One Day, My Fiancé Brought His First Love Along - Chapter 28

“All right. I’ll give it a try. Let’s meet again.”

“That’s great—”

“But that doesn’t mean I’m agreeing to start anything serious, so please calm down…”

Jeron, who looked ready to shout with excitement, suddenly shot to his feet. Aileen quickly raised both hands to stop him before he could.

It felt like a bucket of cold water had been dumped on his head. Embarrassed, Jeron scratched the back of his neck and awkwardly sat back down. The heat that had surged in his chest just moments ago settled quickly.

After taking a short breath, Aileen began to explain, her expression turning serious.

“As you know, things are a bit complicated for me right now. It’s true that I no longer have any feelings for that person. But even so, I’m not in a place where I can easily start seeing someone else.”

It was the first time Aileen had openly said, in her own words, that she had completely let go of her feelings for Carlisle.

The fact that the words came out so easily surprised her. It felt unfamiliar, even strange. As if the last thread tying her to Carlisle had finally snapped—and yet, saying it out loud made her feel like she wasn’t quite herself.

Her drifting thoughts threatened to pull her into deeper reflection, but they quickly faded the moment she met Jeron’s eyes, which were tinged with nervous anticipation.

“Thank you for thinking kindly of me. I think you’re a good person too, Jeron… That’s why I’ll take this seriously and give it some thought. But just in case things don’t work out…”

Before she could finish, Jeron, flustered by the mere suggestion, cut in like a startled colt.

“You don’t need to worry about that. Even if it doesn’t work out, both I and House Diar will continue to treat House Revart just as we always have.”

“I’m relieved to hear that.”

“In return… I hope you’ll really look at me. Please don’t avoid me.”

“Ah… yes. All right.”

Aileen nodded, a little hesitant, touched by the sincerity in his voice.

Jeron, who had been bracing himself for rejection, almost burst out cheering but managed to hold it in. Just the fact that she had agreed to meet again felt like a dream—now she was saying he didn’t have to hide his feelings anymore?

His heart soared. Wearing a grin from ear to ear, Jeron eagerly began planning their next meeting.

This was his first real chance. He had honestly expected to be turned down, so even a halfway success felt incredible. Of course he was happy. Of course he couldn’t stay calm.

Gone was the quiet, reserved Jeron from earlier. Now, he buzzed with excitement, charging forward like a storm.

“Where would you like to meet next? It doesn’t have to be a meal. Shall we go to the training grounds?”

He fired off question after question. Aileen began to wonder if he was even pausing to breathe, and his enthusiasm left her with a strange feeling—when was the last time someone had spoken to her like this?

“Then… I suppose the training grounds it is.”

“Perfect!”

Having achieved everything he’d hoped for, Jeron wore a dazed expression, as if he couldn’t ask for more. Then, as though something had just occurred to him, he lifted his head and spoke, hesitantly.

“Would you… allow me to call you by name?”

“Hmm, all right. Then I’ll call you Jeron too.”

“Of course! Absolutely!”

The way Jeron lit up with joy left Aileen with mixed feelings. It was overwhelming, confusing, and even a little scary—but also amusing. For now, she decided to just wait and see how her feelings would change.

“Well then, shall we get going?”

“…Yes, of course.”

Jeron stood slowly, still reluctant to part. Aileen pretended not to notice and stepped outside first.

By now, the entire sky had been dyed in deep crimson.

Jeron followed her, insisting on walking her to the carriage, even though it wasn’t far. So, they walked the short distance together.

“I wish your carriage were farther away. That would’ve been nice.”

His gently sloped eyes drooped with disappointment. He looked so crestfallen that Aileen felt a twinge of guilt—but still, the words didn’t come easily.

“I enjoyed today, Jeron.”

“Next time will be even better, Aileen.”

Jeron lightly kissed the back of her hand. The place where their skin touched felt strangely warm and unfamiliar.

“Thank you for giving me this chance.”

Aileen didn’t respond aloud but instead gave him a graceful smile in return.

When Aileen returned to the mansion after parting ways with Jeron, the reaction that awaited her was even more intense than it had been with Cesar. Knowing the family would find out eventually, she simply summarized the key points and told them the truth.

As she calmly delivered the news while cutting into a half-cooked piece of meat during dinner, the family’s response was nothing short of explosive.

