Chapter 1 – Behind the Misunderstanding

This is a dream. A dream replaying memories from about ten years ago.

She realized it as she looked down at her chubby legs, wearing knee-high white socks and brand-new shoes adorned with a spotless pink ribbon for the first time today.

It was the day when she was led by her mother’s hand to ride a carriage and travel somewhere. Even in broad daylight, they passed through the entrance of a sparkling mansion.

Her mother entered a hall with ten-year-old Leticia, where a beautiful rose garden could be seen. Leticia followed her mother’s example and greeted adults whose faces she could not even remember, just as she had been taught.

It was boring and dull. There were no familiar faces and no peers worth speaking to.

Her mother, who had promised to introduce a new friend, was busy. Whenever she tried to pay attention to Leticia, someone else would immediately approach and speak to her.

If only her brother had come with her, at least she would have had someone to bicker with, but that day she was alone.

Leticia waited, just as her mother had asked, to stay close and behave for a little while. She stood idly, tapping the tips of her shoes together.

After enduring for a while, young Leticia glanced around. Her mother still seemed busy.

A gentle spring breeze brushed her cheek. Through the wide-open windows and doors, a small white butterfly fluttered in on transparent currents of air.

It was a clear movement, standing out even against the backdrop of bright sunshine, lavish dresses, and a splendidly set tea table.

Leticia, captivated, instantly forgot her mother’s instructions.

The butterfly, though common, made her heart flutter even more today, thanks to the clear and sunny weather.

The butterfly, seemingly unable to find its way, wandered through the hall and then rode the breeze back outside.

Leticia, as if enchanted, reached out her tiny hand and chased after the white butterfly. No one paid any attention as she naturally followed it outside.

She left the hall, hurried down the corridor, and entered the garden. Looking back later, she realized there were no people passing by, suggesting it was a place not open to guests, but at the time, Leticia didn’t notice.

She simply ran, cheeks flushed, breathing hard but excited.

The scent of fragrant flowers, the warm yet cool breeze, and sunlight so bright it made the greenery shine—all her favorite things filled this place, leaving her no room for strange feelings.

She even fell while running, tripped by her uncomfortable dress and shoes, but forgot the pain in her excitement.

The butterfly she had chased suddenly soared high into the sky, as if declaring the end of their game. Unaware of Leticia’s gaze, it danced and flew higher.

It disappeared into the sky, unreachable even by sight, let alone by hand. Leticia, who had been chasing it with her head raised, had to close her eyes against the dazzling sun.

It lasted only a short while. As she lost her target, Leticia finally noticed her surroundings.

It was a backyard decorated like a fairy’s garden.

A tree with a swing, picnic baskets set under its trunk, cute chairs sized for children, a small artificial waterfall and pond. Her steps were drawn in.

As she approached, nearly reaching the garden, Leticia belatedly discovered a guest hidden behind a tree trunk.

– No. Don’t come any closer.

Someone who had been watching urgently whispered to ten-year-old Leticia. But the indifferent warning did not reach her.

Under the spot where the butterfly had fluttered, a boy sat.

Bathed in bright sunlight, his shiny blond hair and pale skin almost made him look like an angel statue.

His sharp nose, elegantly blinking lashes, and lively lips showed he was human.

Even from the side, his presence was obvious, and Leticia slowly blinked her eyes.

– Please. No!

Knowing all too well what would happen next, she shouted. But the Leticia in the dream did not know. All young Leticia knew was the boy’s name.

Valerio Lester. His bright, fine blond hair was said to resemble the northern aurora, and his eyes were a deep green tinged with violet.

Famous as the reincarnation of an angel, he was the cherished son of the Duke couple known for their loving marriage.

And more—already showing talent in many fields at a young age, he was receiving offers from the empire’s top academies.

It was partly due to his privileged background, but also because he was raised with abundant love, making his nature gentle and approachable.

