IDHGA 04

Chapter 04

Our meeting was fate.

Anyone who knew about Asher and my backgrounds would probably say the same.

That we were two people who were destined to meet.

“You have quite peculiar tastes for a young lady who seems to have been raised delicately.”

A place that was dark and, at first glance, even a little eerie.

Yet, perfectly secluded from the surrounding noise, so the melodies of nature were more audible than artificial sounds.

That was the place where he and I first met.

Not some romantic spot where twinkling starlight illuminated us, or where gentle moonlight reflected in each other’s eyes.

We met for the first time in a place I had fled to, disgusted by my father who kept pushing me toward the Crown Prince.

Even in that dark and dreary place, he shone strangely.

I couldn’t take my eyes off him the entire time he approached me.

Even though I couldn’t clearly make out his features, nor did I know who he was.

Whether he noticed my gaze or not, he spoke in a voice tinged with a faint smile.

He asked how I had possibly come to know of such a place.

“I didn’t know there were qualification requirements to be in this place. How should I prove myself?”

I remember retorting with great care, worried that my voice might tremble.

Was it because of his presence, which strangely stood out vividly in a place too dark to fully make out the other’s face?

Or was it the momentary sense of kinship, sharing the comfort of this cozy place with another?

I felt drawn to this person I didn’t even know, and I was certain the feeling was mutual.

“This space doesn’t have an owner, nor am I the owner, so there’s no need to prove anything. If it’s not an intrusion, would you mind sharing this space for a while?”

“As you said, since there’s no owner to permit us to share the space, there’s no need to ask. Please, stay as long as you wish.”

I replied with a playful tone to his softly spoken words.

Even though my heart was beating faster than usual, I felt strangely at ease.

Even as we exchanged trivial conversation, it was the same.

We were overly comfortable with each other from the very beginning, and despite being strangers, we spoke freely about our families.

“My mother passed away early, and now I live only with my father. The servants at the manor are practically my family.”

“You must have had a difficult time at such a young age. I, fortunately, don’t remember my parents’ faces, and the grandfather who raised me passed away a few years ago. Now, I’m the only one left to carry on the family name.”

“I don’t like comparing misfortunes, but compared to you, sir, I suppose I grew up rather happily.”

“As you said, what meaning is there in comparing misfortunes? Everyone carries their own hardships.”

The conversation flowed like water.

His stories, his tone, the consideration for me contained within them, and the occasional laughter.

It was the most perfect time I had ever experienced in my life.

A time perfectly shared and perfectly understood.

We talked, unaware of the passing time, until we realized the surroundings had grown quiet.

……The music from the ballroom had stopped.

The moment we realized that, he and I looked at each other.

Time had flown by too quickly, and parting was heartbreakingly regretful.

“Where should I go to see you, my lady?”

I had been watching his cues, unable to bring myself to say I wanted to meet again.

Hearing him say it first made me so overjoyed that I remember answering with enthusiasm.

“I’m currently staying at the Marquess of Wellington’s residence. If you say you’re here to see Ellie, they’ll guide you.”

It was only natural that my voice sounded excited as I answered.

Probably, if he hadn’t spoken up, I, having been taught to maintain proper decorum as a noble lady, would have had to part ways regretfully without ever saying I wanted to see him again.

“The Marquess of Wellington’s residence. I’ll remember. Would it be alright if I visited tomorrow?”

“Yes. I have no other plans tomorrow, so it should be fine.”

“Then, tomorrow.”

The end of our conversation, leaving a lingering impression, was refreshingly crisp.

He allowed me to leave first, and that was our impressive, fateful first meeting, and our first parting.

And if my memory serves me right, yes.

He came to see me the very next day.

Yesterday, we had only spoken without even exchanging names. Today, we planned to discuss which families we belonged to, and how many things we could do together, our eyes sparkling.

So, as I recall, that’s how it was.

An unforgettable first meeting, followed by sweet days.

Intoxicated by it all, I was unaware of what schemes my father was plotting behind my back, or what nonsensical intentions the Crown Prince, who had retreated that day without even properly seeing my face, harbored towards me.

Yes. I didn’t know that was the root of all the trouble.

“What are you doing, my lady? You need to get ready!”

“Huh?”

“Oh, dear. You need to wash up and make yourself pretty! Why are you just standing there blankly?”

