7. That Summer
It was early morning. The sky was bright, but the sun had yet to show itself. The summer dawn lay shrouded in thick fog, as if heralding the stifling midday heat. The small rear garden of the Belpharos baron's manor was hushed and still. Beneath the heavy veil of mist, dew had already settled thickly, making the grass blades gleam with vivid emerald light. Fat droplets clung precariously to the long blades, swaying dangerously on the verge of falling at the slightest breath of wind. The nameless wildflowers filling the garden hung their heads, laden with summer's moisture.
"Haa..."
Olivier let out a sigh as she dragged her heavy footsteps forward. Dew from the grass splashed onto her feet, soaking the hem of her dress with damp chill, but she paid it no mind and pressed on. As the path of low shrubs gave way to a massive tree ahead, she sighed again. Her thoughts churned in endless knots, yet the garden was far too cramped for her to unravel them before the walk ended.
"Miss."
Emily, trailing behind Olivier, wiped the moisture from the long bench beneath the great tree. Olivier collapsed onto the cleared spot with a thud. Her face pointed straight ahead, but her mind wandered elsewhere.
Ever since returning from the Traven count's hunting tournament, Olivier had collapsed into bed after dinner as if dead to the world, only to rise at dawn and wander the empty garden aimlessly. With summer closing in, the midday heat in the Shiras region grew unbearable, leaving early morning as the sole tolerable hour for any movement.
"...Two thousand gold, you know."
Olivier's voice came out subdued and hoarse.
"The money Lord Literben promised Mother as my dowry. Do you think that's a lot?"
Of course it was—a fortune. Emily, a mere baron's maid, earned just one gold a month. Even with year-end bonuses and event gratuities, she'd never scrape together two thousand in a lifetime on that wage.
But to Olivier in this moment, such objective realities held no weight.
"Miss. Try thinking of Lord Literben's good qualities."
Emily spoke softly, her tone soothing and low.
Olivier pursed her lips in thought for a moment before replying.
"Lord Literben is old. Mother says he's exactly thirty-three this year. Knowing his real age made him seem almost youthful somehow. Must be all the money he pours into his looks. Anyway, he's a full eighteen years older than me. When he came of age, I wasn't even born. And from watching at the hunting tournament, I figured out the common thread among Lord Literben, Lord Crushross, and Lord Crübe—all the ones who showed interest in me."
"What is it?"
"They all look utterly unremarkable. And tragically, even among those ugly men, there's a clear hierarchy: ugly, uglier, and downright hideous. Back when I was learning comparatives in ancient grammar, I memorized bad-worse-worst. If they'd used these men as examples, I'd never have struggled with it. Lord Literben? He's the worst."
Olivier stared gloomily at the grass beneath her dangling feet, grinding it underfoot. As the blades crushed and tore, it felt a little like grinding Literben's face, easing her heart just a fraction.
"It's because you're so beautiful, Miss. I read in a book that people seek in partners what they themselves lack."
Olivier shook her head at Emily's words.
"Why me, of all people? There are plenty of other pretty ladies. Sure, everyone dismisses me as just mediocre, but I want to enroll in the Academia and study. Not rush into marriage and childbearing right away."
Emily gazed at her in silent sympathy. Olivier closed her eyes and pressed a hand to her forehead. A despairing sigh escaped her lips.
"Mother will surely betroth me to Lord Literben by summer's end. You know how tight money's been since last winter. They even chased off Pell, our master chef whose dishes were pure extravagance—one bite was bliss. The new cook, Lud, makes biscuits that are an absolute disgrace. Hard and dry as rocks. His scones are like literal stones. Makes me want to ask what possessed him to shove such garbage in the oven."
Her gaze drifted to the distant sky. The sun had emerged, now blazing in promise of the scorching noon ahead. Olivier let out a short sigh.
"It feels exactly like being sold off for cash. Mother says I should admire Lord Literben's mercy in not demanding a dowry, but... should I? If he hadn't dangled that money, I wouldn't be wandering around like a sleepwalker at this precious hour for sleep, tormented by these awful thoughts."
Olivier sat there in bitter disarray. Emily had no words, simply watching her.
Then, beyond the low garden wall, a black carriage approached. Visitors at this hour were rare, so Olivier and Emily watched intently. Its crude shape and battered exterior marked it as commercial, not noble.
"Who could it be, this early?"
Olivier's eyes sparkled with curiosity. The carriage drew nearer, passing the manor gate toward the entrance.
"Come on, Emily."
Olivier sprang up and hurried toward the entrance. She flung open the side door linking the garden to the corridor, dashed across the building, and reached the front hall. In the distance, a man was descending from the carriage. With the servants throwing the doors wide to greet the guest, he came into sharper focus as he approached.
Olivier's steps slowed in tandem, finally halting entirely in the corridor just short of the entrance. Emily stopped beside her, following her gaze to its target.
There, at the end of that stare, stood a familiar face in a black suit, expression sour—fresh off the carriage.
Olivier's face darkened upon recognizing him.
"O... Oppa."
She murmured at the distant Olens.
"It's summer now... why?"
Olens, enrolled at the Templeton Empire's Academia in the eastern continent's capital, had only ever returned home during winter breaks. The round-trip boat fare was one reason, but climate played a part too. Unlike the sweltering summers of Exangciras near the Scren Mine in the west, mild Leon—home to the Academia—enjoyed temperate seasons year-round. Summers there cooled pleasantly by afternoon, with long days filled by grand festivals.
This was the first time Olens had come home for summer break.
"He never said anything about coming now..."
Olivier trailed off, incredulous.
Then Olens, spotting her first, strode purposefully into the house and halted before her, gazing down at his sister.
It was their first meeting since that winter stay on Eliyum's Poenneu Street, and Olens looked markedly changed. Somewhat gaunt, cheeks hollowed; his complexion pale. Deep in those light brown eyes lurked darkness, shot through with feral glint.
His gaze on her was icy to the point of heaviness, curved in a smile sharp as a blade.
"Prettier every time I see you, my dear sister Olivier."
Olivier stared back with a rigid expression. Their eyes met, and she hastily dropped hers to the floor.
"It's... summer now.."
She barely mouthed the words. Olens bloomed a pallid smile across his gaunt cheeks. With sunken, savage eyes like a starving beast, he raked his gaze over her deliberately.
Her face burned under that predatory stare. She regretted ever leaving the garden if she'd known it was him.
Olens fixed her with that piercing look and spoke.
"Even summer couldn't keep me from missing you unbearably. I thought you felt the same? We were so passionate last winter."
He whispered it coldly, lowly, toward her. Olivier's face drained of color, her expression hardening further. As a choking dread tightened around her throat, she lifted pallid eyes to meet his; Olens merely shrugged.
"Just arrived—exhausted. We'll catch up later."
With that, he strode briskly up the stairs toward the entrance hall. Once he'd vanished atop them, Olivier turned despairing eyes to Emily.
Emily nodded and spoke.
"I'll sleep in your room starting tonight, Miss."
Emily's hand gently encircled Olivier's shoulder; the slender frame flinched in surprise, then the faint trembling gradually subsided. Olivier gazed at her with anxious eyes.
"Don't ever leave my side. I've never seen Oppa look at me like that."
"Yes, Miss."
Emily reassured her, patting her shoulder.
Thank you for reading! Thanks so much for the manuscript fee coupons ^_^ Olens is back!! lol