Chapter 55

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 55

Chapter Title: Heart's Turmoil

-----------------------------------------------------------------

"...Tired?"

"Yes. Think about it. Who wouldn't get fed up when the person you have a crush on clearly knows how you feel but pretends not to, and even rejects your confessions?"

Before Herwin could interject, Jerome unleashed a torrent of words like a machine gun.

"So in the end, you gave up on the unrequited love and got yourself a fiancée. It couldn't just be to provoke jealousy, right?"

Herwin thought of Lucia. It certainly didn't seem like she'd gone on those marriage meetings just to stir up petty jealousy.

"I can understand the childhood friend, but why are you suddenly bothered by your friend?"

"What?"

Herwin, lost in thought, lifted his head. Jerome placed his hands on his hips, looking exasperated.

"Why are you only now caring about that childhood friend?"

"That's..."

"You don't have some trashy mindset like 'I don't want her, but I don't want anyone else to have her either,' do you?"

Stung by Jerome's words, Herwin shouted.

"As if!"

"Whoa! Why are you yelling? It's not like I'm talking to the young master."

As Jerome stepped back, Herwin came to his senses and ran a hand over his face.

"...Anyway, it's not like that, so don't say it is."

"Yes, understood. Then please tell me exactly which part about your friend is confusing you."

"Well..."

Herwin listed out his jumbled thoughts in a deflated voice.

He started with not liking Lucia's fiancé, then her avoiding him, and not telling him about her marriage meetings—everything.

The more he spoke, the more displeased Jerome's expression became.

"...So that's how it is."

"Um... Just to make sure, you don't like your childhood friend, right?"

"Yeah."

"For real? No lies, absolutely sure?"

"Yes. Why do you keep asking..."

"From what I see, it looks like you do have feelings for your childhood friend."

Herwin froze mid-sentence, mouth agape.

Jerome knew full well that the "friend" was Herwin himself but continued pretending otherwise.

"Otherwise, it doesn't make sense to suddenly care about your childhood friend now. On top of that, you don't like the fiancé she brought along. Did he act rudely? Or does he have a bad reputation?"

"No, not that..."

"Then it's clear. You have feelings for your childhood friend. One hundred percent!"

"But..."

Herwin looked unconvinced and confused, prompting Jerome to let out a soft sigh.

"Is it so strange to like your childhood friend? Why can't you accept it?"

Herwin's lips twitched before he finally spoke.

"Because... she has someone she likes."

"Pardon? The young master has someone he...! No, wait. Your friend has someone she likes?"

He almost slipped up and quickly corrected himself, but Herwin was too dazed to notice.

"Yeah."

"Then the reason she didn't accept you is..."

"Because she likes someone else, so she didn't accept me."

Herwin's low murmur didn't ring false. Jerome, stunned by the new information, slowly closed his gaping mouth.

"That makes it even more incomprehensible."

Jerome's playful, high-pitched tone dropped sharply. He erased his smile and looked at Herwin seriously.

"If she has someone she likes, why care about your childhood friend and dislike her fiancé? If you had no interest at all, you'd normally cheer on your friend marrying a good person."

Herwin couldn't answer easily. His eyes shook as if he'd been struck on the head.

"If you don't see your childhood friend as a romantic interest, just cheer her on and stay out of it. No matter how confused you are, it won't be as much as with her."

Jerome's cold words softened into an incredulous expression.

"But seriously, does your friend really have someone else she likes? From what I see, she likes her childhood friend."

"........."

Herwin fell silent. Despite the clear answer, his worries seemed to grow. Jerome quietly stayed by his side until he snapped out of his deep thoughts.

Herwin remained rooted to the spot for a long while.

Lucia shook off her tension and followed behind Viscountess Leiran.

She was currently at a tea party hosted by Viscountess Leiran.

Though a viscountess, the Leiran family was one of the rising new noble houses, and Lucia had come at Bern's earnest request to attend.

The glass greenhouse they entered was filled with vibrant flowers, and even more precious figures caught her eye.

Among the attendees were married influencers of high society, as well as unmarried women like Lucia who were fiancées.

As Viscountess Leiran and Lucia appeared, all eyes turned to them.

"Everyone, today I have invited a special guest."

With the viscountess's introduction, Lucia curtsied.

"Pleased to meet you. I am Lucia Agnes."

A smattering of applause followed, with some welcoming her and others whispering about her.

"Agnes, huh. Has the time come for Lady Agnes to enter society already?"

"Haven't you heard? She's engaged to Marquis Casper this time."

"Heavens, Marquis Casper? I remember so many ladies vying for him. Who would've thought it'd be Lady Agnes—quite unexpected."

"Exactly. Rumor has it they met through a marriage meeting."

As expected, they focused more on her being Marquis Casper's fiancée than on Lucia herself.

