The book “To Reclaim Destiny” was quite shocking from the beginning, as it was a novel told from the perspective of the male protagonist, starting with the suicide of the woman he loved.

His lover, who once whispered words of love, left one day without leaving a single note, and the emotions of the male protagonist left alone were deeply infused into the book.

The novel could not be read without tears until the end of the story, and she felt a heaviness in her heart because their narrative was so poignant.

Even amidst being immersed in the deep lingering emotions, Biare found it difficult to understand the state of mind of the female protagonist who chose death.

‘This is too much…’

It was when Biare, unable to stop her eyes from welling up, was quietly sniffling.

A sturdy hand was offering a handkerchief, and at this, she raised her head to look at the owner of the handkerchief.

“…Marquis Verdeum?”

The Marquis, who glanced at the book, asked in a low, sunken voice.

“Are you crying so sadly because of this book?”

As the gentle yet calm voice was heard, Biare’s tears gradually subsided.

“It’s not like that. But what brings you here?”

The Marquis pointed with his head to the dessert box he was holding and said,

“The knights like the pudding here, so I was on my way to get some packed.”

“…”

According to him, there was no dessert more suitable for boosting morale than this.

It was a café she had entered because it looked quiet, but it seemed to have quite a thick layer of regulars.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

He sat down in front of Biare without waiting for a response, to which she could only open and close her mouth.

‘Isn’t it usually polite to pretend not to notice at times like this?’

“You seem to have a lot of time, Marquis.”

“Does it look that way? I’m actually quite busy, you know.”

Even though Biare spoke somewhat gruffly, the Marquis merely curled his lips as if it didn’t affect him much.

Then the Marquis naturally took out a pudding from the dessert box and gave it to her.

“It’s a pudding made with orange marmalade.”

“…”

Biare, whose eyes were still not dry, nodded her head in gratitude.

Looking at her and the book in front of her, the Marquis smiled bitterly and began to speak.

“I’ve read that book before too.”

“You read this book, Marquis?”

When Biare looked up with a surprised expression as if it was unexpected, he nodded lightly.

“At first, I couldn’t understand.”

“…”

“Why did she choose death, only leaving pain for the male protagonist.”

Biare agreed with that.

The reason why the female protagonist had no choice but to choose death was not revealed until the end of the novel.

“But now I think I understand.”

Biare was quietly looking at him with an expression that still seemed not to understand.

Then the Marquis, clasping his sturdy hands together, said with a refreshed face as if he had come to a conclusion.

“Surely, that must have been the best way to keep a secret.”

“…”

“Even if it would be a deadly poison to the one left behind.”

Biare couldn’t say anything in response to his attitude, which seemed as if he had empathized with the male protagonist in the book.

‘He still hasn’t forgotten that person.’

Although she didn’t know why he couldn’t meet the person he longed for, she felt she understood well that it was a truly precious existence to him.

The Marquis, awkwardly rising from his seat, pointed to the orange marmalade pudding he had placed earlier and said,

“I think I should be going now. Eating this will make you feel much better.”

When she opened the lid of the pudding he had left behind, the sweet scent of oranges rose to Biare’s nose.

The sour and bitter scent of marmalade made her heart ache for a long time.

‘What kind of life have you lived?’

Biare’s world, which had been the same day after day, was now being filled with the color called Dension.

Although their first meeting wasn’t particularly pleasant, as if it had been a misunderstanding, he was infinitely kind every time they met.

Every moment spent with him was immensely enjoyable for Biare, and the special feeling she had been vaguely nurturing towards him grew increasingly intense.

Thus, at some point, the man named Dension Verdeum had taken a place in a corner of her heart.

Looking back on the time she had tried hard to deny, Biare had to acknowledge that feeling.

It was a moment when she fully realized what kind of feeling this suffocating emotion was that she felt every time she was with him.

That’s why she wanted to save his world that had been left alone.

‘Would it be alright… to desire you a little?’

From that day on, Biare’s gaze was always following Dension Verdeum.

She diligently showed up at various social events that she wouldn’t have attended normally.

She had been moving her feet earnestly in her own way, hoping she might see the Marquis.

However, meeting him, who didn’t enjoy social events, was like plucking stars from the sky.

