Common brown hair and neatly dressed in a three-piece suit. His impression seemed gentle, looking like someone far from romance.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Anette Leanberia.”

I finished a simple greeting out of courtesy. He handed me a bouquet of flowers as if he had been waiting.

The fragrant flower scent tickled my nostrils.

“I heard you like flowers usually. It might be burdensome for the first time, but please accept it as my small sincerity.”

Pink Celotia.

It was my favorite flower. I often thought of the days playing with Rian when I saw Celotia blooming in the academy grounds. Suddenly reminded of that time, I unconsciously smiled faintly.

“It’s pretty. And fragrant.”

“I’m glad. I worried all night in case you might not like it.”

Edward smiled more happily than me. His pure appearance made me feel a bit sorry. Though I came out pushed by my father’s pressure, there’s no chance we’ll be destined for each other.

“You worried all night?”

“Really. I really wanted you to be happy…”

He blushed shyly, seeming to like me quite a bit.

His eyes were really bloodshot, and his skin looked dry. It was evident he had prepared fully for the first meeting. Regrettably.

“Edward, if you’re tired, shall we reschedule? I’m fine with it.”

Originally, I planned to slip away and go meet the Duke. I felt sorry, but it would be good for me if I could quickly vacate the seat.

“No! I’m not tired at all. Let’s go this way quickly.”

But Edward opened his eyes wide in alarm. His innocent face was tinged with urgency. I clicked my tongue in disappointment.

“Then let’s depart quickly.”

Edward diligently took on my escort.

Throughout the carriage ride, I witnessed him pinching his thigh trying to stay awake, but pretended not to notice. The date wouldn’t last long anyway.

We finally arrived at the destination.

Squinting at the warm sunlight for a moment. Along with the cool breeze, a wide-open view filled my sight.

“This is Lake Aora.”

It was that lake where fairies were said to live, reminiscent of the Duke’s eyes.

‘I wonder if he’s received the letter by now?’

Once again, my worries deepened about the marriage issue with Hertian.

I was most concerned that he might refuse to marry me because he was upset by my father’s letter.

“My lady, come this way! The lake is a spectacular sight.”

On the contrary, Edward was simply excited.

“I’m coming. Let’s go.”

I trudged my steps.

“Walk slowly so you don’t hurt your feet.”

We walked along the path that ran alongside the lake.

I was glad I wore a wide-brimmed hat. It blocked Edward’s fervent gaze.

“By the way, how long are we going to walk?”

How many minutes have we been walking now?

Time was precious. Edward finally took out his pocket watch to check the time and carefully calculated something.

“Finished 30 minutes of walking… Then next, let’s go ride a boat!”

You had it all planned out, didn’t you?

It seems he worked hard to plan it, but what should I do? I need to leave soon.

Seeing him beaming with a proud smile, it seemed he would be greatly disappointed if the plan was ruined. That wouldn’t be polite either. I reluctantly decided to ruin his plan in advance.

“I have to go to class in a little while, so I can’t stay long.”

“The Count said today was your day off.”

“My schedule changed just before coming out. And I’m not feeling well either.”

I quickly cut him off in case he might say something else.

“I see… It’s very, very regrettable, but let’s do the rest next time we meet.”

“Alright.”

If there is a next time, that is.

Seeing him looking very disappointed, I decided to go along with the boat ride. It was the minimum courtesy for my father, who arranged this.

But just as we were almost at the dock, Edward suddenly confessed.

“Actually, I confessed to you during the academy days and was rejected.”

Suddenly?

My steps that were going ahead came to an abrupt halt.

“I’m not sure if you remember.”

“To me? I don’t remember.”

Even staring intently, this man.

He’s someone I’m seeing for the first time today.

Edward blushed and bit his lip hard. A volcanic blush came into view as if it were evidence of his liking for me.

“I thought you wouldn’t remember. But it’s okay. Because you and I have met again like this.”

“Haha. It’s because I have a bad memory.”

I smiled awkwardly out of guilt.

But this will be our last meeting. Haha.

“I was too naive back then. Rather, I’m glad I was rejected then.”

Edward coolly raised his gaze diagonally.

“Because I finally get to face you head-on.”

“…”

Stiff syllables.

It was clearly a prepared line.

“Yes. Our heights are similar, so I can see your eyes well from the front.”

I avoided his gaze and changed the subject.

“Edward, I’m going to wash my hands before getting on the boat. I’ll leave the flowers here too.”

“Have a good time.”

Answering with a smile, I turned around. I put down the cumbersome large bouquet and washed my hands, then came out searching for Edward with my eyes. I could see him standing under a tree shade in the distance.

But there was someone standing next to him with arms linked, talking seriously. As I approached a few steps closer, the face of the tall man hidden in the shade was revealed. Confirming his face, my heart felt like it dropped.

