Most people attach more meaning to their first meeting than their second, remembering it deeply. However, for Serce Raphaeli, it was the opposite. He could not forget his second meeting with Aneta Adenauer.

Unlike their first meeting, which was short and intense, there was nothing particularly memorable about the second. It was mostly an unpleasant and uncomfortable atmosphere where he simply observed silently. Nevertheless, the memory of that encounter didn’t fade because, from that point on, he began to truly recognize the existence of Aneta Adenauer.

Serce chuckled bitterly as he recalled the memories of his younger days.

—

Early in the morning, Serce woke to a voice calling him. Before he could gather his thoughts, he was led to the bathroom by servants. When he asked why, they only responded that it was because of his father, the Viscount of Raphaeli.

The strange occurrences didn’t end there. After changing his clothes in the dressing room, he found his father, the Viscount, dressed more meticulously than usual. Upon seeing Serce, the Viscount shook his head and began checking the clothes in the wardrobe individually.

After a short time, the Viscount selected an outfit and handed it over to one of the servants as if throwing it carelessly.

“Make him change into this. There’s no time, so hurry.”

Waking up only to be pulled in different directions without understanding why wasn’t pleasant. However, Serce didn’t resist and followed his father’s instructions.

If he made a fuss, his mother would worry, and his brothers, eager to find something to argue about, would surely make a big deal out of it.

The servants, noticing the grim expression on Serce’s face as the door closed behind him, exchanged cautious glances. However, he wasn’t the type to lash out at innocent people.

“Are you alright, young master?” one of the servants asked softly.

Serce nodded silently in response.

The servants did not speak further. Considering the impatient nature of the Viscount, they hurriedly helped him change clothes.

Once dressed, Serce stepped out, and the Viscount of Raphaeli scrutinized him from head to toe. Not long after a satisfied smile spread across his face, which seemed to hide some ulterior motive.

“Now, you look presentable. There’s somewhere we need to go, so follow me.”

Without offering a suggestion, the Viscount turned away, his eyes no longer the gaze of a father toward his son, but rather the calculating eyes of a merchant appraising the value of a product.

It was a familiar situation, so Serce couldn’t be bothered to react. He quietly followed his father.

‘What is he planning this time?’

Though unsure, he doubted the situation would unfold as his father desired. After all, despite his usual confidence, the Viscount had no luck.

The rope he thought was a lifeline was a fraying, useless thread, and every business venture he started failed.

While the projects were supposed to generate profit, all that increased was the deficit, not the surplus.

Luckily, they could maintain their noble lifestyle thanks to his mother’s business. Without her contributions, they would have long since been out on the streets, stripped of their noble status.

His foolish brothers, regardless, clung to their father’s failing enterprises, thinking only of appearances, unaware that there was no hope.

‘At least I’ve come to terms with reality.’

Serce clicked his tongue inwardly and boarded the carriage. Thanks to those who disparaged men’s fashion as beneath them, he could take the place he now occupied easily.

Of course, if they recognized his worth and tried to challenge him, he was confident he could defeat them effortlessly.

“Let’s leave quickly.”

The Viscount urged the coachman, and the carriage soon began to move. It wasn’t until then that Serce could ask about their destination.

“Father, where are you taking me?”

“We’re going to the Adenauer Marquisate.”

The Viscount answered, his face clearly showing signs of tension as soon as the thought crossed his mind.

Serce recalled the face he had seen at the mansion last time. He had encountered the unfamiliar girl when his mother forced him into a new dress. He had fled the scene immediately, so he didn’t know who she was then.

However, after overhearing the servants’ conversation, he learned that she was the very Aneta Adenauer from all the rumors, the one who had been dragged into the mansion by her father, the Marquis of Adenauer.

This time, the situation was the opposite, so if they were heading there, there was a high chance he might run into her again. While he wanted to avoid that, he figured it was best to give up on any expectations, as his father was insistent on bringing him to a place he could have gone to alone.

“Why are you taking me to the Marquisate?”

“The Marquis of Adenauer has a daughter around your age. You must become close to her. It would be even better if she grew fond of you. For this business, connecting with their family is important,” the Viscount explained.

The Viscount didn’t know that his son had already met Aneta. If Serce were to tell him they had already crossed paths, especially dressed as he was, he would undoubtedly receive harsh words. And worse, his mother might get caught in the crossfire, so Serce decided to keep the truth to himself. Instead, he focused on the name his father had mentioned, reflecting on his concerns.

“What if the young lady doesn’t like me?”

Serce recalled the friends from his past who had pointed and laughed at him for wearing a dress. If she resembled the Marquis of Adenauer, he couldn’t help but think she might react the same way.

