Chapter 53

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 53

Chapter Title: Gathering with Friends

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After receiving Christine's letter, Lucia replied that she was fine meeting anytime.

Christine promptly scheduled their meeting for two days later, and now Lucia was on her way to see her.

Upon arriving at the place Christine had mentioned, she spotted a restaurant emblazoned with the mark of the 'Tion' merchant guild, run by Christine's family.

When she gave her name, the attendant guided her to the VVIP room. Inside were Christine and Arista, who had arrived ahead of her.

"Am I late?"

"No, we've still got time before the appointed hour. I just got here myself."

"Come on in, Lucia!"

Arista spoke leisurely, saying there was plenty of time left, while Christine jumped up from her seat and greeted Lucia enthusiastically.

Lucia found Christine's chattering cuteness endearing and meekly let herself be pulled along.

Arista, having finished looking around the room, asked Christine,

"I had no idea a place like this existed. You mentioned starting a new venture last time—is this part of it?"

"Yes! Exactly. This time, Father personally granted me the authority to handle it."

"Ooh, really? So this is your first business venture, then?"

Christine shyly covered her flushed cheeks with both hands.

"That's wonderful. You've always said you wanted to follow in your father's footsteps. Congratulations—I would've prepared a gift if I'd known ahead of time."

"Actually, Lucia was just the excuse. You invited us here to show this off, didn't you?"

Arista teased with a sly grin as she sidled up next to Lucia, who had offered her sincere congratulations.

"As if! Of course I gathered just the two of you for some intimate girls' talk."

Christine placed her hands on her hips and pursed her lips, then burst into giggles moments later.

"Well, I do want to brag a little."

"Hahaha! I knew it."

"As our first VVIP guests, I ask for your harshest critiques. Everything's on me today!"

Lucia and Arista gave resounding applause to the confident Christine. Soon after, they ordered a wide array of dishes without hesitation and dove into lively conversation.

Of course, it began with Lucia's arranged marriage stories.

The moment the server left, Christine and Arista leaned in eagerly with sparkling eyes and bombarded her with questions. Lucia, having anticipated this, threw up her hands in surrender and spilled everything honestly.

Except for the part about going on the dates because Herwin had rejected her.

When she recounted the three awful suitors she'd brushed past before meeting Bern, the two reacted differently.

"How could all three of them be so rude? It makes me angry just hearing about it!"

"Your father wouldn't have chosen oddballs for suitors, given his personality... Still, in what sense..."

As Christine fumed and Arista looked dumbfounded, Lucia let out a hollow laugh.

"Pretty impressive, right?"

Christine and Arista nodded.

"At first, I thought Marquis Casper was bad for being late, but compared to those three, that was nothing."

"Which families are they from? I need to make sure to avoid them!"

"No need to go that far. They were just passersby—I barely remember them."

Thinking of it as stepping in dog poop made it easier to brush off. In fact, as time passed, their faces had grown hazy in her memory.

"Anyway, that's the end of my arranged date saga. Nothing much, huh?"

"Nothing much? You went through quite a lot."

"Exactly! At least you met Marquis Casper."

"...Yeah. Thank goodness for Bern."

Lucia offered a faint smile. It seemed bittersweet yet somehow serene.

The conflicting emotions prompted the two to exchange glances before cautiously asking,

"You're really okay with this, right?"

Lucia, lost in quiet reverie, lifted her head at her friends' worried voices. Both were gazing at her with concern.

"Of course. It's something I had to do eventually. I'm just a little ahead of you two."

"But Lucia, what about Herwin..."

"Christine!"

Arista hastily called out to her. Christine's face paled, and she fidgeted anxiously.

Lucia had wondered why Herwin's name hadn't come up. Contrary to their worries, she appeared perfectly at ease.

"Sorry, Lucia. I shouldn't have said that..."

"It's fine. Nothing like what you two are imagining happened. I was the one who had a one-sided crush on Herwin from the start—we never dated or anything. We've agreed to stay friends."

Even as Lucia tried to sound cheerful, the heavy mood lingered stubbornly.

To lighten things up, she narrowed her eyes playfully.

"Instead of worrying about me, maybe you two should start getting nervous? Hasn't the engagement talk come up at home yet?"

At the mention of engagements, both grimaced and sighed. They were trying to dodge it, but Lucia wasn't one to let it slide.

"Ugh... Yeah. Lately, my parents have been subtly asking if I'm thinking about marriage. I play dumb, but who knows when they'll force me into one."

Christine looked weary, much like Lucia right before her own dates. Arista, on the other hand, seemed relaxed.

"I've got some breathing room since Ares just got engaged. Looks like tying knots with the imperial family was a win after all—the engagement talk's vanished. My parents' smiles won't fade anytime soon."

"I see. Everyone's got their own situations. If you end up with arranged dates, what kind of person would you want?"

