Chapter 106
On a bright, sunny day, a carriage glided smoothly in front of Taylor Café.
Lucia and Herwin stepped down side by side. Nobles strolling nearby whispered among themselves, clearly noticing how close the two seemed.
Feeling the piercing gazes, Lucia muttered softly.
“If I had known it would be like this, I would have come alone.”
“You want to meet the Marquis alone while leaving me behind?”
“We’re just saying goodbye. Bern has someone to meet too; there’s no reason to worry.”
“Still… no. Absolutely not.”
Herwin remained stubborn as ever. No matter the topic, his attitude never wavered whenever Bern’s name came up.
After failing to shake Herwin off, Lucia sighed and stepped into the café. Herwin held the door open for her, casting a cold, sharp glance at the onlookers behind them.
At once, everyone turned away. There was no one who could match the presence of someone who had reached the level of a Sword Master.
The café was crowded, almost impossible to find an empty seat during such a busy time.
Lucia scanned the room, searching for Bern.
“Miss Agnes, this way, please.”
A high-pitched female voice called out—not Bern’s. Turning her head, Lucia saw Celine.
“Miss Jenson.”
Lucia approached her warmly.
“Bern reserved a private room. You can go there.”
She had expected Celine to accompany Bern, but it seemed he had gone in alone.
Lucia felt a little puzzled, and Herwin’s gaze grew sharper.
“There are too many people around. I didn’t want to be noticed,” Celine explained.
“Oh… I see. But why are you here then…?”
She meant why wasn’t Celine with Bern. Celine smiled faintly.
“I thought you two might have something to talk about privately. I didn’t get a chance to say that yesterday.”
Celine clasped her hands politely and bowed to Lucia.
“Thank you, Miss. Thanks to you, I can finally meet Bern like this. I can’t find words to fully express my gratitude.”
“Don’t make a big deal of it. It’s nothing to be so thankful for.”
“No, even a hundred thank-yous wouldn’t be enough. I’m truly grateful.”
Tears shimmered in Celine’s eyes. At first unsure how to respond, Lucia smiled gently and helped her up.
“Go on, then. Bern is waiting for you.”
Lucia nodded and glanced at Herwin.
“I’ll go with her…”
“You’re Lord Feneus, right? Stay here with me instead.”
When Herwin tried to follow, Celine stopped him, holding him lightly with a warm smile. Herwin froze, unsure how to react. Most people meeting him for the first time were intimidated by his presence and couldn’t say a word.
While he hesitated, Celine signaled to Lucia. Taking a careful glance at Herwin, Lucia slipped into the room where Bern was waiting.
Herwin missed his chance to follow.
He stared at the closed door, frowning at Celine. She still smiled serenely.
“Why did you interfere?” he asked.
“Interfere? I only did what was right.”
You can’t argue with a smiling face. There was no way he could treat Celine like an ordinary person—she was practically a benefactor who made it possible for Lucia and Bern to meet. Reluctantly, Herwin took a seat opposite her.
“Would you like to order something?” she asked.
“Aren’t you worried?”
Celine paused, looking at Herwin as she handed over the menu. He lifted his chin proudly, meeting her gaze.
For a moment, they both understood—they were thinking the same thing from the same position.
“You’re worried, aren’t you?”
Herwin’s eyebrows twitched.
“Well, I can understand that. Honestly, I’m a little uneasy too.”
“Then why…”
“Are you just going to wait here?”
Herwin nodded. Celine fiddled with the ring on her hand before speaking.
“I trust Bern. After all, he chose me. He must have had many doubts and options, but if he chose me, shouldn’t I act accordingly?”
Herwin fell silent, contemplating her answer. He closed his eyes, thinking of Lucia.
“You’re right.”
“See?”
“Ha… but I still don’t like that they’re together…”
“Hahaha! You’re narrower-minded than I thought.”
Herwin shrugged at the playful jab, trying not to get angry. Then, as if recalling something, he asked,
“Wait, we met before, didn’t we?”
“Excuse me? Me?”
“You don’t remember? We bumped into each other before.”
Celine tilted her head, confused.
“At the party in Diorese… Christine…?”
“Oh… Ah! That time!”
She remembered running away in tears after seeing Bern and Lucia kiss. During her escape, she had bumped into a man—Herwin.
“So that was you back then.”
Celine covered her mouth in amazement. It was strange how people who had crossed paths so awkwardly eventually found their own partners.
“It still makes me dizzy thinking about it.”
“Same here.”
The atmosphere grew solemn as both glanced at each other. Then Herwin noticed the ring on Celine’s hand.
