CH 63

<CHAPTER 63

“Yes. She’s getting engaged. It’s not finalized yet, but…….”

Herwin trailed off, but that wasn’t what mattered to Henry right now.

“If she hadn’t told me today, I wouldn’t have known anything and I would have watched her get engaged to another man! What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

Herwin remembered Henry’s fondness for Lucia since they were children.

“You can’t be serious, you still like Lucia?”

“Yes, I do, she’s like family to me!”

Henry’s feelings for Lucia were not rational.

In response, Herwin let out a small sigh of relief.

“What are you doing now, aren’t you going to catch her?”

But the next words made him look up from his downcast gaze.

“You’re going to let her go to another man, maybe even get married, and you’re going to stand by and let that happen?”

“……What are you talking about?”

“What do you mean, get out of here and……!”

Henry stopped shouting when he saw Herwin’s bewildered expression.

Then he remembered what Lucia had said.

‘Herwin doesn’t like me.’

Slowly a look of horror crossed Henry’s face, then he looked down at Herwin with contempt.

“……. You don’t like her?”

Herwin stiffened and avoided Henry’s gaze.

“I… have someone else I like.”

Throbbing-

Even though Herwin spat it out, his chest felt heavy for some reason. The dull ache in his chest made him wonder.

It was the first time Henry ever heard the word “like” come out of his mouth.

Henry’s face hardened.

“Come to think of it, you never said you liked my sister…….”

Henry said in a low voice. Yes, Herwin had never said he liked Lucia.

But when they were together, it was plain to see that they were interested in each other, even if they didn’t say so. So-

“Why did I give up on my sister…….”

Dejection followed by anger. Henry clenched his fists until his knuckles were white.

“You didn’t say that in front of Lucia, did you?”

When Herwin failed to meet his eyes, Henry realized he was right.

Henry chuckled and stared at Herwin with cold, sunken eyes.

“You don’t know what made me give up on my sister, do you?”

Herwin slowly raised his head.

“I’ve been fond of her ever since I was a little kid, but I gave her up because I thought you and Lucia liked each other, and you’re not a waste to me… but it was all for nothing.”

“You don’t like Lucia…….”

“Yeah, I was going to give up, but now I don’t have to. You can be happy with that girl you say you like for the rest of your life. I’ll never see my sister engaged to another man.”

Henry’s eyes narrowed as he spoke.

‘I thought you said you didn’t like her.’

A faint sense of despair settled on Herwin’s face.

How could that face be that of a mere friend; it was the face of a man who had been robbed of his favorite person.

Even though his feelings were visible on his face, he didn’t seem to realize it.

‘Phew, let him suffer alone.’

The wagon has left. He would have to deal with what happened next on his own.

As Henry was about to leave a confused Herwin behind, he remembered something.

“Does our parents know about my sister’s engagement?”

“No.”

“No wonder. They wouldn’t be here if they did.”

Henry shook his head in disbelief.

They had been waiting for news of his and Lucia’s engagement ever since Herwin graduated from the Academy.

“If they know the story, they’ll turn it upside down.”

He winced at the thought of his parents traveling down to the capital in a month.

When Henry left, Herwin ran a hand through his hair.

“What the hell am I supposed to do…….”

Should he ask Lucia to be engaged to him?

‘……. You don’t like her?’

Yes, he doesn’t like Lucia. It’s Arista he likes.

‘You’re not going to marry me.’

If he rushes into marrying her when he doesn’t even like her, Lucia will see right through him and pull away from him.

The thought of Lucia no longer seeing him made his heart grow heavy.

He felt like he was walking through a labyrinth with no way out. He had no idea what to do about this.

Eventually, Herwin buried his face in his hands and closed his eyes. He felt like he had been left in a pitch-black place.

* * *

“Haha… Mom, how long are we going to have to do this?”

“Oh, dear, we’re just getting started, don’t be so weak, go grab some other clothes here.”

“Yes, please wait a moment.”

Arista shook her head when she saw her mother, who was more excited than she was about picking out her clothes.

She’s been in a bit of a funk lately, so she’s been stuck in the rehearsal hall, and when her mother tells her with tears in her eyes that even if she has a daughter, she feels like she doesn’t have a daughter, eventually, Arista was forced out by her.

Weakened by her mother’s tears, she decided to stay and do as she wished for just this one day, but she soon regretted it.

Arista, who had already changed five or six outfits, looked at her mother, whose eyes were shining brightly with a fat face.

“My God, you look so beautiful, my darling, I don’t know whose daughter you are, you look like an angel.”

“You said that just a moment ago.”

“Ho-ho-ho, did I? Ah! Arista, you should try this on. I think it would look great on you.”

Arista’s face turned white as she looked at the endless rows of clothes on the rack. Arista slowly backed away, making an excuse.

“I just need to use the restroom.”

“Okay. You should hurry.”

The Duchess could only smile. With the frightening implication that she wouldn’t let her escape, of course.

At the thought of running away, Arista narrowed her shoulders and savored the little bit of breathing room.

“Ha. What time is it?”

She’d only been here for half an hour. Shopping with her mother was a standard two hours. Arista sighed heavily as she realized she had a lot of miserable hours ahead of her.