“Then you need to win her over. If you become close to her, I’ll have a chance to speak with the Marquis of Adenauer,” the Viscount revealed his true intentions.

“She’s a bit shy, but girls your age like pretty things. You take after your mother, so you’re attractive enough to win her heart easily.”

After hearing these words, Serce fully understood his role in this situation.

He was nothing more than a puppet to win Aneta Adenauer’s favor. His clothes had even been carefully chosen for him, so there was no denying it.

‘He must think it’s an opportunity since we’re the same age. But I’m not an object.’

As Serce felt disgusted with his own situation, the carriage stopped in front of a grand mansion. When the coachman announced their arrival, the two of them stepped out.

‘So this is the Adenauer mansion.’

It was so enormous that it left him speechless. That was all the impression he could form. Serce stood there, staring blankly at the mansion.

“Stop gawking and follow me quickly.”

The Viscount scolded him impatiently, not even showing consideration for his son, and walked briskly ahead. No matter how fast Serce had grown compared to his peers, he couldn’t match the stride of an adult, so he hurried to follow his father.

“The Lord and young lady are in the reception room. I’ll guide you there.”

Once they entered, the mansion’s interior was as lavish as it was overwhelming, even for nobles. When they reached the reception room, the servant knocked on the door to announce their arrival.

Before long, they received permission to enter.

Inside, Serce saw a father and daughter who resembled each other, yet were distinctly different. After greeting them in turn, the Marquis shot them a look of displeasure.

“You’re late. To think you’d make me wait.”

His expression was blatantly cold, showing no sign of trying to conceal his emotions, especially toward another head of a prestigious family. Despite this, the Viscount bowed politely without showing any sign of displeasure.

“My apologies, Your Excellency. This child insisted on making a fuss over what to wear, saying he couldn’t just go in any clothes to meet you… Though he’s still young and unfamiliar with the world’s ways, he cannot be ignorant of the fame and respect that follow your name. It seems his nervousness today led him to act out in such a way.”

The Viscount distorted the truth and fabricated a story to appease the Marquis.

“I ask that you, with a heart as vast as the sea, forgive him, as he holds the deepest respect for you.”

Serce didn’t argue, but neither did he agree. He wondered if such flattery would really improve the Marquis’ mood. However, in this case, it turned out that the Viscount’s judgment was correct.

“If that’s the case, there’s nothing we can do. I’ll forgive you this once, but don’t be late again next time. Now, sit down.”

The Marquis spoke with a slight smile as if the reprimand had never occurred. As soon as they sat down, the two men started their conversation. The Viscount seemed to have oil on his tongue, as every time he spoke, flattery flowed effortlessly from his lips. Despite being his own father, it was impossible not to feel tired of his constant praise.

Meanwhile, instead of refuting the Viscount’s compliments, the Marquis busied himself by acting even more arrogantly. As Serce had felt before, Derek Adenauer seemed to revel in being praised by others, unable to resist the flattery.

‘That’s why they’re such a perfect pair.’

They truly suited each other well. Serce couldn’t help but think that if they both left the Empire for good, he would have no more wishes.

He turned his gaze to Aneta, who had been silently observing the situation until now. Having had enough of the two men’s pointless conversation, she looked away, as if there was no longer reason to listen.

Her manner of turning away as though she were in a completely different space made Serce realize that his father’s words about her shyness were untrue.

‘She’s not shy, she’s just indifferent.’

Meanwhile, the Viscount, who had been eyeing a chance to introduce Serce to Aneta, seized the opportunity and broke the silence.

“By the way, I heard that the young lady from the Adenauer family is the same age as my son. Is that true?”

“Yes, that’s what I’ve heard as well.”

The Viscount asked the question, pretending not to know something he already did. The Marquis responded indifferently, showing little interest as the compliments directed at him had ceased.

His lack of attention to the conversation, simply because the focus wasn’t on him, revealed his self-centered nature. He seemed almost bored by the exchange, but the Viscount was not about to give up.

“If the young lady is fine with it, instead of listening to these meaningless talks, perhaps she could show my son around the mansion?”

Though the words were directed at Aneta, the Viscount was actually seeking the Marquis’ approval.

“I also have something I’d like to discuss with you, Your Excellency.”

Even without hearing the conversation, Serce knew exactly what it was about. It was going to be about business.

He almost clicked his tongue in front of everyone.

“I don’t care either. Do as you please.”

The Marquis waved his hand dismissively, clearly uninterested. At that, Aneta, who had been quietly sitting, stood up.

“Follow me.”

For the first time, Aneta spoke, locking eyes with Serce as he looked up at her.