Chapter 12.2

A few days later, at the Earl Rosewood’s Residence.

“I feel both relieved and regretful.”

As soon as he stepped off the carriage, Jayden stretched widely.

Today, Jayden submitted his discharge application. He executed it immediately after deciding, causing the Commander to throw a fit for acting without warning.

“I see.”

Moreover, Lucas also applied for discharge simultaneously, causing the Commander to clutch his back and collapse into his chair. He lamented over how to handle the handover and appoint successors when both suddenly quit.

Meanwhile, Jayden and Lucas stood in attention for several minutes. Seeing no further orders, they discreetly slipped away like fugitives.

“……”

Walking towards the entrance, Lucas stopped in his tracks.

With autumn almost over, Wendy was staring blankly at the desolate garden. Her black hair flowed softly and long in the cold wind that felt like winter.

‘She should dress warmly. At least wear a shawl.’

Jayden turned to see Lucas not following and moved his gaze along with Lucas’s.

Ugh, fool. If you were going to do this, why did you make such a big fuss?

“Wendy, why is she acting so melancholic in the cold? Lucas, bring Wendy to the drawing room. I’ll fetch Mother.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Let’s have some warm tea. Winter is coming, and Wendy should be careful not to catch a cold.”

Jayden quickly left, and Lucas headed towards Wendy in the garden. Each step towards her was still difficult, making his pace heavy and slow.

“Wendy.”

Her pale face turned to him. Her round, surprised teal eyes sparkled brilliantly in the autumn sunlight.

“What are you doing? It’s cold.”

“Just, being here. Looking at the garden.”

“There’s nothing there.”

Following her gaze, Lucas only saw rose bushes stripped of thorns.

“I was recalling how beautiful it used to be.”

The beautiful rose path she regretted stepping into.

The once vibrant petals and lush leaves had fallen, leaving only bare branches, reflecting her heart and making her feel inexplicably sad. Her heart, once filled with dazzling love, would soon become like that, she thought, she would have to make it so.

Adjusting to life without her father and feeling safe with Kevin and the threat from the Avon Earl’s Household gone, Wendy began to seriously consider Lucas.

He was inseparable from Jayden, like a son to her mother, and Wendy did not want to sever ties with Lucas’s grandmother and mother. Beyond that, Lucas had saved her from Kevin, paid the employees’ wages, and helped in countless little ways.

So, it was impossible to remain distant from Lucas.

Yet, Lucas seemed to still feel sorry towards Wendy. The imposing and confident demeanor he once had was gone, and to reconnect with him, she thought she should treat him as a brother rather than a man.

But she was taken aback when Lucas suddenly appeared.

“But why are you here at this time?”

“I left the military. Along with Jayden.”

“Why?”

“Busy. Had to drop something.”

“Are you that busy?”

Indeed, he was busy with the affairs of the ducal residence, covering Jayden’s duties, launching new joint ventures, and occasionally handling the tasks of the Rosewood Earl’s Household.

What if he ruins his health? 

She suddenly worried. Seeing him again, he seemed somewhat haggard.

Wendy asked concernedly about his health.

“I’m fine.”

You still care about me.

It was such a small thing, something he never needed to dwell on in the past, yet Lucas felt joy.

They say you only realize the value of something once you’ve lost it, and it was exactly like that.

“Starting a new business with Jayden, I have to give it my all. It must succeed. And…”

Lucas hesitated briefly before continuing with a bitter tone.

“That unrequited love thing, trying to do it properly turned out to be busier than expected.”

Wendy wondered if he was eating well, sleeping properly. Time flew by as he worried about such things.

Then he pondered deeply about what he could do for Wendy, but when he tried to act, he worried she might find it burdensome or dislike it.

Planning and executing without her noticing, checking the results, he split his time, even during daily life and work, frequently thinking of Wendy.

His words left Wendy somewhat surprised, turning her gaze back to the garden. Her reaction was all there was, and she gave no reply.