“…… Let’s go to the restroom first.”

Arista limped to the restroom. Moving as slowly as possible, Arista’s ears perked up when she heard a familiar voice.

“So, honey, you’re saying that Viscountess Romario used to be in a relationship with him?”

“She was, I’m sure. It was something that anyone who knew would know.”

The voice, deliberately thin, belonged to Becky, Lucas’ lover.

Wondering if Lucas was there, Arista turned and headed toward the source of the voice.

“Hmph, that’s right, thank you, sweetheart, you’re the only one.”

“If you’re so grateful… how about tonight?”

“Ugh, you too. You can’t say that here.”

Arista frowned at the obscene conversation. Suddenly, she noticed something strange.

The voice of the person talking to Becky was very unfamiliar. Even if Lucas was faking his voice, it didn’t have the same tone.

‘No way….…’

Arista frowned and entered the room where the voice came from.

Becky, who had sent her a fierce glare from Lucas’ arms, was now giggling in a stranger’s arms.

Arista froze, not quite comprehending the current situation.

Realizing that a person was standing in the doorway, Becky quickly turned her head.

When she spotted Arista, Becky stiffened. Meanwhile, the man with her looked her up and down and cleared his throat.

“Hmmm, there’s someone.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I must have the wrong room.”

“No, that’s okay, I can direct you if you’re lost…….”

The man gave her a snake-like stare, and Arista stiffened, looking down at the two of them arrogantly.

“Never mind. It looks like you’re having a good time, and I apologize for interrupting.”

As Arista walked away, the man chuckled hollowly.

“Pretty face, but no personality. Of course, we both know you’re prettier.”

Becky, who had been staring at the spot where Arista had left, snapped to attention.

“Huh? Uh-huh, yeah, I’m prettier.”

“Anything else?”

“Nope. That’s enough. Thanks.”

Confused, Becky quickly regained her composure. The man touched her gently on the waist and whispered.

“If you ever need my help, let me know, but what the hell does Agnes want to know?”

“He wants to know what it’s like to have her sister betrothed to the Marquis of Casper.”

“Hmph, I see, in that case, I can understand why he’d want to find out.”

As he now insisted on playing with her, Becky smiled seductively and clung to his neck.

Even as she did so, her mind wandered to Arista, whom she’d seen earlier.

‘You’re not talking to Lucas, are you?’

No, she’d only seen her once before, so she might not remember her.

The way she didn’t falter when she saw her, it was clear she didn’t remember her.

Relieved that Arista didn’t recognize her, Becky quickly put her out of her mind.

* * *

“……That’s all the information I have.”

A few days after Arista’s encounter, Becky went to Lucas’ office and told him what she had learned.

As he listened, Lucas’ face grew harder and harder, and he looked angrier than Becky had ever seen him before.

Feeling a chill run down her spine, Becky gently took his hand.

“Baby, are you angry?”

“Huh? No…just a little freaked out. Thanks, Becky. I never would have figured it out if it wasn’t for you.”

“No, you’re welcome.”

Lucas planted a quick kiss on her cheek, and Becky smiled softly.

“So, what are you going to do now, tell your sister?”

“Of course, I’m sure she doesn’t know about this, but I need to tell her right away, or at least break off the engagement…….”

Becky smirked at the mumbling Lucas.

‘I thought they said he was an idiot.’

She’d heard the rumors about Lucas before they met.

She was a little worried because he’s such a family man, but he’s pretty nice.

She doesn’t understand why he’s been dumped by women.

She thought it was stupid that women would fall for someone who supported and loved them unconditionally.

‘Where do you get a man like this?’

The next countess is the one who has won, and a man who loves her as if he would give her everything, will not be easily found anywhere.

Of course, meeting another man was another matter.

She couldn’t control her infidelity in the first place. She never thought she could look at and love only one person.

‘You just have to hide it well.’

It would be better for Lucas than if the whole truth came out.

“Brother, are you in there?”

There was a knock on the door and Arista appeared. Becky, who was smiling in triumph, shuddered when she saw Arista.

So did Arista, who was about to enter. After a brief pause, Arista quickly looked away.

“Arista, what are you doing here?”

“I need to run a quick errand. Can you take a look at this?”

“Um, let me see…….”

As Lucas looked over the documents Arista handed him, Becky pursed her lips and hid her anxiety.

‘Will she recognize me?’

Nervous, Becky couldn’t take her eyes off Arista, but Arista didn’t give her the slightest glance.

“I’ll take care of this. Thanks.”

“Okay, okay. I’ll leave you to it.”

“Okay, bye.”

Contrary to what she feared, Arista didn’t talk about what happened that day.

‘Maybe she doesn’t remember ….…’

Becky breathed a sigh of relief that she didn’t recognize her.

“Becky, are you okay? You don’t look so good.”

“Yeah, I’m fine! When are you going to finish your work?”

“Umm… it’s going to take me a little while, so just wait a little while, and I’ll be done.”

“Really? I’ll trust you then!”

Chirp.

Arista glanced at the closed door as she listened to the laughter coming from the office.

After a long, cold stare, Arista scoffed and walked away.