Chapter 75
Herwin watched Lucia, who was gradually moving farther away, with a helpless gaze.
Just like in his dream, she was already leaving his side. And now, perhaps, he would never see her again…
“Already whining before even starting?”
Arista’s words suddenly came to mind, and Herwin’s hand trembled slightly.
“Are you sure you won’t regret it? If you do nothing, fret alone, and lose everything without trying, you’ll regret it even more later.”
“That’s right… I will regret it…”
“This time, it’s your turn. You go first and have courage.”
Arista had been right. Despite being rejected countless times, Lucia had always made efforts to approach him. Compared to her, he hadn’t even started.
No matter how much her rejections had hurt, and no matter how much it seemed she might go to another man, he could not just stand by and do nothing.
Clenching his fists tightly, Herwin strode toward Lucia.
Gently grabbing her shoulder and turning her around, he saw her crying.
The fact that he had made her cry filled him with deep self-loathing. Yet, at the same time, it was a relief, as it seemed she still wavered for him.
Herwin held her shoulders and met her gaze.
“What are you… doing?”
“I will never give up on you.”
Seeing his resolute red eyes, Lucia pressed her lips tightly together.
“This time, I’ll wait for you.”
Herwin, unable to take his eyes off her lips, carefully took her hand.
His trembling lips gently landed on the back of her hand.
“I love you, Lucia.”
Herwin’s eyes glimmered with red, and his expression softened.
Lucia, staring blankly at Herwin, soon twisted her face in embarrassment and pushed him away before entering the mansion.
Even long after Lucia had gone inside, Herwin could not leave the spot until the sky grew dark.
“Miss, you’re back? You’re a bit late today…”
Sein, seeing Lucia, greeted her. Just as he was about to approach her, Lucia passed by him without a word.
Startled, Sein turned to watch her hurried departure.
“Is she crying?”
Her face was far too red to just be crying.
More than crying…
“She really seems embarrassed.”
Sein debated whether to continue his work or try to talk to her but finally decided:
“Let’s give her some time alone.”
Whatever had happened, it seemed she needed some private time.
Meanwhile, Lucia rushed into her room and collapsed against the doorframe.
“Hah… hah…”
Her heart raced so fast it was hard to breathe.
His eyes, more vivid than in her dream, wouldn’t fade from her mind. It felt as if his breath still lingered on her hand.
She gripped her trembling hand tightly.
“Herwin… he…”
He likes me. The one who had never seen her as anything more than a friend… he likes her.
It was so unbelievable that her anxious, racing heart began to feel slightly uneasy.
The look in his eyes and the hand he had grabbed didn’t seem false at all, making her waver.
“Hah… haha…”
She didn’t know if the laughter escaping her was from emptiness or joy. She just kept laughing.
“My confession ended at the ninety-ninth time…”
She had thought she would never get to the hundredth confession, yet Herwin had filled it.
After thirteen years, after giving up, and after ninety-nine confessions, Herwin had finally noticed her—it was almost surreal.
Lucia, stunned by his confession, slowly clenched her fists, facing reality.
“Why… is he saying that now?”
Herwin’s confession felt like a dream, so exhilarating it was almost like flying, but it was too late.
She had promised an engagement to Vern today. Once the ceremony took place, marriage would follow immediately.
Having already promised a future with another man, she could not accept Herwin.
“No, this is much better.”
Herwin mistook jealousy over losing a close friend for love.
No—it had to be a misunderstanding. If it wasn’t, it would be too miserable.
Having finally let go of her feelings for Herwin and preparing to marry another man, now he came to stop her—it made no sense.
“What should I do…?”
Tears blurred her vision before she realized it. Seeing them fall, she rubbed her eyes.
The feelings she had for Herwin, the hardships of trying to let go, and the joy at hearing he liked her all collided in her mind, leaving her dizzy.
As she silently wept, someone knocked on the door.
Startled, she hastily wiped her tears.
“Uh… uh… who’s there?”
“It’s me, Lucia. Can I come in?”
It was Lucas. Expecting it to be Sein at most, Lucia quickly wiped her tears, steadied her voice, and sat on the sofa as if nothing had happened.
“Come in.”
The door opened, and Lucas peeked in.
“I could hear your voice right at the door. When did you go there?”
“W-what are you talking about? I’ve been here the whole time.”
“Okay, never mind.”
