Chapter 57

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 57

Chapter Title: Unexpected Meeting

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Rattle-rattle—

Inside the jostling carriage, Herwin rested his head against the window, gazing idly at the passing scenery with a bored expression.

Jerome watched Herwin with a worried look.

For the past few days, ever since Herwin had used his friends as an excuse to seek advice, he'd been spacing out like he was missing a screw.

Jerome grew anxious, wondering if his response back then had been too harsh.

'And I can't even guess what he's thinking.'

Herwin had taken the carriage into the city to meet Arista.

He knew he couldn't just cancel their prior promise on a whim, but Jerome questioned whether a man who liked Lucia could leisurely meet another woman like this.

Rattle—!

The carriage gradually slowed to a stop. Upon arriving at their destination, Herwin sluggishly climbed out.

"Come back at the time I mentioned."

"Yes, sir... Young Master!"

Jerome grabbed Herwin as he turned to leave.

"......Are you really okay?"

Herwin raised one eyebrow and let out a scoff.

"So that's why you've been staring at me like that. Are you actually worried about me?"

"Of course. You've been so off these past few days—how could I not worry?"

"I don't know what you're fretting over, but I'm fine. So wait somewhere else."

"......Understood. Have a good time."

Jerome closed the carriage door with a sullen expression and headed off with the coachman.

Once Jerome was gone, Herwin made his way to the meeting spot with Arista.

As he strolled down the street, Herwin fell deep into thought for a moment.

A while back, Jerome had bluntly declared that he liked Lucia.

So he'd spent a long time pondering if that was really true. But no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't arrive at a clear answer.

If he truly liked Lucia, he figured he ought to act like she did toward him.

Lucia always behaved as if she'd give him everything, gazing at him with melting eyes.

Yet he'd never acted that way toward her, nor sent her those kinds of looks.

'Arista's a bit different, though.'

Even by Lucia's standards, he didn't treat Arista that way either.

Still, he felt something special toward Arista—a unique emotion.

Of course, it had diluted quite a bit since he'd first realized it, but Arista remained special to him.

Being with her was fun, he learned a lot from her, and she was the only one who shared his hobbies.

But if asked whether he wanted to marry her, he couldn't say yes definitively.

Life with her would surely be enjoyable going forward, but realistically, the odds were slim.

Not just because of the family politics—marriages between ducal houses were exceedingly rare. So he didn't think he could marry her.

She was special, so he hoped she'd marry someone good.

It'd piss him off if she ended up with some weirdo.

Lost in thoughts of Arista, Herwin suddenly halted as something clicked.

'Is that why with Lucia, too?'

Now he understood why her engagement felt so off-putting and disappointing.

'Yeah, that's it.'

Lucia was important and special to him, too. They'd been friends since way back in his hazy childhood memories, so hearing about her engagement stirred those feelings.

It was like a massive clog in his chest finally cleared. The long-lost freshness lifted his spirits sky-high.

'I don't like Lucia that way.'

With that conclusion, he no longer resented Marquis Casper and felt he could sincerely congratulate Lucia on her engagement.

"Hah, it was this simple."

"Simple? What was?"

Herwin flinched and whipped his head around. Arista stood right beside him—he hadn't noticed her approach.

Since they'd met up for sword shopping today, her outfit was casual.

Loose yet neat pants like a knight might wear, a shirt with a button or two undone, hair tied back tightly. And a sword at her waist.

It was utterly Arista. In fact, her attire wasn't much different from Herwin's.

"You startled me. When did you get here?"

"Just now. What are you doing standing around here? I had to hunt you down because you were taking forever."

"Oh......"

Herwin glanced around in embarrassment. The fountain—their agreed meeting spot—was visible in the distance. He'd gotten so lost in thought he hadn't reached it.

"Sorry, I had something on my mind."

Arista eyed Herwin for a moment before grinning.

"If you're sorry, buy me a dagger."

"A dagger? Out of nowhere?"

"Dad's been nagging me nonstop to stop buying weapons, so my allowance got slashed. Looks like I can only afford one sword this time."

Arista scrunched her face in complaint, and Herwin asked,

"The Duke's still on about that?"

"Still? He's always been like that. Even if the sun split in two, he'd never change."

Arista flashed a sly grin, certain she'd never bend to her father's will.

Arista was as obsessed with swordsmanship as Herwin.

As a child, she'd preferred swinging a sword over learning noble etiquette or arts, to the point where her parents had to force her to sit at a desk.

