TPOTLPIM Chapter 2

"Suddenly bumping into me and not even a word of apology."

At his tone of voice—as if he found the whole thing absurd—Cecilia's mind suddenly snapped alert. Since he was a tall man, she had to lift her head up even higher to properly see his face. Looking up at him, she found inscrutable dark blue eyes gazing down at her as if she were something trivial.

'If we're talking about who's hurt, I'm the one who's hurting more!'

Despite her inner cry, Cecilia decided to apologize to the man first. After all, she was the one who had suddenly cut in front of him.

"My apologies."

The man remained silent in response to her apology.

Caught off guard by his unexpected reaction, Cecilia heard Asen whisper in her ear.

"He's the second son of the Jeminick ducal family."

At Asen's words, Cecilia was so surprised that her mouth fell open without her realizing it.

Teros Jeminick. The brother of Dmitri, whom Cecilia harbored feelings for. A young hero skilled in swordsmanship and strategy, who had earned military achievements that belied his youth in wars between the empire and neighboring countries.

There was no way she could fail to recognize the one and only younger brother of the man she admired. However, Teros seldom showed his face at social gatherings, and his current appearance was completely different from when she had glimpsed him at a previous ducal ball, so she had momentarily failed to place him.

The strained silence flowing between Cecilia and Teros was broken by the voice of someone she yearned for.

"Teros, showing up to my engagement ceremony in such a state! How very... considerate of you."

Cecilia instantly knew whose voice was reaching her from behind.

Dmitri Jeminick.

Though it was just a brief voice, all the emotions she had kept buried deep in her heart came bursting out at once.

Cecilia turned her head as if by reflex to look upon the face of her beloved. And there beside him stood Rosein DeNeuve, her dearest friend who had become the fiancée of the man she had cherished.

Cecilia found herself at a complete loss for what expression to show when gazing at her friend's face. What words would Rosein have for her?

"Just as I thought! Cecil, I knew you would come!"

As if they had just had tea together yesterday, Rosein welcomed Cecilia with the same expression and tone as always.

When Cecilia stood there dumbfounded, unable to say anything, Rosein immediately turned her gaze toward Teros.

"Hello, Lord Teros. Your outfit is quite splendid."

Rosein winked at Teros and smiled as if she had made an amusing joke.

"The new recruits who came in recently are utterly pathetic. I was trying to make men out of them and ended up making half-dead ones, so I almost couldn't make it to the engagement ceremony."

Teros curled up one corner of his mouth wickedly at the "half-dead" part and smiled. His somewhat sinister appearance made onlookers' knees go weak.

Rosein naturally introduced Dmitri beside her to Cecilia.

"Cecil, this is my fiancé, Dmitri Jeminick."

Cecilia heard every word from Rosein as if it were a dream, utterly surreal.

"It's been a while, Lady Cecilia. I heard you're Rosein's closest friend."

Dmitri greeted her by kissing the back of Cecilia's hand as she stood there in a daze.

Cecilia remained frozen with her mouth agape, unable to say a word.

In the carriage on the way to Steiny Castle, she had resolved to congratulate the two of them. She had imagined the scene of meeting them and pictured herself offering words of congratulation.

But reality and imagination were different things. Facing the actual situation, her tongue seemed to have hardened, making it difficult to get any words out.

Yet standing there like a mute who had swallowed honey made her feel stifled and frustrated. She resented Rosein, who hadn't given her even a word of explanation despite having had the chance.

She prepared the sharpest jab she could give Rosein in this situation.

"Congratulations, Lord Dmitri. You can't imagine how disappointed I was that Rosein hid her fiancé so thoroughly that even I, her closest friend, didn't know. I only found out when I received the invitation!"

Though her words were directed at Dmitri, Cecilia's gaze turned coldly toward Rosein. Rosein merely looked back at Cecilia with her characteristic keen eyes and composed smile, without the slightest change in expression.

'Ah, so frustrating! That jab was too weak!'

Cecilia barely held back her urge to beat her chest in frustration. After all, she and Dmitri had no relationship whatsoever, and Rosein was Dmitri's fiancée. In this situation, no matter what she said, she would only come across as a vindictive woman trying to sprinkle ashes on the couple.

"Our Cecil, you must have been so hurt? I wanted to be cautious about meeting him, so I couldn't tell anyone."

Rosein naturally hooked her arm through Cecilia's and spoke in a sweet, wheedling voice.

'Let go of me. Will you?'

Cecilia barely restrained herself from wanting to shake off Rosein's arm and smiled awkwardly.

Cecilia withdrew her gaze from Rosein and spoke to Dmitri again.

"You should know what a good friend Rosein is—she's the kind of friend who made inquiries in all directions among the young ladies around us to help solve my extremely personal worries."