“Did the Marquis give you that ring?”
It was on her fourth finger of the left hand.
“Yes. Actually, Bern once proposed to me with this ring.”
She had expected to wear it at her wedding but eventually separated from him and married Marquis Lemario instead.
“Bern promised to give me a new one, but this ring still means a lot to me.”
Celine held her left hand gently.
“We plan to have a wedding soon. Nothing is set exactly, but it doesn’t matter. What matters is that our hearts match.”
Celine smiled like a girl, and Herwin chuckled. He could understand her completely.
“Congratulations on your marriage.”
“Thank you. You plan to marry too, right?”
Herwin crossed his arms, wearing a proud smile.
“Of course. It will be the most wonderful wedding ever.”
It wasn’t arrogance—it seemed entirely believable. Celine laughed along.
“Ah, should we invite you to our wedding?”
“No, we’ll pass.”
Seeing Herwin’s serious expression in less than a second, Celine felt she could understand his personality.
The two continued talking until Lucia and Bern finished their conversation, mostly bragging about their lovers.
Meanwhile, in the private room, Lucia saw Bern waiting for her.
“You’re here.”
“Bern, have you been well?”
“I’ve been fine. How about you, Lucia? I was worried about that day’s incident.”
“Oh my, Miss Jenson would have been jealous otherwise.”
“Don’t worry. She shared the concern. She even blamed herself a bit,” Bern said, recalling Celine’s personality.
Meeting again, there was no awkwardness; everything felt natural.
“I’m late in greeting you. Thank you for accepting my selfish request.”
“Even Bern? I’ve already thanked Miss Jenson over ten times outside.”
“That’s why I’m grateful. Our engagement and marriage aren’t easy stories. Since our engagement, some may criticize me if I marry Celine.”
“Perhaps. But that’s no longer our concern.”
Bern, momentarily lost for words at her calm confidence, burst into laughter.
“Yes, exactly. It’s no longer our concern.”
“So… you plan to marry soon?”
“Yes, as soon as possible. After over a year, we can finally marry. And since Celine has no proper place to stay, we need to hurry.”
“Oh? No place to stay? Doesn’t she have family?”
“Family, yes, but they’re hardly helpful. After Marquis Lemario died, she left his estate and stayed in inns for months.”
Lucia gasped, unable to imagine it. Bern sighed in agreement.
“She survived by selling her jewelry and keepsakes.”
“And now?”
“She’s with me at our home. Since we’ll be together, no need for another place.”
Lucia breathed a sigh of relief, then remembered something.
“Did you… tell your mother about this?”
She knew the reason for their breakup was parental opposition. Bern nodded, a bit bitter.
“Yes, right after the hunting festival, I explained everything to my mother with Celine.”
“So she approved…?”
“No. She strongly opposed, saying she could never allow it.”
Lucia sighed. Bern rubbed the ring on his left hand, recalling two days ago.
“What did you say just now?”
“Just as you heard. I separated from Lucia and plan to marry Celine.”
Bern held Celine’s hand tightly and told his mother Tiana the truth. Tiana staggered, unable to believe it, and sat on the sofa.
“Mother… are you okay…?”
Startled, Celine tried to approach, but Tiana harshly pushed her away.
“I never acknowledged someone like you as my daughter-in-law! Never! Absolutely not!”
As expected, she reacted strongly. Bern frowned.
“Celine, are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Don’t worry.”
Celine’s hand was now red from the push. Bern hid her behind him and faced his mother with a warning.
“You don’t need to approve. I’m not here to seek permission. I will marry Celine. I’m no longer the age to seek approval, and no one can stop us. If you continue to oppose and act disrespectfully toward her…”
Bern’s gaze was sharp.
“You will never approach Celine again. I’ll send you to the Marquisate.”
He meant to completely cut Tiana off. Tiana, furious, clutched her neck and raged.
“You’ve lost your mind! Do you think I’ll just let you marry?!”
Bern did not budge. A year of parental opposition had already been wasted.
Celine grabbed Bern’s arm.
“Bern, stop. She is your mother. She deserves time to accept this.”
Celine stood beside him, facing Tiana confidently. No longer trembling like before.
“I know you dislike me and see me as lacking, but I truly love Bern. I’ll do anything if it means standing by his side.”
Tiana’s eyes wavered as Celine spoke boldly, kneeling to meet her gaze on the sofa. Warmth and love for Bern shone clearly in her green eyes.
Eventually, Tiana left without saying a word, but Bern knew—her previously unyielding heart had been shaken.