Lucas frowned suspiciously. Trying to change the subject, Lucia asked:
“So, what brings you here at this hour?”
“Well… I just wondered if everything was okay…”
Lucas paused, then froze when he saw her face.
He stiffened and approached Lucia.
“You… cried?”
“…Huh?”
“I said, did you cry?”
She had wiped her tears and calmed her breathing—how could he tell?
Lucia stammered, unable to respond, and Lucas’s brows furrowed further.
“I should have just kicked him out…”
Lucas muttered, and the words pierced Lucia’s ears.
Confused, she remembered Herwin standing at the gate earlier.
Why hadn’t he entered, despite coming in and out like it was his home…?
“Brother, did Herwin come here?”
“You ran into that bastard, huh.”
Lucia flinched at the sudden curse.
“That bastard…! Why do you speak to Herwin like that? No wonder he stayed at the gate instead of coming inside! Guests should be let in!”
“Guests? Who’s a guest?”
“Brother!”
Lucia glared at Lucas in shock.
No matter what had happened between her and Herwin, Lucas was also close to him.
She couldn’t believe Lucas would react so sharply toward Herwin.
“Is it because I liked Herwin? Don’t do that! You’re close to him, aren’t you? He’s more like a younger brother to you. Even if something happened between Herwin and me…”
“Lucia, are you taking his side?”
“I’m not taking sides! I’m just stating the truth! If you act like this, Herwin will get hurt!”
“Hurt? I see how he hurt you, yet I have to act like a fool and welcome him with open arms?”
“…Brother.”
Lucas’s cold gaze and biting tone were unlike anything she had seen. She realized he was genuinely angry.
“Ever since he rejected you, I erased him from my life.”
“But back in first grade, when I confessed to Herwin, you didn’t do anything.”
After the incident on Herwin’s birthday, Lucas had been slightly awkward toward him, but soon they got along. So why now…?
“At that time, it was your affair, not mine. I assumed you two liked each other and would eventually become a couple. But you said you confessed to him many times before. Doesn’t that mean he knew your feelings and still gave you room?”
“No. Herwin never did that.”
Lucas raised his voice, clearly frustrated that she kept defending Herwin.
“To me, it looks like he played with you. He hurt you in every possible way, and today, suddenly shows up…!”
But he couldn’t continue and just muttered.
“Anyway! I’ve erased him from my life. I just didn’t want someone who hurt you in my house.”
“My parents already seem wary of Herwin, and now you’re acting like this? This is between Herwin and me. You and our parents shouldn’t interfere.”
“Even if it’s your business, we can’t just stand by.”
Seeing no reasoning working, Lucia glared at Lucas.
“If you keep saying that, get out of my room.”
Standing abruptly, she pushed him away. Lucas was taken aback.
“L-Lucia! Just listen to me…!”
“No! The more you do this, the guiltier I feel toward Herwin! I don’t even want to see you now, so leave immediately!”
Bang!
Lucas, now expelled from the room, frowned at the door slammed in his face.
He desperately knocked and pleaded, but Lucia didn’t react.
Sighing, he stared at the firmly closed door.
“You don’t understand my feelings…”
Was it easy for her to kick Herwin out? Not at all.
Just as Lucia said, Lucas treated Herwin like a younger brother and was angry that he had hurt her.
After learning she attended the arranged meeting because of the hurt from Herwin, he couldn’t sleep.
Though he had smiled at her then, he had harbored much resentment toward Herwin.
If Herwin had accepted Lucia, she wouldn’t have suffered, nor spent nights in tears.
Even if she appeared fine, her vitality visibly declined to the family.
She didn’t know how many sighs and worries Johann and Julian had in her absence.
Why did he only come after Lucia finally gathered herself…
Seven hours ago, Herwin had visited the mansion.
Only Lucas was home to receive him.
“What brings you here?”
Lucas couldn’t see Herwin kindly, the one who had caused Lucia’s suffering.
“I came because I have something important to say to Lucia. Is she here?”
Herwin didn’t look as composed as before, appearing desperate. Lucas narrowed his eyes.
“She’s not here right now.”
“I see. Then when will she be back…?”
“Before that—what business do you have visiting her?”
Herwin, lost in thought of Lucia alone, realized from Lucas’s sharp voice that he was being treated with hostility.
UPDATE VERY SOON!~