3.2

Under the wooden roof, set to match the greenhouse garden, there was a table and chairs adorned with intricate patterns. On the neatly arranged table, the Countess’s favorite tea set and teapot filled the space. With sugar cubes and light frappes placed cleanly, there was no denying her fluttering heart. Sitting in the chair Lucian pulled out for her, Iliana let out a small exclamation.  

“What’s this? Did you prepare all this?”  

“Of course. As you can see, it’s my way of expressing both apology and gratitude for all the trouble I’ve caused. You know well, Lana, that Mother always says such gestures are important, especially among close friends.”  

“Hmph, they say heir training changes people.”  

Though her response was curt, she couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at her lips. Who wouldn’t like a setting prepared with their favorite desserts and tea set?  

The fact that Lucian knew what she liked made her happy. If Anas were to see this simplicity, she would undoubtedly scoff, but unfortunately for her, the garden held only Iliana and Lucian. The butler was waiting outside the garden gates.  

Had there ever been a time when Lucian and I were alone together? 

Excluding drinking occasions, it had been so long that her heart couldn’t help but flutter.  

“Then, shall we enjoy our tea time, Lana?”  

Mimicking the Countess, Lucian’s playful gesture made Iliana laugh brightly as she took her seat.  

“Yes.”  

The distance of childhood friends still wove an air of intimacy between the two. There was no need to recount recent events, yet they reminisced about trivial memories, sharing lighthearted stories.  

“Back then, the professor scolded me, saying, ‘Are you going to spend your whole life digging holes? Is writing one paper that hard?’”  

“Oh, so that’s why your grades plummeted? I thought it was strange since those weren’t the grades you usually got.”  

This incident had indirectly allowed Anas to snatch the heir position, a detail that Lucian subtly appreciated.  

“Recently, I saw you in the paper with Miss Hariel. Are you two dating?”  

“Don’t even mention it, Lana. That was the first time I realized how ruthless Miss Hariel could be. I ended up spending unexpected extra money because of her. I thought I only had to watch out for the Baron, but… dating someone like that in secret? No way.”  

“So, you’re not?”  

“I’d sooner believe rumors about me and Anas. Not that anything like that would ever happen.”  

Iliana felt a faint glimmer of hope from his denial, as if her probing question about other women had paid off.  

As they continued chatting about various topics over herbal tea, a sudden curiosity struck Iliana. She set down her frappe and fixed her gaze on Lucian.  

“Lucian.”  

“Hmm?”  

“Do you know your parents’ drinking habits?”  

Lucian paused, his teacup halfway to his lips, and met her gaze. His furrowed brow showed his confusion, and Iliana awkwardly played with her hair, laughing sheepishly.  

Was it a strange question? 

It had come out impulsively.  

In truth, Iliana felt a deep satisfaction in being far from the usual drinking scenes. After all, unrequited love often came with “what-if expectations.”  

From the moment he invited her to the garden, her heart had been tickled. Sharing stories made her hopes rise again.  

• If I were to, let’s say…I ask someone to help me fix my bad drinking habits by drinking together, what do you think they’d say?

• I’d think you’ve lost your mind. Are you trying to flirt with someone? Ha, why don’t you say that to Lucian Declan, the one you’re so hopelessly in love with, instead of me.

Anas’s cold response echoed in her mind. Today’s invitation to the garden, his earlier denial of any romantic involvement with others…  

Could this mean I had a chance?  

The thought made her want to spend the entire evening with Lucian. But to do so, she needed an excuse, which led her to bring up the topic of drinking habits—something she had wished to avoid.  

Surely, he hadn’t noticed her ulterior motive. Iliana clasped her hands together as if making a wish, resting her chin on them. Her serious expression made Lucian set down his cup slowly, pondering.  

“What were Mother’s drinking habits again? Hmmm. She doesn’t drink much, so I’m not sure. But I’ve heard that my uncle falls asleep when he drinks. As for Father… Oh, he becomes honest. His thoughts come straight out of his mouth, sometimes without coherence.”  

• You’re so warm, Lana. This place must be so red too, right? I can tell without even looking.

…Could drinking habits be hereditary?  

