Chapter 3

If she had been from any other noble family, her parents might have locked her away to stop her from embarrassing them… But the Blair family, who cherished their only daughter dearly, supported her every step of the way.

On top of that, their immense wealth, thanks to their successful business ventures, made it easy for her to pursue him wherever he went.

Today’s event was a garden party and a small hunting competition to mark the start of summer.

“Ah! Found him!”

Anteia spotted him immediately amidst the crowd. He was riding his horse, returning to the party venue. As he dismounted, he began walking toward the lakeside with a woman by his side.

“Who on earth is that…?”

Seeing how naturally he escorted her filled Anteia with irritation. But there was no way she could just let it go and not follow them.

Carefully, she moved closer, and soon Rudvig came into view, walking along a path with the woman among other strolling guests.

The two of them eventually took a seat on a nearby bench, and Anteia hastily hid herself close by.

Of course, she knew she shouldn’t be doing this…but her curiosity was overwhelming.

“Are you still not over her?”

Anteia sucked in a small breath and clamped a hand over her mouth.

Still not over her?

“It’s not that.”

“As if. Look at your face, Brother. Isn’t that exactly what’s going on?”

“It shouldn’t be the case.”

“She has been married for ten years now—obviously it shouldn’t be!”

Anteia felt as though her heart had plummeted. So he really hadn’t moved on.

She, of all people, knew how desperately he had loved the female lead. A suffocating pressure filled her chest like something was lodged in her stomach.

And at this very moment, she realized something she would have much preferred not to know.

That she liked him more than she thought—no, that she really loved him.

“Ugh…”

Anteia covered her mouth with her hand and lowered her head. She felt on the verge of tears.

Even though he’d turned her down so bluntly, he was still gentle.

For example, he didn’t just return the handkerchief he borrowed but gifted her a much finer one. Whenever she spoke, no matter how inconvenient or awkward it might have been for him, he always listened while maintaining eye contact. Sometimes, he even laughed at her jokes.

And when she was struggling, he would occasionally show up to help. If she stumbled, he’d appear out of nowhere to steady her and escort her. If another man caused her trouble, he’d step in and make it easy for her to leave.

To him, it must have been nothing more than polite gestures, but to her, they meant so much more.

It felt as though the emotions that had swelled in her heart like a balloon had suddenly deflated, leaving it empty and small.

Before she realized it, he had become part of her routine.

Looking for him, watching him, and instinctively walking toward wherever he was—it had all become second nature to her.

“Lately, I hear there’s a young lady who’s been following you around, Brother. A viscount’s daughter, was it?”

“…….”

“Why don’t you date her?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“She’s too good of a person.”

“If she’s a good person, isn’t that all the better?”

“Dating her when I feel like this would be discourteous to her.”

“So, you’re basically saying you don’t think you’ll ever get over those feelings.”

She felt like she couldn’t bear to hear anymore.

So, she cautiously stepped away, wandering aimlessly, feeling that anywhere else would be better than here.

It was a garden party venue, but Anteia had overlooked the fact that the forest was vast enough to host a hunting competition.

By the time she came to her senses, she realized she had no idea where she was.

“Where… is this…?”

The moment Anteia lifted her head, a raindrop plopped onto her face.

“Huh…?”

One drop became two, and then, without warning, rain started pouring down in a heavy torrent.

“As if getting dumped wasn’t enough, now I’m unlucky enough to get caught in the rain… Though maybe it’s a good thing it’s raining…?”

For a brief moment, she tried to reflect on the irony, but she soon realized even that was impossible.

This wasn’t just a drizzle—it was a full-on downpour.

“Oh, come on! Even the weather’s against me now.”

Anteia hurriedly started running. She had to find shelter somewhere.

With the sudden downpour, people rushed into the host’s manor. Rudvig and his cousin Lily were among them.

“What? The young lady hasn’t returned?”

At his aide Henry’s words, Rudvig scowled. He could already picture her in his mind.

‘She is already smaller and more delicate than most people to begin with…’

He turned his gaze to the window, staring at the torrential rain that obscured everything beyond it.

Why is it that, at this moment, that scene is coming to my mind?

He recalled the day she’d asked him out to a cafe, back when their exchanges had been little more than polite greetings.

‘It’s because I like you, Your Grace!’

Her flushed cheeks and trembling hands, even as she clutched them tightly, had betrayed her nervousness despite the boldness of her words. Her voice, though firm and determined, had quivered slightly at the end, making her anxiety all the more evident.

As soon as she had finished speaking, her face had turned bright red, the color blooming from her cheeks outward, making her look as sweet as a cherry. He had found the sight unexpectedly endearing.