Chapter 12.1 – When First Love Comes True

“Kevin Avon couldn’t even pay the bail? I heard the Avon Earl’s Household is struggling with financial difficulties.”

“Well, thanks to you finding an alternative, the losses must be significant.”

Since Rosewood Corporation’s largest client was Avon Distribution, the same applied to Avon Distribution. Although other clients were also significant, the sudden termination of contracts and loss of clients inevitably led to a decline in sales.

In the meantime, due to the public opinion stirred by Lucas, the bail amount was set several times higher than before, and Count Avon found it difficult to pay that amount.

“It seems that’s not all. I heard Meredith Bank refused to extend the maturity of the promissory note.”

“Ah. Banks review business prospects to some extent. The decline in sales clearly showed in numbers.”

“Hmmm.”

Lucas’s interpretation was valid, but Jayden was still suspicious. It was quite obvious to expect Lucas to be behind it.

“Oh, speaking of banks, we’ve already chosen our main bank.”

“Which one?”

“Meredith Bank.”

“Ha.”

Of course. Even if Avon Distribution’s sales declined, its past performance and sales are not negligible. There must be a reason for refusing Avon Distribution’s promissory notes, and it seems Lucas pressured the bank.

“Anyway, you’re relentless.”

Jayden isn’t one to pursue revenge to the end. He believes it’s better to invest time and effort into the future rather than revenge.

On the other hand, Lucas feels satisfied only when he bites and tears at the opponent until they can’t get up. He’s close to completely crushing them to cut off the root of danger.

“Well, Avon makes my teeth grind too.”

Though sometimes annoying with his persistence, Lucas was reliable this time, handling parts Jayden couldn’t manage.

“I’m thinking of leaving the military.”

“What?”

“I’m going to focus on the business of severing ties with Avon Distribution and securing a new distribution network. Failure is not an option, so I need to dedicate myself to it.”

“That makes sense. You’ll have a lot of long-term business trips, so you can’t keep taking leaves.”

It was unexpected since Jayden was suited to the military, but it was a reasonable decision.

In the joint company with Lucas, Jayden took on most of the practical work and decision-making authority. Lucas had other extensive tasks, so they discussed and decided sufficiently.

“Leaving the military…”

The military was practically a refuge for Lucas. It was the only official space where he could escape the numerous duties of the Duke Devon.

“Indeed, there’s not enough time.”

Beyond responsibilities and duties, Lucas was short on time just dealing with his most important personal matters. With Jayden planning to discharge, Lucas also felt it was time to reach a conclusion.

***

“Are you heading back now?”

“Oh, Wendy.”

As soon as Lucas opened the front door and stepped out, he encountered Wendy returning from the garden. Having not seen her inside the mansion, he thought he might leave without seeing Wendy today, but he was lucky.

“Taking a walk?”

“Yes. Oh, Lucas. I read the newspaper.”

“Do you think it’s too much?”

“No. I think it’s deserved.”

Wendy winked and smiled.

It’s been a while. Seeing Wendy smile brightly. Maybe I’ve become a bit more comfortable. Maybe we’ve gotten a bit closer.

Lucas unknowingly smiled softly. But as Wendy naturally showed signs of leaving after the brief conversation, his face hardened again.

“Oh, those eyes again.”

As she adjusted her shawl, Wendy was troubled by Lucas’s piercing gaze. She subtly avoided him, fiddling with the edge of her shawl. Whenever she met those eyes, Wendy was still confused about how to react.

Her feelings and heart felt strange. It was a peculiar mix of unrest and somehow painful, such feelings.

“Say something.”

Or leave. 

The silence between them was awkward, and Wendy muttered internally, but contrary to her wish, Lucas remained unmoved.

Though they didn’t speak or make eye contact, they coincidentally pondered the same concern. How to proceed in the future.

As if the past was forgotten, or as if nothing happened, should they naturally continue as her brother’s friend and almost family? Such thoughts.

And simultaneously, they considered another thought.

Can I really continue like this with Wendy?

Can I really continue like this with Lucas?

They wondered.

***

“I’m leaving the military.”

“Huh?”

As soon as he returned from his outing, Jayden’s declaration made Wendy put down the embroidery she was holding. Her surprised gaze followed Jayden, who flopped down on the sofa in the drawing room.

“The business alone carries risks, and managing both the military and business is too much.”

“Are you sure? You enjoyed military life.”

