101st Confession - Side Story Episode 11 - Girl's First Love (11)

Side Story Episode 11: Girl’s First Love (11)

“…Arista.”

“Even if my brother tries to stop me, I’m leaving. Just help me with packing.”

As soon as Arista entered the room, she started stuffing her belongings into the trunk visible to her eyes.

While unable to stop Arista, who quietly expressed anger, Ares arrived upon hearing the news.

“Leaving home? Are you out of your mind?”

“If you’re going to give advice, then leave.”

Seeing his sister retort with a cold tone, Ares was left dumbfounded.

“What in the world is going on?”

“In short, it’s a bit complicated.”

When Lucas smiled bitterly, Ares sensed that there was something he didn’t know.

As she, who had packed all her belongings, was about to leave the room, Ares hastily blocked her way.

“Wait! Where are you going?”

“Anywhere. I just don’t want to stay in this house anymore.”

“You really…”

“Brother, I’m not joking.”

Ares let out a sigh. Having realized that his sister was sincere, he could no longer hold her back.

“Fine, do as you wish.”

Arista’s eyes widened.

“You must have your reasons too. But at least, keep in touch with me. Have you thought about where you’ll stay?”

“…Not yet. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll ask Christine for a place.”

“Don’t say that. Go to Lucas’ house.”

Lucas’ face lit up at Ares’ words.

“I guess that’s better.”

“Right? Rather than wandering around without a place to stay, it’s reassuring to be with you. If you run out of money, let me know. I’ll send it right away.”

“I have that covered. I have some savings too.”

“Well then, I haven’t officially said I’m leaving yet!”

As Arista, flustered, hurriedly interrupted, Lucas’ shoulders slumped.

“Don’t want to come with me?”

“It’s not that, but…”

“I’d like you to stay by my side. Otherwise, I might have trouble sleeping without feeling anxious.”

With such eyes, it’s hard to remain resolute. After contemplating, Arista finally took Lucas’ hand.

“…Alright.”

The faces of the two men brightened for a moment.

* * *

“What did you say?”

“Due to some circumstances, we’ve decided to stay at our house for a while. Is that okay?”

Arista, who was confident in front of Eugene, was now timidly hiding behind Lucas.

In front of them stood the Count and Countess with gaping mouths.

“Wha- you mean you’ll be staying at our house?”

“No, it’s not…! Even if you’re in a romantic relationship, you haven’t even married, and you’re already planning to stay together!”

It seems there was a misunderstanding. Lucas, sweating profusely, carefully explained again, leaving out the part about Arista quarreling with Eugene and leaving the house.

“Oh, I see. I thought you were taking her away completely.”

“If you have nowhere to go, you should come to our house. Fortunately, Lucia’s room is vacant, so you can use it.”

“I apologize. I’ll be in your debt for a while.”

“No need to apologize. Leave your luggage with the servant here and come this way. Julian will guide you until the night.”

Julian kindly smiled and led Arista away. Arista glanced at Lucas for a moment and then followed her.

The mansion, which had lost its liveliness after Lucia left, seemed to come back to life.

“I heard from Julian. You took the ring?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I thought you brought the bride without the consent of both families.”

“That’s not it.”

“Still, when Arista came, I was so surprised, and with all the luggage.”

Indeed, seeing Arista with her luggage, it seemed like the two of them would be taken aback.

“Did you propose?”

When John asked with subtle anticipation, Lucas sighed and shook his head.

“I haven’t found the right timing yet. Besides, now is not the right atmosphere for that.”

“Still, since you’ve made up your mind, propose quickly. The duke’s reaction is important, but the most important thing is Arista’s approval, isn’t it?”

Lucas recalled Eugene’s firm rejection from earlier and forced a bitter smile.

He didn’t think it would go well from the beginning, but now that he faced opposition, his heart pounded.

He wonders if this is how Herwin felt back then.

“I’ll go up and be with Arista.”

“Sure. Even if you’re lovers, there are family members, so be careful with physical affection.”

“Father! Do I look like someone who would do that?”

John jokingly hit Lucas on the back. Lucas sighed and headed towards Lucia’s room.

Coincidentally, Julian was instructing the maids to take care of Arista in front of Lucia’s room.

“Is Arista inside?”

“Yes. I told her to rest for a moment. You won’t tell Mother about what happened, right?”

“…I’m sorry.”

“This is disappointing. Anyway, now that it’s come to this, take good care of Arista so that she can rest comfortably. I don’t know why she left home, but Arista must be feeling very uneasy.”

“Of course. I’ll take care of it.”