The memory of that night resurfaced, and Iliana’s ears burned. She ignored the heat as she pressed on with her questions.  

“Then, do you know how much the Earl can drink?”  

“Hmm, five or six glasses? Mother and Father aren’t particularly heavy drinkers. But why do you ask?”  

“Well, um…”  

Lucian leaned toward Iliana, and the sudden closeness made her shoulders twitch. She shifted slightly to put some distance between them.  

“Well, I looked into a few things. They say drinking habits often resemble those of family members, so…”  

She hadn’t intended to steer the conversation in this direction. She had only brought it up as an excuse to spend more time with him.  

“Hmm. So, what did you find out? Miss Iliana Raylin, who seems to have monopolized knowledge of my drinking habits.”

“Why do you phrase it like that?”  

“Well, you never tell me. You always just say, ‘I didn’t cause any trouble.’ It’s been bugging me, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask.”

Resting his chin on his hand, Lucian lazily smiled as he gazed at Iliana.  

For some reason, feeling as if she was being rushed, Iliana abruptly stood up. The clattering of the dishes forced her to quickly bow down again, but her heart was pounding with impulsive excitement.  

‘Here’s the thing. I have a theory. About your drinking habits—it seems like you’ve inherited a mix of your father’s and your maternal family’s traits. No need for proof.’  

‘Can I interpret your invitation to meet in this garden however I want? Why did you bring up Anas while looking at me? If I still have a chance with you, I want to try just a little longer. At least, if I could steal your time just for tonight…’  

Her head spun. Her heart raced like a ship gaining speed, and her thoughts began to tangle.  

The green gaze that still rested on her stirred her heart. Clenching her fists tightly, Iliana managed to force a smile and form a sentence.  

“I-I have a theory! I want to test if it’s true by mixing the traits… So, um, tonight…! Could you spare some time until tonight…!”

“…Is your theory really that important?”  

‘Stupid Lucian Declan!’  

Even as she babbled nonsensically, he clapped his hands once and responded, 

“Spare time…? Sure?”

Watching him, Iliana inwardly screamed.

The emotions she thought she could now control were all over the place.  

***

It didn’t take Lucian long to prepare the annex after Iliana’s suggestion. This was because several staff members were already stationed in the garden. The only minor issue arose in the kitchen, which hadn’t been notified about dinner. However, it took less than thirty minutes to arrange the guest room.  

Watching the servants work silently without any complaints, Iliana found herself repeatedly regretting her impulsive words.  

“Please come in. Everything is ready.”  

At the maidservant’s words, Iliana nodded quickly as she entered the guest room.  

“Thank you, Julia.”  

“Your gratitude can be expressed through a bonus in my next paycheck.”  

“Oh dear, I’ll have to discuss that with Father. That’s not within my authority.”  

Whether it was a joke or an extreme display of tension, Iliana stiffly stood there, glancing at Lucian. 

Gratitude was gratitude, after all. 

As she mumbled this to herself, Lucian blinked while looking at her.

“Will you be giving Julia her bonus, Lana?”  

“M-me?”  

The sudden comment caught her off guard, and her voice cracked in disbelief. As Iliana widened her eyes, Lucian laughed aloud and waved his hand dismissively.  

Julia, seemingly unfazed by the sharp humor, lowered her shoulders deeply and clasped her hands.  

“Miss, your money should be used for yourself. I’ll take the bonus once the Young Master becomes the head of the family.”  

“Confidently asking for a deferred payment, I see?”

“I’ve taken up enough of your time. If you need anything, please ring the bell. I’ll be stationed in the annex until seven o’clock. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

Without waiting for Lucian’s response, the maidservant departed. Following Lucian’s suggestion, Iliana entered the room, where the scent of tea mingled with a faintly rich aroma.  

The fairly strong fragrance of wine made Iliana squint as she approached the table.  

“They’ve even set up the alcohol. The sun hasn’t even set yet…”  

“Well, of course. They’re servants of the Declan family. They need to be familiar with the estate’s specialties.”  

Lucian, who had elegantly rephrased his observation about their fondness for drinking, pulled out a chair and gestured for her to sit. Feeling a ticklish sensation, Iliana took the seat he offered.