It felt like she was being asked with her eyes, ‘He’s a good man, isn’t he? You don’t need to worry.’ Suddenly, memories from a not-so-pleasant past life surfaced subtly. The village ladies who asked, ‘Aren’t you getting married?’ just by looking at the face…
“I didn’t expect to experience something similar here. Maiana thought. In the meantime, a large express delivery stamp was stamped on the envelope for the letter sent to the capital, passing into the hands of another employee.

“Well, the reception is over. It should arrive by tomorrow.”

Upon the employee’s words, Maiana gave a customary smile and slightly nodded her head.

“Thank you.”

“Luke, you’ve been making a fuss about a pretty lady lately, but is this the person? Isn’t it?”

Maiana turned to Luke with a bewildered expression. Hoping it wasn’t true, but contrary to her wishes, Luke was turning red from his forehead to his neck.

“What are you talking about, Miss Ing?”

He said that belatedly, but it had no credibility. Ing, the employee, nodded alternatively between Luke and Maiana as if he found it amusing, and at the same time, he seemed proud as if his son had brought a lover.

For a moment, Maiana thought she didn’t want to be in this space anymore. She lightly bowed to Luke with a stiff expression and swiftly left the post office building.

There were urgent footsteps following her, but she didn’t look back. However, before Maiana could descend all the stairs, a hand grabbed her shoulder.

“Miss Maiana.”

Luke looked extremely embarrassed. However, beneath his kindness, Maiana could faintly sense a gaze of criticism, so subtle that it was almost imperceptible.

He was clearly a good and modest person. He seemed as affectionate as his first impression suggested. However, Maiana had nothing to offer him. She thought it was right to cut off expectations that couldn’t be fulfilled from the beginning.

“Luke, I have something to talk to you about.”

“Of course, go ahead, talk.”

Maiana quickly realized from Luke’s expression that there was no trace of criticism left. Instead, another emotion, hope, expectation, or excitement, difficult to detect, replaced it. She suddenly noticed faint stubble marks along his jawline, faintly visible under the slightly reddened cheek.

“…First, if all of this was my misunderstanding, I’ll apologize in advance. Luke, I think you have… favorable feelings towards me. Perhaps emotions accompanied by a relationship between a man and a woman. Isn’t that right?”

Luke’s face became even redder. Short breaths came through parted lips… Maiana waited for him to answer. She didn’t rush, didn’t try to escape, just stood there quietly.

“That’s right.”

Finally, he nodded his head.
“Since the first time I saw you, Maiana… I thought you were a very impressive person. Things like your gaze and confident gestures. I see dozens, hundreds of people passing through that door every day. However, someone who captures attention like you is the first. So… I came to like you. I wanted to get to know you more. I waited for you to send a letter.”

Maiana replied, “I know. But, Luke, if I had decided to send you a letter… If I also had the intention to meet your expectations, we would have already gone on a date. Haven’t you considered such a possibility?”

Confusion finally appeared on Luke’s face. It was a similar expression to when he forced open a box he didn’t want to open.

He wanted to close the box again and pretend this never happened, but it was impossible without Maiana’s help. And Maiana had no intention of helping him the way he wanted.

Luke said, “Maiana, I… I can wait. Even if not right now, can we take our time to get to know each other? We’ll learn about each other slowly. Then, Maiana, maybe you also…”

His voice was trembling pitifully. However, Maiana shook her head.

“No, Luke. That won’t happen. There’s no need for you to wait for me, and I won’t make you wait for me. I’m not ready to meet someone. No, I don’t have the luxury for that.”

“Why?”

With a raised eyebrow, Luke asked, as if someone had just poked him in the side. It was a facial expression as if he had been stabbed in the side.

“No, Luke. Such a thing won’t happen. You don’t need to wait for me, and I won’t make you wait. I’m not ready to meet someone. No, I don’t have the luxury for that.”

“Why?”

With a raised eyebrow, Luke asked, as if someone had just poked him in the side. It was a facial expression as if he had been stabbed in the side.

“Is it because the work of a duchess is busy? I understand. Among my childhood friends, there’s someone who went to work as a maid in a noble mansion. It’s hard to get holidays, so she comes home once or twice a year. Even if I don’t see Maiana often, I’m okay with that. I just…”

Maiana shook her head.