Father chided us, so our garden stroll was halted, and we engaged once again in pleasant chitchat, now accompanied by our parents. The scene of Lord Zhinorius' proposal replayed endlessly in my mind, It had been very embarrassing, so I turned my face down in an attempt to hide my flaming cheeks. Am I really going to be engaged to such a wonderful person?I was expecting this betrothal to fall through…For me to receive a proposal from such a handsome and quick-witted person… I couldn't believe it.
We sat on the sofa, but I felt as if my entire body was floating, so I wasn't that aware of what's happening around me. I know it was shameless of me, but I couldn't help but sneak glances at Lord Zhinorius.I still couldn't wrap my head around the fact that such a beautiful man would desire to marry me; maybe this was all a dream. All these thoughts swirled inside my mind as I gazed at his peerless face.
Lord Zhinorius' eyes met mine, so I hastily averted my gaze in embarrassment.Peeking at a gentleman was such a shameful conduct for a lady.Of course I wouldn't want Lord Zhinorius to think that I was a vulgar woman.Still, but it was inevitable that I was conscious of him, and no matter how much I suppressed this feeling, my eyes would wander on their own towards where he was.
When I turned my gaze towards him once again, I saw him smiling gently at me for some reason as he stared back at me.My heart pounded loudly when this normally ice-cold person flashed a smile all of a sudden. W-why was he beaming at me?What did that smile mean?I was fully aware how shaken I was. Nevertheless, that smile was bad for my heart.I couldn't believe that someone who was as beautiful and cold as a spring in the middle of the winter coud smile so sweetly like that at me.
It was so marvelous that it felt like my heart was about to burst out of my chest from pounding so loudly.I had been thinking of nothing but Lord Zhinorius since a while ago Oh, now that I think about it, I read in a book that people who fall in love would have their minds filled with thoughts of their beloved. D-don't tell me, is this love?I-is it even possible for me to fall in love with a man? All too soon, it was time for us to leave.Just a single glimpse of Lord Zhinorius was enough to send my heart into a flutter, and my chest would be filled with warmth.
However, the thought of not being able to see Lord Zhinorius for a while from now on made me feel dispirited. Why…why would I feel down just because I couldn't see Lord Zhinorius's face? Is this love, after all? No way, was it even possible to fall in love on the very first day you meet the other person?Well, there was no denying that he was handsome and kind, but…
"I will write to you."
Lord Zhinorius said with a poker face.The moment he uttered those words, all my negative emotions were blasted away, and I felt as if I wanted to dance.
"M-me too."
Why did I become so embarrassed just by talking to Lord Zhinorius, I wonder.
We were conversing normally earlier, were we not.However, I was already embarrassed to death just by peeking at his face, and I couldn't even hold a proper conversation now.It felt as if I was no longer myself ever since he proposed to me.
"Fufu. Zhinorius, please take care of my daughter."
"Yes. I am looking forward to being with her for the many years to come."
"P-please take care of me."
I bowed my head down in a feeble attempt to hide my crimson face, but I hastily replied when I heard Lord Zhinorius' voice.However, it seemed that he was talking to Mother, so it sounded as if I interrupted their conversation. Ugh.This was so terrifying.
Why couldn't I reply in a more lady-like manner?I didn't want Lord Zhinorius to see me in such a state.
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"Ana. He's a wonderful person, isn't he?"
Mother said, but I couldn't say anything in return.The memory of them witnessing the proposal kept on swirling within my head.
My ears were hot.It was probably flaming red right now. Mother chuckled, watching me as I continued looking down without uttering a single word.
"Still, no matter how capable a guy is, I can't hand the title and peerage of Sevensworth over to someone who can't make Ana happy.Isn't it too rash of us to make them sign the documents and make the engagement official?In my opinion, we should have given it a little more time in order to see whether this man will really treasure Ana."
Father was grumbling, obviously dissatisfied.Apparently, while my head was floating in the clouds, preoccupied with thoughts of Lord Zhinorius, Mother overruled Father's opinion, and she decided to officialize the engagement.
