Chapter 1.7

Lucas stayed at the Earl Rosewood’s estate from that day until Christmas, past Wendy’s birthday.

The day before Wendy’s birthday, he went out briefly to buy a gift. It was a red scarf with the Earl Rosewood’s emblem, a rose, embroidered in relief at both ends, which she still cherishes.

And on Christmas Eve, a week later, she received a hairpin carved into the shape of a snowman from imported white jade.

“You like snow, right? You came to mind as soon as I saw it.”

“Wow, it’s so cute.”

“Next time, let’s make a snowman together instead of a snowball fight.”

As he patted Wendy’s head, recalling the time she had hit him with a snowball, Lucas smiled warmly.

However, after graduating from the Military Academy and being commissioned, Lucas couldn’t visit the Earl Rosewood’s estate at Christmas anymore due to the sudden death of the late Duke of Devon and his succession to the title.

So, the promise wasn’t kept, but Wendy still treasures the hairpin in the innermost part of her jewelry box, where she keeps her treasures.

It’s been six years since then.

As Helen said, if something were to happen, there would have been a sign. But the relationship, which was merely as a ‘younger sister,’ hasn’t changed even now that they’ve become adults.

“Then throw yourself at him if you must.”

Although she knew, as Bestie said, that it was something a proper lady shouldn’t do, the thought was tempting, as if she were grasping at straws.

If there was no other way, should I do it that way?

‘Even if I do, how would I do it?’

Her only contact with men had been a kiss on the back of her hand or holding hands while dancing, so the idea of throwing herself at him seemed daunting. Besides, if he rejected her, she wouldn’t know how to face Lucas afterward.

‘Should I try confessing properly?’

If, as Karen and Helen asserted, Lucas already knew her feelings and was avoiding her because of it, she was too afraid to try, knowing he would reject her.

But if she stayed like this, she’d spend more time in the same endless cycle of worries.

Her thoughts spun around like a game of tag, as if forming a Möbius strip, returning to the starting point.

“Aagh. What am I supposed to do!”

Wendy messed up her hair, then suddenly went limp. She was utterly ashamed of how indecisive she was.

When she was young, everyone thought it was cute when she declared her liking for Lucas, and no one stopped or blamed her. But now that she was an adult, love was no longer something to express lightly. Whenever her uncontrollable emotions showed, someone would urge her to maintain her dignity, while others mocked her for clinging without pride.

With so much to consider—her brother, who had a strong friendship with Lucas, her parents who treated Lucas like a son, the social reputation, dignity, and even pride—Wendy missed the pure days of her childhood when she looked at Lucas with hope and excitement.

***

One day before December.

As winter approached in earnest, the social events that had filled the autumn schedule with splendor gradually entered a lull.

After her debut, Wendy, who had been busy following her mother’s lead, finally took a breather and enjoyed some rest. It was more like she chose to stay at the mansion voluntarily because she wasn’t in the mood to enjoy herself outside.

The Earl of Rosewood worried about Wendy, who had become quieter unlike before, but the Countess didn’t attach any particular meaning to it.

The end of winter, filled with Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year, is a time when exchanges between close families become active, which is why most young ladies, like Wendy, spend their time this way. Except for those busy with spring wedding preparations, of course.

However, during this time when the Earl’s residence was being decorated for Christmas, it was quite unusual for Wendy not to be involved.

“Wendy! Look at this.”

The Earl of Rosewood, who had returned home earlier than usual, beamed brightly and sought out Wendy first.

At that moment, Wendy was quietly reading a book in her room.

“You’re back, Father. You’re home early?”

It was rare for the Earl, who ran a sizable business and engaged in many social gatherings, to come home early at the end of the year. Because of this, Wendy’s face showed both surprise and delight.

“I wanted to give this to my daughter as soon as possible.”

The Earl shook a piece of paper painted in red, white, and green in his hand.

Wendy looked blankly at the square paper he held. She felt as if nothing could really reach her right now, but the Earl’s expression was filled with anticipation for her reaction, so Wendy reluctantly put down her book.

“What is it?”

“It’s a ticket to the Christmas market. The one at the Crystal Palace. You read about it in the newspaper, right?”

“Wow, Father! How did you get it?”

Her initial indifference quickly vanished at the words ‘market ticket,’ and Wendy jumped up in amazement. This year’s Christmas market was different from before. The fact that it was held in the large glass greenhouse known as the ‘Crystal Palace’ instead of the usual city square was enough to attract attention.

