1. The Start of a Long Summer  ( Part 2)

「To the Honorable Earl Godwin,  

The weather has grown considerably warm. It seems we are now at the beginning of summer.  

I am currently returning to Belfort after completing my first assignment as an officer. There were a few close calls, but in the end, I was able to return without major injury.  

As a reward for my achievements, I have been granted leave. I expect to remain in Belfort throughout the summer. This is the first time I’ve had such a long period of freedom, and I feel more burdened than joyful about it. For now, I plan to spend my time exercising to strengthen my body and reading a few books.  

Enclosed with this letter is my first paycheck. Please accept it as a token of my gratitude for the support and care you have given me.  

I will never forget the kindness you’ve shown me, and I will repay it little by little. If there is anything I can do for you, please do not hesitate to let me know.  

I will write again soon. Until then, I wish you good health.  

With deep gratitude and respect,  

Ethan Hoffman」  

The neat handwriting filled the plain white paper completely. The letter, devoid of flowery language or witty humor, reflected the sender’s straightforward personality. Though somewhat blunt, there was a youthful sincerity to it that made him seem like an earnest young man.  

“What’s with all the solemnity?”  

Before she realized it, a faint smile had formed on Cecilia’s lips. A letter from someone she had never met somehow brought her a sense of comfort. Cecilia held the letter close to her nose, as if it might carry the scent of sunlight.  

‘What am I even doing?’  

She chuckled softly and slowly reclined on the sofa. In that position, she began reading the rest of the letters one by one. They were written with such care and dedication that Cecilia felt guilty for having ignored them until now.  

The handwriting, once clumsy and uneven, gradually became more polished, and the frequent spelling mistakes disappeared. Each time Cecilia noticed these changes, a faint smile graced her face.  

When she finished the last letter, she felt a twinge of regret. The initial dread of having to read so many letters had long since faded. Cecilia took a deep breath, feeling a rare sense of peace. It had been a long time since she had experienced such a tranquil evening.  

“Oh, the reply.”  

Cecilia sat up and walked to her desk. Opening a drawer, she took out a sheet of crisp, high-quality paper. As she dipped her pen into the ink, there was a subtle excitement in her movements.  

「To Ethan Hoffman, 

Thank you for your letter. I apologize for not replying sooner, but I have read every letter you’ve sent.  

I also received the money you enclosed. While I appreciate the gesture, there’s no need to do this in the future. I hope you use your hard-earned paycheck entirely for your own happiness.」

‘Is this too stiff? Will it upset him?’  

Reviewing her words, Cecilia tilted her head slightly. But having never written a warm or friendly letter before, she couldn’t think of a better way to phrase it.  

Tap, tap.  

Her smooth, pink nails lightly drummed on the mahogany desk. A shallow crease formed on Cecilia’s delicate brow, as if she were puzzling over a difficult problem. Normally, she wouldn’t have agonized over something like this. Yet, after reading just a few letters, she found herself imagining Ethan’s reaction to her reply.  

He seemed like an ordinary yet kind-looking young man. Would he be tall? Short? Being a soldier, he was probably well-built.

For some reason, she pictured him with curly brown hair. His skin was likely tanned from spending so much time outdoors…  

‘What am I even thinking?’  

Shaking her head, Cecilia dismissed the mental image of Ethan Hoffman she had unconsciously created. Still, she couldn’t deny her curiosity about him. After all, he was the one who had brought her a moment of peace and joy for the first time in ages.  

After a moment’s hesitation, Cecilia firmly gripped her pen and impulsively added a few lines to the end of the letter.  

「Instead, I have another suggestion.  

If you haven’t decided how to spend your summer leave, why not stay at the Godwin Estate? While Belfort in summer is far from pleasant, the gardens of the Godwin Estate, now lush with greenery, are quite beautiful.  

Of course, if this feels burdensome, feel free to decline. Think it over lightly and let me know your thoughts.  

With enduring friendship,  

Earl Godwin」  

***

When Ethan saw the familiar seal on the letter, he doubted his eyes for a moment. The sender of the letter was none other than the Godwin Earl’s family. It was a reply after seven years.

However, after reading it to the end, he was even more astonished. The Earl of Godwin had invited him to the estate. Despite receiving consistent support for ten years, he had only met the Earl in person once, and that memory had faded with time.

