Chapter 1.2

Of course, it wasn’t Adrian’s first visit to Hazel Manor, but there was a significant difference between a young boy staying and a grown man residing there.  

“I hope there won’t be any mistakes while the Marquis stays here. Especially you. Yes, I mean you, Theodora. I trust you understand you’re no longer in a position to act as friends like when you were children. No matter how friendly he is with you, you must be courteous, understood?”  

The cold glance from her father earlier seemed to have been for this warning. Theodora nodded compliantly once again. But Earl Hazel, not satisfied, added one more remark.  

“Well, being friends is a thing of the past. Seeing you unmarried like this, the Marquis will be shocked.”  

Even as she sighed silently, all she could do was keep her mouth shut. To escape this tiresome daily life, she needed a bit more preparation, and until then, staying quiet was the best policy.  

Until the meal ended, Earl Hazel loudly discussed the Marquis of Devon’s arrival schedule and preparations, finally leaving with a last complaint about his mountain of work.  

Waiting for her father to finish speaking, Theodora picked at her soup and bread, and as soon as he disappeared, she returned to her room. Her mother would surely criticize her for being unladylike, but once inside, she flopped onto the bed in her dress.  

Alone, she finally felt at ease. Unlike the happy dream last night, the endlessly repetitive days were just dreadful.  

‘But today, I heard Adrian returned safely…’

Not only that, but he planned to stay in Melhem, here at Hazel Manor. Even though she told herself not to have foolish hopes, Theodora’s heart was uncontrollably excited.  

She had occasionally received letters from Adrian, but due to the war, it was difficult to exchange news as often as before. It had been five years since they last saw each other. Although sudden, just thinking about reuniting with him revived her dry, withered soul.  

‘And he’s coming at such a perfect time.’  

If Adrian had come even a little later, she might not have been here anymore. In any case, it was fortunate for Theodora.  

Perhaps heaven took pity on her unrequited love and allowed her to see him one last time, she thought whimsically, recalling their last meeting. 

It was shortly after her coming-of-age ceremony at eighteen. Adrian, in his neatly pressed uniform with his cap under his arm, delivered the news of his departure in his usual manner.  

Looking at his fresh face, still full of boyish charm, all Theodora could say was to wish him good luck.  

For a brief moment, she had the cowardly thought of confessing her long-held feelings, using the indefinite farewell as an excuse, but what stopped her was Adrian’s expression as he looked at her. As if he sensed the confession stuck in her throat, his face was deeply settled.  

‘Don’t worry too much, Theo. We promised to be good friends until we die. So I’ll definitely come back.’ 

In front of Adrian, who emphasized the word ‘friend,’ she felt incredibly small. His expression was clean, with no lingering attachment. Unlike her, who would have shown some affection despite her best efforts to hide her unrequited love, Adrian was perfectly nonchalant.  

Five years passed. Due to the war that continued until recently, they hadn’t seen each other, communicating only through letters. Although less frequent than before, he occasionally sent letters asking about Theodora’s well-being.  

I hope to see you again next year.  

Your eternal friend, Adrian.  

Before she knew it, Theodora held Adrian’s most recent letter. She already memorized its contents from reading it so many times, yet she absentmindedly brushed her hand over it, unable to take her eyes off the last line.  

‘Your eternal friend.’

Each time she read that simple and clear expression, she felt a warm glow in her heart along with a slight bitter aftertaste.  

‘Eternal friend…….’  

Five years seemed both short and long. Just as Theodora had, Adrian must have experienced many changes in his life as well.  

However, one thing remained unchanged: Theodora’s persistent unrequited love. She wasn’t sure if she could meet him again as casually as before.  

Just as her love hadn’t changed, Adrian’s feelings likely hadn’t changed much either. She feared that even the slightest hint of her feelings might strip her of her status as a friend. Therefore, Theodora secretly vowed never to reveal this emotion, so she could leave with a beautiful image until the end.  

After that, all Theodora could do was wait for Adrian’s visit. In fact, waiting for him was almost a habit for her.  

Adrian was the only one who brought vibrant color to Theodora’s otherwise monochrome life, so she could only count the days to see him again, trembling with fear.  

