WTBFCY Chapter 3

When they arrived at the baron's estate, a waiting servant opened the iron gate. The carriage rolled inside and stopped directly in front of the mansion's garden.

"Maggie!"

Spotting Margaret seated at a tea table inside the garden, Regina didn't wait for Emma to follow—she simply ran.

"...?"

Margaret turned at the familiar voice. She squinted against the brilliant sunlight as Regina approached, then recognition lit her face and she shot to her feet.

"Regina! You're here! I heard you caught a cold—are you feeling better?"

"Mm? Oh, yeah. I'm fine now."

"Thank goodness. I was so worried."

Margaret beamed and looped her arm through Regina's.

Since the official story was a cold, Regina gave a vague answer. Margaret seemed satisfied, already leading her toward the table.

"I set up outside today for something different. Is that okay?"

"Yes, it's perfect. Really lovely."

"Look at these, Regina—I just bought these teacups. They're all the rage in the capital right now."

At Margaret's gesture, the maids standing nearby moved in perfect coordination to prepare the tea.

"My goodness, are these really teacups? They're adorable!"

Regina admired the delicate craftsmanship and was about to sit down when her steps suddenly stopped.

"...Huh?"

There was a man she'd never seen before standing at the garden entrance.

He had dazzling platinum-blond hair and winter-blue eyes so vivid they looked cold. His skin was pale—so pale he seemed almost translucent. He stood perfectly still, apparently admiring the garden flowers.

His beauty was so striking it barely seemed human.

Regina couldn't look away from his strange presence. Curiosity finally won out and she turned to Margaret.

"Maggie, who is that?"

"Hm? Who?"

"There, the one passing through the garden entrance now. The platinum-blond man."

Margaret followed Regina's pointing finger, then looked up at her with a puzzled expression.

"What are you talking about? That's Noah."

The tone suggested this was obvious—why was she even asking? Regina's mind stuttered in confusion, but she tried again.

"Your cousin? I don't think I've ever met him..."

"What? Ahaha, what are you saying, Regina! That's my brother. Wait, is this because he rejected your confession? Are you pretending not to know him?"

Margaret laughed and lightly swatted Regina's arm, as if impressed by her acting. Regina's eyes went round.

"...Is this some new joke? You're an only child like me. Since when did you have a brother?"

"What?"

"Oh, was he... adopted?"

"Good heavens, Regina... I know getting rejected hurt, but that's a bit harsh. Adopted? What's gotten into you today? That's Noah—my real brother, the one you've had a crush on since you were six years old!"

Margaret's brow furrowed slightly, genuinely offended. The expression was too serious to be a joke.

Regina had been about to scold her friend for teasing, but that look made her hesitate.

"Uh..."

This seemed a bit over-the-top for acting. While Regina blinked uncertainly, the carriage accident flashed through her mind.

'Did I hit my head during the crash? Is something wrong with my memory?'

Regina felt dazed, but decided to keep her mouth shut for now.

'...Better to be cautious.'

Yet no matter how hard she tried to accept it, the inconsistencies piled up. Most importantly, no matter how beautiful he was, a man with that deathly pale atmosphere wasn't her type at all.

'Even if I accept my memory is faulty... Margaret, your parents and both grandparents all have brown hair. How could they produce someone with platinum-blond hair?'

Regina stared suspiciously at the man's luminous hair.

Until a week ago, her decade-long friend had been an only child. Now suddenly she had a brother—and apparently Regina had been crushing on him since age six?

As Regina fell silent, Margaret's face clouded with concern.

She assumed Regina's strange words came from the shock of Noah's rejection, and blamed herself for not being more sensitive.

"Regina..."

Margaret was about to apologize when Noah, who'd been studying something at the garden entrance, noticed them and looked up.

"Ah, Margaret. There you are. I actually wanted to ask you something."

As he looked their way, those winter-blue eyes caught the sunlight.

Standing beside Margaret, Regina's gaze accidentally met his—

Her heart dropped.

"...!"

Before she could tell if it was pain or shock, the sensation was so overwhelming her entire body locked up.

Like prey meeting a predator, her eyes fixed on the man. She couldn't even blink.

Why? An irrational certainty seized her: this person had hurt her before. No—maybe it wasn't irrational at all. Nothing else could explain this bone-deep dread.

Step. Step. Step.

With each approaching footfall, Regina's heart pounded harder. Her fingertips trembled uncontrollably.

The hammering in her chest spread to her skull, the dizziness unbearable. She squeezed her eyes shut—

"Margaret."

Noah's voice came from right beside her. Regina swallowed involuntarily. A cold shiver crawled up her spine. Knowing he stood within arm's reach, her body began shaking beyond her control.

"Yes, Brother? What is it?"