“Ah.”

And soon, I have to go to that meeting which will become the root of the trouble.

Realizing that fact jolted me back to my senses.

Asher will only become more unhappy the more time he spends with me.

No, the happier I foolishly am in his arms, the more unhappy he will become.

Just like those days still vividly etched in my bones, he will constantly suffer and cry out in despair.

Do I really need to repeat those terrible realities I experienced, here and now?

“There’s not much time, my lady. So please hurry a little more and…”

“No, Jena.”

Now is not the time.

At least within this unreal time, I wish for him to be a little happy.

For now, let me be satisfied with just being able to meet Asher before everything begins.

“For now, just make me look presentable, nothing improper.”

So, for now, until everything becomes certain.

I looked at the surprised Jena and gave a faint smile.

“My lady. No matter how I think about it, this just won’t do.”

With light makeup and a neat but unadorned dress that I usually wore in my territory, Jena kept sighing.

It wasn’t that I didn’t understand Jena’s feelings.

If I were in her shoes, and someone I knew well was going to a formal meeting dressed like that, I would probably wave my hands and try to stop them.

“It’s alright, Jena. As you know, I’m not in a position to be meeting anyone properly right now.”

“But my lady. Even Cleor said you need to get married this time! A perfect opportunity is right in front of you, so why…”

“I’m already overwhelmed with territory matters, Jena. Even Cleor said we might need to bring in a professional manager soon, despite you and him helping.”

“Still… You came back with such a excited face yesterday…”

Jena pouted as she fixed my hair.

She’s the one who helps me manage the territory in the North and worries about me day and night.

Unlike Cleor, who is like a dependable friend and colleague, Jena is like a nagging but caring older sister.

I turned around, patted Jena’s shoulder, and smiled.

“It’s alright. Let’s just think of it as having had a happy dream.”

“What kind of talk is that…! Are you going to live your whole life just dreaming?”

“Well, that wouldn’t be so bad either.”

“My lady!”

Jena, her face full of worry and exasperation, sighed.

She probably wouldn’t understand right now, but still.

“It’s alright. I’m happy even now.”

Yes, at least I know what happiness he gives.

I also know how to make him happiest.

Even if it’s only within this small dream I’m having.

So, for a while, it will be alright.

I lightly patted Jena’s shoulder and stood up from my seat.

“Thank you, Jena.”

I brushed past her with light steps and left the room.

I walked down the long hallway and slowly descended to the first floor.

There was still a little time before the time he said he would come, but I didn’t want to coldly reject him from the start, him who would come carrying the warm memory of yesterday.

I’ll do my best to let him stay a little longer in that coziness.

We probably won’t be meeting for a while, and not meeting like that, he might end up with someone else, not me.

……Even in a dream like this, I wanted to be with him, but I didn’t have the confidence to watch him get hurt because of me, knowing full well it would happen.

“Eloise.”

As I set foot on the first floor, my father appeared from somewhere and suddenly blocked my path.

He approached me with his usual expressionless face and stared at me without a word.

“What is it, Father?”

A man who is heartless and utterly despicable.

Seeing that placid face, as if nothing in the world stirred him, anger suddenly surged within me.

With a face like that, he casually throws his daughter into a deadly trap, and casually frames his son-in-law.

All the time I had treated him as my father felt like a complete waste.

I stared back at my father, not bothering to control my stiffening expression.

“What is the meaning of this? The Duke of Fontaine?”

“Did a messenger come? The Duke of Fontaine?”

“You’re telling me you met someone you don’t even know? Eloise. The Fontaines in the capital are no match for us.”

“And what about His Highness the Crown Prince? Is he a worthy match for Mason of the North? We may be one of the Five Great Noble Families in name only, but we’ve been stuck in the frontier, our fortunes waning for a long time.”

“Eloise.”

My father said in a firm tone.

He argued that the barren Masons, stuck in the North and only fit to guard the border, were no match for the Fontaines who thrived in the capital, the center of all military power.

Words I had heard ad nauseam even before coming to the North.

No, words I had heard so often even after marriage that they were ingrained in my ears.

That the union of the Fontaine of the capital and the Mason of the North must never happen.

That we are subjects of the Imperial Family and must obey the Crown Prince’s orders.

I scoffed and waved my hand dismissively.