She'd even cut her hair short and stubbornly declared she'd become a swordswoman, giving the Duke endless headaches.

Then, for some reason, she'd abruptly distanced herself from swords and started seriously learning etiquette.

When she donned dresses like any other lady and displayed perfect noble poise, the Duchess had teared up—so that said it all about her tomboy past.

These days, she was milder than in childhood, but the Duke of Lydia still wished she'd give up the sword entirely.

But the sword was inseparable from Arista's life, so she ignored her father's pleas.

Herwin, well aware of all this, chuckled and ruffled her hair.

"A dagger's nothing—I'll get you a longsword."

"For real? No take-backs? You know I don't refuse these offers."

Arista's eyes lit up at the unexpected windfall. Herwin shrugged it off as no big deal.

Arista hummed cheerfully, pondering what to ask Herwin to buy her.

Herwin watched her stride ahead and thought of Lucia.

'Yeah, definitely not.'

He'd been confused about liking her, but now he was steady. Seeing Arista solidified his certainty.

Herwin hurried to Arista's side at the sound of her calling him.

The lingering image of Lucia in his mind had faded into obscurity.

Ting-a-ling—

The boutique door swung open, and Bern and Lucia emerged arm in arm, looking affectionate.

Bern carried what appeared to be their purchase from the shop.

"I could have handled this on my own, but you've helped me more than I expected."

Bern smiled awkwardly, and Lucia shook her head with a laugh.

"Not at all. I'm glad if I was of help. Will your wife like it?"

"Absolutely. She'll be way happier than if I'd picked it myself."

Tiana, Bern's late marchioness mother, had her birthday in less than a week.

When Bern struggled to choose a gift, Lucia had made time to assist him.

Her eye for such things was far sharper than his.

"If you need my help again, just say the word. I'm always happy to lend a hand with this."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony—I'll ask next time, too."

Bern playfully bowed with a hand over his chest, and Lucia covered her mouth, giggling softly.

"Her birthday's so soon—should I prepare something as well?"

Even as they shopped for Tiana's gift, Lucia had pondered it briefly.

They weren't officially engaged yet, so celebrating his mother's birthday might be overstepping—but she also felt she had to do something.

"That's why I hesitated to accept your help at first."

"Pardon?"

Lucia blinked in surprise at his unexpected reply. He'd indeed hesitated before agreeing to her offer.

"Isn't it? We're not officially engaged, so asking you to pick gifts for my parents felt premature......"

"Ah......"

Lucia sighed. Bern had thought the same as her.

"And we're not holding a birthday party this time."

"Oh? Really?"

It was quite formal to let such a rare special day pass without a party.

Wondering if there was a story behind it, Lucia cautiously asked why.

"Nothing major. It's only been a year since Father passed. Mother's still deep in grief."

Lucia fell silent, sobered. Bern had inherited the marquisate upon the previous marquis's death, so it was natural.

"So we'll probably keep it low-key this year."

"Sorry for prying."

"No need. It's not something to hide."

Silence settled between them briefly. Then Lucia spoke up, having thought it over.

"In that case, may I send her some flowers on her birthday?"

"Flowers?"

"Yes. We can't let her only special day of the year pass quietly. Everyone loves flowers, so I hope it'll brighten her mood a little."

Bern gazed at Lucia warmly. His golden eyes wavered faintly, though his glasses hid it from her notice.

Unable to continue, he smiled brightly.

"Then I'll leave it to you. Mother will love it."

In their even closer atmosphere, Lucia asked Bern about Tiana's tastes and favorite flowers.

Bern answered everything he knew.

As they walked, Bern suddenly stopped.

"Lucia, mind if we stop here for a bit?"

Following his gaze, Lucia saw a jewelry store.

It was the very shop she'd visited with Herwin on the day of her final confession.

She flinched involuntarily but composed herself.

"Of course. Let's go in."

Inside with Bern, Lucia glanced around.

Enough time had passed since that day that the displays had changed significantly.

Her eyes caught the tie pin she'd bought for Herwin back then. Staring at it absently, she bumped her nose into Bern, who'd halted abruptly ahead.

"Ow!"

Bern startled at her short cry and quickly checked on her.

"Sorry! Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine. But why'd you stop so suddenly......?"

Rubbing her nose, Lucia looked past Bern and her eyes widened slowly.

"Herwin... Arista?"

The people behind Bern were none other than Herwin and Arista.