「Dear Earl Godwin,  

I have received your reply.  

It is with great joy and surprise that I accept your invitation. Thank you for your kindness.  

I eagerly await the day I can meet and greet you in person at the estate.  

With respect,  

Ethan Hoffman」

As soon as he read the letter, Ethan wrote a reply accepting the Earl’s invitation. There was no need for hesitation. Meeting Earl Godwin, his patron and lifelong benefactor, was something he had longed for all his life.

‘I’m nervous.’

A few days later, Ethan sat upright in the carriage sent by the Earl, meticulously adjusting his attire. He was dressed in his military uniform, the most formal and respectable clothing he owned.

As the carriage passed through the pristine white gates of the Godwin Estate, Ethan’s heart pounded so fiercely it felt like it might burst. He had never been intimidated or nervous, whether during the strict life at the Military Academy, competing with noble children as a commoner, or on the blood-soaked battlefield. But today was an exception.

‘What would be an appropriate greeting? How should I maintain my expression? My peers said I look intimidating—should I smile? But I’ve never heard anyone say my smile looks good.’

Countless worries swirled in his mind.

Ethan bit his lower lip lightly and ran his hand through his short, neatly trimmed black hair. As he took a deep breath, his broad chest expanded and then deflated.

‘Stay calm.’

The carriage came to a slow stop in front of the white stone building. Ethan clenched and unclenched his hands resting on his lap before opening the carriage door himself and stepping out.

The well-manicured grass beneath his feet felt soft. Squinting slightly under the harsh sunlight, he quickly surveyed the people standing before him. One man, who appeared to be the butler, and two maids. And then…

“Ah… Are you Ethan Hoffman?”

Her light brown hair was neatly tied up. Her skin was pale, almost to the point of looking translucent. A slender jawline and a delicate neck that extended gracefully downward. She was a beauty, as if she had stepped out of a classical painting, standing right before him.

‘…!’

Ethan forgot he needed to respond and stared blankly at the woman before him. His mind went blank, and his mouth went dry. The only thought he could muster was that she was dazzlingly beautiful.

His gaze stopped at her eyes. Almond-shaped, neither too large nor too small. Within them, light blue irises sparkled brilliantly. Having lived a life far removed from gemstones, he couldn’t say what kind of gem they resembled. But Ethan was certain—no gem could be as beautiful as her eyes.

“Thank you for accepting the invitation. I’m Cecilia Godwin.”

The woman, who introduced herself as Cecilia, extended her hand toward Ethan. He looked down at the small, white hand before him, then, with an “Ah,” reached out to take it. Her small hand was almost completely enveloped by his large one. Cecilia’s hand was so soft it sent a shiver down his spine.

Cecilia chuckled softly as if amused by his dazed state, her slightly thin lips curving into a perfect arc. With a faint hint of mischief in her voice, she added, 

“It might be easier to understand if I say I’m the Earl of Godwin.”

‘The Earl of Godwin?’

Even in his dazed state, her words struck Ethan like a hammer. His eyebrows shot up.

“That means…”

“That’s right. I’m your patron.”

Ethan’s jaw dropped. Cecilia gently withdrew her hand from his slightly loosened grip and lightly tapped his arm. Her face lit up with a bright smile.

“You seem quite surprised. Let’s save the long story for dinner.”

Taking a step back, Cecilia turned gracefully and said, 

“Hand your luggage to the maids; they’ll take it to your room. This is Rochester, the butler. If you need anything during your stay, just let him know. Make yourself comfortable.”

“I…”

He was about to habitually say he was fine when Cecilia quickly interrupted.

“You’re a guest I personally invited. It’s only natural to expect proper hospitality. Don’t refuse any further.”

His stunningly beautiful patron was also remarkably perceptive. Ethan lowered his gaze slightly, his eyelashes brushing his cheeks, as his face flushed faintly.

“…Thank you.”

“I hope this summer vacation will be more enjoyable than training or reading.”

With a light smile, Cecilia turned and entered the building. As Ethan stood there blankly watching her retreating figure, he suddenly realized his entire body was thudding as if his heart had taken over. It was a sensation he had never experienced before.

The impeccably dressed butler greeted him with a polite bow, asking if the journey had been difficult or if the weather was too hot. Responding with precise answers, Ethan thought to himself:

This summer has already started perfectly.