Chapter 3
Upon arriving at the baron’s estate, a waiting servant opened the iron gates. The carriage stopped in front of the mansion’s garden, and Regina quickly disembarked.
“Maggie!”
Seeing Margaret seated at the tea table in the garden, Regina hurriedly ran towards her, not waiting for Emma, who was trailing behind.
“…?”
Hearing the familiar voice, Margaret turned her head. She squinted slightly in the sunlight but then recognized her friend and immediately stood up.
“Regina! You’re here. I heard you were sick with a cold. Are you feeling better?”
“Huh? Oh, yes. I’m fine now.”
“That’s a relief. I was so worried.”
Margaret smiled brightly and linked arms with Regina. Since Regina was officially said to have caught a cold, she gave a vague answer. Relieved, Margaret led her to the table.
“I set up the table in the garden for a change today. Is it okay?”
“Yes, it’s perfect. It’s really beautiful.”
“Look, Regina. I even bought new teacups. They’re the latest trend in the capital.”
At Margaret’s gesture, the maids around the table promptly prepared the tea.
“Oh my, are these really teacups? They’re so cute!”
Regina admired the intricate design of the teacups and was about to sit down when she suddenly stopped.
“…Huh?”
There was a man she had never seen before standing at the entrance of the garden.
The man had dazzling platinum blonde hair and strikingly blue eyes. His skin was so pale it almost seemed translucent. He was gazing at a spot in the garden, seemingly engrossed in the flowers.
His appearance was so breathtaking that he didn’t seem human.
Unable to take her eyes off the man, Regina’s curiosity got the better of her, and she turned to Margaret.
“Maggie, who is that?”
“Hmm? Who?”
“The man at the garden entrance with the platinum blonde hair.”
Following Regina’s pointed finger, Margaret looked puzzled.
“What are you talking about? That’s Noah, my brother.”
Margaret’s tone suggested it was obvious, leaving Regina confused. She asked again to clarify.
“Your brother? I don’t think I’ve ever met him before….”
“What? Hahaha, what are you talking about, Regina? He’s my brother. Are you joking because you got rejected last time?”
Margaret playfully nudged Regina’s arm, while Regina widened her eyes, baffled by her friend’s words.
“Is this some kind of new joke? You’re an only child, just like me. Since when do you have a brother?”
“What?”
“Oh, maybe he’s adopted?”
“Regina, come on. Just because you’re upset about being rejected, that’s a bit much. Adoption? What’s wrong with you today? He’s Noah, my real brother, the one you’ve had a crush on since you were six!”
Margaret’s slightly hurt expression didn’t seem like she was joking. About to scold Margaret for her prank, Regina hesitated upon seeing her serious face.
“Uh…”
Was this prank too elaborate? Unsure how to react, Regina blinked, suddenly recalling the carriage accident.
‘Could my memory be faulty from hitting my head in the accident?’
Feeling bewildered, Regina decided to stay silent for now.
‘Better to be cautious.’
Yet, despite trying to move past it, many things didn’t add up. No matter how beautiful, a man with such a pale aura was not her type.
‘Even if I concede that my memory is flawed, how could someone with platinum blonde hair come from a family where both parents and grandparents have brown hair?’
Suspiciously, Regina scrutinized the man’s radiant hair. Accepting that her best friend, who had been an only child until a week ago, suddenly had a brother, and that this person was her childhood crush, was hard to believe.
As Regina fell silent, Margaret’s face darkened, thinking her friend was upset from being rejected by Noah and was saying strange things. Feeling guilty for not being more understanding, Margaret reflected on her actions.
“Regina…”
Just as Margaret was about to apologize, Noah, who had been observing something intently at the garden entrance, noticed the two girls and raised his head.
“Oh, Margaret. There you are. I had something to ask you.”
As he looked over, his winter-blue eyes caught the sunlight. The moment Regina unintentionally made eye contact with him, her heart pounded.
“…!”
Whether from pain or shock, she couldn’t tell, but the sensation was so intense her whole body stiffened. Like an animal facing a predator, her gaze locked onto the man, unable to blink.
Why did she feel as though this person had harmed her before? Maybe it wasn’t a mistake. Otherwise, why would she feel so creeped out?
-Step, step-
As Noah approached, Regina’s heartbeat grew louder. Her fingertips trembled as if in a spasm.
The pounding in her head became unbearable, and she closed her eyes tightly to ward off the dizziness.
“Margaret.”
Noah’s voice was right next to her. Regina involuntarily held her breath, feeling a cold chill down her spine. Realizing how close he was, Regina’s body began to shake uncontrollably.
