101st Confession - Side Story Episode 13 - Girl's First Love (13)

Side Story Episode 13: Girl’s First Love (13)

“Of course, you were the one who confessed, right?”

“Ah, well……”

“What are you doing now? Are you interrogating him or something?”

As Lucas struggled to respond, Arista intervened. Even as Eugene cleared his throat, he firmly met her gaze.

“As your father, I should know who you’re meeting.”

“Since when did you start paying so much attention to me?”

“Arista.”

As Lucas called her name, Arista’s sharp attitude softened slightly.

“I was the one who confessed first. Brother Lucas is my first love, the person I’ve secretly admired for 7 years.”

Except for Lucas and Ares, who already knew this fact, everyone else widened their eyes in surprise.

“And since I’ve known Brother for so long, Father also knows about him. Honestly, do you think you can find a sweeter person than Brother?”

“Ahem…!”

“Even if there were someone better, the person I love is only Lucas. After waiting for 7 years, if we break up because of Father’s opposition… then I won’t see Father’s face again.”

With sincerity in her purple eyes, Eugene was speechless.

It was during this tense moment, while John and Julian scrutinized the faces of the aristocratic couple, that sudden laughter rang out.

“Hahaha! Ahem! Oh, I’m sorry.”

The one who burst into laughter was none other than Viola. Those left in the unexpected situation could only exchange glances.

“Indeed, she’s your daughter. It’s like seeing you when you were young.”

“When did I ever not listen like that? I was more mature than Arista.”

“Oh, come on, you were worse than Arista, definitely not mature at all.”

“…Viola!”

Despite Eugene’s reproach, Viola continued to laugh. Seeing Arista’s bewildered expression, she explained.

“In fact, Father was strongly opposed when we got married.”

“…Really?”

“Grandfather was?”

Arista and Ares reacted with disbelief. Understandably so, since the late duke cherished and favored Viola more than Eugene himself.

Even when the couple visited together, Eugene was often berated for coming.

“I’m not from such a prestigious family either, you know?”

Viola came from a family of Terion, known for their illustrious lineage, but they only had a reputation to boast about, not wealth.

Despite not bringing a single penny of dowry, Eugene declared that he would marry her at first sight, deeply enamored by her.

Naturally, the late duke and duchess were shocked, but after enduring trials and tribulations, the two finally became a couple.

It was mainly due to Viola’s cleverness and talent in business that they now received the love of the late duke and duchess.

Ares and Arista were left speechless upon hearing their parents’ hidden stories. When the astonished two stared intently at Eugene, he cleared his throat and turned his head.

“Father, why do you treat me like this when you’ve had the same experience? I will definitely marry Brother Lucas!”

“You brat! Do you think marriage is a joke? And you can’t just do whatever you want! Shouldn’t you ask Lucas as well?”

At Eugene’s words, Arista raised the corners of her mouth.

She raised her left hand, displaying a superior smile.

“What about this? I’ve already been proposed to.”

A ring adorned her left hand, causing people’s eyes to bulge as if they would pop out.

“So what! You haven’t even been dating for two months!”

This time, Ares questioned as if probing.

“……Is the duration of dating important? The intention to be together in the future is more important.”

“Right. And besides, this ring is a family heirloom passed down through generations in the Agnes family. Brother must know how much he loves me, right?”

Unable to contain his growing dissatisfaction at Arista’s jubilant demeanor, Eugene held back his resentment.

Had Arista been smiling so brightly recently?

Lucas cautiously interrupted Arista’s continuous display of the ring. His gaze towards her was filled with love. Arista felt the same.

Eugene quietly observed the two.

Their love for each other was evident. He began to think that opposing Lucas was rather his selfishness.

Even if a sweeter suitor than Lucas came along, he couldn’t be sure if that person could make Arista laugh.

If it were Lucas, he felt like he would somehow save Arista, even if the family were to fall.

The Lucas Agnes he had seen so far was that kind of man.

“Marriage still seems like a distant topic. How about we discuss it gradually?”

“Yeah, marriage isn’t something you can decide on just because you two like it.”

Julian and Viola’s mediation finally made Arista nod.

She didn’t show it outwardly, but inwardly, she was quite anxious. Her father was someone who always kept his word once spoken.

So she pushed him relentlessly, but she couldn’t be sure if her stubbornness would work on him.

Despite being her father for a long time, he was still difficult for Arista.

“Are you saying that even if you break ties with your father, you still want to get married?”