While Dmitri couldn't possibly understand the meaning contained in those words, Rosein would be able to guess what she meant. Cecilia once again looked challengingly into Rosein's eyes, hoping to see even a trace of guilt pass through them.

'Rose, why did you talk about Lord Dmitri to the other young ladies?'

Despite earnestly sending her message with her eyes, Rosein spoke with perfect composure, her expression showing not the slightest wavering.

"Oh my, it's nothing much. That's only natural between friends."

This wicked little thing. Were you always this kind of person? Sparks that others couldn't detect flew between the two women.

"By the way, Lady Cecilia. This is my younger brother Teros."

Dmitri, who didn't think much of the two women's conversation, introduced Teros to Cecilia.

Teros had completely different looks from his older brother Dmitri.

Dmitri had a slender build with soft, delicate features that anyone would find appealing.

In contrast, Teros had a tall stature with broad shoulders and an impressive physique. He was certainly handsome, but his jet-black hair gave off a somewhat rigid feeling. His expression was also cold as an ice sculpture.

Moreover, the bloodstains on his cheek were glaringly noticeable.

As Cecilia lightly lifted both sides of her dress skirt to curtsy, Teros also reluctantly lowered his head.

That was when it happened. As a servant carrying a tray of cocktails passed by them standing there awkwardly, Asen beside Cecilia picked up a glass from the tray and handed it to Dmitri.

"A congratulatory toast for a beautiful pair."

"What an honor to receive a congratulatory toast from a lady mage, Lady Odik."

Asen's words were perfectly suited to shift the stiff atmosphere, and Dmitri showed a delighted expression as he accepted the glass Asen offered without hesitation.

'Ah...!'

Cecilia screamed silently inside. No. Asen had put a love potion in that glass!

Earlier she had gone along with Asen's lead in her bewilderment, but when the decisive moment came, Cecilia could clearly see what she truly wanted.

'It has to be genuine feelings.'

She hadn't simply wanted Dmitri. She had wanted Dmitri's goodwill and sincerity, a true relationship where they could be happy together. How sad it would be if he came to look at her because of a love potion?

The thoughts that had been stirring confusedly in her mind became crystal clear in an instant. Dmitri must not drink that medicine.

'What do I do?'

In that brief moment, Cecilia bit her lips anxiously. She had to snatch the glass from Dmitri's hand. But then what? After snatching it, what excuse could she make?

Knowing nothing, Dmitri was wearing a bright smile as he raised the cocktail glass in a toasting gesture, then tilted it to tip it into his mouth.

Cecilia's head was clamoring with shock.

Watching Dmitri about to drink the cocktail, Cecilia stamped her feet anxiously.

'He can't drink it! I have to snatch the glass! What excuse can I use? Yes, I'll just drink it myself!'

Cecilia reached out her hand toward the tilting cocktail glass without hesitation.

Whoosh—

But the cocktail glass vanished futilely from her fingertips.

Cecilia's blue eyes were colored with shock. Everyone's gaze turned toward Teros.

"I was thirsty. Let me be rude first."

True to someone who knew not even a hair's worth of courtesy, he intercepted the drink his brother was about to consume and poured it into his own mouth.

Cecilia felt her entire body turn cold from her fingertips, surprised as she watched for Teros's reaction.

"Ugh!"

After downing the drink in one gulp, Teros's expression darkened, and he looked as if he might retch from the strange taste. However, he was patient enough to swallow it down.

"What terrible taste in drinks! Tsk!"

He glared at his brother once, roughly voiced his opinion about the drink's taste, then left the scene.

Applause filled the banquet hall.

The two main characters of the engagement ceremony stood on the platform, greeting the guests.

The yellow dress Rosein wore complemented her red hair well. The small pearl decorations attached to the dress sparkled subtly, creating an elegant atmosphere.

However, what made Rosein shine even more than the dress she wore was Dmitri, who was beaming beside her.

It was a gentle smile like spring sunshine that matched his soft brown hair.

Dmitri was popular not only with Cecilia but also with other young ladies. He had deep knowledge of literature and wrote beautiful poems, and the verses he wrote were quite popular among the young ladies of noble families.

Dmitri's poetry collection had even been discussed in the reading club where Cecilia was active.

"I am you, who comes with the quiet of dawn until darkness descends."

It was a passage that had touched her when she first read his poetry collection. Cecilia had read that passage aloud and repeated it in her heart for a long time, savoring it. Even when going to bed, that sentence would come to mind, and she felt she could sense the pure soul hidden beyond the words.

That was the first moment when her romantic feelings for Dmitri had sprouted. Now it had become a regrettable piece of dark history.

