101CF 87

Chapter 87

“Ah? What brings you here?”

Arista paused, and behind her, Ares greeted Becky. Becky, who had been eyeing Arista with snake-like glances, suddenly smiled shyly as if nothing had happened.

“I haven’t seen Lucas lately, so I thought I’d drop by to see him. I hope I’m not disturbing anything?”

“Not at all. We were just taking a break, actually.”

Becky clutched Lucas’s arm tightly and sat opposite the Lydia siblings.

As she put down the desserts she had brought, Becky noticed a cheesecake on the table.

“Huh? There’s dessert?”

“Yes, Lucas bought it himself anyway.”

“Oh my, really? Darling, how did you know I was coming here and bought it?”

“Ah, it’s not like that…”

“My brother got it for me.”

Lucas fumbled, embarrassed, and Arista intervened.

Becky, frowning, met Arista’s haughtily shining purple eyes.

Arista crossed her legs, lifted her chin, and looked down at Becky as if asking, And what will you do about it?

“…Your Highness bought it for me?”

“Yes. A few days ago, I helped my brother with something. Today, he brought me my favorite cake. I didn’t buy it myself, but enjoy it.”

Becky’s lips trembled. She glanced warily at the box next to the cake—the bakery she had longed for but never received a gift from because Lucas thought it was too expensive.

She had thought he understood her subtle hints back then, but apparently not. At the time, she didn’t want anyone to notice her crush on Lucas. But judging from his current attitude—

“It feels like a declaration of war.”

“Darling, what are you doing not eating?”

Becky snapped out of her thoughts when she heard Lucas’s voice. A cup of black tea had been placed before her.

“Thanks.”

She smiled at Lucas, but inside, she felt unsettled. The noble lady who had been flustered by Becky’s words earlier was now brimming with confidence—it felt strange. Worse, seeing her appear superior made Becky uneasy.

Could she possibly be planning to tell Lucas about the other guy I was with?

She had seemed innocent, but now appeared cunning.

When Becky met Arista’s gaze, the noble smirked mockingly.

Becky glared back, then had an idea.

“By the way, Your Highness, are you seeing someone seriously?”

Arista’s hand trembled slightly. Seeing her eyes darken instantly, Becky realized she had struck a nerve.

Arista set down her teacup and smiled faintly.

“No. Unfortunately, no one.”

“Oh, I thought someone as beautiful as you would be very popular.”

“I am popular. But there’s no one I fancy.”

“Then, shall I introduce someone? How about it, Lucas? Isn’t it a waste for Her Highness to let her youth go to waste?”

Becky pressed herself closer to Lucas and glanced at Arista.

“Well, that wouldn’t be bad…”

Lucas’s positive reply split the two women’s moods. But he added an unexpected remark.

“To introduce a man to someone as amazing as Arista, an ordinary guy won’t do. Unless he’s a prince, it would be a shame for Arista.”

His words were both a compliment to Arista and a subtle slight toward Becky, implying none of the men Becky could introduce were worthy of Arista.

Of course, Lucas didn’t intend it that way, but unintentionally, it hit Becky hard.

“Ugh, that’s not true.”

“Haha, really? But you don’t think so too? Arista’s too wonderful to give to just any man.”

“…Hmm, at least a marquis or higher.”

Hearing Lucas and Ares’s conversation, Becky and Arista’s expressions changed dramatically.

Becky’s face fell, unable to hide her displeasure, while Arista momentarily forgot Becky’s presence, thrilled that Lucas thought highly of her.

“Arista, don’t you think so too?”

Then Lucas addressed Arista directly. She shyly smiled and waved her hand.

“I’m not that special to be praised that much. I don’t mind anyone.”

“Oh, but not just anyone. There are a lot of scoundrels out there. Be careful in choosing. Though I’m sure you’ll pick wisely.”

“Haha, thanks for the compliment.”

“Don’t you really intend to date? Come to think of it, I’ve never seen you with anyone.”

Ares remembered that no one had been by Arista’s side until now. She had a few male friends, but none could be called a lover.

“I’m not interested in dating.”

“But you’re at the age to date. Are you really going to go through life without experiencing love?”

“I’ll handle it myself, so mind your own business.”

Amid the friendly atmosphere, only Becky felt out of place. The bond between the three of them was unbreakable, making her feel deeply uncomfortable.