Before, she could run into him by chance, but now even that didn’t seem to be allowed.

Therefore, the only place she could meet him was at the unofficial social event, the Monterio Literature Group.

“Princess, do you have something to tell me?”

“Me? Nothing at all.”

“I thought you did because you were staring at me so intently.”

He slightly raised the corners of his mouth, showing disappointment at her cold answer, yet still smiling gently.

Biare, glancing at the Marquis not unkindly, turned her gaze away from him and thought.

‘Of all people to like, why a man like him…’

Even while thinking this, her wondrous feeling towards the Marquis was growing larger and larger.

‘If only you felt the same way as I do.’

When such thoughts occurred, Biare was overwhelmed with unbearable sorrow.

To him, she was probably just the Princess of Ruschef, nothing more, nothing less.

Because there was already a precious person in his heart.

With her heart constricting as if suffocating, Biare tried hard to erase her sorrowful emotions.

“I’ll go first.”

At her hurried departure, the Marquis asked in a somewhat worried voice.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

“No. What reason would I have to be sick?”

Strangely, it seemed that sharp and harsh words kept coming out whenever she looked at him. Even though her heart felt nothing like that.

Her painful heart, unable to breathe properly, was recklessly stirring her emotions.

“Then why are you crying?”

“…You know, you’re annoying.”

“I’m sorry.”

Despite being flustered by Biare’s sudden tears, he was still protecting her so that no one could see her crying.

Realizing his thoughtful consideration, Biare felt there was no reason not to love him anymore.

“Such kindness is too much for me. It confuses people’s hearts.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

‘It’s ruined. I’ve ruined everything.’

Biare started to sob loudly, saddened by the thought that she could no longer even stay around him.

Had she ever cried so sorrowfully in front of someone other than her family?

“Just pretend you didn’t hear anything.”

Then he gently wiped away the tears flowing down both of Biare’s cheeks with a kind touch.

“How can I unhear what I’ve already heard?”

Seeing her glaring at him while sniffling, the Marquis chuckled and said in a somewhat serious voice,

“I like you. Very much so.”

“What? What are you saying…”

The Marquis’s voice, seemingly tense, was trembling slightly, and his straight blue eyes seemed to show his sincere heart.

“I really like you.”

“That’s impossible. There wasn’t even a hint of that.”

Biare, whose head wasn’t working properly due to his unexpected answer, almost bit her tongue.

Seeing her seemingly flustered attitude, the Marquis made a regretful expression and replied,

“Princess, you’ve always been oblivious in strange ways.”

“…Why do you like me?”

Biare’s voice was crawling, perhaps because it was too embarrassing to say out loud.

“At first, a pretty woman caught my eye.”

‘Why are all men the same?’

At those words, Biare frowned and pouted her lips as if she had heard something she shouldn’t have, to which the Marquis let out a frivolous laugh.

“Then I found it admirable how you give equal opportunities to both nobles and commoners.”

‘I was just doing what I should as the operator of a cultural foundation.’

As embarrassment was increasingly coming over her, Biare kept her head down and continued to listen to his story.

“How you care for your father and younger brother without showing it.”

Biare had thought they formed an ordinary family no different from other houses.

“Also, the way you pout your lips when you’re in a situation you don’t like.”

“Wait, that’s not a compliment.”

“It means I like you that much. Shall I say more?”

“No. This is enough to hear.”

Her two cheeks dyed crimson and her clear, sparkling eyes proved that Biare was, at this moment, happier than anyone else.

“I’m sorry for making you misunderstand. And for making you cry.”

With that, Marquis Verdeum slightly bent his waist and briefly kissed the back of Biare’s hand.

“So it seems I still haven’t heard an answer.”

He grumbled softly about not having heard a response to his confession, but soon his eyes were shining with expectation.

“I think I like you too.”

“Very well done, Bia.”

Biare’s clumsy love began in the cold winter, but for her, the memories with him were like the dazzling and brilliant afternoon sunlight of a summer day.

Biare, who had been reminiscing about the happy times that would never return, was immersed in both the ecstasy and bitterness of those past days.

The emotions of that day, overwhelming even in thought, would forever remain by her side, comforting her in the future.