As the melody of string instruments brought vitality to the banquet hall, people stood at tables arranged on one side eating food, while some began dancing in the center of the hall.

Everyone was enjoying the banquet, but Cecilia could hardly concentrate on the banquet atmosphere.

Since Teros had drunk the love potion, she needed to take action. She caught hold of Asen and whispered urgently.

"Lady Asen, Lord Teros did drink the love potion, right? What do we do now?"

"I'm sorry, I never thought something like this would happen... But he doesn't seem to be showing any particular reaction even after drinking the love potion?"

At Asen's words, Cecilia turned her head to look toward where Teros was.

He must have changed his clothes, as he was now wearing formal dress appropriate for the banquet. The bloodstains that had been on his cheek were also cleanly wiped away. Looking at him this way, he gave quite a different feeling from his earlier fierce appearance.

He seemed to have no interest in the banquet or socializing whatsoever, standing in front of a table set to one side, loading his plate full of food.

She was surprised by the amount of food piled overflowing on the plate, but on the other hand, she was relieved. Currently, Teros seemed more interested in food than women.

'The love potion has no effect.'

Asen Odik was notoriously known for her terrible magical skills. If it was a love potion she had made alone without help from her family members, there was a high possibility it would have no effect.

"Lady Asen, the love potion seems to have had no effect on him."

A faint smile crept across Cecilia's lips. If Teros had fallen for her because of the love potion, nothing could be more vexing.

At Cecilia's words, Asen drooped her shoulders with a dejected face. The irrational excitement from before slipping in the love potion had died down, and Asen's eyes now held a composed light.

"Oh my, yet another failure... No, it's fortunate for Lady Cecilia. What I did earlier was ostensibly for your sake, but I think for a moment I unknowingly wanted to test the love potion's effects myself. I'm truly sorry."

Cecilia was also furious with herself for momentarily falling into such foolish thinking. It was a stroke of incredible luck that Asen's magic had failed.

"It was extremely dangerous. It's magic that even the empire hasn't approved. You must never do it again!"

Having firmly warned her with a stern face, she decided to put this matter aside and enjoy the banquet. She wanted to quickly escape from the mood that had become thoroughly exhausted because of Rosein and the love potion.

She took Asen and approached the table where food was prepared.

Roast duck with olive oil, cod braised in wine, pudding topped with rare fruits...

Everything looked delicious, making it hard to decide what to eat first. Yes, what other joys are there in life? Eating delicious things like this and marveling at them is exactly what happiness is!

Cecilia's face was filled with a bright smile as she reached for the tongs placed on the table.

"Ahem!"

At the sudden sound of someone clearing their throat right next to her, she was startled and pulled back her outstretched hand. When she turned her head, Teros was somehow standing right beside her.

"It's a wonderful banquet, Lord Teros."

Cecilia offered the usual greeting one would give to the family of those hosting the banquet.

Teros said nothing and only looked down at Cecilia.

She wanted to ask what business he suddenly had with her, but she couldn't be rudely confrontational without reason. She turned her gaze back to the food on the table and began searching for something to say.

"An engagement ceremony at Steiny Castle, how romantic."

Knowing that Teros probably had little interest in such conversation, Cecilia offered whatever conventional words she could to break the awkward silence.

"Not to say this just because she's my friend, but Rosein is beautiful, and Lord Dmitri is also..."

"What did you say your name was?"

At Teros's sudden interruption and question, Cecilia's eyes widened. Moreover, he had suddenly switched to informal speech.

Seeing Cecilia's surprised expression, Teros realized he had made some mistake and hurriedly corrected himself.

"Ah, no. What is your name... my lady?"

He fumbled around looking for appropriate expressions to ask the question, then soon sighed and scratched his head as if such questions didn't suit him at all.

As he roughly tousled his hair in what seemed like self-reproach, Cecilia hurriedly told him her name.

"I am Cecilia Serin."

"Serin? I've heard that surname often... Serin... Ah, you're a lady of the Serin count family."

"Yes, that's right. Count Otmin Serin is my father."

"The count supplies military goods, doesn't he? Products made by the Serin family are popular in our knight order as well."

"It's gratifying to hear they're popular among knights. Our territory has more smithies than farmland."

Teros was awkwardly maintaining polite speech as he continued the conversation. Still, being from a ducal family, his conversation topics and subjects were quite natural.

Though it was a brief conversation, Cecilia strangely sensed something similar to Dmitri in Teros.

Actually, the two were complete opposites not only in looks but in temperament as well. His older brother Dmitri had a sociable nature and could frequently be seen at social gatherings and balls, and with his refined speech and literary talents, he handled diplomatic affairs at the imperial palace.