"Honestly, anyone normal would do. Marriage isn't my priority right now—business is. Though if I had one wish, it'd be someone who doesn't mind me working. I've heard some men frown on wives who do."

It was a quintessentially Christine answer. As the child of a merchant guild, she had a deep interest in guild management.

With talk of succession lately and her new venture, she seemed utterly uninterested in marriage.

If anything, she'd probably treat it like a business deal and seek maximum gain from a partner.

"What about you, Arista?"

Lucia turned to Arista and gazed at her intently. After a moment's deep thought, Arista's expression darkened slightly as she replied.

"...Since it's someone I'll spend my life with, I'd like it to be someone I love."

The unexpected response widened not just Lucia's eyes but Christine's as well.

Arista had never uttered the word 'love' before. They'd assumed she had no interest in romance...

"Oh my gosh! Arista, do you have someone you like right now?"

Christine shot up from her seat, gripping the table as she asked. Arista gave a wry, self-deprecating smile and shook her head.

Christine's excitement deflated instantly.

"Ah... what a letdown. I got my hopes up thinking you did."

"Haha, what would you do if you knew who I like?"

"Well, nothing specific. I just figured you'd say you're marrying your sword."

"What? No matter how much I love swords, I wouldn't say that."

Arista burst into laughter. Christine soon joined in, and the room filled with bright, cheerful sounds.

Only Lucia kept her steady gaze on Arista.

For some reason, it felt like Arista was lying right now.

'Who could it be?'

As Lucia pondered who Arista might fancy among the men she knew, she unwittingly sighed.

Herwin's face had vividly appeared in her mind.

If Arista liked Herwin...

Lucia pressed her lips tight. Forcing a smile, she said,

"If it's you, Arista, it'll definitely happen."

Arista turned to her. Lucia smiled with her eyes.

"What man in the world would turn down Arista?"

"Lucia."

"So if you find someone you like, confess right away. Who knows? He might like you back."

Herwin would surely accept Arista's confession.

'Unlike with me...'

Lucia closed her eyes, thinking of Herwin.

Comparing herself to Arista was laughable to begin with.

They'd started from different places. Arista had entered Herwin's heart first; she hadn't.

It seemed like a small difference, but it was vast.

Since deciding on the arranged dates, she'd imagined Herwin dating Arista, so the blow wasn't as bad as expected.

'Still, it stings.'

Of course, she wasn't unaffected. It was natural for the person she'd loved for thirteen years to get a girlfriend.

"Thanks, Lucia."

At Arista's grateful words, Lucia opened her eyes. Perhaps drawing courage from them, a spark lit in Arista's violet eyes.

"Hearing you say that puts me at ease. I'll do just as you said."

"...Yeah."

Lucia curved her lips into a natural smile.

She'd been anxious someone might notice her inner turmoil, but fortunately, neither friend picked up on her unease.

Thanks to that, Lucia kept her smile until the gathering ended.

"Thank you for inviting me, Lucia."

Bern arrived at the Agnes Count House at Lucia's invitation, looking impeccably polished with a bouquet in hand.

The vivid pink roses filled the air with their rich fragrance.

Julian, who happened to be nearby, beamed as Lucia accepted the roses and warmly welcomed Bern.

"Welcome to Agnes House, Marquis."

"It's been a while, Madam."

Bern, utterly unflustered, gracefully kissed the back of Julian's hand. Julian clutched her cheeks in delight.

"We were so flustered when we met last time that I prepared some modest gifts."

Bern glanced back at the carriage he'd arrived in. His attendants promptly carried over the presents.

There were four, tailored to each Agnes family member. Bern picked up the smallest box and handed it to Julian.

"This is for you, Madam. I hope it pleases you."

"Oh my, you didn't have to go this far. We haven't prepared anything..."

"It's just something I wanted to give, so please don't feel burdened."

Julian was already grinning ear to ear before even unwrapping it. Then she nudged Lucia forward.

"Don't just stand there—come inside. Lucia, show him around properly."

With that, Julian stepped away to give the two some private time. Even the attendants withdrew, leaving Bern and Lucia alone in the hall in an instant.

Lucia blushed, wondering if the behavior wasn't overly conspicuous.

"...Sorry about that, Bern. Mother seems more excited than I am."

"Haha, no need. It feels good to have her approval. Do you like the flowers?"

Lucia looked down at the bouquet in her hands. The lush pink roses delighted her eyes and nose.

"Yes, the scent is lovely."

"Seeing these flowers made me think of you, somehow."

Bern straightened up and took in Lucia's figure. Holding the armful of pink roses, she suited them even better than he'd imagined.

For a moment, something in Lucia overlapped in Bern's vision, clouding his eyes. He paused before resuming with a kind smile.

"They suit you perfectly."

"I'll have them displayed in my room. Come inside. Let me show you around."

Lucia took Bern's naturally extended arm and began guiding him properly through the house.