Her frustration boiled, and she spoke.

“Really? I thought there was someone you liked already. Isn’t that so?”

The comment dropped like a bomb. Becky swallowed as the mood immediately sank.

All or nothing. If she wasn’t careful, Arista might reveal everything, including her crush on Lucas. But the possibility was low.

If anything, Becky hoped Arista’s crush on Lucas would be exposed, ensuring she’d be pushed away forever.

Arista, momentarily unable to maintain her expression, glared fiercely. Becky, who had been smirking, froze in place for a moment.

Before any further mind games occurred, chaos broke out.

“What? You like someone?”

“Who is it?”

“You never mentioned anyone before!”

Ares and Lucas bombarded her with questions. At first, Arista enjoyed Lucas’s surprise, but soon she was overwhelmed by their intensity.

“…Is it really surprising that I like someone?”

“Well…”

Lucas, meeting her eyes, paused unconsciously.

Why am I surprised she has a crush?

“Of course! No wonder you’ve never dated with that expression.”

Before Lucas could finish, Ares jumped up frantically.

“Who is it? Did you confess? You wouldn’t have been rejected… you didn’t confess, did you?”

Arista, slightly irritated, pushed Ares away.

“Why so overreactive? I didn’t know you cared that much.”

“I’m not ‘caring’! I’m just curious as family, that’s all.”

Ares realized his overreaction and cleared his throat.

“So, who do you like?”

Lucas asked quietly, now serious. Arista, unable to speak looking into his clear eyes, awkwardly averted her gaze.

“Well… someone.”

“Who?”

“I can’t say. But… I’ve liked them for a long time.”

Ares stammered in shock, and Lucas frowned unconsciously.

“What do you like about them?”

“…Everything. You don’t need a special reason. I just fell in love at first sight.”

Arista, everyone’s first love, had been struck at first sight—Ares was thrilled, and even Lucas was intrigued.

“I’m curious… can you whisper it to me?”

“No. Gross. Go away.”

Arista distanced herself from Ares, disgusted.

Meanwhile, Becky, seeing her plans going awry, clicked her tongue.

I expected this.

Clearly, Arista was no one to fall for such traps easily. Still, Becky intended to use this chance to separate Arista from Lucas completely.

Becky pressed herself even closer to Lucas and snorted.

“I thought it was just a rumor, but Her Highness does have a crush. And love at first sight too… right, Lucas?”

She deliberately raised her voice so Arista could hear and looked at Lucas triumphantly—but her smile faded when she noticed Lucas wasn’t looking at her.

Instead, he stared intently across at Arista, firm and unyielding.

Could it be…

Becky slowly followed Lucas’s gaze and saw Arista bickering with Ares.

“First love at first sight…”

Lucas muttered under his breath, only Becky hearing. She instantly realized: Lucas had feelings for Arista, perhaps deeper than for her.

Lucas had been a perfect boyfriend to Becky, but sometimes his affection had felt incomplete. Despite his seemingly endless love, it rarely felt sincere.

Even when he whispered sweet words or touched her gently, it was the same with any other girlfriend he’d had.

She had seen him with his ex and wondered about his one-sided love when dating someone exclusively. That had filled the void Becky felt with other men. But now, seeing the truth in front of her, anxiety surged.

No. Where are you looking? Lucas, you’re mine! Mine!

Her thoughts were in chaos. Lucas was still watching Arista.

“Lucas.”

Becky’s voice brought him back. He turned, softened his expression, and smiled.

His face relaxed, his eyes gentle—but those clear blue eyes felt strangely foreign today. Transparent as ever, they reflected Becky’s image… but if another woman were sitting here, he’d be looking at her instead.

Foolishly, Becky had thought he loved her.

“What’s wrong? Didn’t you want to say something?”

Lucas’s gentle voice usually filled her emptiness, but now it stirred desire and thirst for more.

“Lucas.”

“Yes?”

“Let’s get engaged.”

“…What?”

Becky’s statement froze Lucas, the Lydia siblings, and everyone alike.

Becky spoke plainly, devoid of coquettishness or trying to look cute. Lucas immediately knew she was sincere.

Engagement. He had thought about it after talking with Lucia, but why now…

Why can’t I say anything?

It felt like a thorn in his throat. Even though an engagement was expected, he couldn’t just feel happy.