Moreover, due to the size of the Crystal Palace, the number of entrants was limited, and tickets sold by the royal family sold out in just a few days.

“I heard it’s so hard to get that even scalpers with double the price can’t find one?”

Wendy’s eyes sparkled as she received the ticket from the Earl.

The ticket had a Christmas tree embossed with glittering gold and silver ornaments.

“Amazing. I really wanted to go!”

“Right? I put in some effort.”

The Earl, pleased to see Wendy’s joy as he had hoped, placed his hands on his hips and laughed triumphantly. It was worth the effort to obtain something special for Wendy, who had remained downcast even after her eagerly awaited debut.

“You’re lucky, Wendy.”

The Countess smiled from the doorway, having followed her husband, who had hurried straight to Wendy as soon as he entered the house.

“Go and have fun with your friends.”

“Yes, yes. I’ll give you plenty of allowance, so go and enjoy yourself.”

“Thank you, Father.”

Wendy clung to the Earl and kissed his cheek.

The Earl, smiling contentedly, patted Wendy’s back as she excitedly looked at the ticket.

***

The Earl of Rosewood sighed in relief after stepping out of Wendy’s room. He glanced at the closed door and smiled with satisfaction.

“She seems to have perked up a bit, doesn’t she?”

“Indeed.”

The Countess nodded with a smile as well.

She had been worried about Wendy’s gloomy demeanor, but her husband had managed to bring something that would delight her.

“She’s wanted to go since the Crystal Palace article came out. Plus, with Christmas added, there’s no reason to dislike it. But how did you manage to get it?”

“It was quite a challenge. In hindsight, I should have given Wendy the invitation when I received it, rather than saying we didn’t need more Christmas decorations…”

“Oh, dear. You.”

The Countess interrupted the Earl before he could start grumbling about how he had been before getting the ticket.

Her husband, always gentle and kind, never complained except when it came to Wendy. Since she was often sickly from birth, even with a nanny, he never let her out of his arms and raised her with utmost care. If Wendy hadn’t inherited her father’s gentle and mild nature, she might have grown up to be a spoiled child.

“You didn’t ask Lucas for help, did you?”

“Of course not. Although it would have been easier if I had asked him…”

If the Duke of Devon had requested it, he could have easily obtained the tickets through the royal family, who hosted this year’s Christmas market, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He knew that Wendy’s recent lack of energy was because of Lucas.

Although he cherished Lucas almost like a son, and still did, he couldn’t help but feel resentful.

‘What’s wrong with our Wendy? In my eyes, she’s prettier, more lovable, and kinder than Lucas…’

The Earl sighed deeply as he continued his thoughts. What good would it do to harbor resentment? One cannot force feelings, and scolding would only make the relationship, which had been like family, awkward.

Even so, he occasionally had the urge to smack Lucas whenever they met.

“Dear. Would it be disgraceful if I grabbed Lucas by the collar?”

Knowing his wife was the only one who might take his side, he tested the waters, but she merely scoffed.

“Disgraceful? It’d be embarrassing in many ways.”

“Sigh.”

His broad shoulders slumped with a sigh.

Despite having completely different dispositions, why did Wendy fall for Lucas? He wished for a man who could share the simple happiness Wendy desired.

In his view, Lucas was the type to sit calmly and watch Wendy play, rather than join her, within the confines and ways set by Lucas and the Devon Ducal Household.

Initially, Wendy might endure it out of love for Lucas, but over time, she would feel stifled and unable to bear it. Regardless of whether Lucas was a good person, as a parent confident in knowing their children’s dispositions, that’s how he felt.

“Don’t worry too much. She’ll meet many men in the future; she won’t focus on Lucas forever. Even if she’s hurting now, it will naturally pass.”

“That’s also a problem. Our daughter is hurting right now, isn’t she?”

“Take it easy, Dear. What will you do when Wendy gets married and leaves this house?”

“Why rush? Let’s give Wendy time to sort out her feelings and take it slow…”

“Don’t you know the saying, ‘The best way to forget love is with another love’?”

Ignoring the Earl’s grumbling, the Countess firmly pushed her husband’s back. Despite his displeased expression, the Earl of Rosewood, who was weak to his wife, reluctantly took a step forward.