Chapter 2.2

“There are so many flowers blooming because it’s spring. Do you remember, Ian? When we were very young, you laughed just because I made you a flower crown. Why did we collect inedible tree fruits like that… We can’t even sword fight with branches now, right?”  

Though she spoke lightly, reminiscing about childhood, Adrian wore a serious expression, just like when he heard her say she wanted to dip her feet in the water earlier.  

“Shall we?”  

And his answer was affirmative.  

“Make flower crowns?”  

Startled, she asked, and Adrian chuckled.  

“Anything. If you want, I can wear a flower crown and sword fight too.”  

His words made Theodora laugh as well.  

“Well, a flower crown might be okay, but I wouldn’t stand a chance against you in a sword fight.”  

“You never know until you try, Theo. Where did your old confidence go?”  

She didn’t know how it ended up that way, but after a brief scuffle, they eventually faced each other holding clumsy branches. A lady in a yellow evening dress with shoes and stockings discarded, and a gentleman with rolled-up pants and bare feet—it was surely a comical sight to anyone.  

In truth, Theodora was already beside herself trying to hold back the laughter that had begun to bubble up.  

“I haven’t sword fought recently, so I’m not very confident.”  

“Trust your instincts, Theo. You didn’t hold back when we were kids. I won’t be an easy opponent now.”  

Adrian, too, had a smile on his lips.  

The result of their mock duel, of course, was Theodora’s utter defeat. It was never realistic for a noble lady, whose outdoor activities consisted of walks, to beat a current officer who had returned from years of war, but still, Theodora did her best.  

The main reason for her loss was the cumbersome dress that made her stumble awkwardly at the last moment. Adrian rushed to catch her as she tripped over her feet.  

She was briefly held in arms much stronger than before. Ungratefully, she tried to trip him, but Adrian, who was as solid as a wall, pretended to fall clumsily backward on purpose.  

After their silly duel ended, the two sat on the ground, laughing heartily. It seemed like the first time she had laughed so freely since coming of age.  

“Ha… I laughed so much my stomach hurts. Sorry, Ian.”  

“I should be apologizing. I can’t remember the last time I laughed like this.”  

The two managed to calm down only after catching their breath for a while. After the commotion passed, a not-too-heavy silence lingered briefly.  

“Being here is so enjoyable that I keep forgetting about decorum.”  

“Yes, I feel the same.”  

“It’s truly liberating. Now I realize how tiresome my life has been.”  

“I feel the same. It’s been a really tedious five years.”  

They lay on the grass side by side, watching the clouds drift by and exchanging such meaningless conversations. It was a peaceful time. After letting the brief silence pass, Theodora suddenly turned her head to look at him and spoke.  

“Now I really feel like you’re my friend. Marquis of Devon, how awkward that was.”  

“Even if I become not just a Marquis, I’ll still be your friend, Theo.”  

His words, muttered absentmindedly without taking his eyes off the sky, stirred only her heart.  

“But I can’t quite agree with you saying it was tedious. As I said before, for a southern native like me, even visiting the capital once is like a dream.”  

Trying to calm her fluttering heart, she threw out a meaningless comment.  

“Well then, why don’t you come with me?”  

Yet she was still the one being attacked. Trying to calm the overwhelming emotions evoked by his suggestive proposal, Theodora strove to remain composed. Too much excitement might lead to a mistake.  

“But knowing you, Theo, I bet you’d get bored in just a few days. I guarantee it.”

Her heart, which she had barely managed to calm, surged once more with the certainty that he knew her well. At this point, Theodora couldn’t help but resent him. 

Saying such things between friends, wasn’t that guilty of something?  

She entertained the absurd thought of asking Mr. White, the lawyer, when she got a chance, while Adrian’s gaze was fixed on the mansion, now as small as a fingernail.  

“The city is too complicated. People move endlessly, and so much changes overnight… But here, everything is just as I remember it. That’s why I feel at ease.”  

Theodora, who was busy capturing Adrian’s figure enjoying the breeze with a faint smile, hurriedly turned her gaze away when his eyes returned to her. Despite the strange discomfort she felt from his words, Theodora tried to clear her complicated mind, thinking that it was enough if Adrian liked it here. Surely, it was.  

“You probably don’t know how grateful I am that you’re in this unchanging landscape.”  

However, with Adrian’s words, she felt her soaring heart settle a little. It was surely meant well, but the uneasy feeling in her chest was likely due to her usual inferiority complex.  

“But, Ian.”  

Theodora muttered softly, her expression darkening just enough that Adrian wouldn’t notice.  

“I’ve changed a lot too, you know.”  

Unfortunately, the words she squeezed out with some courage didn’t reach her childhood friend’s heart. He looked puzzled for a moment, then smiled again.  

“If it’s about age, we’re in the same boat.”  

