Chapter 132
“To me, that pendant was an object that connected you and me. I felt that keeping it would help me not forget you.”
“Lupeon…”
Elena’s golden eyes trembled at his unexpected confession.
“So even though I knew it was selfish, I couldn’t give the pendant to Anasha.”
After apologizing for not fulfilling her request, Lupeon gazed at her quietly.
Then, with a boyish smile reminiscent of his younger days, he slowly spoke.
“I liked you.”
“What…?”
“Perhaps those feelings have continued until now.”
‘Simon liked me…?’
Elena blinked slowly at this unbelievable revelation. After all, she had liked Simon too.
She wondered if perhaps her younger self had misunderstood the conversation between the boy and the swordsmanship instructor.
With her heart both swelling and aching, Elena gave him a bright smile.
“So we liked each other even as children.”
“You mean…”
“I liked you too.”
At her shy yet bold confession, Lupeon’s blue pupils dilated then contracted.
He cupped one of Elena’s cheeks with his straight-fingered hand and asked in a low voice.
“Elena, would you close your eyes?”
“Of course—”
Before she could finish her response, Lupeon’s soft lips met hers.
After gently biting Elena’s lips, he skillfully parted them and entered.
Startled, Elena tried to step back, but she couldn’t move as he had already wrapped one arm around her waist.
As they became deeply immersed in each other’s breath, she felt her mind going blank.
When Elena, catching her breath, lightly hit Lupeon’s chest, he reluctantly pulled his lips away.
Then, with a languid smile, he whispered low in her ear.
“Let’s save the next step for after the wedding.”
“…!”
‘What is this man saying?’
When Elena looked up at him with bewildered eyes, Lupeon merely pulled his lips into a mischievous smile.
* * *
Elena visited Duke Hugoston’s trading company to keep the promise she had made with him at the Feralto Trading Company.
Noticing her lingering in front of the company, the duke opened the door wide with a kindly smile.
“Elena, welcome.”
“It’s been a while, Your Grace.”
Elena smiled brightly at the duke’s attitude, treating her like his granddaughter.
Judging by his particularly bright complexion, it seemed he had successfully resolved the misunderstandings with his grandson.
Stepping inside, she carefully observed the Hugoston trading company.
The interior, which exuded an antique and classical atmosphere, was decorated neither excessively nor plainly.
At first glance, one might think they had entered a museum.
Unlike other trading companies that were bustling with busy people, this place was quiet and leisurely.
This was probably possible because they only invited a small number of guests on specific dates.
‘Still, the fact that they generate overwhelming sales is truly impressive.’
While Elena was admiring this, Duke Hugoston rubbed his nose and said.
“Today, I’ll guide you personally.”
“You, Your Grace? But you must be busy…”
When Elena looked at him with an apologetic expression, the duke shook his head.
“When our granddaughter visits, of course I should guide her personally.”
“Then, I’ll be in your care.”
Faced with the duke’s firm attitude, she decided to accept it gracefully.
Guided by Duke Hugoston, Elena began to examine the rare items displayed in glass cases.
She couldn’t help but gape at the precious items that couldn’t be found anywhere else in the current empire.
“If there’s anything you want, just say so.”
“No, Your Grace. Just looking is enough.”
Elena politely declined with a shake of her head. After all, she had come here today to view the trading company, not to receive anything.
The duke showed his displeasure with a sullen expression.
“Hmm, then would it be alright if I give you a gift of my choosing?”
“Your Grace…”
Duke Hugoston chuckled and helped Elena look around slowly.
Whenever she showed interest in an item, he didn’t miss the opportunity to tell stories related to that object.
As Elena nodded and looked around the trading company, she suddenly stopped in front of one glass case.
Inside was displayed a beautiful blue jewel that emitted a brilliant light.
When Elena couldn’t take her eyes off it for a long time, the duke gave a pleased smile.
She was simply looking at it because the blue jewel reminded her of her lover’s blue eyes.
“You have excellent taste indeed. This is called the Mermaid’s Tear.”
‘The Mermaid’s Tear…’
The jewel, which looked as if it had captured the shimmer of the sea, seemed captivating enough to entrance anyone who saw it.
Duke Hugoston began to tell the story related to the Mermaid’s Tear.
Long, long ago, a mermaid fell in love with a man who led ships, but he lost his life in a storm.
The mermaid shed endless tears longing for her loved one, and those tears became these jewels.
The legend was so old that only one such jewel existed today.
“The Mermaid’s Tear has a hidden meaning.”
“A hidden meaning?”
“Yes, they say it carries the meaning of a vow to love someone forever.”
As Elena quietly gazed at the blue jewel, she felt a sense of solemnity in one corner of her heart.
Surely that mermaid must have lived her life longing for just one person.
The duke, who had been watching her carefully, gently removed the blue jewel from the glass case.
“I’ll give the Mermaid’s Tear to you.”
“To… me?”
When Elena’s golden pupils widened greatly, Duke Hugoston showed a cheerful smile.
“I already told you, didn’t I? You’re like a precious granddaughter to me.”
“Your Grace…”
‘Should I really accept something this precious?’
Seeing her obviously troubled appearance, the duke told her not to feel burdened.
“Think of it as a token of gratitude for helping me and my grandson last time.”
After pondering for a moment, Elena smiled and expressed her thanks.
She felt it would be impolite to refuse a gift from His Grace.
“Then I’ll accept it gratefully, Your Grace.”
Elena looked at the Mermaid’s Tear in her hand and thought of someone.
She couldn’t help but smile just thinking of him.
‘To love you forever…’
She thought that perhaps the day to use this jewel might not be far off.
* * *
“Wow! Big Sister, look over there!”
Inside the imperial carriage, Anasha was busy exclaiming in wonder with both hands pressed against the window.
Since it was practically her first outing in the capital, she seemed more excited than usual.
As Anasha officially became the princess of the Valdeon Empire, countless invitation cards from noble houses piled up in her room.
The same was true for Elena, the emperor’s fiancée, but she decided to attend tea parties where she could accompany the child, carefully selecting from among the houses.
She thought it would be good if Anasha could make some friends her age in the process.
Of course, she was also somewhat worried about her young lady taking her first steps into social circles.
‘Usually, the children of the capital…’
Put nicely, they were clever; put badly, they were cunning.
This was because the children had learned early on how to survive in the capital’s social circles.
However, since this couldn’t be generalized, Elena hoped that Anasha would adapt well.
‘It would be nice if she could make friends who share her heart.’
She thought it wouldn’t be bad for the child to start building friendly relationships with houses from now on.
Of course, that choice was entirely up to Anasha.
Elena had a specific reason for choosing the Hestia Count family’s tea party among the numerous invitations.
She believed that a social event hosted by a conservative house would not harm Anasha, but rather benefit her.
The imperial carriage had now arrived in front of the Hestia Count’s mansion where today’s tea party would be held.