Her older brother, Johan, had said so with a flushed face. Though it must have been tiresome, he always smiled without showing any annoyance.

Encouraged by witnesses, she considered approaching and greeting him. But she didn’t want to disturb his reading.

Even if this was her only chance to introduce herself, there was nothing she could do…

As she turned to leave, her stiff and uncomfortable shoes crunched a leaf, breaking the peaceful silence.

– Ah.

The woman who desperately tried to stop her sighed. It was too late.

“Go away.”

At first, she thought she heard wrong. So young Leticia stood frozen, blinking. Who just said that, and what did they say?

“Didn’t your family teach you manners? Or are you so poor and lacking in honor that you couldn’t hire a decent tutor? Even if you’re uneducated, you should have some basic common sense.”

He didn’t even glance in Leticia’s direction. So she couldn’t tell if the words were meant for her or someone else nearby.

Above all, Leticia was stunned by the sudden insult to her parents and couldn’t even look around.

“That area beyond the line is only for those with permission. Didn’t you hear? Or is your brain so smooth you can’t understand? Do I need to say it in pig language for you to get it? Sorry, I haven’t learned pig yet.”

She’d never heard such harsh words, not even from her often-argumentative brother. The tone was calm and the voice gentle, so at first she didn’t even realize she was being insulted.

As the criticism continued and she finally understood, Leticia’s face grew hot.

“How am I supposed to feel any attraction to a dumb girl who only understands human speech after it’s repeated twice?”

Snap—the sound of a book closing rang sharply.

The boy rubbed his brow as if he had a headache, sighing in frustration, clearly showing who was causing his irritation.

“I’d like you to leave right away while I’m still asking nicely… Ah.”

The blond boy, frowning deeply as he turned, suddenly clamped his mouth shut. His green eyes widened in surprise.

Leticia, standing awkwardly, blushed even more when she faced him directly.

After being harshly criticized by a strikingly handsome boy, her mind went blank.

She didn’t have time to think deeply about whether she’d done something wrong.

She hadn’t entered on purpose, but it was certainly a quiet, secret place with only the boy present.

Most of all, the party was hosted by the blond boy’s parents, and the location was one of the Lester Duchy’s villas, so it was clear Leticia was not among those permitted.

“S-sorry.”

Her hurried apology to the angry boy was so shaky it barely came out, and her vision was already blurring.

“I-I’ll leave right away, ah!”

To make matters worse, she tripped on a stone as she backed away and fell clumsily.

Her full skirt fluttered once and disappeared, revealing the blue sky above her. In other words, she’d fallen backward.

Even though it wasn’t intentional, the embarrassment of the blunder left her mind blank.

Her palms, hips, and back all hurt, but she couldn’t even cry.

There were no parents here to comfort her, so crying would only earn her cold stares. So she just wanted to disappear quickly. That was all she could think.

“Are you okay?”

As she tried to get up, ignoring the pain, a shadow fell over her forehead. Valerio had approached and was offering his hand.

“……”

Though the concern was similar to the gentle worry her mother used to show, Leticia forgot to reply.

She didn’t take the boy’s hand. She simply stared blankly at his fine blond hair, which made other blondes she’d seen seem dull in comparison.

Was this the famous silver blonde, praised as being crafted strand by strand by God?

Leticia’s dark brown hair, no matter how many times it was brushed at night, would always be messy again by morning.

“Ah.”

She forgot she’d fallen and, looking at the boy’s hair, was reminded only of her own tangled hair.

Maybe it was just her imagination, but it felt like the ribbon she’d tied was coming loose. After wandering around so much, her hair was probably all messy.

She was just showing off her awkwardness from head to toe.

Leticia’s expression changed, and she quickly got up and moved farther away from the boy. Even while straightening her wrinkled skirt and standing up straight, Valerio kept his hand out.

“……”

With no one to take it, his hand hung awkwardly in the air. Valerio glanced at his hand and then slowly looked up.