When the Hunting festival begins, a spectacular banquet is held on the first night. It was meant to reward the knights for their hard work during the daytime hunt, but it was the most anticipated time for everyone because there was a tradition of dancing between lovers who exchanged a white rose and a ribbon.
When will she arrive?'
Having arrived first at the banquet hall, Enoch leaned against the wall and waited for Leticia.
A smile spread across his face when he remembered how happy Leticia was when she saw the white rose he gave her.
He was upset for a moment when he heard that someone else wanted to give her a rose, but he was satisfied with the fact that he was the only one who gave Leticia a rose and she had only given him a ribbon.
He couldn't stop grinning at the thought of meeting up with her again.
Enoch was staring at the entrance waiting for Leticia to arrive when someone approached him.
"Can you spare me a minute?"
It was none other than Count Aster.
Enoch stared at Count Aster for a moment as the man cautiously asked to have a conversation.
He had never had any face-to-face contact with the Count. All he knew about him was that he had a good reputation for making donations of money he earned from his business and that he frequently helped the needy.
"Sure."
As he nodded willingly, Count Aster nodded lightly in gratitude and pointed to some nearby chairs. When he was sure Enoch was seated, he slowly began to speak.
"I understand that Duke Achilles has a pink diamond mine."
"Yes, I do."
Enoch didn't know why the pink diamond mine was suddenly mentioned here. He looked questioningly at Count Aster, who smiled pleasantly and said.
"I want to invest in the mine."
"....?"
Even though he knew it wasn't polite, Enoch kept silent instead of answering.
He couldn't understand why the Count would want to invest in a failing mine.
Enoch stared at Count Aster's face for a while, then slowly began to say.
"I'm grateful in my heart, but I don't think it's a good idea. We haven't pulled any good gemstones out in a while."
It was a shame to push away the good fortune that had rolled in, but Enoch was adamant.
In fact, he couldn't afford to refuse the investment. Rather he wanted to tip his hat to him in thanks.
But he didn't want anyone else to be harmed by his father's greed.
"This may sound unpleasant, but I'm not investing to make a profit."
"So what made you want to invest?"
In the face of an upright person, Count Aster sighed in embarrassment. No matter how much he looked at it, Enoch wouldn't back down until he heard his intentions. He had no choice but to confess.
"Can I ask you a question before that?"
"Go ahead."
"Dear Duke, what is Leticia to you?"
Leticia's name came up while talking about an investment, Enoch became wary of
kind of relationship Count Aster has with Leticia. Seeing him call her name comfortably, he thought it might be a
generally self-aware, he had already fully acknowledged his feelings for
looked so vulnerable that he wanted to protect her from getting hurt. He also wanted
But now...'
right next to her
be the
to keep her until
cliché, but Count Aster had a smile of satisfaction on
heard you're taking good care
he was
I'm her benefactor, but
years ago, Countess Aster was so sickly that she was on the verge of death. The
day, Leticia was the
every other day. She would talk to her and pray for her recovery. She would bring Countess Aster the marigolds she loved most with
be
may not seem like much, but every word from
health on the days when Leticia came. Although she often lost her energy and fought against
reunited with Leticia again. He knew that things in the Leroy family had improved. He thought that she would be doing well and be loved by her family, but they excommunicated Leticia. Now when she spoke of the Achilles family she seemed more comfortable and happy, so he thought
want to help the child who helped me get
listening to the Count's story and seemed to be satisfied with his reason.
doesn't really help her, it seems
think of it as a
what he meant by the word bribe, but he stopped when he realized the meaning of the Count's words. He
forward and offer my
"Count Aster."
I look forward to
the Count's desperate request
will say
"Thank you, Your Grace."
that you
was called an investment, but technically it was a donation. Nevertheless, Enoch decided to accept Count Aster's offer because
I wanted. I
Enoch spied Leticia entering the banquet hall.He could see someone approaching Leticia first, which made Enoch's expression
up first,
I'll be right
Aster sighed as he looked in wonder at Enoch nervously walking towards the entrance. He was relieved
a good man,
never stopped smiling as he thought of Enoch's
***
dance with you,
and ribbon would
the banquet hall. As she imagined in her head the moment when
out her thoughts and entered
this year. The banquet was not just spectacular but luxurious. Dazzling jeweled chandeliers hung from the ceiling of the banquet hall, they shone so brightly it was hard to look at with your eyes. Talented
not here
if she had arrived first. Then she
person approaching was not Enoch
"How do you do?"
"Yes, hello."
as
but the man remained next to Leticia
"I'm Hugo Ferdinand."
you, Sir Ferdinand. I'm Leticia Leroy. No wait, It's just
Leticia was forced