Chapter 5.2

“Was it hard for you, Grandmother?”

“Me? It wasn’t easy.”

“But you endured well thanks to your husband, right?”

“Huh?”

It’s quite an unexpected conclusion. But Wendy seemed unaware of why it was surprising.

“My parents are like that. When one struggles, the other comforts, helps, and supports them. That’s usually how it is, right? Marriage.”

“…….”

Well, how was it?

In a time when free love was not allowed, they married as arranged and fulfilled their responsibilities and duties.

There was no love, but there was trust. They respected and considered each other appropriately, keeping enough distance not to bother each other. Her husband had a mistress, but he sorted it out before it reached a situation where the Dowager Duchess had to intervene.

She thought it was ordinary enough.

“It’s different from your parents, but well, it wasn’t special. More than that, did you have fun with your friends that day? I’m curious about how young people play these days.”

“Nothing much. Just talking and eating delicious food……. Oh, Bestie’s parents gave us peach-flavored alcohol.”

“Peachtree, you mean? It’s suitable for young ladies to drink.”

“They mixed it with ice and orange juice, and it was so delicious.”

“It’s also tasty mixed with cranberry. To make it refreshing and not too sweet, you can add lemon or lime.”

“Wow, that sounds delicious too.”

Seeing Wendy full of curiosity, the Dowager Duchess suddenly felt a craving. Originally, she didn’t enjoy alcohol unless it was unavoidable due to the atmosphere or nature of the gathering.

However, as she grew older and leisurely enjoyed life in the southeastern estate, occasionally enjoying sweet drinks lightly became a joy of its own.

“Well, there might be some stored in the Ducal Household. Shall we make some together?”

***

Lucas entered the Ducal Household after returning early from an external meeting instead of going back to the unit. He was about to ask the butler about the Dowager Duchess’s well-being, as usual, when he spotted Wendy walking briskly along the second-floor corridor.

“Wendy?”

“She had an appointment with the Dowager Duchess.”

“Oh.”

“She seemed happy. It’s the first time I’ve seen her smile like that.”

“That’s very Wendy-like.”

It’s not surprising. Even the old butler, who had watched over the Devon Ducal Household for a long time, would smile warmly when dealing with Wendy.

Even the famously strict Dowager Duchess was softened, and Lucas, who was indifferent to others, relaxed around Wendy. Wendy’s affinity was a talent if it was anything.

Lucas watched Wendy walk briskly with a faint smile, then suddenly frowned. Her stride was excessively lively, longer and shorter than usual.

“Wendy.”

“Oh, Lucas. You’re here now?”

Thanks to climbing the stairs two or three at a time, Lucas quickly reached Wendy.

“I’ve escorted Grandmother to her bedroom.”

“Okay, thanks for that.”

“I’ll be going now. I’m glad I could see your face before leaving.”

Her blossoming smile and cheeks flushed like peach blossoms were suspicious.

Lucas suddenly grabbed Wendy’s arm. As she was pulled close, a sweet peach scent emanated from her.

“You, again with the alcohol…….”

“Grandmother gave it to me.”

Wendy quickly blurted out, fearing she might be scolded again.

But more than that, the distance with Lucas was the issue. Feeling burdened by the suddenly close proximity, she turned her head and tried to withdraw her hand, but it was useless.

“Follow me.”

“Huh? Why?”

Her wrist was caught, and she was dragged to his office. She was seated on the sofa and tried to stand again, but was held down and seated. Even though she sulkily pouted and glared discontentedly, it was of no use.

“Drink.”

Lucas poured water into a glass and handed it over.

“I’m not drunk.”

“I know. But your face shows you’ve had alcohol, so how can I send you home?”

“…….”

“I’ll get scolded by your mother.”

“I told you Grandmother gave it to me.”

“I know. Drink.”

Despite her grumbling, Lucas was firm. His gaze was stern as he looked down at her, so Wendy reluctantly drank the water.

Only then did Lucas sit on the sofa, and Wendy watched him cautiously while holding the glass to her lips. After pretending to gulp down a few sips, Wendy quietly put the glass down.

“How much did you drink?”

“Four glasses? No, since I drank the leftovers too, maybe more?”

“Well done. What about Grandmother?”

“One glass? Oh, come to think of it, she only made it and tasted it.”

Leaving Wendy, who was pouting in frustration, a long sigh escaped Lucas’s lips. He was relieved that the Grandmother seemed to like Wendy, contrary to his worries. But he hadn’t expected her to give Wendy alcohol.

