2.1

That late afternoon, Pavel arrived at the Lochrain townhouse to pick up Larisa, just as she had requested. He appeared composed and restrained, as if the events of the day had never occurred.

As during his previous visit, he carried a bouquet in one hand. This time, it was a bundle of pink lisianthus flowers.

“Welcome, Your Grace.”

Bailey greeted him again today. Pavel gave a faint smile at the familiar face.

“Where is the young lady?”

“She’s still getting ready. She asked me to escort you inside when you arrived. Please, follow me.”

Expecting to wait in the drawing room at most, Pavel was surprised when Bailey led him to the inner chambers. The only women’s chambers he had ever entered were those of his mother, the Duchess of Ainsley, and even then, not since he was fourteen. As a result, Pavel found himself unintentionally tense.

He failed to notice Bailey’s complete lack of hesitation in bringing a man into the inner chambers.

Knock, knock. Bailey rapped on the door and announced the visitor’s arrival.

“Young Lady, the Duke of Ainsley is here.”

Without even waiting for permission, Bailey pushed the door open wide. Startled, Pavel quickly turned his head and body away, prompting Bailey to chuckle softly. His awkward demeanor seemed to amuse her.

“Pavel, come in.”

Larisa’s voice called out, and Bailey whispered beside him, 

The young lady is already prepared.

Only then did Pavel manage to lift his head.

It seemed she had just finished dressing, as the maids were bustling about, tidying up clothes, shoes, and accessories. When they noticed Pavel, they bowed their heads in greeting before quickly gathering the items and leaving the room.

Half-reclined on a long couch, Larisa smiled brightly at him.

“Lisianthus today, I see.”

“I hope they please you.”

“I actually like all flowers—except lilies.”

For some reason, both Larisa and Bailey burst into laughter at her remark. Though puzzled at first, Pavel soon realized it was because of her nickname. Once Bailey had brought over a chair for Pavel to sit next to the couch and left, Larisa extended her hand.

Pavel willingly took her hand and kissed the back of it. Simply holding her hand for a moment made him feel the heat from earlier in the day rising once again. He struggled to suppress his desires.

“Am I late?”

“No, not at all. You’re so good, always keeping your promises.”

Larisa covered her mouth with her hand and laughed.

The dress she had chosen for the evening’s banquet was a pale green adorned with elaborate lace. It wasn’t one of those styles with a voluminous petticoat, so her silhouette was naturally revealed. Her slender waist and rounded hips were clearly outlined. The neckline was deeply cut, and her shoulders were exposed. Because she was reclining slightly, her chest was partially revealed.

Pavel wanted to ask if she had something to cover herself with, but he bit his tongue. How could he dare to question Larisa’s choices? Besides, she looked stunning in that dress. That was undoubtedly why she had chosen it.

She hadn’t put on her shoes yet. Her feet, clad in white lace stockings, peeked out slightly from beneath the dress.

Noticing his gaze, Larisa’s eyes curved gently.

“How do I look? Am I pretty?”

“You’re always beautiful, no matter the time or place.”

“I’m not looking for flattery.”

“I mean it. Larisa… you’ve never been anything but beautiful.”

At his words, Larisa’s eyes curved even more. Her smile was dazzlingly lovely, and Pavel felt his mouth go dry.

Larisa glanced out the window briefly before speaking.

“There’s no need to leave this early. We still have some time. What shall we do?”

“Shouldn’t we leave in time for the event to start?”

“Going exactly on time feels too rigid. And for someone like me or you, Pavel, no one would criticize us for being late. In fact, they’d be grateful we simply showed up.”

Larisa lightly tapped her lips with her fingertips before her expression turned playful.

“By the way, when did you start liking me?”

“What?”

“You said you liked me. You even said it had been a long time.”

A look of realization appeared on Pavel’s face, followed by an immediate blush that turned his face bright red.

He really couldn’t hide his emotions. Larisa found his reaction endearing and chuckled softly again. 

How could someone like this have a reputation for being cold and indifferent?

She figured people must have misunderstood him because he lived such a “proper” life and didn’t interact much with others, especially women.