“It’s not about age…”  

Adrian looked at her curiously, but Theodora couldn’t find the right words, only moving her lips before eventually giving up on answering.  

“I’m saying I’ve grown up a lot more than before.”  

Adrian laughed once more at the words she tossed out like a joke. Before the conversation could drag on, Theodora stood up. She didn’t want to ruin this good mood with unnecessary talk.  

“Well… Shall we head back?”  

It was time to wake up from the dream. That way, the dream would remain a forever happy moment.

* * *

The way back to the mansion was rather quiet.  

The sun was setting in the west, lengthening the shadows. Adrian and Theodora walked down the road like children exhausted from playing all day. There was no conversation, but it wasn’t awkward. Theodora just felt a bit melancholic.  

‘There probably won’t be another opportunity to spend time with Adrian like this…’  

No, perhaps there would never be another day like today. Imagining that made her endlessly sad, so Theodora decided to stop thinking about it.  

Adrian’s aide was following closely enough to be in sight by now. She suddenly felt sorry for him, wondering where he had spent his time alone while they were dawdling.  

Just before entering the mansion, Theodora finally remembered her father’s request, which she had completely forgotten, and spoke with an uncomfortable heart.  

“Hey, Ian.”  

“Yes, Theo.”  

The kindness that met her eyes even at a trivial call felt like poison to her now.  

“It’s nothing, really, but I have a personal favor to ask…”  

Trying not to be distracted by his smiling lips as if telling her to continue, Theodora finally voiced her hesitant request.  

“Could you be Eloise’s partner at the ball next month?”  

“Oh, Theo.”  

She worried briefly that he might be angry for taking advantage of their friendship, seeing his slightly furrowed brow. But Adrian’s response was quite the opposite.  

“Why would you hesitate over something like that between us, it’s disappointing. I’d do even more difficult things for you.”  

He was surely guilty. The charge… I really should visit Mr. White soon.  

“Thank you, Ian. Eloise will be really happy.”  

Thinking of the family who would be delighted by the news made Adrian’s willing acceptance welcome, yet she also worried if he might have other intentions.  

Of course, there was also the added self-reproach for being petty enough to worry about such things. Unlike her complicated feelings, Adrian seemed perfectly at ease.  

“I can’t believe Eloise is already debuting. Time flies.”  

“Indeed. Sometimes I can’t believe I’m already twenty-three.”  

“Already? It’s hardly that.”  

Theodora smiled bitterly at her friend’s defense.  

“Well, it might be hardly for you. But I’m also a noble’s daughter, you know.”  

“What do you mean?”  

“It means I’m at an age where it wouldn’t be strange to be kicked out of the marriage market.”  

Even as she said it, it was a bit of a blow to her pride, but a fact was a fact.  

“Oh, right. I actually wanted to discuss that issue with you soon. I’ve had a plan in mind for a while…”  

However, Adrian’s next words were unexpected, and Theodora couldn’t help but be surprised.  

“A plan?”  

What business did he have involving himself in my marriage matters?  

As she wondered, Adrian’s previous remarks about wanting to fulfill her wishes came to mind.  

‘Could it be…’  

If, by any chance, even the slightest chance, he had developed feelings for me during that time. If he had made plans to marry me.

Her heart soared to the sky at the thought that was more a wish than an expectation…  

“I’ve been thinking for a long time… I want to personally choose your husband, Theo.”  

…and was swiftly thrown to the ground. Theodora felt as if she had been slapped out of nowhere, bewildered.  

“You want to… choose my husband?”  

“I can’t let my most precious friend get tangled with some worthless guy. Since you haven’t had any special connections so far… I thought I’d search the south, or even the entire empire, to find you a decent man.”  

No matter how you look at it, wasn’t that too cruel to hear from her first love, whom she was still in love with? She felt like a complete fool for having even a brief, vain hope.  

“Though the mansion is under construction, the real reason I wanted to stay here was actually because of that.”  

Unaware of her turmoil, Adrian began to lay out his ‘plan’ with a sincere tone, indifferent to whether Theodora was deeply troubled or not.  

“As you know, the name Bachelet carries quite a bit of prestige.”  

Prestige, indeed. One of only five ducal families in the empire, a military family that had earned merit in wars for two generations, and a family that had held the closest positions to His Majesty the Emperor for generations. There was no one in the Beorn Empire who didn’t know the Bachelet Ducal Family, and countless people tried to connect with them in any way possible.  

“What does that have to do with my marriage?”  

“It’s an old-fashioned approach. By flaunting my close relationship with the Hazel family and you, suitors will flock to you. With more numbers, it’ll be much easier to pick a suitable man.”  

He continued for a while, explaining how effective his plan would be.  

“It might be sudden, but think about it, Theo. I genuinely want to help you.”  

Even just before entering the mansion, Adrian didn’t give up on persuading her. To such a person, Theodora could only return a somewhat dark expression and say she understood.