“Yes, brother. What’s the matter?”
“Did you recently dig up the garden entrance or plant new trees?”
“No? Those trees are special to Mother, so we take extra care of them.”
“I see. I forgot. Have there been any seriously injured or suddenly missing people around here lately?”
“Well… I don’t know. Should I ask the butler?”
Margaret looked at Noah with curiosity as he continued to ask strange questions. He gave a slight smile and shook his head.
“No, it’s nothing. I’ll ask directly. I don’t want to interrupt your time with your friend.”
“Excuse me? No, it’s just that…”
Noah then glanced at Regina, who was standing next to Margaret with her head bowed, and gave her a puzzled look before offering a light greeting.
“Have a pleasant time.”
Regina, without raising her head, gave a small nod. Noah, displaying an elegant smile, turned back to the mansion. His posture was so straight and noble that he seemed the epitome of aristocracy.
Margaret was left staring blankly with her mouth slightly open. Noah, too, had pretended not to know Regina. Frowning, she watched Noah’s back and then glanced at Regina.
“Regina, why is my brother acting like that…?”
“Huh?”
Margaret couldn’t continue as she saw Regina’s forehead drenched in cold sweat.
“Oh my! Look at this sweat! Regina, are you okay? Are you sick?”
Margaret, worried, grabbed Regina’s arm. Startled, Regina shook her head.
“No, no, I’m fine. I think I’ll be okay if I sit down for a bit.”
Regina finally came to her senses and realized that Noah had walked away. As the distance between them grew, her trembling body gradually calmed down.
‘…What was that feeling just now?’
It was a sensation she had never experienced before. It felt like excruciating pain or like her heart was being torn apart. She wiped the sweat from her neck with a handkerchief, feeling it soak through, while her hands continued to shake.
When Regina suggested they continue their tea time, Margaret firmly shook her head. Regina’s face was so pale that she looked like she might collapse at any moment.
“No, Regina. You should rest inside or go home and get some sleep.”
“But I’ve been looking forward to this. I was really looking forward to our tea time.”
“What are you saying? We can have tea again. Maybe your cold isn’t fully cured. Come on, get up. Your health is more important to me, Regina.”
Though Regina looked disappointed, she obediently stood up. The shock from earlier had left her feeling unwell.
“Sorry, Maggie. Let’s have the next tea time at my place. I’ll get in touch soon.”
“Sure, let’s do that. But are you sure you don’t want to rest here for a bit?”
“No, it’s okay. I’ll see the doctor when I get home. You’re right; my cold might not be fully gone.”
Regina, afraid of encountering Noah again, politely declined Margaret’s offer to rest inside.
“Okay, get well soon.”
“Thanks, Maggie.”
Regina gave Margaret a hug and a regretful farewell. Margaret waved goodbye with a face full of disappointment until Regina got into the carriage.
Emma, caught between the emotional ladies, closed the carriage door and signaled the coachman to depart.
“Maggie! I’ll contact you soon!”
“Yes, Regina! I’ll be waiting!”
As the carriage departed, both girls seemed even more emotional. Regina leaned out of the window so far that Emma had to hold onto her clothes to prevent her from falling out.
The guards escorting the carriage chuckled at Regina’s antics, but she was too absorbed in her farewell to notice. She waved until Margaret was just a dot in the distance, then collapsed into her seat.
“I feel so bad. Maggie must have been looking forward to this tea time. How disappointed she must be that I had to leave so soon.”
“Your health comes first, Miss. Margaret will understand. Perhaps you can bring her a small gift when you see her next.”
“Yes, that’s a good idea! Maybe a green ribbon that would suit Maggie?”
“She would love that.”
Despite having just parted, Regina was already excited about their next meeting. Suddenly, her mood turned somber, and she fell silent.
“…Miss?”
Noticing Regina’s unusual behavior, Emma looked at her questioningly. Regina hesitated, then looked at Emma with resolve.
“Emma, can I ask you a strange question?”
“Yes, what is it?”
“Does Maggie have a brother?”
“What do you mean? Margaret is an only child, just like you.”
Emma tilted her head, puzzled by the odd question. Regina was startled, then smiled in relief and nodded.
“Right? I knew it! I’m not crazy, am I? There’s no way Maggie has a brother! It really shocked me!”
Regina almost jumped in her seat with joy, but then her expression grew serious as she crossed her arms.
“Then why did Maggie say such a thing? She suddenly claimed she had a real brother…. Emma, listen to me. Maggie said something really strange today.”
“…”
In the midst of her chatter, Regina suddenly stopped. Emma’s eyes were unfocused.