Crossing his arms and tapping his crossed legs, Lucas suddenly turned his gaze to Wendy.

As Wendy said, she wasn’t drunk. But she was relaxed, and the attitude she showed when dealing with Lucas, as if she had a lock on her heart, had disappeared. At this moment, she might reveal anything honestly.

Lucas, who had pursed his lips for a moment, spoke.

“Do you like Ryan?”

It was a direct and unexpected question.

Wendy’s eyes widened, and she seemed flustered as they darted around.

“Oh, um. Why do you ask?”

“Just curious. You and Ryan are close to me.”

“Ah.”

I see. Because I’m like his sister and Ryan is his friend.

Even if he wasn’t her biological older brother like Jayden, maybe Lucas took the relationship between someone he sees as a sister and friend just as seriously.

“Does it seem that way?”

“Yes. It does.”

“Is that so?”

Wendy clasped her hands neatly on her lap and fidgeted.

Hearing such words from Lucas felt strange. Moreover, if it appeared that way to him, it might mean she managed her feelings well, which was fortunate.

“He’s a good person.”

“I asked if you like him.”

“Um, I’m not sure. The time we’ve spent together is still short…….”

“Your parents are thinking of marrying you off next spring.”

Oh, really. Why say such things? We’re not officially dating, nor has he proposed.

She knew the Earl and Countess were pleased with Ryan, but sometimes they seemed too hasty, which made Wendy feel flustered whenever she heard such things.

“I’m worried. It seems too fast.”

“…….”

Actually, Wendy was scared of that too. It felt like if she stayed still, it would really happen.

Her relationship with Ryan was like a stream on a warm spring day. It flowed naturally without any particular friction.

“Love is most important to you.”

That was true. But the Wendy now was different from the one who instantly fell in love with Lucas like ice melting in hot water.

She had grown up, met other men, and heard various realistic stories.

“I didn’t decide to marry your brother-in-law because I loved him.”

“I had a feeling I would end up marrying him. I was sure we could live well together. And I thought, then maybe I could love him.”

Karen’s confession, shared with Wendy during a tough breakup in the south, had been quite a shock. And Countess Enzette, her brother-in-law’s mother, had said something similar.

Marriage is not determined by love alone. Noble marriages are intertwined with many things. Money, connections, family, social status, and various conditions are often tangled and calculated.

Wendy, who spent about a year in the social circles, was vaguely realizing this.

It wasn’t easy to fall for someone without thinking, like when she was young. She didn’t meticulously consider external benefits, but unconsciously pondered what kind of person this man was.

For example, whether she could truly love this man.

And Ryan was…

“I think I could love him.”

Wendy answered cautiously.

It’s too early to judge whether she likes or loves him, as they haven’t known each other long. But Ryan is a good person, and she feels comfortable with him. Even if it’s not a blazing wildfire, a love that burns gently and warmly like a campfire is still love.

If she falls in love with Ryan, it might be that kind of love.

“What about you, Lucas?”

“Hmm?”

Lucas, somehow dazed, slowly raised his head. Wendy had drunk, but it felt like Lucas had drunk heavily, causing his thoughts to break off.

“Grandmother showed me a portrait. She’s beautiful.”

“Oh, really?”

Beautiful, huh. He wasn’t sure if the portrait for matchmaking was reliable, but if it was true to the portrait, she probably was beautiful. However, Seira Bryan’s appearance wasn’t a particularly important condition for Lucas.

The point was how much the Marquis Bryan’s Household could help the Ducal Household’s business with this marriage.

“She’s coming next month. Aren’t you looking forward to it?”

“Well.”

“I hope we get close quickly.”

“Why?”

“What do you mean, why? I’ll be seeing her often from now on.”

Even if Lucas got married, of course their interactions would continue. Wasn’t that obvious?

“Don’t tell me… If you get married, are you not going to see me anymore?”

“You seem sober now. Shouldn’t you be going?”

Lucas smoothly bypassed Wendy’s question and stood up first.

Wendy, bewildered, stared blankly at his broad back. Again. Lucas was cold again. She didn’t think she’d said anything that could’ve upset him. At least… it didn’t seem that way.

Was it because I drank? Worried I’d cause trouble like before?

But she wouldn’t do such things anymore. She would never do them again.

“Wendy?”

“Oh, let’s go.”

Wendy quickly stood up and approached him.

Lucas waiting until she came close was reassuringly normal, but there was still an inexplicable fragment lingering in Wendy’s heart.