Chapter 37

After meeting Enrique at age ten, Leticia never wanted to leave his side. Or rather, she simply didn’t want to be apart from him.

The problem was that from age thirteen to eighteen, she had to attend the Academy. No matter how much she disliked it, Leticia had no choice but to let him go. How she wished they were the same age. There were times she’d flop face-down on her bed, kicking her feet in jealousy over Johan, who attended the academy with him.

Even if she entered the Academy immediately, there was still a four-year age gap—by the time she enrolled, Enrique would be old enough to graduate the following year. The jealousy was overwhelming. She was obsessed with knowing what Enrique was doing when she couldn’t see him.

When Enrique turned sixteen, Johan and Enrique spent their vacation at the Keaton villa. Leticia, a twelve-year-old who couldn’t miss any time with them, went to the villa with her mother.

But as soon as she arrived, she heard that Enrique had received a confession. Young Leticia was seized by a powerful jealousy.

Me too, I want to confess! I want to attend the Academy with him. Why was I born four years younger? If only I’d been born as Johan’s twin… She whimpered as she said this.

Enrique had refused, saying that studying and swordsmanship were more important. Hearing that reassured her, but she still wondered, what if he ever became interested in romance instead of study or swordsmanship?

Leticia knew, at twelve, that confessing was impossible. Who would accept a confession from a child? If someone saw her as a woman at that age, they’d be out of their mind.

Ah, that wasn’t the point—Leticia wanted to enter the Academy right away. But the Academy was strict: skipping grades was forbidden. She had to wait two whole years.

Johan, who had spread the news about Enrique’s confession, eventually lost interest and moved on to something else. Surrounded by people who quickly found new interests, Leticia alone was consumed by jealousy.

At twelve, she thought maybe she could confess when she turned twenty. But then Enrique would be twenty-four. Even as a child, she thought he was amazing; how much more popular would he be as an adult?

It wasn’t just infatuation. Her close friends always talked about Enrique.

Lying on her bed at the villa, kicking her feet and lost in thought, Leticia suddenly sat up. She dashed off to find the Duchess in the garden, where she was basking in the sunlight. Her mother would normally be there too, but seemed to be away for a moment. Even the usual servants weren’t around—her timing was lucky.

“Aunt!”

“Hm? Leticia?”

Petunia Keaton rose as Leticia dashed over and collapsed onto her knees. Petunia reached out and stroked her hair as Leticia, eyes red with tears, looked up.

Petunia pressed a handkerchief to her eyes, but Leticia paid no mind and spoke up.

“Aunt, Aunt, can you do me a favor?”

“If it’s something I can do.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Leticia finally spoke.

“I… I want to marry Enrique when I grow up.”

“What?”

“So, Aunt, please forbid him from dating or marrying anyone until I’m an adult!”

Petunia burst out laughing at Leticia’s earnest request. Seeing Leticia’s serious gaze, Petunia reached out and playfully tousled her hair.

“Alright. Auntie will try, okay?”

“I’ll try too!”

“What will you do?”

“I’ll make him like me!”

Petunia nodded with a smile, and Leticia hugged her, saying she loved her. While hugging her and expressing her gratitude, she even asked Petunia to keep it a secret.

*

Eight years passed. She’d forgotten all about it, having been busy with so many things. Thanks to Enrique’s dream of becoming a knight, he hadn’t shown interest in romance, and Leticia had achieved her goal as soon as she became an adult.

Laughter filled the dining room as Petunia shared the story of Leticia’s childhood. Leticia’s face turned bright red. She stood up, grabbed Enrique’s hand, and ran out of the dining room.

While everyone laughed, the Earl grew gloomy. 

Did she really like him that much? More than me? 

The Countess quickly noticed his mood, but couldn’t stop laughing. He’d always doted on Leticia, and now that she had someone she liked, he was acting like this. If it hadn’t been Enrique, maybe he would have objected.

Thus, a joyful tea time passed.

Leticia led Enrique to the rose garden. Though it was daytime and people were around, this area was quiet. She positioned Enrique by the wall, steadied her breath, and glanced up at him.

Even if she’d said those things as a child, what if he disliked her now? But Enrique seemed to have no such thoughts, covering his mouth with his hand as he laughed. If the roles were reversed, it would have been funny too.

Leticia cooled her flushed face with her hand before finally speaking.

“Aunt was talking about when I was really young. I was twelve, eight years ago—I didn’t know anything back then.”

“Why? I thought what my mother said was adorable. Now that I think about it, every time you came home and talked about the Academy, you always looked strangely gloomy.”

“I thought I’d hidden it well.”

“Everyone probably knew. I just assumed you wanted to go to the Academy too—that’s how I understood it. Guess I was wrong.”

Enrique smiled and smoothed Leticia’s hair, messy from running. Then he kissed her cheek and hugged her.

“But you succeeded.”

“At what?”

“At making me fall for you.”

With Enrique’s words, Leticia realized this story would never be forgotten by their families. But… she didn’t mind.

She reached out and hugged him tightly. As they stayed like that for a while, Enrique slowly let go.

Then, with a smile, Enrique knelt on one knee and held out a case. Inside, when he opened it, was a beautiful bracelet set with jewels. Leticia, who had visited the ducal residence since childhood, knew exactly what this bracelet meant.

In the Duchy, when a child was born, a bracelet was crafted to be given to their future beloved. The jewels were rare, mined only from the Duchy’s territory, making them highly coveted.

She understood the meaning of receiving this bracelet. …So she wasn’t alone in her feelings. Truly.

Leticia’s eyes grew moist with joy as Enrique smiled and fastened the bracelet on her wrist.

“I asked my parents to bring it when they came today. …We’ll get engaged and married later, but I wanted to show you how I feel.”

“I’m really happy.”

Leticia hugged him as he knelt. Enrique stood up, holding her, gently touching her blushing face. She felt certain that only happiness awaited them from now on.

“And soon, let’s attend High Society together. If we match our dress codes, everyone will know right away.”

“…Just thinking about it makes me so happy.”

Matching dress codes was only allowed for engaged couples from different families. If they attended together, rumors about them would spread quickly.

Leticia had so many things she wanted to do with him. She wanted to do everything she’d always imagined lovers would do.

Looking into his affectionate eyes, Leticia stood on tiptoe and kissed him lightly.

Their laughter echoed happily through the garden.

fin.