“……”

Though he expected it, seeing it firsthand was bitter. He deserved to be abandoned, having hurt her, but a part of him couldn’t accept it.

He hoped Wendy might reconsider once, given the time she had spent for him. Even if not as much as he had given, perhaps half, or even less than half, she might show interest and look back at him. If nothing else, just smile brightly.

“Hmm.”

But contrary to Lucas’s expectations, Wendy was flustered and avoided his gaze. His words were too surprising, leaving her unsure of how to respond.

Just moments ago, Wendy had reached the opposite conclusion. She hadn’t expected his confession, hence the surprise, and felt resentful for him saying it now.

Is it sincere?

Such doubt arose from years of learned experience.

But hearing those words, she couldn’t simply avoid him. Wendy slowly met Lucas’s gaze. It was the complex and profound look he occasionally sent her, filled with emotions she couldn’t even guess, and now it held anxiety, like a tamed beast awaiting judgment.

“Oh, um.”

A low sigh and a flustered expression. Watching her lips quiver as if about to speak, Lucas grew impatient. He had wanted to say it sincerely and truthfully someday, but didn’t expect to confess like this.

But he couldn’t take back what he said. Now that it was out, Lucas had to reveal everything.

“I missed you so much.”

“Why? Because you want to sleep with me?”

“Wendy. Ha, Wendy.”

No, absolutely not.

Foolishly, he couldn’t even make excuses, only let out a painful sigh.

He had nothing to say if Wendy thought that. Everything stemmed from his mistakes, but hearing it directly felt like his heart was being stabbed repeatedly.

Yet Lucas desperately suppressed his urgency. After regaining his composure with careful breathing, he spoke earnestly.

“I love you, Wendy.”

“……Lucas.”

“I love you so much.”

Wendy looked at him with conflicted eyes.

The words she had longed to hear made her hesitate to accept them. It wasn’t that she doubted his confession. His beautiful blue eyes were shining with a different light than before.

A mix of desperation, pleading, hope, and resignation swirled together in a complex and confusing blue.

“You don’t have to answer.”

If you’re going to reject me, don’t say anything. Just let me stay by your side, as long as you don’t push me away, that’s enough.

Love, that thing. I can do it all. 

Wendy had endured for years, so surely she could handle this much. She couldn’t act shamelessly now.

However, Wendy’s words, after a moment of thought, crushed Lucas’s resolve.

“Don’t do it, unrequited love. It’s really hard.”

“Yes, it is.”

But can it be helped? It’s already happened. I’ve already stepped in. It’s too late to get out.

Lucas bit his lower lip bitterly. He expected it, but the rejection still stung. Even knowing it was a luxury and greed to hope she’d accept him, it hurt.

“I don’t want to make you suffer, Lucas. I know how hard it is.”

“……Wendy?”

Seeing his suddenly blank face made her smile softly.

Even after hearing his sincerity, she was more worried than thrilled. She wasn’t sure if she could love him completely like before, without wanting anything in return, without change. Wendy had already suffered a lot, had been deeply hurt, and had endured a long time of pain.

But unlike before, this time Lucas was offering love, so she vaguely hoped it might work out.

True love is fierce. It made her want him again.

But thinking differently, it was also natural. No matter how bare and dried the roses were, didn’t they sprout new shoots in spring?

“This time, let’s do it together, that thing.”

“Oh, Wendy.”

Ah, so this is what it feels like. The feeling of overwhelming emotions filling up when you thought you wouldn’t be accepted.

Wendy must have felt this overwhelming emotion and then immediately crashed down. Just imagining it was despairing, and thinking about how Wendy endured it made his heart ache.

“Can I hug you?”

Wendy smiled lightly and hugged him. Despite having hugged her dozens of times, he was somehow stiff with surprise.