Seeing Lucas entering the room, Julian smiled contentedly. When she first heard gossip about the two, her heart was pounding so much.

However, now that she thought about it, the two of them were an incredibly well-matched couple. Moreover, Lucas, unlike the women he had met before, seemed to have found his match and decided to marry right away.

“We should work harder.”

Even if she liked Arista, there was no way around it if the Lydia family opposed it. They had to support them as much as possible for the two to marry successfully.

Julian pondered whether she should send a letter to the Lydia family after a long time.

* * *

It had already been two weeks since Arista ran away. 

Thanks to the care of John and Julian, Arista was spending relatively peaceful days.

She felt so at ease that she couldn’t find words to express the family-like treatment she was receiving.

“Brother, am I causing you trouble?”

“How could that be? Since you came, my parents have been smiling more often, you know?”

“Really?”

“Yes. Ever since Lucia married Herwin, things have been a little quieter around here. I mean, she was so sweet.”

Thinking of the sunny Lucia, Arista nodded.

“I’m not as cold-hearted as I seem, but having a daughter makes a big difference. It seems better with you around.”

“Hehe…”

Arista’s face brightened with the constant praise.

“And the Duke visits Ares’ office every day.”

When the topic of Eugene came up, Arista’s expression hardened.

“.…What’s wrong with someone who won’t visit my brother’s office even if he dies?”

Arista showed her first reaction. It seemed she wanted to hear more about it.

“He seems curious about how you’re doing.”

“Hmph, why now?”

“I won’t tell you to meet him without knowing what piled up between you and the Duke. But, just know this. The Duke is very concerned about you.”

Arista was left speechless. Judging by the pensive demeanor, there was at least room for improvement in their relationship.

“How about it? Should I arrange a meeting?”

Arista thought for a moment, then shook her head.

“I didn’t leave home because I was upset with my father.”

“Then?”

“Because my father doesn’t approve of you.”

Lucas’ hand trembled.

“Brother, do you really think I’m asking you to take responsibility for what happened that day?”

When she mentioned the incident that had not been brought up like an unspoken rule, Lucas blushed. Unable to say anything, Arista smiled wryly.

“Ah… I didn’t mean to say it like this.”

Arista sighed softly and hugged Lucas. With her breath tickling his neck, Lucas momentarily forgot to breathe.

“I’ve liked you for seven years.”

“What?”

For a moment, Lucas, who had been nervous, looked at Arista with astonishment. Somehow, her purple eyes seemed sad.

“Maybe you don’t remember, but when I was 14… I think it was when you were in the first year at the academy. You came to our house and comforted me.”

“…Me?”

Lucas hastily tried to recall, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t remember. Even if Arista was a pretty child like her, she should have been noticeable when she was young.

“I had my hair cut short like a boy back then, so you probably didn’t recognize me.”

“Oh… Ah! That was you?!”

Lucas exclaimed in surprise, and Arista giggled. He must have thought the child was a boy. But hearing that Ares had only one younger sister, he thought it was a relative.

“Wow… now that I think about it, that face is still in my memory.”

“Really?”

Lucas scrutinized Arista with a surprised expression.

“Your words were very comforting back then. Thanks to you, I was able to continue holding a sword.”

“Does that mean you liked me since then?”

When Arista nodded, Lucas cleared his throat.

“I fell in love with you at first sight and wanted to meet you again in a cool way. So, I worked hard.”

He was incredibly pleased to know that she became such a charming person because of him. He regretted not realizing her feelings earlier. Why didn’t he know her heart during their academy days?

“I fell for you first, and you responded to my advances, so I don’t think that day was just an accident.”

Arista’s voice started to tremble. As her violet eyes moistened, tears flowed. In surprise, Lucas embraced her face.

“…Arista.”

“Even if we ended up dating under threat, I would have been fine with it. I just wanted to be connected with you in any way.”

Arista stepped back from Lucas, wiping her eyes.

“Are you disappointed in me?”

What on earth was she saying? Lucas couldn’t understand her words at all.

“But I can’t run away anymore. You said that, right? As long as I don’t suggest breaking up first, there won’t be a breakup. I will never break up with you, Lucas. So, even if by any chance you start liking someone else, it’s better to give up on that feeling, by any means necessary!”

“Wait, Arista, what are you talking about?”

Arista started to get agitated, but Lucas calmed her down.

“What are you saying? Even if you suggest breaking up, I won’t listen.”

“No, that’s not it. Why would I break up with you? It’s because of my stubbornness that we ended up dating.”

“Haha… Arista.”

Lucas burst into laughter suddenly. 

With tear stains on her face, Arista looked so lovely that he kissed her eyes.