Chapter 1.1 – My Childhood Friend, Whom I Had a Crush On, Got a Fiancée

“I have no intention of dating a friend.”

Kaiden uttered those words when Brienne was around eighteen years old.

The tail end of adolescence, when everything felt especially irritable and sensitive. Who could have known she’d be rejected before even confessing?

Black hair tinged with a deep blue, pale skin. Eyes as deep and blue as the ocean.

Kaiden Bannon, with his striking looks and strong build, was the first love of countless young ladies. There was even a joke that, for someone as handsome as the heir to the prestigious Bannon Dukedom, his lofty status was just an added bonus.

But that wasn’t all.

He was intelligent, skilled in swordsmanship, and even showed remarkable talent in the notoriously difficult art of magic. Unlike other young men his age, he had a mature side, and wherever he went, his polite and courteous nature won over all the adults.

Falling for someone as perfect as Kaiden felt like an inevitable fate for Brienne.

For ten years, or perhaps even longer.

Since the days when Brienne’s father, Marquis Ford, had considered Kaiden as a potential son-in-law, the two had always been together.

“Once I become friends with someone, I can’t see them as a woman anymore.”

So, when Kaiden said those words, it trampled all over Brienne’s hopes.

Maybe—just maybe—they could become something more. Maybe, someday, she could occupy even a small corner of this aloof man’s heart.

Maybe, if they stayed friends, he’d at least allow her to remain by his side in the distant future.

If she worked hard, maybe he’d finally look at her…

Those were the kinds of hopes Brienne had dreamed of since a time she could hardly remember.

“…Why?”

Brienne struggled to appear nonchalant, but her eyes wavered slightly. Kaiden, who hadn’t spared her a glance since opening his book in the bookstore, spoke indifferently.

“I’m not sure. That’s just how I am.”

“No matter how pretty she is?”

“Yeah.”

Flip. The small sound of a page turning felt as if it were slicing through Brienne’s heart. The only advantage she had—her looks—became meaningless in that instant.

If she’d known this would happen, she never would have asked if he believed men and women could be just friends.

“…I see, that’s a relief.”

Brienne managed a smile and gently set her book on her lap. At that moment, the only change in Kaiden’s expression—a faint smile—disappeared as his brow furrowed slightly.

“But why bring it up all of a sudden?”

“Oh, that…”

Brienne gripped the book spine tightly in her hand. Avoiding Kaiden’s gaze, she offered the excuse she’d prepared in advance.

“Miss Bailey said she’d be meeting you soon. You two have been spending so much time together this year, I couldn’t help but wonder.”

Half of her wanted to test the waters.

The summer before last. How much of a stir had the appearance of a beautiful young lady from the countryside caused in high society? A new face among the tight-knit central nobility was always bound to attract attention.

Especially if that new face was a beauty like Melosi Bailey.

“She’s honestly incredibly pretty.”

At Brienne’s quiet addition, Kaiden’s hand stopped turning the page. But his lips, as always, gave a blunt reply.

“…Is that so.”

When no further response came for a long time, Brienne snapped her book shut with a huff. She hadn’t read a single page, distracted by her own question, but she let out an exaggerated sigh as if performing on stage.

“Sigh, maybe I’ve read too long. I suddenly feel like taking a break… I’ll head back first today. Is that okay?”

As she hurriedly stood up, Kaiden’s gaze finally lingered on her. Brienne put 『The Myth of Roeta』 back on the shelf and calmly straightened her wrinkled clothes.

“…Brienne, what’s wrong.”

Kaiden reluctantly stood up as well, taking a step closer behind her and whispering in a low voice.

“We haven’t seen each other in a while, and you’re leaving already? I don’t know what upset you, but…”

“…”

“If it’s my fault again, please don’t go.”

His pleasant voice pierced her twisted heart. Kaiden was always like this. He never knew what he’d done wrong, yet always acted as if the other person’s feelings came first.

Knowing this all too well, Brienne looked around the bookstore, barely holding back the urge to say, ‘Because you didn’t deny the rumor about Melosi.’