* * *  

Adrian arrived at Hazel’s a month later, when the red lilacs were dropping their ripe blossoms one by one to the ground.  

As the day of the Marquis of Devon’s visit approached, Hazel’s was literally in a state of emergency. The maids were busy cleaning the house spotless for days, and the kitchen was bustling with preparations to serve the long-awaited guest.  

That sight brought a faint sense of déjà vu to Theodora. She remembered the commotion when Adrian first came to Hazel’s long ago.  

The Earl and Countess of Hazel also got up early today, finished their meals, and dressed up, while Theodora and Eloise had to put on their best dresses and be in the drawing room.  

Finally, when the butler announced that the Marquis of Devon’s carriage had entered the path in front of the mansion, the Hazel couple and the two sisters went to the entrance to greet the guest.  

Not long after the family lined up, a gleaming ebony carriage entered the courtyard and stopped, with a servant opening the door to reveal the impeccably dressed Adrian. Amusingly, Theodora momentarily forgot to breathe at that moment.  

“It’s been a long time, Earl Hazel and Countess.”  

Trying to appear calm, all her nerves were focused on Adrian’s every move from the moment the carriage arrived.  

Her long-dreamed first love, the face she had longed to see, was alive and moving before her eyes. Not just moving, but speaking, smiling, and making eye contact. That alone filled her heart with overwhelming emotion.  

Adrian, whom she met after a long time, exuded a completely different atmosphere from when they last met. Unlike when he was eighteen and still had a youthful feel despite having reached adulthood, at twenty-three, he clearly looked like a young man.  

His thick eyebrows and deep-set eyes under his abundant black hair were refreshing, and his jewel-like green eyes had matured even more. His delicate and graceful face seemed to naturally open the locks of anyone’s heart.  

Adrian’s appearance had always had a captivating charm that could make someone give their last penny at his request.  

“I hope my visit wasn’t too sudden.”  

With a charming smile and a pleasant low voice, Adrian greeted Earl Hazel with a handshake.  

In the meantime, he seemed to have grown taller, with broad shoulders that stood out. Even at a glance, the frock coat made of incredibly expensive fabric fit his lean, muscular body perfectly, and the well-tailored pants and fine leather shoes highlighted his long, muscular legs.  

Even the Earl of Hazel, a fellow man, couldn’t help but admire him for a moment before taking the hand extended to him.  

“How could it be? It’s just an honor to host such a distinguished guest.”  

“Thank you for the hospitality. I’ll be in your care while the mansion is being built. Ah, this is my aide who will be staying with me. Lucas?”  

While Adrian introduced the man who accompanied him to his father, Theodora twisted her innocent fingers, unable to calm her pounding heart.  

“Nice to meet you. I’m Viscount Rommel, serving the Marquis of Devon. I look forward to your kind cooperation.”  

“Yes, nice to meet you. Please feel comfortable during your stay.”  

The young man with an ordinary impression had brown hair and was shorter than Adrian, with a slender build. Although his precise demeanor was noticeable, nothing else caught her interest. Despite being a new character, curiosity didn’t arise because Theodora’s attention was still solely on her friend.  

After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Earl Hazel, Adrian soon directed his gaze toward where she stood. At that moment, Theodora’s heart thudded heavily again. She wished she could press it down with something to stop the loud beating.  

“I should also greet the ladies.”  

With those words, he began to approach the ladies standing behind Earl Hazel to greet them.  

“Nice to meet you, Lady Hazel.”  

Adrian’s figure, bending his tall frame to kiss the Countess’s hand, was like a painting. As expected of the son of a ducal family, his impeccable manners, confident yet not arrogant demeanor, smooth speech, and captivating gaze were all flawless.  

It was perhaps inevitable that he became the prince of her life, including her adolescence and even her dreams.  

“Welcome to Hazel’s, Marquis.”  

No noblewoman would refuse the greeting of a young, handsome gentleman who lacked nothing in terms of status, rank, and power. The Countess returned the greeting with a pleasant smile at the hand-kiss from the Marquis of Devon, who was set to become a new influential figure in the south.