101st Confession

⟨CHAPTER 127

Lucia was speechless. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. She wasn’t sure exactly how to react.  read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“……How did you know that?”

“Herwin told me the other day, and then he blamed himself for being stupid.”

“Herwin told you…….”

“So when I heard that, I punched him in the head, telling him he was crazy.”

“……….”

Arista deliberately raised her voice to break the ice, but Lucia was still staring at her, mesmerized. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. Arista shrugged and cleared her throat. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Anyway, I couldn’t help but think of you when I heard that. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. I know you’ve had a crush on Herwin for a long time.” read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Arista…….”

“You also said that you knew Herwin liked me, is that right?”

“……Yes, that’s right.”

“Didn’t you hate me? If I were you……!”

After a moment of excitement, Arista caught her breath and calmed down.

“If I were ……you, I wouldn’t even want to look at my face.”

Lucia hadn’t realized that she was going to have to talk about something she’d put off for so long, much less share it with Arista.

“When I first found out, I hated you so much.”

“……….”

“Do you remember the first semester of freshman year, when, I was avoiding you like crazy?”

“Yeah, I remember.”

“It was the time I went with Bianca, so I wasn’t affected at all, but you know what, now that I think about it, she hated you.”

Arista immediately blushed at the mention of Bianca’s name.

“Well, that doesn’t excuse my behavior, after all, I was avoiding you, and I almost did something to get you in trouble.”

“Something to get me in trouble?”

Lucia was taken aback for a moment, but then she calmly explained what had happened. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. Arista’s face stiffened as she listened. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“I didn’t end up doing anything, but it’s still on my mind.”

“……….”

“Arista, I don’t hate you. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. I could spend the rest of my life apologizing to you because you accepted me as I was and I’ve been hiding the wrong I did to you all this time, and I’m so sorry.” read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Lucia’s heart was heavy. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. Somehow, she’d managed to put it behind her.  read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

She might have rationalized to herself that now that she’s friends with Arista, she can’t get away with it.

But that was just running away from the truth. 

Like a dirty snowball, no amount of fresh snow can make it clean.

After hearing Lucia’s words, Arista let out a deep sigh. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. Her heart felt even heavier. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. But first, Arista hugged Lucia. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“After all that, you still chose me.”

“……….”

“Honestly, I was surprised, but you shouldn’t be sorry. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. In the end, you didn’t run, and you decided to be friends with me, right?” read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

The gruff voice touched something inside her.

“Lucia, if I were you, I would have done it a long time ago; I would have been jealous and envious of me, and I would have tried to take me away from Herwin somehow, but you didn’t, and that’s wonderful.”

“I, I’m not the one who deserves to hear that…….”

Something inside her finally broke, and tears welled up in her eyes. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. She sobbed and stammered, and Arista panicked, hugging Lucia tighter. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

“Arista…….”

“Don’t cry. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. Herwin will be mad if he finds out I made you cry.” read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

At Arista’s mention of Herwin, Lucia composed herself as best she could and tried to stop crying. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. As she pressed her lips together, Arista laughed. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“I was a little nervous when I heard that from Herwin… I wondered what if you hated me…….”

“That’s not possible, why would I hate you!”

Arista pouted at the sight of Lucia squirming in her arms.

“You’re right, now that I think about it, I shouldn’t have.”

“Did anyone say anything strange? There’s no way I hate you, but why are you saying that…….”

Lucia pouted and demanded to know the name of the person who said such a strange thing. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. Arista, who only smiled at the sight, hesitated. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“So… would you be okay with me being closer to you than I am now?”

“As long as we’re close…….”

“Like… family.”

She didn’t seem to be referring to family in a literal sense. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. That didn’t mean she was going to join as Agnes, and there was no other way….… read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Something flashed through Lucia’s mind, and surprise bloomed on her face.

Then her mouth fell open.

“You want to …… marry my brother?”

Arista shuddered, rolled her eyes, and nodded shyly.

The hairs on her body stood on end, and her jaw dropped in surprise.

“Oh, oh, are you, are you, are you dating my brother?”

“…… Um, it’s a little fuzzy.”

The tension quickly subsided. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. Lucia gave her a strange look, and Arista laughed. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“I’m sorry, did I say something weird?”

“No, it’s, um…….”

As Lucia fumbled for the right words, Arista spoke up.

“Are you okay with me going out with brother Lucas? Don’t you hate it?”

“Me? Why would I hate it?”

“Because you might not like me ……, and besides, it’s happened in the past and…….”

Neither of them had blushed directly, but given their tangled history, she thought Lucia might not like her.

The thought of her husband’s former love interest coming to be his brother’s wife was too much to bear. 

Even if Herwin had mistaken longing for love, it was true that Lucia had been hurt and troubled by it in the past.

Lucia suddenly realized why Arista had mentioned it.

“Arista. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. I’ve told you before, I don’t hate you. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. I want you to work things out with my brother.” read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Huh? Me?”

“Yeah. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. So, Arista. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. I’m rooting for you. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. I mean, if you marry my brother, I’m all for it!” read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Arista, momentarily overwhelmed with emotion, put her hand on Lucia’s back and hugged her tightly.

“……Thank you, Lucia, you give me courage.”

“I don’t know what’s going on between you two, but you’re sure you want to marry my brother, right?”

Arista nodded vigorously.

“Then, fine, but if things work out between you two in the future, you’ll be the first to tell me. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. Do you understand?” read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Of course!”