“Hey, can a person do only what they enjoy? It’s time to live responsibly.”

Jayden appreciated his father for giving him the freedom to do what he liked, but he regretted following it. He should have considered inheriting the Rosewood Earldom and becoming the head of the household sooner. If he had, he wouldn’t have faced the series of events after his father’s passing, and Wendy wouldn’t have suffered.

Now, he is the head of the Rosewood Earl’s Household and the family leader. Like his father, he wanted to protect his precious family and lay a solid foundation for the future family he would create.

“Since I started, I need to see it through.”

“You’ll do well.”

“Of course. What about you, Wendy?”

“Me? What?”

“How did things go with Ryan?”

Jayden casually asked.

He already knew Ryan visited Wendy today. Ryan often came to the Earl’s Residence to see Wendy, but neither Ryan nor Wendy explained the situation to him.

He was dying of curiosity, but fearing he might ruin things by interfering prematurely, Jayden held back, held back, and held back again. But finally, today, he asked.

However, he wasn’t on Ryan’s side. Nor was he on Lucas’s side; he was neutral. The choice was Wendy’s, not his. Besides, either would be a perfect match for Wendy. Judging objectively, excluding the bias of a brother who favored Wendy.

“You held back a lot, brother. Asking only now.”

“It’s unbecoming to meddle in a sister’s love life. And with Ryan, there’s nothing to worry about.”

“He’s a good person.”

“You seem to still like him.”

“Hmm. With Ryan…”

Wendy hesitated with a faint smile.

“I decided to keep it comfortable. I told him that as soon as he returned.”

“Why?”

“Ryan is your friend, but also Lucas’s friend.”

“……”

“So I told him honestly. That I loved Lucas. So it would be difficult.”

Ryan, that’s why you suddenly called Lucas an idiot.

Finally understanding the situation, Jayden again thought Lucas was a fool.

“And liking my brother’s friend once is enough. I don’t want to make your friendship uncomfortable again.”

“Whatever. As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters.”

But Wendy. Do you still love Lucas?

Wendy said she “loved” him, but Jayden wasn’t sure if she meant it. He swallowed the question and stared at Wendy, but she just smiled brightly.

“Besides, I still want to be with Mother and you, brother. If I leave too, wouldn’t it be too lonely?”

“No, it sounds refreshing.”

“I know you’re not serious. At least until you marry and bring me a sister-in-law, I’ll be here. People might not notice someone coming, but they notice when someone leaves. Having someone join would make Mother less lonely.”

“Ha, now you’re nagging too? How can I afford to marry? I’m busy with work. I just said I decided to discharge earlier.”

Jayden clicked his tongue, finding it absurd.

“You should think about finding a good man and starting your family. If this goes wrong, I’ll return to the military and live on my salary, you know? We need to reduce mouths to feed for that.”

“Now I really can’t. I’ll stick with you and drain your resources.”

“Ha, you’re all grown up, huh?”

“Aah!”

Jayden chuckled and wrapped his arm around Wendy’s neck, pressing down. He used to play like this when they were younger, and it had been a long time.

Wendy, screaming and struggling, seemed to miss this normalcy. Jayden laughed heartily for the first time in a while.

“Jayden. You came without saying a word… My goodness. Jayden! Didn’t I tell you not to play like that with Wendy anymore?”

The Countess of Rosewood suddenly smacked Jayden’s back, causing him to let go of Wendy and rub his back with exaggerated pain.

“Ouch, Mother. You’re really all healed now. Your touch is still sharp.”

“Thanks to you, I never get a chance to dull.”

“Brother, you’re still such a child. When will you grow up? You’re the head of the household now.”

Wendy snuggled into her mother’s arms and stuck her tongue out at Jayden, prompting the Countess to gently tap Wendy’s arm.

“You’re no different.”

“Ouch. But Brother started it.”

Though their father was absent, it felt like they had returned to the old days. Jayden teased Wendy, Wendy complained to their mother, and the Countess scolded them in the middle. The cheerful and relaxed atmosphere warmed the drawing room for the first time in a while.

Wendy cherished these moments, this atmosphere, this space. It was a scene she missed so much that her nose tingled without realizing it, prompting her to snuggle further into the Countess’s embrace.

Even when the Countess scolded her for acting like a child, that nagging brought happiness. If only this moment could continue forever, she felt she wouldn’t wish for anything more.