"It'll be fine. Didn't you see that proposal? I assure you, all the words he said were full of sincerity, and he wholeheartedly wished for Ana's happiness. We've been aristocrats for too long, and we've excelled in discerning the heart of others by now. I'm sure you're already aware of it, are you not?"
"Well, I do understand your point. That's why I also signed the documents, but…"
As I thought, it seemed that everything that transpired during the proposal was overhead by everyone.Ahh, if there's a hole then I want to crawl in it.
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From then on, my correspondence with Lord Zhinorius started.As for the letters from Lord Zhinorius… I was surprised at the extensive knowledge and profound opinions he possessed, and the logical thoughts he expressed.He was amazing, as expected of a person who managed a company at a tender age of ten.His compositions displayed his wit magnificently.Moreover, his letters exuded the charm of his sincere personality.
But what surprised me the most was his broad-mindedness.Was he really the same age as us?It actually felt as if I was being continuously pampered by a person who was older than me.Everytime I read his letters, I understood that I was falling even deeper for him, thoroughly captivated. I started to look forward to the letters from Lord Zhinorius.I would immediately read it the moment it arrived, and then re-read it for innumerable times whenever I was free.
As I read, warmth would spread through my chest, and my mood would rise.Maybe this was love, indeed. Because of the desire to read his next letter, I would send my reply via the fastest express mail, but Lord Zhinorius would also do the same.No matter how many times I would send it through the fastest courier, his would send his reply through the fastest special delivery.Was it because Lord Zhinorius also anticipated my letters just like I do, perhaps? How blissful it would be if Lord Zhinorius shared the same feelings as mine.
Ahh, there was no longer any doubt about this.This was truly love. Still, how could I have fallen in love with him, given the fact that we have only met once, and had exchanged letters ever since?The protagonists of romance novels didn't fall in love easily, and yet, here I was… what an easy woman I was.
I didn't know I was this simple.
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"Let me introduce myself once again. I am Zhinorius, the second son of the House of Varvarie. Please treat me well for eternity."
Lord Zhinorius politely bowed after saying those words.Two months have already passed since I first met Lord Zhinorius. We were currently in the middle of our engagement ceremony, held at our chapel. All related people were also gathered here together with us.
We already signed the official documents, with Father standing as our witness, and with this, it was clear that Lord Zhinorius was now my official fiance. .It had been a long while since I laid my eyes on Lord Zhinorius, but he looked even more dashing now compared to the first time I met him. His clothes had changed into a higher-quality set suitable for the second son of the House of Varvarie. The black clothes suited him perfectly, with his tall stature and his cold beauty.
The rays of the sun shone on Lord Zhinorius' cool, composed face as he stood inside the solemn, magnificent church, and the entire scene truly looked like it came straight out of a beautiful painting.I was totally mesmerized by the time I noticed it.It was clear to me now why women loved to call Lord Zhinorius 'The Black Ice Flower". I still couldn't belive that this man, who appeared as if he had been elegantly carved from ice with the cold beauty he possessed, was truly my betrothed.
The engagement ceremony consisted of greeting the guests and signing the documents, so it only took 20 minutes for the entire event.From here on, Lord Zhinorius would change his clothes, and he would aid Father in his work as he studied the management of the ducal house.Starting today, Lord Zhinorius will be visiting our home everyday.
"I know work is important, but don't forget Ana, okay?"
Mother said that to Lord Zhinorius.
"Of course. I will treasure her with all my heart."
My heart raced once again when I heard the words he uttered. This splendid person said that he would treasure me.What a dream. The situation around me changed so fast in the last two months, so much that my heart couldn't keep up.Lord Zhinorius was officially my fiance now, but it still felt so surreal. I couldn't help but wonder if this was truly the reality everytime he showered me with nice words.
"I prepared a tea party for this afternoon. Do your job moderately, and accompany Ana, alright?"
Normally, it was my duty as the fiancee to invite him, but Mother helped me out by inviting him herself to the tea party.Actually, I didn't have the courage to invite him myself, yet.
"It is my honor. I look forward to enjoying tea with Lady Anastasia."