The two women looked at each other and then burst out laughing. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. Then Lucia sneezed, and Herwin, who had been looking for her, appeared just in time. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

When Herwin saw Lucia’s frozen body, he scolded her for staying out in the cold.

Eventually, he heard Arista join in, but they both laughed.

Arista felt like a stone had been lifted from her heart.

* * *

“Hurry up and move!”

“You’re already at the Duchy!”

“Jay, I told you to put it there, not there!”

The Duke’s Castle of Phoenaeus stood majestically against the backdrop of pure white snowy mountains like a picture.

From the first rays of dawn, servants were bustling around, preparing to welcome those who were about to arrive.

Scarlett, in particular, has been giving instructions to the servants, making sure the castle is spotlessly clean.

The cleanup had been going on for days, and the fatigue had set in, but their faces were bright, and so was her.

“Finally, the master is back with the little madam!”

It had long been heard that Herwin married Lucia in the capital.

Half the people in the duchy had known Herwin since he was a baby, so when they heard he was marrying Lucia, they were surprised.

But then they remembered Lucia and were quickly convinced.

‘If she’s Lady Agnes, I approve.’

‘They’ve been dead to each other since they were children.’

When they were younger, Lucia had confessed her love to Herwin as little as possible in public, but those with a keen eye could see that she was in love with him without having to witness it.

So when Herwin took Lucia as his wife instead of someone else, everyone rejoiced.

Personal feelings aside, none of the servants could resist the enthusiasm with which their master greeted her.

“The carriage is coming in!”

A young servant clearing the snow from the porch announced the arrival of Herwin and Lucia with a peal of peacock bells. 

Then the servants finished their work as best they could and lined up in the line they had practiced yesterday. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. Scarlett and Hail hurried down the stairs and waited for the carriage to arrive. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

The carriage came to a gentle stop. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. The door opened, revealing Herwin first, followed by a young woman who looked like she might be a child. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Those who saw Lucia for the first time let out a gasp of admiration. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. In her white fur coat, she looked like a winter fairy. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Lucia!”

“Is our new baby here?”

Scarlett and Hail grinned and hugged Lucia as hard as they could. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. Lucia was confused at first, but then she greeted them with a fresh smile. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Mother, how have you and Father been doing?”

“Excuse me, don’t you see your son?”

Herwin shot a dumbfounded glance at her parents, who greeted Lucia alone, their biological child aside.

Regardless, the duke and duchess focused solely on Lucia.

“It was a long way to get here. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. It’s cold up north, isn’t it?” read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Oh, my hands are cold. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. Didn’t you have heated tools in the carriage, Herwin? As a husband, you should have taken care of that.” read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Mother, my hands are cold, they were warm enough on the way here.”

Suddenly cold, Herwin shook his head with a laugh as he watched his parents enter, carrying only Lucia.

“Welcome to the duchy, little lady.”

The servants said in unison as they reached the entrance. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. Lucia looked startled, then smiled sheepishly. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. I look forward to your kindness.” read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

It was a gentleness that was completely out of character for the cold-blooded, harsh North. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. It was a single word, but it was enough to melt the hearts of the servants. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Especially the young servant standing closest to the entrance, who stared so long at Lucia that he lost his grip on his broom.

Thwack-thud.

It was a small sound, but it instantly created a heavy silence. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. The boy realized his mistake and quickly bowed his head. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Sorry, I’m sorry!”

He hurriedly bent down and moved to pick up the broom, but a delicate hand grabbed it before he could.

“Here, here.”

It was Lucia. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. Lucia looked like a fairy out of a storybook. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. As the young servant froze, Lucia shook her head. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“……yes, pretty.”

The sincerity spilled from the boy’s mouth, causing Herwin to raise one eyebrow and Lucia to laugh. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. The boy suddenly realized his mistake. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“I’m sorry! Now, little lady, what did I say…….”

“No. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. It feels good to be pretty.” read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Lucia took the boy’s hand in hers and placed the broom on it. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. Suddenly, his hand turned gray, and she realized that it had turned blue. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

As she watched, Lucia took off her gloves and put them on the boy’s hands.

The boy panicked, but before he knew it, her glove was in his hand. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. Lucia’s hands were small, so the gloves were barely fitting. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“It’s cold out, so wear these to work. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. Take care of yourself.” read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“These are precious…….”

Lucia shook her head, though the nearby servant said it was fine.

“I’ll just knit another one, it doesn’t matter.”

With those words, Lucia turned to Herwin, and before she knew it, she was walking up the stairs with the Duke and Duchess.

In the distance, Herwin called out to Lucia to knit him a glove, but the boy’s ears heard nothing.

He just stared at the gloves, densely padded with soft wool.

“Let me see.”

Just then, the butler appeared. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. The boy took a sharp intake of breath, for this was not a man with whom he usually spoke. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Shouldn’t he have taken it, he wondered, even if it was from the little lady?

“As expected… No, it’s the little lady. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. She’s very skillful.” read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“A… aren’t you going to scold me?”

“There’s no need to scold you, Little Lady gave it to you herself.”

“……Then, may I have this precious thing?”

The old butler smirked at the boy’s wide eyes.

“Yes. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. It’s yours now. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. Take good care of it in the future.” read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“……Yes!”

The boy answered loudly, raising his back straight. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. Servants around him looked at him with envious eyes, but they soon scattered to do their work. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

The boy hugged the glove tightly to his chest and vowed.

‘I will be loyal to the little lady for the rest of my life!’

That was the moment when Lucia’s Fan No. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. 1 was born in the Duke’s Castle. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.