Suzen chose all of her aunt's favorite flowers, and in secret from Margaret, she crafted a small bouquet meant only for her. Yet she never revealed it. Margaret, too preoccupied with Suzen's expressions, noticed nothing beyond her.
When the girls were finished, they climbed into the carriage. Suzen sat beside Margaret, carefully hiding a small gift in her lap.
"Today is a special day!" Suzen exclaimed with a bright smile.
"I... don't think today is any different from any other day," Margaret replied, her tone tinged with disappointment.
"But today you-" Suzen began, only to be cut off.
"Let's not talk about it!" Margaret snapped, turning her face to the window.
Suzen fell silent. Gently, she rested her head on Margaret's shoulder. Margaret's fingers clenched at her dress, as though she were trying to endure a pain whose cause she herself could not understand.
The carriage soon stopped before a mansion, aged yet magnificent, dripping with the weight of noble generations. It was the estate of Lord Cedric Aurenhart, Suzen's uncle and Margaret's father.
A Viscount recognized by all in the capital, son of a Count whose family had long maintained a tight, influential connection with the Royal family.
A graceful woman stood waiting outside, waving as the girls stepped down. Lady Elenora Aurenhart, elegant and composed, greeted them with a practiced smile.
Margaret instinctively created space between herself and Suzen, an act Suzen had long since grown used to. With quiet grace, Suzen bowed and presented the grand bouquet.
"Oh my! How beautiful, my child. Thank you," Elenora said warmly.
"I am glad you liked it," Suzen replied with a polite smile.
"How was school?"
"As usual... hahaha, except we were punished because of my clumsiness."
"What? And Margaret did nothing to prevent it?" Elenora's brows tightened.
"I... I apologize, Mother. It was my mistake. I will not repeat it again," Margaret said softly.
Elenora offered no reply, and instead led them inside. The girls marched quietly toward their room.
---
Suzen and Margaret's bond had always been complicated.
Suzen's parents-Lady Selene, a kind and sensitive woman, and Lord Darius Aurenhart, soft-hearted yet diligent-loved their children dearly. Darius, though born of the "second wife," had worked tirelessly and was chosen as heir to the family business, a decision that ignited a bitter conflict between the Aurenhart brothers.
Margaret's parents stood on the other side of that conflict: Lady Elenora, the very image of composure and noble grace, and Lord Cedric Aurenhart, stern, pragmatic, and driven only by gain. To Cedric, the choice of his younger half-brother as successor had been a wound to pride he could never forgive.
But tragedy struck when Suzen was only eight. A fire consumed her family's vacation house, claiming her parents and elder brother. Suzen alone survived, though she lay bedridden for months.
Her uncle Cedric took her in-not from affection, but to gain control of the assets her father had left behind. Though Suzen was presented to society as one of Cedric's children, within the household she was never truly accepted.
Yet her great-grandfather had foreseen such treachery. In his will, he declared that Suzen would inherit her father's estate in full, and that upon bearing children, they-and no other-would hold claim to it. Not even her husband, nor any other Aurenhart, would be permitted to contest those rights.
"I'm... sorry. Because of me you got scolded. I'm so sorry," said Suzen, her voice trembling.
"You don't have to apologize. It has always been like this," Margaret replied softly.
"Always! Always... because of me. I wish I wasn't here. If only I had died with my family... I didn't deserve to be the sole survivor. I deserve to d-"
"NO!" Margaret cut her off sharply, her voice trembling with both fear and anger. She pulled Suzen into her arms, holding her tightly. "Don't you ever say those words again. You deserve to be here. You deserve to be happy and loved. You don't deserve to feel like this."
"I don't deserve you," Suzen whispered through her tears.
"I can only wish that you did," Margaret muttered under her breath, almost too quiet to be heard.
After Suzen calmed down, the girls began getting ready for the evening's dinner.
Suzen chose a simple look-an unadorned dress with plain accessories. Nothing that would draw attention, though her bare, delicate beauty alone was enough to make her stand out in any crowd.
Meanwhile, Suzen insisted on helping Margaret appear her best. She selected a dark green gown, majestic against Margaret's deep crimson hair. To match, she brought out an emerald jewelry set that gleamed under the light. She dusted Margaret's cheeks with a soft blush and painted her lips with a shade of red that mirrored her hair.
"Oh my... you look so gorgeous, my lady," Suzen teased with a playful smile.