Lucas held her more deeply. The small and delicate Wendy, who came willingly without resistance, possessed warmth that could cover his large body. It was so precious.

“It would have been nice if you’d said it earlier.”

“I’m a fool.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Lucas laughed softly, holding Wendy tighter. He had almost lost this warmth forever, so he was the biggest fool.

“An idiot, and a fool.”

“That’s a harsh self-reflection.”

“Indeed.”

“Stupid.”

“Add that too.”

A cheerful laugh burst out. Even though it was muffled and disappeared in his embrace, it was clearer to Lucas than any other sound.

“When did it start?”

“What?”

“You know.”

“How would I know when you don’t say anything?”

“Don’t tease me. I’m embarrassed, so I don’t want to say it myself.”

“Well.”

Lucas suddenly looked up at the sky. The fluffy clouds slowly filled his view as they passed through the bright blue sky.

Actually, he didn’t know either. Like clear water soaking into a white paper, it had somehow happened. And just like the paper that eventually gets soaked and torn, he barely realized it before his heart became tattered.

But what was clear was that Wendy was a precious presence to him, both in the past and now, the only woman he allowed close, and she would continue to be.

“Is that important?”

“It is important. After all the emotional turmoil I went through, you’re only telling me now, it’s unfair.”

“Ah.”

Lucas chuckled and pressed his lips to Wendy’s hair.

“It’s probably earlier than you think.”

Wendy’s brow furrowed as she searched the past.

Was it when Lucas kissed me? No. He said it was earlier than I thought, so even before that? 

But it didn’t seem like it at all.

While Wendy was eagerly recalling memories, Lucas savored her warmth for a while. But when a cold wind swept through, Wendy, dressed lightly, shivered unknowingly.

“Let’s go inside. You shouldn’t catch a cold.”

“Ugh, Lucas, you nag as much as my brother.”

Lucas laughed softly and took Wendy’s hand. As she followed him, Wendy looked back at the rose path she had been staring at endlessly before he arrived.

“I hope spring comes soon.”

She hoped the bare rose path would quickly sprout new shoots.

Lucas lifted Wendy’s hand and kissed the back of it.

“Shall I plant roses in the ducal residence’s greenhouse? They’ll bloom faster than in the garden.”

“Hmm, no. I like it natural.”

With eyes and hands intertwined, the couple entered the drawing room, exchanging occasional words.

The aroma of tea had already filled the drawing room fragrantly. Inside, the Countess greeted them with a bright smile, and Jayden, who had been lounging on the sofa, sat up.

“What took you so long?”

Even seeing their clasped hands, Jayden teased. Feeling shy, Wendy quickly tried to let go of Lucas’s hand, but he didn’t let her. Instead, he interlocked their fingers even more.

“As you can see, I was busy.”

“Lucas.”

“Stop it, Jayden.”

The Countess of Rosewood glanced at Jayden, tapping his arm. Having already been tipped off by Lucas’s mother, the Countess wasn’t too surprised.

It was more like, finally, the inevitable had come.

“Come, sit down. The tea will get cold.”

“It’s been a while since I had tea made by you, Mother.”

“Right? I’m sorry. You’ve helped a lot, but I haven’t taken care of you.”

“Not at all.”

As soon as Lucas and Wendy sat on the sofa, Jayden couldn’t help but grin mischievously.

“Truly a triumph of humanity, Wendy. You finally did it.”

“Brother!”

Wendy blushed and protested.

Beside her, Lucas smiled as if he couldn’t help it, and the Countess once again smacked Jayden’s arm. Despite the good news, the mischievous son was busy teasing Wendy, making her sulk as Jayden intended.

The Countess watched the familiar bickering siblings with satisfaction, with Lucas sitting between them, seemingly unaffected.

‘I no longer need to worry, Dear.’

The children had grown to handle more than their share. Though the arduous times had passed and her husband’s absence remained, their precious daily life had returned.

<Does First Love Really Never Come True?> END