“I’m genuinely curious. I think we’ve known each other for quite a while now, but you’ve never shown any signs of it.”

“…Since I was young.”

“When you were young? How old?”

“Around fifteen…”

“Oh, my.”

If he had been fifteen, that would have been about a year after they first met. Larisa would have been around thirteen at the time.

Still, Larisa had no idea why he had come to like her. They had only met once or twice a month, spending time drinking tea, making superficial conversation, taking walks, or browsing the library while the adults talked. 

There had never been any deep conversations or meaningful interactions between them. Larisa’s curiosity was evident in her eyes.

“Pavel, you were always busy training, so we never did anything special together, did we?”

“That’s true.”

“Then why? Was it because I was so beautiful that you fell for me at first sight? Oh, but that can’t be it. We first met when I was twelve, so you were fourteen then. You only started liking me a year later?”

Larisa’s voice carried a hint of laughter. Seeing her so amused left Pavel with mixed feelings.

On the one hand, he was happy that she was interested in him. On the other hand, he worried that she might feel upset about the fact that he had liked her silently for so long without saying anything. What if her laughter was just a way to hide such feelings?

As Larisa continued to press him for answers, Pavel had no choice but to share his story.

“As you know, Larisa, I was busy every day with training and studying back then.”

“That’s true. I never saw you take a break.”

***

As the heir to the Ainsley Ducal House, much was expected of him. He was supposed to be perfect, naturally superior to others, exceptional, and strong. These were things he was expected to achieve without question.

From a very young age, he had been trained to become the successor, and the intensity of his education only increased over time. This was because Pavel handled it all without complaint and performed quite well.

Everyone praised him as an excellent young master, a prodigy. But in truth, he was rather exhausted.

Why wouldn’t Pavel want to rest? He wanted to lie down without thinking, to spend time playing instead of studying or training. He wanted to sleep in, sit in improper postures, and indulge in sweet cakes.

But he was a child who feared disappointing his parents. So, he didn’t complain and kept pushing himself to fulfill all the tasks he was “supposed to” do.

Those days continued until one spring when he was fourteen.

That was the first time he met Larisa.

The Marquis and Marchioness of Lochrain had lived mostly in their estate, but they moved to the capital early to prepare their only daughter for her debut in society. Since the two families were already acquainted, it was natural for them to be invited to the Ainsley Ducal residence.

Pavel still couldn’t forget the day he first saw Larisa.

‘Hello, I’m Larisa Lochrain. It’s a pleasure to meet you.’

With a sweet voice and a bright smile, Larisa greeted politely, resembling a fairy. Her silver-white hair, a distinctive trait of the Lochrain family, sparkled under the spring sunlight. Dressed in a cheerful yellow dress befitting her twelve years, she looked at Pavel and smiled with twinkling eyes. His heart seemed to beat out of rhythm for a moment. Although flustered, Pavel maintained his composure as a young master and gave her a slight nod.

The adults stayed with the adults, and the children were left to their own company. Pavel was tasked with showing Larisa around the mansion. Her hand, small and soft, felt delicate in his own. He couldn’t help but feel self-conscious about his own rough hands, hardened from gripping and swinging a sword.

‘You’re so tall, Young Master.’

‘…Yes, that’s correct.’

Her words, which sounded almost like a song, were met with Pavel’s curt and monotone replies. Larisa chattered on endlessly, while Pavel answered diligently, though mostly in short phrases. Despite what could have been exhausting, Larisa never lost her smile.

Pavel thought she was truly adorable and beautiful, like a fairy. At the time, that was the only thought he could muster.

And he hoped she would visit again. He even resolved to practice speaking better so that he could hold a proper conversation the next time she came.

Larisa visited about once or twice a month. The Duchess of Ainsley and the Marchioness of Lochrain met frequently, and although it wasn’t every time, Larisa would sometimes accompany her mother. On some occasions, Pavel was fortunate enough to spend time with her, but most of the time, his studies and training kept him from seeing her. On such days, they would only exchange brief greetings.

A year passed like that. Both of them grew a little older.