Chapter 46

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 46

Chapter Title: The Princess and Ares' Engagement Party

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The day of the princess and Ares' engagement party had arrived. The Agnes Count House was bustling with preparations for attending, a rare sight after so long.

Having finished all her own preparations, Julian headed to the dress room where Lucia was.

Lucia was in the middle of getting ready with the help of her maids.

She had shed her usual lively vibe for a serene, mature dress that suited her perfectly. Her hair was swept up into a single elegant style, and she wore the topaz earrings Bern had gifted her.

Even though she had borne this child herself, Julian couldn't help but gasp in admiration at how stunningly beautiful Lucia looked.

It felt like her daughter, who had always seemed so young and cute, had blossomed into a far more mature woman.

"My dear, you look so beautiful, you'd fool anyone into thinking you were getting married tomorrow."

"When did you get here, Mother?"

Lucia, who had her eyes closed while applying makeup, startled and asked. Julian smiled faintly and approached her.

"Just now. Almost done?"

"Yes, ma'am. Just the finishing touches."

The maids hurried to complete Lucia's makeup.

To match the mature dress, her makeup was subtle, focusing on accentuating her naturally striking features.

Today, Lucia felt strangely unfamiliar with her own reflection in the mirror.

Everyone around her showered her with praise for her beauty, but even as she smiled in response, she couldn't tell if it was genuine.

It was as if she had become a marionette, strings pulled by someone else's hand.

"Lucas said he'll be at the party today, so you'll get to see your brother after such a long time."

"Brother's back?"

It had been nearly half a year since she'd seen Lucas. She was surprised by the unexpected news for a moment, then quickly pieced together why he was returning now.

"Of course. He's currently an aide to Young Lord Lydia, isn't he? It'd be weirder if he skipped his lord's engagement party."

"I just wish Lucas would hurry up and get married too, but he always stops at dating. It's such a worry. I hope he at least gets engaged to this lady he's seeing now."

As she prepared to send her daughter off, her remaining son became a source of concern. He seemed to date steadily enough, but talks of engagement or marriage never came up, leaving her frustrated.

"There you are."

Just then, Yohan appeared. He started to call for Julian but paused upon seeing his beautifully dressed daughter.

"Dear, doesn't our daughter look absolutely lovely today?"

"...Yes, she does. Incredibly so."

Yohan slowly approached Lucia and reached out a hand. But before he could touch her, he pulled it back.

He couldn't bring himself to touch her perfectly made-up face and styled hair. Instead, he lightly tapped the earring dangling from her ear.

"I haven't seen these before."

"Bern gave them to me a few days ago. That's why I'm wearing them to the party."

Yohan's eyebrow twitched. Still, he nodded without saying much.

"Looks like he really likes you."

"See? You think so too, don't you? Does he actually like Lucia?"

Seeing Julian beam like a schoolgirl, Lucia gave a wry smile.

'Bern likes me?'

Well, he certainly appreciated her as his fiancée-to-be, but it didn't feel like romantic affection.

He was simply giving his all to a woman who might become his fiancée.

Some might find that disappointing, but Lucia wasn't burdened by it. If anything, she appreciated it more.

Of course, as one person to another, beyond mere reason.

In truth, part of the reason she wore these earrings was out of courtesy to Bern, but also as a personal resolve.

A harsh determination to stop dreaming of fairy tales and face reality head-on.

She would feel the heavy weight of the earrings swaying with every movement, steadying her wavering heart.

"It's about time. Shall we head out?"

Yohan checked the time and escorted Julian.

"We'll go on ahead. Take your time with the marquis."

"Yes, see you at the party."

After Yohan and Julian left, Lucia quietly gazed at her reflection in the mirror.

An atmosphere hung in the air that made it feel wrong to speak, so Sain and all the maids stood silently behind her.

"Young Lady, Marquis Casper has arrived."

Not long after Yohan and Julian departed, a servant announced Bern's arrival.

Lucia slowly left the room and headed to the main entrance. There stood Bern.

His deep green hair was neatly combed back, and he wore different glasses from usual, accented with a jeweled chain.

A topaz brooch matching her earrings adorned his chest.

His kind golden eyes, visible beyond the lenses, seemed even more intellectual today.

Bern, checking his pocket watch, looked up at the sound of footsteps.

Spotting Lucia descending the stairs, he smiled upon seeing the earrings in her ears.

"You look beautiful, Lucia."

"You're looking incredibly handsome yourself today, Bern."

There was no love in her words, but they brimmed with sincerity.

Bern gently took the hand Lucia offered, pressing a light kiss to her gloved fingers before boarding the carriage together.

"I'm delighted you chose to wear the earrings I gave you."

"What else would I wear to an occasion like this but the ones you gifted me?"

