Chapter 4
Our meeting was fate.
Anyone who knew how Atheord and I had grown up would probably say the same thing.
That the two of us were destined to meet.
We were people who were always meant to find each other.
“You have quite unusual tastes for a young lady who was raised so delicately.”
It was a dark place, almost gloomy at first glance.
But it was completely cut off from the noise around it, making the sounds of nature clearer than any man-made noise.
That was where we first met.
It wasn’t some romantic place where the stars shone down on us or the soft moonlight reflected in each other’s eyes.
It was the place I had run to in order to escape my father, who kept trying to push me toward the Crown Prince.
Even in that dark, quiet place…
He somehow seemed to shine.
I couldn’t take my eyes off him as he slowly walked toward me.
Even though I couldn’t clearly see his face…
Even though I didn’t even know who he was.
Perhaps he noticed my gaze.
With a faint smile in his voice, he asked,
“So, this is the kind of place you like?”
“I didn’t know this place required special qualifications. How should I prove that I belong here?”
I still remember how carefully I spoke, afraid that my voice might tremble.
Was it because his presence stood out so clearly even in the darkness where I could barely make out his face?
Or was it because, for a brief moment, we shared the same comfort this peaceful place offered?
I found myself drawn to someone whose name I didn’t even know.
And somehow…
I was certain he felt the same.
“This place doesn’t belong to me, so I don’t think you need to prove anything. If you don’t mind, may I share this space with you for a while?”
“As you said, there isn’t an owner here to give us permission. So you don’t need to ask. You may stay for as long as you like.”
His gentle voice echoed softly.
Without realizing it, I answered with a smile as well.
Even though my heart was beating faster than usual…
I strangely felt at ease.
Even while we talked about such ordinary things.
From the very beginning, we were incredibly comfortable with each other.
Although we had only just met, we spoke openly about our families.
“My mother passed away when I was very young, so now I live only with my father. The servants in our mansion are like family to me.”
“You must have gone through many hardships at such a young age. Fortunately, I don’t remember my parents’ faces. The grandfather who raised me passed away a few years ago. Now, I am the only one left to carry on my family’s name.”
“I don’t like comparing people’s misfortunes, but compared to you, I suppose I still grew up happily.”
“As you said, what is the point of comparing suffering? Everyone carries their own burdens.”
The conversation flowed as naturally as a river.
Everything about him…
His stories.
His way of speaking.
The kindness hidden in every word.
Even the laughter that escaped from time to time.
It was the most perfect moment I had ever experienced.
A moment where I felt completely understood.
We talked for so long that we lost track of time.
Then…
We realized everything around us had become quiet.
The music from the ball had stopped.
The moment we realized it…
We looked at each other.
Time had passed far too quickly.
And saying goodbye hurt more than either of us expected.
“Where should I come if I want to see you again, Miss?”
I had wanted to ask him the same thing.
But I couldn’t gather the courage.
As a noble lady, I had always been taught to act with dignity.
If he hadn’t spoken first…
I probably would have let him leave without saying a word.
“I am staying at the Wellington Marquis’s residence. If you say you’ve come to see Ellie, they’ll guide you to me.”
My voice was full of excitement as I answered.
“Wellington Marquis’s residence… I’ll remember that. Would it be all right if I visited tomorrow?”
“Yes. I don’t have any plans tomorrow.”
“Then… until tomorrow.”
Our conversation ended simply.
But it left behind a deep feeling that lingered in my heart.
He waited for me to leave first.
That was our unforgettable first meeting.
And our first farewell.
If my memory is correct…
Yes.
He came to see me the very next day.
Yesterday, we had talked without even exchanging our names.
Today…
We were supposed to tell each other which families we belonged to.
We were supposed to excitedly talk about all the things we could do together.
That was how I remembered it.
A meeting I could never forget.
Followed by the sweetest days of my life.
Lost in that happiness…
I never realized what Father was planning behind my back.
Nor did I know what absurd scheme the Crown Prince, who had left without even properly seeing my face that day, had in mind for me.
Yes.
I had no idea…
That all of it would become the beginning of our tragedy.
“What are you doing, Miss? You need to get ready!”
“Hm?”
