Flower of Steel

The day of the battle of policies moved very busily. It was a busy day starting with the Crown Prince. ‘Ugh, I should never think about him again. It’s embarrassing!’

I intentionally worked harder to forget about my shameful mind racing over the Crown Prince. Soon, it was time to go, so I quickly packed. Today was the day I promised Rian.

“I’ll be off then,” I said as I hastily left the office. I was a bit delighted somehow. As I came out of the building, I saw Rian waiting. ‘Oh, so that’s how he usually is,’ I thought to myself, looking at him standing there with a distant expression.

That distant look made it difficult for me to approach him until he looked up and found me. Then he made a bright smile, waved his hand at me, and called, “Marin!”

Ah, all that just gives me a sense of false hope. I’m certain that he has no other feelings for me. I should forget about being hopeful from now on. I would be so ashamed if I ever became as worked up as I was with the Crown Prince.

“Hello, Rian. How have you been for the past few days?” I asked him.

“It was good, thanks to you. Shall we go then?”

My heart was touched by his kind voice. Hahaha, I’m still a woman, after all, reacting like this to such a handsome man.

The Chancellor’s mansion, which I visited a while ago, retained its elegant and graceful beauty. It almost resembled the family that owns it, the father, the Chancellor, the beautiful mother, and Rian. It was so perfect.

How about my family in that regard? Hahaha, Harris and I are already lacking, let alone my parents. But unlike me, Harris has a cute look to him. He resembles my father a lot, a weak scholarly type of man, and has that lovely face.

As for me, I resemble my mother, but I didn’t get her pretty features, so I was completely different from the noble and prestigious beauty that my mother has. My expression is cold and even merciless in some way that I become depressed whenever I look into a mirror. I was always discouraged about it. If I had my mother’s features, I would not have felt so lost to my friend Rian like this.

“My, my! Welcome, Lady Harrant,” said the Duchess as she saw me walking into the mansion. But why was she out here in the hall?”

“Good evening, my lady. It has been a while. How have you been?”

“It was good. I’m so glad to see you again like this.”

“Thank you for your warm welcome.”

It was a sudden welcome, but I did expect it as I was visiting a duke’s home. I didn’t show her my surprise and calmly responded to her. The Duchess then grabbed my hand and commented, “You should come more often. I like you very much, alright?”

Hahaha, it sure was awkward, but I didn’t let my thoughts show and smiled brightly, “I’m so honored to be considered so highly by a lady I admire.”

“Oh, how lovely you are. Well, go on then.”

How can she find anything lovely about me? Her eyesight must be different as well. I bowed to her and went over to the drawing room with Rian.

“Marin, I prepared something good for you today,” said Rian.

“Yes?” I asked, then looked down at the tea table. Wow. A feast filled with sweets!

“Please sit.”

I couldn’t take my eyes off of it and sit down at his offer. Whoa, they look so good.

“Go ahead,” added Rian.

I didn’t hesitate and took a bite of a delicious-looking cake. Then I let out my astonishment, “It’s so good…!”

Rian smiled, putting his chin above his hand.

“You should try it too, Rian,” I offered to him, but he gave me a troubled smile. Huh? What is it? I became curious.

Then, he calmly replied, “Actually, I don’t really like sweets. To be honest, I hate them.”