Lord Zhinorius replied with an elegant bow.
He was the embodiment of elegance, and even his movements exuded refinement.He did told me in his letter that he studied social etiquette and manners in the past two months, but really, he has truly become so graceful now,
◆◆◆◆◆
The afternoon finally came, and here I was, enjoying tea with Lord Zhinorius as he sat across from me.
"E-excuse me. Lord Zhinorius, I have a request."
I broke the ice by stating my request
'Listen well, Ana. Your goal today is to stop Zhinorius from using polite language towards you, alright? You two are now officially engaged, so it's weird to speak so formally to each other, isn't that right? Because you have the higher status, unless you permit him to speak freely, he will talk to you formally forever, at this rate. So do your best and make him talk casually, alright.'
Mother counseled me before the tea party.Today,I had to persuade him to converse with me as his fiancee by dropping all formalities.This was the main purpose of my request.
"May I ask what is it? Please do tell me."
Lord Zhinorius' voice seemed to wrap me as he spoke.
"Ahm, we are now engaged, so can you please drop the honorifics, and speak casually? You do not have to address me as 'Lady'."
I held my breath in as I spoke to Lord Zhinorius.
"Ahh, I see, so it's about that. Got it. Let's not use formal speech from now on."
"Thank you very much."
Lord Zhinorius suddenly stopped speaking formally, and that's when it hit me that we were truly engaged from now on. It made me feel so embarrassed so I hastily dropped my gaze.
"I also have a request, is that okay?"
"Y-yes. Please state whatever it is."
I wasn't used to being addressed so casually by men, and it made me really nervous.My voice was about to shake.
"Can you call me 'Zhino'?"
Eh!? We're going the nickname route so suddenly!?Aristocratic ladies did not use pet names for gentlemen outside of their families.They could only address the gentlemen whom they were close with, such as fiance or lovers. In other words, this pet name was used to show that what they had between them was a fairly intimate relationship.In short…it was also a confession of l-love…
"Come on. Call me Zhino.""
I was dumbstruck, but Lord Zhinorius relentlessly cornered me. I could no longer escape.
"Lord Z-Zhino.."
Oh dear.This was the first time since I was born that I displayed favor towards a gentleman. My face was burning.This was so mortifying.I couldn't bring myself to look at Lord Zhinorius' face.I bowed down and closed my eyes. While I was doing that, he suddenly took my hand from my lap, and I was so shocked that I lifted my head.
Ehhhhhh!!!???Lord Zhinorius had been sitting across from me right from the start, but now, he sat beside me, grasping my left hand with both his hands.
"Thanks. I'm really happy now. Can I also call you Anna?"
Lord Zhinorius was smiling so warmly like the spring sun as he said those words. Kyaaah!!!Too close! You're too close!!Please have mercy, don't show me such a dazzling smile so close up!
And why are you gripping my hand!? It sent me into panic mode, and my heart was racing so badly it felt like it would burst anytime as it rang in my ears. My mind was in chaos for a moment.
"........Y….yes..."
My thoughts were still in a flurry as I tried to blurt out a reply.
"Yeah. Ana. My Ana. Please treat me well from now on."
My Ana?W-wait, wait, weren't those love-filled words used by sweethearts for their beloved?Wasn't it supposed to be used for the protagonists of romance novels? I couldn't believe that a gentleman would address me as such…My head felt like it was on fire, and I was getting dizzier by the moment.
I already reached my limit.My poor heart would explode now.What would happen to me now?He didn't even give me a chance to calm down, before pushing me into chaos.
"Milady, the tea has gone cold, so allow me to change it."
Bridget called out to me, so Lord Zhinorius let go of my hand and he returned to his former seat, creating distance between us once again. Bridget handed some water to me, so I somehow managed to keep myself from fainting.That was dangerous.I didn't know that it would be so difficult to hold on to my sanity while attending a tea party with my betrothed.
◆◆◆◆◆
(Lord Zhino) That evening, I tried calling his name in my mind as I lay on my bed. Shyness and happiness intertwined within me, and I unwittingly rolled around on the bed by myself.