Chapter 43

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 43

Chapter Title: Unexpected Proposal

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Bern froze at the unforeseen suggestion.

"Pardon? Oh, no. It's fine."

"No, it's not. Don't you have to head back to your estate anyway, Marquis? Is there somewhere else you need to be?"

"Well, no..."

"Hey, you there. Is the Marquis Casper's estate far from here?"

Lucia addressed the coachman, ignoring Bern's hesitation.

"It's not too far from your home, miss. Probably another twenty minutes or so."

Twenty minutes wasn't far at all. Lucia glanced at Bern.

"That's what he says. We'll see you home."

Bern hesitated but eventually nodded.

"Very well, if you insist."

As Bern climbed aboard, Sein moved to the driver's seat.

The carriage lurched into motion, filling the air with a slight tension.

In the awkward silence, Bern spoke first.

"Thank you, Lady. You've made my trip home much more comfortable."

"No trouble at all. We're headed the same way anyway."

"I feel like I've only been a burden to you."

"If it's about being late, you don't need to apologize again. I've already accepted it."

Bern stared intently at the composed Lucia for a moment before letting out a soft chuckle. She looked at him in confusion.

"Hahaha, ahem. Sorry if that offended you. It's just... talking to you makes you seem so different from my first impression."

Bern suppressed another laugh.

"You look so small and delicate, I thought your personality might match. But you're surprisingly straightforward. I can hardly believe you're younger than me."

"Is that a complaint?"

"Far from it. It only makes you more appealing."

Lucia blinked at the flattery, then fiddled with her ear, embarrassed.

She'd noticed it in their conversations before—he had a real talent for saying things that lifted one's spirits. It didn't feel insincere, so it wasn't off-putting.

Shaking off her shyness, Lucia took a closer look at Bern.

Now that she thought about it, he was quite handsome. Among the suitors she'd met so far, he had the most refined features, exuding an air of intellect and kindness.

'The complete opposite of Herwin.'

Herwin's sharp eyes gave him a cold impression, and his sword-honed physique lent him a wild allure rather than scholarly charm.

He did have that endearing side for those close to him, but...

As her thoughts drifted from Bern to Herwin, Lucia shook her head.

It was rude to think of another man in front of a suitor.

She'd largely moved on from her feelings for Herwin, but traces ingrained over years didn't fade easily.

Feeling a sudden heaviness in her head, Lucia rubbed her throbbing temples.

"Lady, are you alright? You look pale."

Bern's worried gaze made Lucia force a smile.

"I'm fine. Just a brief headache..."

"Oh dear. Rest up when you get home. Even in early summer, you could catch a cold in this weather and suffer for it."

"Thank you for your concern."

The carriage's rocking slowed to a stop. Peering out the window, Lucia saw an unfamiliar mansion.

"We're here."

It was the Casper Marquis House. Bern stepped down.

"Thank you for seeing me home. Please take care on your way back."

"Of course. I hope we meet again soon."

Bern bowed once more and entered the mansion. Once he was gone, Sein climbed back inside from the driver's seat.

Her face brimmed with excitement, questions brimming.

"Miss, did it go well this time?!"

"Does riding in the carriage together give you any guesses?"

Sein's anxious expression brightened instantly.

"What a relief! I was so worried the last one would be a dud too!"

"Yeah, at least better than the first three. I was stressing about what to tell Father if this one flopped too."

She'd brushed off the previous three with vague excuses, but rejecting a fourth might make it look like she was dodging marriage out of reluctance.

"Miss, did you talk about Young Lord Peneus at all?"

Lucia shook her head quietly.

"No, Herwin's name didn't come up once. Not even the society rumors."

"Really? That's passing grade enough for me."

"You seem more thrilled than I am."

"Everyone before brought him up. Not mentioning it at all is a win, right? From what I saw, a man like Marquis Casper is one in a million."

She wasn't wrong. It was only their first meeting, so she could ask later, but Lucia doubted she'd press if it soured the mood.

'He'd probably apologize if it bothered him.'

She could picture his sincere apology.

"You're right—he seems decent. Unless something changes, I'd like to keep seeing him."