Having anticipated this, Lucia maintained her composure.

Ignoring the gazes and murmurs, she took a seat at an empty spot.

"I was wondering who the victorious lady who captured Marquis Casper would be, and it turns out to be you, Lady Agnes."

A lady approached Lucia's side. She exuded charisma at a glance and was bold enough not to hide her curiosity.

"Victorious lady? You're too kind."

Lucia smiled awkwardly.

When Julian had spoken highly of Bern's reputation, she'd wondered if it was overstated, but seeing this, it was no exaggeration.

If anything, the enthusiastic reactions made her realize Bern was even more popular than she'd thought.

"Nonsense. Can't you see the other ladies glaring daggers at you from afar?"

Following the lady's fan, Lucia turned to see women in their early twenties shooting jealous looks.

As Lucia faltered, the lady beside her laughed.

"Hahaha, you really had no idea. You'll face plenty of envy and jealousy from now on—what will you do?"

"...Nothing to be done. It's not my fault my fiancé is exceptional. I suppose I must accept it as fate and live with it."

"Fate, eh. Well, to marry such a fine man, you need that kind of resolve."

Pleased with Lucia's response, the lady burst into laughter.

After that, she kept conversing with Lucia, who started off awkward but soon responded adeptly.

The lady seemed to be one of the central figures at this tea party. Just talking to her drew others eager to join in.

And whether she truly took a liking to Lucia or not, when someone posed a sharp question, the lady intercepted it before Lucia could respond.

Thanks to her, Lucia spent the tea party unscathed.

As time passed and dealing with people grew tiring, Lucia found an excuse to rise and step away.

She wandered the empty garden, away from the crowd.

"I'm a bit worn out."

Though she'd entered society some time ago, this was her first real foray.

Until now, she'd stuck to close friends to avoid mingling, so it was only natural.

Rustle—

Then, footsteps approached from behind, and a woman appeared—one from the tea party.

Crimson hair, deep green eyes, and charming freckles dotting her face gave her a lively appeal.

Lucia recognized her face but had never been formally introduced, leading to an awkward silence.

Should I speak first? As she pondered, the woman suddenly stepped forward.

"You're Lady Lucia Agnes, right?"

She came too close, and Lucia instinctively stepped back.

"I am indeed Lucia Agnes, but who might you be?"

Lucia asked warily, and the fidgeting woman snapped to attention, bowing her head.

"Ah, sorry. I haven't introduced myself. I'm Celine Jay... no, Romario."

She corrected her surname mid-sentence. Finding it odd, Lucia watched as she approached again.

"Um, I have something I want to ask...!"

"Yes, go ahead."

Unlike her bold approach, she hesitated, lips trembling visibly.

Finally, Celine squeezed her eyes shut then opened them, mustering courage.

"Are you really engaged to Marquis Casper?"

The question was so absurd that Lucia frowned involuntarily.

Most here knew she was Bern's fiancée.

Even if not, she'd heard the talk at the tea party, yet this woman asked outright in her presence—what was her intent?

Like the early glares from other ladies, perhaps Celine disapproved of her engagement to Bern. But unlike their eyes full of envy and jealousy, Celine looked anxious.

Anxiety, nervousness, sadness, and a sliver of hope—emotions hard to fathom in this situation swirled in her green eyes.

"I'm not doubting you, I just wanted to know if it's an official engagement with the marquis..."

Realizing how ridiculous it sounded, Celine mumbled an addendum.

Though Lucia didn't know why, it was clear she harbored no malice.

So Lucia answered honestly.

"Yes, that's correct. I've promised to become engaged to Bern."

Celine's green eyes wavered aimlessly. Her agitation transmitted through the air.

"It's not official yet, but we'll have the engagement ceremony someday."

"........."

"Does that answer your question?"

Celine's face twisted as if she might cry, her lips quivering. The expression felt familiar, and Lucia intuited it instantly.

'She likes Bern.'

Celine mirrored Lucia's past self—the despair when she learned Herwin liked Arista. That same emotion emanated from her.

For both their sakes, Lucia decided to leave. This encounter helped no one.

As Lucia turned to go, Celine grabbed her.

Tears welled in Celine's eyes, preventing her from speaking even as she held on.

After waiting, Lucia spoke first.

"Do you have more questions?"

"I mean... did Bern ever say anything about me...?"

Celine's desperate cry trailed off. She released Lucia's arm limply.

"Ah, no. Forget what I said. Please forget it."

Celine bowed her head deeply, hiding her face.

Drops fell from her crimson locks, but Lucia pretended not to notice.

It pained her to have unintentionally hurt someone.

Seeing echoes of her past self in Celine made it worse.

Lucia reached out but hesitated.

She wanted to offer comfort, but it might be misinterpreted.

In the end, she withdrew her hand and walked away.

A soft sob echoed behind her.