“Oh, honestly! Hurry and wash up so we can dress you nicely! Why are you just standing there?”
“Ah.”
Soon…
I would have to go and meet the man who would become the beginning of all that tragedy.
The moment I realized that…
My mind became clear.
The longer Atheord stayed with me…
The more unhappy he would become.
No…
The happier I became in his arms…
The more miserable his life would be.
Just like those days that still remained painfully clear in my memories…
He would continue to suffer.
He would continue to cry in despair.
Did I really need to repeat that terrible future all over again?
“There’s not much time, Miss. So we should hurry and—”
“No, Jenna.”
Now isn’t the right time.
At least in this unreal second chance…
I wanted him to be happy.
For now…
It was enough just to meet the Atheord from before everything began.
“Just dress me neatly enough that I won’t be considered rude.”
Until I knew for certain what was happening…
That would be enough.
Seeing Jenna’s surprised expression…
I smiled faintly.
“Miss… no matter how I look at it, this just isn’t right.”
Jenna sighed over and over after finishing my simple makeup and dressing me in the neat but plain dress I usually wore back in the North.
I understood how she felt.
If someone I knew dressed like this for such an important meeting…
I would probably stop them too.
“It’s all right, Jenna. As you know, I’m not in a position to be meeting anyone right now.”
“But, Miss! Even Cleor said this is the year you should get married! Such a perfect opportunity is right in front of you, so why…?”
“Right now, I’m already overwhelmed with managing the territory, Jenna. Even though you and Cleor help me, he said we’ll probably need to hire a professional manager soon.”
“But still… Yesterday you came home looking so happy…”
Jenna gently fixed my hair, her face full of disappointment.
She had always helped me manage our territory in the North.
Unlike dependable Cleor, who felt more like a friend and partner…
Jenna was like a kind older sister who constantly worried about me.
I turned toward her and smiled warmly.
“It’s all right. I’ll just think of it as a beautiful dream.”
“What is that supposed to mean? Are you going to spend your whole life just dreaming?”
“Well…
That might not be so bad.”
“Miss!”
Jenna let out another deep sigh, her face filled with worry.
Perhaps the Jenna of this time couldn’t understand.
But…
“It’s all right. I’m happy even now.”
Because…
I know what kind of happiness he gave me.
And I know what would make him happiest.
Even if it could only happen…
Inside this small dream.
So…
For a little while…
Everything would be all right.
I gently patted Jenna on the shoulder.
“Thank you, Jenna.”
Then I quietly left the room.
I walked down the long hallway and slowly descended to the first floor.
There was still some time before he was due to arrive.
But I didn’t want to reject him coldly the moment he came, carrying the warmth of yesterday’s memories.
I wanted him to enjoy that peaceful feeling just a little longer.
Because…
We probably wouldn’t meet again for quite some time.
And before long…
He might end up with someone else instead of me.
Even inside this dream, I wanted to stay with him. But knowing he would only be hurt because of me… I didn’t have the strength to watch it happen again.
“Eloise.”
The moment I stepped onto the first floor…
Father suddenly appeared and blocked my path.
With his usual expressionless face, he quietly stared at me.
“What is it, Father?”
A cold…
Cruel man.
Looking at his emotionless face…
My anger suddenly surged.
The same face that had calmly pushed his own daughter toward death.
The same face that had shamelessly framed his own son-in-law.
Thinking about all the respect I had shown him simply because he was my father…
It felt like such a waste.
Without bothering to hide the cold expression forming on my face, I looked straight at him.
“What is the meaning of this? The Duke of Fontaine?”
“Did the messenger tell you? That it was the Duke of Fontaine?”
“You met someone without even knowing who he was? Eloise, the Fontaine family of the capital is far beyond our reach.”
“And is the Crown Prince somehow suitable for the Mason family of the North? We may be one of the Five Great Noble Families in name, but we’ve been declining for a long time while living on the frontier.”
“Eloise.”
Father spoke firmly.
He had repeated those same words countless times before we moved to the North.
Even after my marriage…
I heard them so often they became unbearable.
That the Fontaine family of the capital and the Mason family of the North should never become one.
That we were servants of the Imperial Family.
That we had to obey the Crown Prince.
I let out a cold laugh and waved my hand dismissively.