"Has anyone recently dug up that garden entrance or planted new flowers there?"

But Noah barely glanced at Regina, showing no particular interest. His attention stayed on Margaret.

"No? That's Mother's favorite tree, so we take special care of it."

"...Ah, right. Of course. I forgot." He paused. "Then has anyone been seriously injured recently? Or disappeared and then reappeared?"

"Huh...? I don't know. Should I ask the butler?"

Margaret tilted her head at the odd questions. Noah smiled and shook his head.

"No, I'll ask him myself. I wouldn't want to interrupt your time with your friend."

"What? Oh, but—"

Noah noticed Regina standing beside Margaret with her head turned away. He gave her a polite nod.

"I hope you have a pleasant time."

Regina kept her gaze down and nodded, barely moving. Noah smiled elegantly and returned to the mansion.

His posture as he walked away was perfect—like a textbook example of nobility.

Margaret's mouth fell slightly open at Noah's behavior. Even her brother was acting like he didn't know Regina.

Frowning, Margaret watched his retreating figure, then absently turned to Regina.

"Regina, why is he acting so—"

"Hm?"

Margaret cut off when she saw Regina's face. Her friend's forehead was drenched in cold sweat.

"My goodness! Look at you! Regina, are you okay? Are you sick?"

Margaret grabbed Regina's arm worriedly. Regina startled, then shook her head.

"Huh? N-no, I'm fine. I just need to sit for a moment."

Coming back to herself, Regina realized Noah had moved away. Confirming the distance between them, she felt her trembling gradually subside.

'...What was that feeling?'

She'd never experienced anything like it in her life. Like terrible pain and heart-wrenching grief combined.

Regina touched her neck, then jerked her hand back at the sweat soaking her skin. She quickly pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her hands and throat.

Her hands were still shaking.

Regina insisted she was fine and wanted to continue the tea party, but Margaret firmly shook her head. Regina's face had gone completely white—she looked ready to collapse.

"No, Regina. You should rest inside for a bit, or better yet, go straight home and get proper rest."

"But I just got here... I've been waiting for this."

"Don't be silly. We can have tea another time. Are you sure your cold is completely gone? Come on, get up. Your health is more important to me, Regina."

Regina looked disappointed but obediently stood at Margaret's urging. After that shock, she honestly didn't feel well.

"Sorry, Maggie. Let's have our next tea party at my estate. I'll contact you right away."

"Yes, let's. But are you sure you don't want to rest here first?"

"N-no, I'm okay. I want to get home and have the family doctor examine me. You're right—maybe my cold isn't fully gone."

Regina was terrified of going inside the mansion and potentially encountering Noah again, so she politely declined Margaret's offer.

"Alright. I'll pray for your quick recovery."

"Thanks, Maggie."

Regina hugged Margaret's shoulders tightly, then released her with a regretful expression. Margaret looked equally sorry, waving until Regina climbed into the carriage.

Emma squeezed between the two emotional young ladies, managed to close the carriage door with difficulty, and knocked on the wall where the coachman sat to signal departure.

"Maggie! I'll write to you!"

"Yes, Regina! I'll be waiting!"

As the carriage started moving, both young ladies' emotions seemed to reach new heights.

Regina leaned so far out the carriage window that Emma secretly grabbed the back of her dress to keep her from falling.

The escort riders following the carriage tried not to laugh, but Regina was too absorbed in her farewell to notice.

Regina kept waving until Margaret became a dot in the distance, then finally resumed a normal position and flopped onto the carriage seat.

"I feel terrible! Maggie must have been looking forward to this tea party, and I left right away. She must be so disappointed."

"Your health comes first, Miss. Lady Margaret will understand completely. If you're really worried, perhaps give her a small gift next time you meet?"

"Yes, I should! How about buying that green ribbon that would suit her perfectly?"

"She'll love it, I'm sure."

Despite having just parted, Regina was already excited about their next meeting—but then her expression suddenly fell and she went quiet.

"...Miss?"

Emma looked puzzled. After hesitating, Regina seemed to make up her mind and looked at her.

"Emma, can I ask you something strange?"

"Yes? What is it?"

"Does... does Maggie have a brother?"

"What do you mean? Lady Margaret is an only child, just like you."

Emma tilted her head at the odd question. Regina's face brightened immediately.

"Right? I knew it! I'm not crazy, right? Of course Maggie doesn't have a brother! You had me worried!"

Regina looked ready to jump up and down with relief. Then her expression turned serious and she crossed her arms.

"But then why did Maggie say that? Suddenly claiming she has a real brother... Emma, listen. Maggie said the strangest things today—"

"......"

Regina's chatter stopped abruptly. Emma's eyes had gone unfocused.