd been waiting for her, he stood with his hands behind his back.

"Blind date day, right?"

"Yes. Today I'm meeting the first candidate."

".........."

Yohan studied Lucia's face for a moment. Unlike before, when she'd been lost in heartbreak, she now seemed utterly serene, as if nothing had happened.

To Yohan, that only made him more uneasy.

It had been barely a week since her rejection. He'd expected recovery to take much longer, given she'd pined for over ten years.

'She's not pushing herself too hard, is she?'

He worried she might be overexerting herself to numb her thoughts. He had much to say, but he kept it brief, barely moving his lips.

"Take a good look. If none of the four catches your eye, just say so. I'll find other candidates."

"Yes, I will. It's almost time for my appointment, so I'll be off."

With Yohan's escort, Lucia boarded the carriage.

Even after it started moving, she could see Yohan standing there for a long while. Only when the house was out of sight did she turn her gaze forward.

"Hoo..."

A sigh escaped her—whether from tension or fatigue, she wasn't sure.

"Are you nervous?"

Sein, sitting across from her, asked. Lucia forced a smile and shook her head.

"Just... realizing that I'm finally getting married too."

"You haven't even gotten engaged yet."

"Engagement leads to marriage quick enough. I just hope he's not some weirdo."

".........."

Sein gazed at Lucia, who was resting her chin and staring out the window. Like Yohan, she worried about her.

"...Are you really okay now?"

Lucia replied with a meaningful expression.

"Who knows."

"I'm glad you're getting over it so quickly, but I'm worried you're forcing yourself."

Lucia fell silent for a moment. Over the past three days, recalling how she'd been out of her mind from heartbreak, she understood Sein's concern.

Back then, she'd let herself be swept away by the storm of emotions.

But because she'd poured everything into those feelings, she'd recovered faster than expected.

Of course, her feelings for Herwin weren't completely gone. She'd just let go of any lingering attachments.

'Herwin and I just weren't meant to be.'

Just friends, as he'd said. That was the limit of any bond between them.

Admitting what she'd subconsciously denied cleared her mind remarkably.

She could even accept it calmly if he started dating Arista or someone else.

"Maybe it's thanks to what you said."

"Pardon?"

Sein tilted her head at Lucia's quiet murmur.

"I always gave Herwin my best. So now, there's no more regrets or lingering feelings. It just wasn't meant to be, even with my all."

"...I see."

"Yeah. So when we get home, tell the others too. Even I can't handle pitying looks forever."

Sein nodded, realizing she meant the maids.

"Yes. I'll make sure no one brings it up again."

Sometimes, one moment of silence helps more than a hundred words. Sein's quiet presence had been a big help this time too.

"Thanks, Sein."

"It's nothing. I didn't do much."

The carriage came to a stop right then. Seeing the blind date spot through the window, Sein straightened Lucia's attire.

"Miss, I hope he's someone you like."

"That'd be nice. I'll be back."

Lucia stepped out of the carriage and entered the appointed teahouse.

Checking the clock, she was about five minutes early.

Wondering if her date had arrived first, she looked around. She'd already memorized his face from the portrait enclosed with his profile.

'Is that him maybe?'

In the distance, she spotted a man with reddish-brown hair sitting there.

He looked similar to the portrait, so Lucia approached cautiously.

"Excuse me, are you Young Master Simon Dayhard?"

The handsome man turned, saw her, and stood up.

"Yes, that's me."

"Ah, just as I thought. Nice to meet you. I'm Lucia Agnes."

They exchanged awkward greetings and sat down.

"You arrived early, even though there's still time left."

"I had business nearby, so it worked out."

The conversation started with Lucia's greeting—polite small talk without much substance.

Still, the atmosphere wasn't bad, easing her tension a bit.

'Not bad.'

Simon Dayhard.

Second son of the Dayhard Count House, designated as heir to the trading company run by Count Dayhard.

Five years older than her. The oldest among the blind date candidates.

The age gap gave him a maturity and composure unlike men her age.

His speech, manners, and ingrained etiquette all passed muster.

As the awkwardness faded, Simon leaned back in his chair.

"Honestly, I was surprised when Agnes proposed the match first. I thought you had someone you'd been fond of for a long time."

The question she'd half-expected came.

"I heard you've long admired Young Lord Peneus. Is that right?"

His gentle voice hid a blade.

Like Lucia was evaluating him, Simon was assessing if she was suitable as his future wife.

She understood, but it left a bitter taste.

Everyone in high society knew Lucia liked Herwin.

Plus, rumors from the academy had twisted things, painting her as hopelessly obsessed.

No one would welcome a woman with such persistent rumors trailing her like a tail.

Especially since the man in question wasn't just any young lord, but from the Peneus Ducal House.

Simon needed to confirm if he could stomach those rumors and accept her anyway.

"...That's not wrong."

Lying wouldn't help, so Lucia admitted it half-resignedly. Simon's eyes gleamed.

"Oh? I see. Being older, I wasn't up on the details..."

Lucia inwardly cursed. It had been a test. She calmed herself quickly despite her fluster.

Even if a test, it was info anyone could dig up. Better to disclose it upfront than let him find out later.

She looked up to gauge his expression. He was stroking his chin thoughtfully.

But soon, Simon's lips curved up.

"Perfect. Then I have no qualms."

"...Pardon?"

Perfect? What was perfect about it?

Before she could dwell, Lucia sensed a shift in Simon's aura. The neat, proper man now seemed a bit roguish.

His clothes, hair, face were the same—yet he felt different.

"Truth is, I have a lover."

The bombshell hit without warning, widening Lucia's eyes. Simon chuckled.

"You're not here looking for love either, right?"

"That's true, but... don't you think that needs more explanation? Just blurting out you have a lover..."

"Come on, why play innocent?"

His mocking tone made Lucia grimace, unable to hide it.

"Look, neither of us has feelings for the other, so let's free each other. You and Young Lord Peneus were something like that, right?"

The outrageous, embarrassing proposal left Lucia speechless.

"My lover's a commoner, so marriage is impossible. But I promised her all my heart, so I need a nominal, decent bride. Not a bad deal for you, is it? Realistically, marrying Young Lord Peneus is tough, right?"

"So... you're saying we just get married and do whatever with our lovers on the side?"

"Exactly. We ignore each other's affairs, keep the marriage title, and treat each other properly. I'll support you generously too."

Simon beamed, proud of his "great" idea. Stunned for a while, Lucia hardened her face and stood.

"Where are you going?"

"I think it's best to call this blind date off."

As Lucia hurried away, Simon jumped up to grab her.

"Why the sudden change? Doesn't my proposal appeal?"

Suppressing her boiling anger, Lucia turned.

"Yes. It was so rude I couldn't just sit and listen anymore."

"...What?"

Simon's face twisted, but Lucia glared back coldly.

"I want a devoted, family-oriented husband. I have no interest in a libertine."

"Ha, calling me a libertine?"

Offended, Simon smirked crookedly.

"Who are you to say that to whom...!"

"And it seems you've misunderstood something. I only had a crush on Young Lord Peneus. I'm not his lover or anything. So spare me the unpleasant assumptions."

Lucia shook off Simon's grip on her arm and stormed out of the cafe.