101st Confession - Side Story Episode 10 - Girl's First Love (10)

Side Story Episode 10: Girl’s First Love (10)

“I heard the prince’s thoughts well. I will talk to my father to ensure that such incidents do not happen again in the future.” 

“Please do. I just want to quietly travel around the empire.”

The three exchanged polite farewells and parted ways. Lucas, walking side by side with Arista, glanced back at Dale. He was leisurely sipping his coffee.

“At least the prince was cooperative, thankfully, right?”

“Yeah. I was worried he might show some interest in me. If he did, I would have firmly rejected him.”

Considering Arista’s frosty tone, it was entirely possible.

Lucas couldn’t help but burst into laughter for a moment.

“Why?”

“No, it’s just that the temperature difference is too extreme.”

Arista’s attitude was markedly different when dealing with other men compared to how she treated him.

Because of that, he could feel secure in his relationship with Arista.

“It seems our Arista is quite fond of me.”

“…Tch. Does that mean my brother doesn’t like me?”

“There’s no way that’s true.”

Under the affectionate pat on the head, Arista tucked in her lips, which had been sticking out defiantly.

Feeling a warm sensation in his chest, Arista tightened her grip on Lucas’ hand and joined in their shared moment.

* * *

“Today’s weather is so lovely, dear.”

“What nonsense are you talking about when the snow is falling like that?”

It was bright outside, though the heavy snowfall didn’t make it look particularly pleasant.

“By now, Arista must be having some quality time with the prince, right?”

Eugene imagined the two laughing and chatting amicably with the world’s most benevolent smile. Viola’s eyes narrowed at her husband’s jest.

“I don’t know if this is okay.”

“What are you talking about?”

“To me, it seemed like Arista wasn’t particularly interested in the prince.”

“That’s just you not knowing. Arista, who resembles me, would naturally like him, wouldn’t she?”

“Ultimately, your baseless confidence is what you’re relying on.”

“Even so, it’s only a matter of time before Arista falls for the prince. You said he was an acceptable fiancé, too.”

“But right now, it seems like Arista isn’t very fond of him, so that’s what I’m saying. Instead of assuming, ask Arista directly. People’s thoughts can differ, you know.”

“Hmm…”

Viola’s words were not entirely wrong. Eugene thought he should have a conversation with Arista for a moment.

Knock-knock—

“Father, are you there?”

Arista’s voice came from beyond the door just in time. Surprised by their daughter’s visit, Eugene and Viola looked at each other.

Arista opened the door and entered.

“What are you doing here right now? Where’s the prince?”

“Lucas? Why are you…?”

Before they could exchange more words, they stiffened as they saw Lucas and Arista holding hands affectionately.

Lucas stood firmly beside Arista, and she confidently met Eugene’s gaze.

“Father, please stop involving the prince and me any further.”

“Well, Arista, before that, can you explain why you’re holding hands with Lucas…?”

“I… I’m seriously dating Lucas, my brother.”

Viola was taken aback, and Eugene looked shocked as if his eyes were about to pop out.

“We’ve only been together for about two months, but I genuinely love her, and I have no thoughts of anyone else. I apologize for surprising you like this, Duke. But, I truly love Arista. I didn’t intend to reveal it this way, but I couldn’t bear the thought of Arista marrying someone else.”

Watching Lucas calmly explain in a composed manner, the Duke and Duchess of Lydia momentarily lost their words. Should they be happy about their daughter finally falling in love, or should they be upset about her rejecting the prince? 

Eugene remained frozen at Arista and Lucas’ confession, and Viola, who regained consciousness first, stumbled towards the two.

“So, you two are dating…?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Since when? And who confessed first?”

“I confessed first. I didn’t want to miss out on such a wonderful person like my brother.”

Arista’s confident and clear expression, as she met their eyes, was both unfamiliar and fascinating. 

She was generally an assertive girl, but her current stance seemed as if she were stepping forward to protect Lucas. Only now did Eugene understand Arista’s behavior over the past week.

Initially, he thought she was avoiding the prince because he made her uncomfortable. However, it was natural for her to have reservations about her father’s attitude if she had someone she loved. 

“Goodness, I never expected to hear such words from our daughter’s mouth.”

Arista felt somewhat embarrassed at her mother’s joyous reaction.

“Aren’t you upset?”

