Chapter 3. Return

‘Huh? It’s not?’

His unexpected reaction made me stare at him blankly.

He was a man who avoided the engagement ceremony by using the excuse of an unnecessary war and didn’t return to his country. From my perspective, it was natural to think he didn’t want it.

Then he smiled softly and stood up, lightly kissing my lips. The kiss was so sudden that I didn’t have time to avoid it. Moreover, I reflexively leaned forward, making myself look foolish.

Aster Blanche gently caressed my chin and murmured kindly. His red pupils persistently focused on my lips.

“If that were the case, I wouldn’t have come down to the capital so urgently.”

“…….”

“I heard rumors that my fiancée was preparing to break off the engagement and came rushing down to devour you.”

What was all this about?

I was more shocked by the fact that he wanted this engagement than by his kiss.

It was a union between the Blanche and Francis families. I never doubted that both sides would be unhappy with it.

Just look at Paris and Helen; they can’t wait to devour me whenever they see me.

While I was too shocked to say anything, he kissed the corner of my eye again. He gently stroked my cheek with a face full of regret and said.

“So, Camilla.”

“…….”

“Take responsibility for me. I will do my best to please you.”

“…….”

“I came here today to say this. As you can see, thanks to someone, I still haven’t been able to return home. I’ll contact you again.”

Aster smiled broadly and stood up. I was so stunned that I forgot to protest and just sat there.

The meeting I arranged to break off the engagement ended up solidifying it.

“This is ridiculous.”

I stared blankly at the spot where Aster had disappeared.

* * *

Aster returned to the Blanche castle with a smile on his face.

In fact, last night, Aster recognized her as Camilla Francis at first sight.

How could he forget that face?

When he was young, he had met her. It was a short but intense encounter for him. Soon after, he went abroad to study, and it seemed she had completely forgotten him.

‘I never dreamed I’d meet her there.’

The first place he went upon returning to the capital was the alley where he had first met her, driven by nostalgia. He was shocked to see her sitting in the tavern in that alley.

His heart, which had been pounding in fear that she might recognize him, froze solid when he saw her in a daze. Feeling the subtle gazes around her, Aster couldn’t help but sit next to her.

‘Why did you drink so much?’

‘Because I can’t bear it otherwise. I’m getting married soon.’

‘Is marriage so unbearable?’

‘Unbearable? I feel like grabbing any man and eloping.’

He already knew she didn’t like this marriage. It was an arranged marriage between families that had been enemies for generations, without her consent, so it was natural.

But he didn’t expect it to be this bad.

Aster drank more than usual, frustrated. Then Camilla spoke.

‘How can I handle Paris and Helen’s harassment? They’re probably plotting right now.’

‘Don’t worry about that. I won’t let them mistreat you.’

‘Hehe. Your smile is so pretty. It makes me want to kiss you.’

Her nonsensical words and bashful smile were so lovely and precarious. Her pink hair looked so delicate, as if it would disappear at any moment. Just like that day.

Her blue eyes resembled the clear sky or a pristine lake. They were so different from the cold eyes he had last seen that he momentarily felt like he had gone back in time.

But Aster knew. Her eyes looked warm because she was too drunk to recognize him.

Even so, he was so mesmerized that he let himself be led to the hotel. He tried to leave once he came to his senses, but Camilla held him back, stirring his heart.

‘What are you doing? Come here.’

At those words, he couldn’t bring himself to push her away. It was too sweet.

At least she liked his face, which was a relief. Aster was determined to marry Camilla. He clenched and unclenched his fist, recalling the sensation from that day.

Someone barged into his bedroom without knocking. It was his half-brother, Paris Blanche.

“Paris. I told you to knock.”

“Staying out on your first night back. You’re so wild. Does your fiancée know how promiscuous you are?”

Aster frowned at his provocative tone.

“Isn’t it hypocritical for you, who changes lovers every night, to say that?”

“What’s wrong with reaping what you sow? Why are you picking a fight when Father does it openly too?”

“Cut the idle chatter and get to the point.”

“You’re no fun! Father wants to see you. He’s thrilled that the son who wouldn’t return has suddenly come back.”

“I was just about to go.”

Aster tightened his cravat and headed for the door. Paris reached out to stop him. When Aster gave him a questioning look, Paris spoke.

“Just a word of caution. You’re not seriously thinking of marrying the Francis heir, are you?”

Aster looked at Paris coldly and asked.

“What if I am?”

“Oh, Aster! Please stop this nonsense. We’re talking about the Duke of Francis. Do you understand what that means?”

Paris reacted excessively, as if he had heard terrible news. When Aster just stared at him quietly, Paris started talking.

“I’m saying this for your own good. Camilla Francis is a really terrifying woman.”

Terrifying, huh.

‘I’m not usually this shy, but for some reason, it’s really hard to look at your face directly.’

Aster thought of Camilla, who had been babbling with blushing cheeks, and chuckled.

“She didn’t seem that way to me.”

“That’s because you’ve been too busy studying abroad and fighting wars to keep up with the news in the capital. Do you think she’s called the Francis brat for no reason? Her personality is fiery and straightforward.”

Aster’s face hardened as Paris’s slander went too far, and he retorted sharply.

“I think being straightforward is much better than being sneaky.”

Like you.

It was obvious that Paris was trying to sow discord because he was worried that his position would become even more precarious if Aster married the heir of Francis.

Aster saw no further value in listening and walked past Paris. But the persistent Paris followed him, continuing to badmouth Camilla.

“Straightforward? That’s not straightforward; it’s arrogant. She grabbed Helen by the hair last time.”

“I like her fiery personality.”

“Hey! I didn’t want to say this, but…….”

Paris blocked Aster’s path and hesitated before making a strange noise.

“She liked me when she was young. Will you still marry her?”

And that was enough to stop Aster in his tracks. When Aster stopped abruptly and glared at him, Paris continued talking.

“She’s got a leech-like tenacity. When I didn’t accept her, she harassed me endlessly.”

“…….”

“She hates the Blanche family because I didn’t accept her. She’ll probably pick a fight the moment she sees your silver hair.”

Paris clicked his tongue as if it were obvious. Aster looked Paris up and down.

There’s no way Camilla could have liked a guy like this.

However, she did express a strong dislike for the Blanche family during their conversation last night. Although the reason being Paris needed confirmation.

“Why don’t you worry about yourself instead of me?”

“Worry about myself?”

“Yes. Instead of wasting time here, shouldn’t you be stopping Helen?”

“Helen?”

“I heard Helen is furious because the maids are quitting because of you. Won’t it be a problem if Father finds out?”

“What?! That girl Helen was supposed to keep it a secret!”

Paris disappeared with an angry expression, forgetting that he had just been badmouthing Camilla. He was so stupid that he fell for the trap Aster set just in case.

He didn’t even consider that it wasn’t something someone who had just returned would know. Aster coldly watched Paris’s retreating figure, recalling his words with a frown.

“She said she liked my face.”

He thought she had good taste, but the thought that she might have liked Paris made him feel complicated.

Aster fiddled with his cravat and walked leisurely to the duke’s office. When he arrived, he saw the duchess with the duke, and his expression hardened.