"Y-You... don't tease me. You're not my lady-in-waiting, Suzen," Margaret stammered, her cheeks flushed.
"If not me, then who else deserves to be your lady-in-waiting? You trust me the most, don't you?" Suzen asked innocently.
"I-It's not about trust. But you don't deserve such a title, Suzen. If anything, I'm not worthy of being your attendant. You'll achieve so much-you deserve the whole world, my Suzen. May it one day bow at your feet. I-"
Suzen burst out laughing, her eyes glistening with affection. "Hahaha... oh, my lord in heaven. I love you, Margaret, I truly do. You're the only one who wishes the best for me, who cares for me genuinely. You're the one who understands me."
"I was only telling the truth..." Margaret murmured, unable to meet her eyes.
After bathing Margaret in rose perfume, the two girls held hands and made their way to the main hall. As expected, the family was waiting. Margaret's parents, her great-grandfather, her elder siblings, and her pregnant sister-in-law were present. Along with them stood a Count who had trade dealings with Lord Cedric, accompanied by his wife, three sons, and one daughter. A handful of other noblemen were also in attendance, serving as witnesses.
But all eyes were fixed on Margaret, for tonight was her betrothal to the Count's eldest son—a Baron, seven years her senior.
Both girls bowed politely as they caught the elders' gaze, offering greetings in the way they had been taught since childhood.
"Here are my apples of the eye, my daughters who resemble red roses," Cedric declared in a voice that sounded more like a merchant advertising his wares than a father praising his children.
"They certainly do resemble roses," the groom's father agreed with a sip of his wine.
"That's the blood of the Aurenhart daughters!" their great-grandfather proclaimed with pride.
"Come, let us sit for dinner now that the girls have joined us," suggested Elenora.
Margaret remained quiet, her face expressionless, reflecting the emptiness she felt within. At the dinner table, the men spoke only of business, boasting of their accomplishments with no regard for courtesy or warmth.
After the meal, Margaret was urged to take a walk with the Count's eldest son, allowing them time to speak in private.
"Yawn… So, what was your name again, Miss?" the man asked carelessly.
"Margaret, my lord," she replied calmly.
"Ah yes, Margaret. I'm sure you know that whether you refused or I did, our families would still have forced this betrothal upon us. I cannot defy my father—he is my only support in business matters. And now, through him, yours as well." He cast a sidelong glance at her.
"Yes, I am aware," Margaret answered, keeping her gaze steady ahead.
"The truth is, love doesn't excite me anymore. I'm twenty-five and have already had my first love, and its end. I've had my share of fun with many women. I know I sound like a crooked man, but I am only being honest. I cannot promise to remain solely yours after marriage. Traveling for business across towns and nations… I may forget I am a married man."
"My lord, you need not circle around the matter. Speak plainly," Margaret said.
He chuckled softly. "Fair enough. Then let's cooperate with one another until the end of our lives. Let us grant each other enough space to live freely. After the marriage, we will leave my family estate and reside in the mansion gifted by your father, six hours from the capital. That way, my mother won't trouble you. We can have a few children to silence our families and still live our lives as we wish behind closed doors. You are educated, so you may do as you please within reason. Neither I nor anyone else has the right to control you."
"You speak quite a lot, my lord," Margaret said flatly.
He studied her poker face for a moment before bursting into laughter. "Pfft… hahaha… My Margaret, I am lucky indeed. Out of curiosity, have you ever been in love? Even if you had—or even if you do after marriage—it would be a pity, but tell me something of yourself. I've been rambling while you've said almost nothing."
"My lord, I am not sure what love truly is. Is it the same as what is written in novels?" Margaret asked, her innocence showing.
He fell into thought. "That's… a deep question. Love? It is when you stand for someone—not because they are weak, but because you want to protect them. When you wish for everything good for them, when you want to be their only one, when their sadness pains you, when you long to be by their side. That… is love, I suppose. Forgive me, I may not be the best man to answer."
"I don't know… I suppose no man has ever made me feel that way," Margaret replied softly.
He smiled faintly. "Perhaps you will realize it on your own one day. Don't trouble yourself over it. I only wish you had fallen in love before this marriage, because I am not worthy of being the first love of such a graceful lady. Still, I am honored. Now, let us return, or your family will think ill of me for keeping you away for so long."
They returned to the hall, where the betrothal ceremony was performed. Vows and promises were exchanged, gifts were presented by both families, and the couple sealed the agreement with rings.