“It’s not that. I really am just tired…”

“Rien.”

Kaiden gently cut her off, closing the distance between them.

“If this is about not talking about Melosi Bailey, you don’t need to worry. I don’t even consider Melosi a friend.”

…He didn’t even consider her a friend.

Shouldn’t that be even more concerning?

Brienne frowned, turning to look at Kaiden. The composure she’d forced herself to maintain slipped, and her voice came out sharp.

“What am I supposed to be worried about?”

“There’s no need to be jealous.”

With a gentle smile, Kaiden lightly wrapped his hand around Brienne’s wrist. Though his touch was careful and without force, Brienne couldn’t remain calm at even that slight contact.

She felt suffocated.

“You know, as long as I have you, I don’t need anyone else. The only person I want is you, Brienne Ford.”

Brienne’s gaze wavered as she faced Kaiden. He often cornered her like this.

Making her want to risk everything and dive into those deep blue eyes. Making her want to immerse herself in those depths and let the waves sweep her away.

Even knowing that if she didn’t restrain herself, she might never see him again, that they might never return to being just friends…

“Kaiden, I…”

Brienne, as if spellbound, opened her mouth but couldn’t finish, biting her lip.

How many women had been unable to speak to Kaiden Bannon after confessing too hastily? He never kept anyone he’d once rejected by his side.

So, she couldn’t foolishly bare her heart here. She still wasn’t sure. If she confessed and they grew distant, this one-sided crush would come to an end.

“…Sorry. I was just being sensitive. You’re my best friend, but I worried you might be hiding something from me.”

Barely regaining her composure, Brienne lifted the corners of her mouth and smiled at those deep blue eyes staring back at her.

She knew full well that Kaiden’s sweet words—saying she was all he needed, that he wanted only her—meant nothing more than friendship.

He was so innocent, he’d never even consider she might have feelings for him, and even if he did, he’d draw a line and insist they remain friends forever.

“I’m not hiding anything. I just run into Melosi Bailey often because of my father. It’s different with you.”

Does he even realize what his words mean to her? That his actions make her want to misunderstand, to hope?

Brienne endured for two years, holding back what she wanted to say.

Until they both came of age and entered the world of marriage prospects in earnest.

* * *

“Miss, are you that happy?”

Marie the maid asked as she braided Brienne’s hair, her face bright with a smile that mirrored Brienne’s own, which had been full of excitement all day.

“Yes, Shylo is finally coming back. The house will be lively again.”

“It really was quiet without the Young Master. The Master, Madam, and you, Miss. None of you are the type to enjoy parties. Even today, look at this. The first party at the estate in four years is the Young Master’s welcome party!”

Graduation season at the National Academy of the Holy Kingdom of Roeta.

In the Rontiano Empire, families were busy preparing welcome parties for children returning from studying abroad. The Ford Marquisate, where Brienne’s brother Shylo Ford had been absent for four years, was no exception.

“Marie, there’ll be a lot of people at the welcome party, right?”

“I’m sure there will be! Why, are you nervous all of a sudden?”

“Yes, meeting people after so long makes me a bit nervous. If Kaiden comes later, I feel like I’ll be at ease…”

At the thought of the welcome party she had forgotten, Brienne’s expression darkened slightly. She had sent an invitation to Kaiden, but had not received a reply. Marie, rolling her eyes as if troubled, cautiously spoke.

“Um, Miss… He probably won’t be able to come. I have a friend who works at the Belif Ducal household, and I heard their Young Master is also returning today.”

Disappointment spread across Brienne’s face, which had held a sliver of hope. If it was the Young Master of the Belif Dukedom, wasn’t he Kaiden’s close friend? On a day like today, there was no reason for Kaiden to leave his friend’s welcome party just to greet Shylo.

‘…Still, it’s the day Shylo returns. Don’t be too nervous.’

Brienne let out a faint sigh and forced herself to smile, steadying her heart. She did not want to show a gloomy face in front of Shylo, who was returning after a long, exhausting study abroad.