"Fingers crossed he stays this nice."

"...Yeah."

Lucia's voice trailed off as she stared blankly at the passing scenery outside.

Would she get engaged to Bern like this, marry him, and spend her life together?

In her mind, she envisioned herself in a white dress and veil, with a groom at her side.

The face started as Herwin's but soon shifted to Bern's.

Her once-racing heart settled into nothingness.

No flutter, but this was the most realistic fantasy.

Somehow more melancholic than expected, Lucia closed her eyes.

Kieeeek!

Monster shrieks echoed everywhere, mingled with human shouts and the sharp whistle of blades slicing flesh.

This blood-soaked place was the North.

The Northern Knights had spotted a new monster horde and cut them down on sight.

Unlike human red blood, viscous green ichor splattered across the ground.

Kiiik! Kiiiik!

Slash—

Spotting the last fleeing monster, Herwin wrapped his blade in crimson Aura and cleaved it in one stroke.

He roughly wiped the splattered blood from his face as the corpse crumpled lifelessly.

"Great work, Young Lord!"

As Herwin cleaned the green gore from his sword, the knight captain who led the squad approached.

He was one of the knights who'd helped train Herwin in swordsmanship long ago.

"Every time I see your Aura, Young Lord, it takes my breath away. Reaching Sword Expert at your age—truly impressive."

"Feels like too much praise."

Herwin smirked at the fawning tone.

"Hahaha! It's because you make our job easier. Without you, it'd take longer and cost more lives."

No exaggeration. Since Herwin joined, subjugation sped up, and knight casualties dropped.

"Don't overhype it. I'm just another knight here."

"I know, but back at the castle, you're the Young Lord again. Gotta make an impression while I can."

His excessive hand-rubbing and bowing looked more playful than deferential. Herwin chuckled and patted his back before heading to the temporary command tent away from the battlefield.

His black hair whipping in the wind, the knights inside snapped to attention and saluted.

"Young Lord Peneus!"

"At ease. Any more monster groups spotted?"

"No, sir. We've cleared this area. Patrols are out in case of stragglers."

"Good."

Herwin scanned the map on the table. The monster distributions and subjugation records showed a marked decrease since he first joined.

"Young Lord, message from the mansion."

Unrolling the scroll a knight handed him, it ordered his return.

'Already over three weeks here?'

Herwin had come straight from the mansion to the front lines. No wonder his parents were miffed.

Resigned, he packed and borrowed a horse.

"I'll head back. Hold the line."

"Yes, sir! We'll give it our all!"

"Young Lord! Tell them how great I was when you get home, okay?"

Herwin smiled faintly at the jokes amid the send-off and rode toward the mansion.

Scarlett waited at the main gate. She glared as he approached on horseback.

"Mother, why are you out here instead of inside?"

"Afraid I'd forget what my fine son looks like."

Scarlett pouted, scanning him head to toe.

The noble young lord was gone, replaced by a ragged vagrant.

"What kind of state is this? I told you to come home now and then!"

"That's inefficient. Better to kill one more monster than waste time commuting."

"Just like your father. I hoped you wouldn't take after him in that."

Herwin gently patted Scarlett's shoulder as she clutched her head in dismay.

"Henry takes after you the most. Take some comfort in that."

"Not comforting at all."

Was that supposed to be consolation? Scarlett eyed him pitifully, then scowled at his filth.

"Go wash up right now!"

"Yes, ma'am."

No one in the castle crossed Scarlett. Herwin obediently handed his gear and cloak to the trailing servants.

Strolling the hall, he spotted a butler and paused.

"Any letters for me while I was gone?"

"Yes, Young Master. They're prepared in your room for after your bath."

"Thanks."

Herwin's steps lightened toward the bath. Puzzled by his sudden good mood, the butler hurried to fetch the letters.

Herwin scrubbed away three weeks of grime and entered his room refreshed.

Toweling his wet hair, his red eyes darkened faintly.

But spotting the letters on the desk sparked interest.

He rushed over, scanning each one. His expression gradually darkened.

Finally, he frowned and checked from the start again. Still nothing.

"...No letter from Lucia?"

Among the pile, only Lucia's was missing.