“How did you know to come here…”

Serdis. He who hadn’t been seen since the banquet appeared here. Moreover, with Edward who was on a date with me.

“I expected interference, but I didn’t think you’d show up in person.”

I was about to shudder from disgust. I immediately turned and headed in the opposite direction of the lake, not towards where the carriage was. Since he would know I was here, the carriage wasn’t safe either.

After circling the lake once to avoid Serdis, I was back near the dock. I patted my stiff legs and looked back.

At that moment, I almost fell over startled by the sight of Serdis. I began to have a reasonable suspicion that he had put some kind of location tracking magic on me.

“Just ten minutes! I’ll get on the boat and get off!”

I had no choice but to enter the dock and board a docked boat. The old man managing the boats hurriedly approached the boat following me with a puzzled face. I gestured for him not to come closer.

“Don’t come close! I’ll get off soon. I’m sorry, but if someone asks about my appearance, could you tell them I went in a different direction? Please.”

As soon as I finished speaking, I saw Serdis entering the dock and lay flat on my stomach. After holding my breath for a while like that. The voices heard from afar stopped.

Did Serdis leave? I peeked out with my eyes to look at the dock. He wasn’t there. It seemed he couldn’t find me and went elsewhere. Just as I was about to get up to leave this place.

“Huh?”

The boat started moving.

At an incredibly fast speed at that.

I froze in place as I was about to get up, seeing the boat rocking greatly. Only then did I realize. The secret of the boat moving without oars. It had magic cast on it, so it automatically departed after someone boarded and some time passed.

The old man managing the boats ran over urgently from a distance, but only shook his head while holding his forehead.

“There’s no way to go back, is there…”

It meant I had to ride the boat alone until reaching the dock on the opposite side.

Lake Aro is a vast lake where fairies live. I was left alone on the wide and desolate lakeshore. The grandeur of the lake spread out before my eyes made my breath quicken.

“Come to think of it, didn’t I fall into water a long time ago?”

At the sudden old memory that came to mind, I choked up. Cold sweat trickled down my stiff spine. My heart pounded so violently it felt like it would burst out of my chest.

“Stay calm… Stay calm, Anette.”

I sat down slowly, shaking my head.

‘And this is a lake, so it’s not that deep.’

The lake water I glanced at beside me was very clear. Clear enough to see the bottom of the lake.

Are there monsters living here instead of fairies?!

Something that was either sweat or tears kept flowing, making my eyes sting.

Lake Aor was not an ordinary lake placed in an open field.

That’s because a thorny forest continues along the winding lake path. It might be a spectacle to some, but to me it was a maddening landscape.

“Hey!”

I cried out pitifully, but the old man was no longer visible, hidden by the thorny trees. Now there was no one to be seen.

“Is… Is anyone there?”

Is anyone there~

Is anyone there~

My voice echoed, resonating through the lakeside forest.

Why is there an echo and all this commotion!

What is this, a jungle?

This won’t do.

“Let’s just… stay still…”

I might as well close my eyes.

That seems better for my mental health.

Because the feeling of being abandoned in nature with no one around is really scary.

That feeling of being left alone in the world.

I carefully gathered my knees and buried my face in them. Pitch-black darkness covered my view.

The chirping of birds from those trees, the strange sounds from beneath the lake. I completely plugged my ears so I couldn’t hear them.

Just like this, for a little while.

I waited for time that seemed to have stopped to pass. But suddenly feeling my knees getting wet, I raised my head to find my dress covered in bright red blood. Following that, nosebleed dripped down with a plop.

“Help…”

I almost wailed. This weak body! It was never helpful for a single day. Overwhelmed with sorrow, I cried loudly until tears blurred my vision.

As my mind was becoming hazy with fear, the boat rocked greatly once. Startled by the big movement, I flailed about when someone grabbed my arm.

“Huh.”

My eyes flew open in surprise. Air rushed into my slightly constricted airway. And finally, beneath the scenery that only showed the lake and trees, I saw a person.

“Are you alright?”

A man’s worried voice was heard. My vision was blurry with sweat and tears. All I could barely see was the silhouette of the man calling me. Seeing his dark hair, it wasn’t Serdis.

“Ed…ward?”

My cracked voice flowed out, scraping my vocal cords.

“Why have you become like this…”

The man’s voice was as cracked as mine. But that wasn’t important right now. I grabbed him with my blood-stained hands and said desperately.

“Excuse me, but please help me. I need to get out of here and go to the square.”

I need to go meet Hertian. I must meet him.

“Where are you trying to go in this state?”

“I have someone to meet…”

I couldn’t finish my words.

Because the tension released and I lost consciousness.