“Why would I be? I’ve been worrying that you might end up single all this time.”

“What? No way would happen.”

“Think about your actions until now. Refusing to wear a dress to the party because you didn’t want to dance, not talking to any guys other than friends, and often attending parties without a partner.”

“That’s true… But didn’t you and Father want me to be connected with the prince?”

More precisely, it was because the prince was a perfect fiancé that they tried to connect her with him. Given Arista’s lack of interest in men, they thought the prince’s perfection might catch her eye. In the end, Lucas caught her eye first.

As Viola laughed heartily, Arista and Lucas blushed shyly.

“I can’t accept this.”

At that moment, Eugene, who had been silent, finally spoke. The room darkened at Lucas and Arista’s confession, and Viola sighed, saying, ‘Oh, these nobles.’

“I can’t accept this. That’s what I’m saying!”

“What are you dissatisfied with now?”

“Lucas! When did you two become like this? Even if you’ve been dating for only a short time, you’ve known each other for years!”

“When does your displeasure toward my brother start?”

Arista looked serious, and as soon as she did, Eugene, who had been about to explode, hesitated. Only then did he notice Lucas’ darkened expression.

He treated Lucas like a close friend of his son, almost like a nephew, if not exactly like a beloved child. Maybe that was why he couldn’t bring himself to face Lucas at all. When Eugene couldn’t find any valid excuses, Arista became angry.

“Why are you adamantly saying it’s not allowed without any reason? You’ve always been like this, Father! You never listen when I try to do something!”

In response to Arista’s forceful words, even Eugene was taken aback.

“That’s no way to talk to your father! If I say no, then no. What’s the need for so much talk?!”

“So tell me why you’re opposed!”

“Wait, why are you fighting again?”

“Yeah, Arista, you shouldn’t do this to the Duke. Let’s calm down, okay?”

Viola and Lucas intervened, but the two only glared at each other.

“Oh, it’s noisy! I absolutely won’t accept it, you should know that!”

Unable to overcome his anger, Eugene decisively concluded, and Arista hardened her expression. An awkward silence filled the room. Both Viola and Lucas looked at the two individuals with concern.

“Is that Father’s answer? Fine. I am no longer your daughter.”

When Arista declared the estrangement, Eugene widened his eyes. About to say something, he held back upon seeing the tears in Arista’s eyes.

“Why doesn’t Father ever listen to what I say?”

“Arista.”

“Do you know why I like Lucas? When everyone else said it couldn’t be done, he supported me the most! Thanks to him, I’ve never given up on swords. But what have you ever done for me?”

Eugene’s eyes shook aimlessly. Arista wiped away the tears that fell steadily. Her eyes were now reddened.

“Enough. I’m just going to leave and live like this. Don’t ever think about seeing my face again.”

“Wait, Arista!”

Before Viola could hold her back, Arista left the room. Lucas calmly spoke to Viola.

“I’ll try to talk to her.”

“…Sure, Lucas, please talk to Arista.”

“Do not worry.”

After a polite farewell to Viola and Eugene, Lucas followed Arista.

Once Lucas left, Eugene, who had been suppressing his anger, staggered. Viola rushed to support her husband.

“Are you okay?”

“How did I… How did I raise her to say such things…!”

“This time, it’s your fault, dear.”

“Viola!”

“You’ve never trusted Arista. You could have supported her at least once, but you were afraid she might go astray and couldn’t accept it.”

“……….”

“It’s not just your fault. I also mistreated Arista. I never thought she would have such thoughts.”

As Viola continued, she eventually shed tears. Eugene bit his lower lip and tightly embraced his wife’s shoulders.

Eugene recalled Arista’s childhood. A girl who liked pants and swords like a boy. She had an innate talent in swordsmanship but showed no interest in anything else. It was worrisome.

It might have been fine when she was young, but if she continued to be obsessed only with the sword, people would inevitably point fingers at her. That’s why he intentionally treated her harshly and even broke training swords in front of her.

Seeing his daughter holding a broken training sword, even when she slept, brought pain to any father’s heart. He only consoled himself by saying that everything was for her.

“Now, what should we do with our daughter? If she doesn’t want to see us forever…”

“Lucas will comfort her. Let’s not worry too much.”

While comforting his wife, Eugene also felt uneasy. 

The two embraced each other, praying that Arista would turn her heart around.