Arista bit her lip, feeling like it sounded like an absolute refusal. But now that it had come to this, she had no intention of backing down.

“Yes. I don’t want to miss out on Brother Lucas anymore.”

“Just a moment, Arista…!”

“Sweetheart, it’s good to support Lucas, but isn’t that going too far?”

“Duke, it doesn’t seem necessary to make extreme judgments. How about giving it some time and thinking it over slowly?”

Unlike the Lydia family, who maintained silence in response to Arista’s words, the Agnes family was more uproarious. However, as if their words didn’t reach them, Arista and Eugene stared at each other.

How long had this been going on, Eugene’s eyes reddened with tears.

“How could you be so disrespectful to your father, disowning him? Do you even think that is possible between parent and child?”

Despite his calm tone, he was already shedding tears. For Arista, seeing her father cry for the first time, she didn’t know what to do.

When Lucas subtly hinted, Arista quietly got up and approached Eugene. Upon which, Eugene, shedding tears, took her hand.

A crude ring was set in the callused hand that held the sword.

“Yes, Lucas is indeed a good suitor. But I wish you had lived more prosperously.”

“I prefer the richness of heart over material things.”

“Are you happy with Lucas?”

“Yes. I never want to let go.”

“Someday, these feelings may dilute. It might be difficult to build a family solely on love.”

“If that’s the case, isn’t an arranged marriage the same? Eventually, we’ll get married. At least, I want to be with the person I love.”

How did the daughter who used to follow him around so closely suddenly grow up like this? 

Arista, who had become a dignified lady, felt somewhat unfamiliar. It seemed like the time had come for her to leave his embrace. 

Eugene finally opened his tightly shut mouth.

“Lucas, she may be a little impudent and may occasionally wander off, but she’s our dearly beloved daughter. Take good care of our daughter.”

As Eugene wiped away his tears and lowered his head, Lucas stood up from his seat and bowed so deeply that his forehead almost touched the table.

“I truly appreciate your permission, Duke! I will make her happy for the rest of her life!”

“Ahem. Of course. If not, I’ll come and take her back.”

As Eugene returned to his usual self, everyone burst into laughter. When Eugene looked at Arista with an expression of helplessness, Arista’s eyes and nose turned red.

“Why do you cry when you’re so harsh at other times? Don’t cry. You’ll only make your ugly face uglier.”

“Gah! You were the one who cried first, Father………….”

“Shh. Pretend you didn’t see that.”

Seeing his daughter snuggled up to him, Eugene finally relaxed into a comfortable smile.

The previously tense atmosphere loosened a notch as the Duke granted permission for the marriage, smoothly transitioning the meal into an engagement celebration.

“Since the proposal has been made, how about skipping the engagement ceremony and going straight to the wedding?”

“Considering Lucia, I don’t think that would be a bad idea. And these days, it’s trendy among young people to skip the engagement and get married right away.”

“Let’s not rush too much. After all, we have plenty of time.”

The talk of the wedding proceeded seriously. The fact that both families had given their approval made Lucas and Arista elated. They discreetly held hands under the table and shared small laughs.

Ares saw them and shook his head.

“If you’ll excuse me.”

Just then, the food arrived. As dishes were placed on the table one by one, people began eating in earnest. Arista also held her fork but couldn’t bring herself to eat. 

Sensing this, Lucas whispered.

“Why? Is something wrong with the food?”

“No, it’s not that. My stomach feels a bit queasy.”

After feeling like her stomach had been blocked since morning, now it started to churn. Nevertheless, she brought a piece of steak to her mouth, but…

“Ugh!”

Her stomach flipped completely. From then on, Arista couldn’t even look at the plate and had to calm her constantly churning stomach.

“Oh, Arista, are you…?”

“…Could it be morning sickness?”

The dining table fell into sudden silence. Arista instantly understood their reactions.

Lucas’ eyes widened gradually.

“Could it be…?”

The memory of Lucia’s wedding after-party flashed through his mind.

Lucas gazed at Arista with trembling eyes.

“Oh my, I think I’m pregnant.”

Finally, Arista blurted out the bombshell. The room was instantly thrown into chaos.

“T-This…! This marriage is absolutely not permitted…!”

Eugene exclaimed, grabbing Lucas by the collar and shaking him vigorously.

No one tried to stop him, and Lucas looked at Arista with a mix of joy and confusion.

Amidst the bewildered crowd, Arista was the only one smiling brightly.

“I’m going to have Brother Lucas’ child!”

Amidst the successive upheavals, she was simply happy.