"Ha ha, is that so? I put a lot of thought into picking them, and it seems my choice was spot-on. The bright yellow suits your aura perfectly."

Wondering if that was true, Lucia touched the earring. The gem's substantial presence made itself known.

Her heart, which had been fluttering at the thought of running into Herwin at the party, settled into calm.

"I'm really looking forward to this party. And you, Lucia?"

To Bern's question, Lucia lowered her blue eyes and replied.

"...Me too."

Her blue eyes no longer wavered.

A grand engagement party held at the Imperial Palace.

As it was the princess's engagement, a huge crowd had gathered. Herwin, who had arrived early, scanned the room.

The moment he appeared, all eyes turned to him.

His strong jawline, perfectly sculpted nose, rebellious red eyes sparkling like jewels amid his black hair. With such captivating looks and the solid chest and abs hinted at by his attire, no woman could resist.

Not just his appearance, but his prestigious family made Herwin one of the top-tier marriage prospects among all eligible bachelors.

Many women used the party as an excuse to approach him, but his signature cold demeanor and ironclad defenses kept them at bay.

If anything, it only fueled their competitive spirits.

Then, Herwin's impassive face broke into a bright smile. Some swooned at the sight, while others glared jealously at whoever had elicited it, watching as Herwin approached her.

It was Arista. Ares' sister—the man getting engaged to the princess today—and a woman nearly as popular as Herwin.

Men and women who had their eyes on them bit their lips at the picturesque pair, even from afar.

Ignoring the onlookers, Herwin and Arista exchanged greetings after their long time apart.

"You made it? I thought you might skip."

"How could I miss a national event like this? My parents couldn't come, so I had to."

Herwin chuckled at Arista's playful tone.

"Heard you were off subjugating monsters. So, you went north?"

"Yeah, got back last night."

"Oh? How was the north?"

"How was it? Just a ton of monsters to kill."

Arista's eyes sparkled at his curt reply.

"I mean, how were the monsters? Strong? What kinds mostly?"

"...Ha, seriously. More important than checking on me?"

"Obviously. The empire's only monster hotspot is the north."

He found it absurd that he'd been pushed back by monsters, but seeing Arista's eager expression made him laugh.

He thought he liked swinging a sword well enough, but compared to her, he was like a fledgling.

"If you're that into it, want to join me next time for a subjugation?"

"Really?"

Arista's face lit up noticeably. Her violet eyes sparkling innocently made Herwin burst out laughing unwittingly. Offended, she pouted.

"What's with that laugh?"

"Nothing, you're just so predictable."

"So I'm an easy girl now?"

"No, I mean you can't get enough of swords. That's all you care about."

Arista, eyeing him suspiciously, lifted her chin.

"To Arista Lydia, take away the sword, and there's nothing left but a corpse."

"That serious?"

"Of course! I've had a sword in my hand since birth. Don't forget your promise today, okay? I really want to see some monsters."

"Not fight them?"

"Same difference."

Arista grinned mischievously.

"There you two are."

Then, Brian, Ethan, and Christine approached side by side, dressed extravagantly befitting the grand event.

They immediately checked on Herwin, asking if he was hurt anywhere.

"As you can see, not a scratch."

"Thank goodness. I was shocked when I heard you went on a monster subjugation."

"Tell me about it. You're the only lunatic who'd volunteer for that."

Ethan stuck out his tongue in agreement with Christine. Herwin shot Arista a playful glare, and she shrugged innocently.

"Arista, it's your brother's engagement today. Thoughts?"

"What is there to say? It's not my engagement."

Arista smacked her lips sourly at Brian's question.

"Still, thanks to his engagement, I'll be free from our parents' nagging for a bit. 'When are you getting engaged?' they kept asking."

"I'm dealing with the same lately. I get they're worried since I'm of marriageable age, but I still want to have fun."

Christine chimed in sympathetically with a troubled look.

"It ramps up when friends start getting engaged one by one. Some classmates are even married."

"Yeah, marriage proposals are coming in. Who among us do you think will tie the knot first?"

Everyone's eyes turned to Herwin at Brian's casual remark. He tilted his head in confusion at the sudden attention.

"Why me?"

"Just feels like you'll be first."

"Yeah, yeah."

Herwin shook his head, taking it as a joke.

"No girlfriend, no marriage. If anyone, it'll be you, Ethan."

Despite his words, his friends whispered among themselves that Herwin would be first.

"Lucia's late, huh? Still not here?"

"No, I've been looking, but no sign."

Herwin's expression darkened at the mention of Lucia. Just before leaving for the north, he'd sent her a letter, but no reply had come.

Considering delivery time, it should've reached her three days ago, so maybe she just didn't bother replying. Still, it left a nagging unease.

The image of her tear-streaked face right before they parted kept resurfacing in his mind.