“Well, I knew that guy had good taste. You did great!”

“The Duke and Duchess of Diar are both thoughtful and composed people. It seems Jeron takes after them.”

“He even greets me when we pass each other. He’s a bit scrawny, which is a little annoying, but… he doesn’t seem like a bad guy.”

Though Aileen couldn’t quite understand why everyone was showing such enthusiastic support for Jeron Diar, it baffled her how deeply they favored him without truly knowing much about him.

The Duke, a knight, and Ashite, who worked in the Treasury, didn’t have any personal ties with Jeron, nor did their paths often cross. It wasn’t as though Jeron had close connections with their family. Most likely, the only reason he’d earned such high marks in their eyes was because he, as a fellow noble, had shown interest in Aileen first…

Suppressing her bitter thoughts, Aileen calmly tried to ease the bubbling excitement.

“To be honest, I don’t feel anything for Jeron. So… please don’t get your hopes up too much.”

“You know, Aileen, they say you need to meet someone at least three times to really understand them. The more time you spend together, the more likely you are to find qualities worth admiring.”

The Duchess’s soft voice followed quickly, trying to lift the mood Aileen had tried to steady before it could sink further. Ashite, who had been quietly listening by her side, nodded in agreement and spoke as well.

“I do think Jeron seems like a good man, but…”

“That ‘good man’ impression might disappear after the next meeting—or it might stay the same, or even grow stronger. I imagine Jeron is hoping you’ll give him another chance to show you who he really is.”

“…”

“He already knows how you feel, and yet he still asked. So don’t overthink it—just try following your heart.”

“…All right.”

With a few more exchanges, their dinner wrapped up on a warm and cheerful note. Later that night, after changing into a thin chemise and lying in bed, Aileen found herself wide awake. Instead of drifting off, her mind only became clearer.

“…Did I do the right thing?”

She had already agreed to meet Jeron again, yet her heart was beginning to ripple with uncertainty.

Maybe it had been too hasty. Maybe she should’ve asked for more time to think. Could she really develop feelings for him like the Duchess said? More than that—did she even have feelings left to give?

There was no answer.

Whatever complicated emotions Jeron had stirred, they were quickly pushed aside the next day when she arrived at the Imperial Palace—and chaos awaited.

“What did you just say? Huh?”

“I said it’s funny that a bunch of palace-bound lackeys are trying to enter the tournament. Why, got a problem with that?”

“You got a death wish or something? You done talking?”

They had just been nearing the central fountain while discussing the day’s training schedule when voices rose, loud and sharp. Curious and cautious, Aileen picked up her pace toward the disturbance.

The training grounds of the three knight orders were spread out at the end of three paths, all leading from a large white fountain at the center. The yelling was coming from that very fountain.

Since it was on her way regardless, Aileen hoped she could pass through without trouble—but of course, that was wishful thinking.

“Oh? Isn’t that Aileen?”

A voice called out from within a crowd of broad-shouldered men—at least six of them, their heads rising above the crowd like stone pillars.

“Aileen! Just who we needed. Come here a sec!”

She sighed inwardly. It was clear this would be a nuisance, but now that they’d seen her, she couldn’t just ignore them.

As she stepped closer and joined the group, the men’s faces came into view. Half of them wore the blue uniforms of the Khan Order, while the other half sported the red of the Lil Order.

Another petty dispute—it was obvious. Even more obvious was the cause: the upcoming tournament.

“They’re totally looking down on us!”

“Come on, back us up!”

They puffed their chests like overgrown children, demanding she step in, their breath practically steaming. Aileen nearly burst into laughter but managed to hold it back.

It was clear they just wanted the numbers on their side, so she decided to play along to smooth things over.

“Nice to meet you all. I’m Aileen Revart. I recently joined the Khan Order.”

Her introduction was calm and composed. The knights from the Lil Order, surprised by her sudden appearance, fell silent for a moment.

“I know this might be a bit forward, but…”

Aileen flashed a pleasant smile.

“We’re planning to win this tournament.”

Though her tone was perfectly polite, the provocation behind her words hit a beat late. The knights from the Lil Order were stunned—then scowled.

“So I don’t think you need to worry too much on our behalf,” she added sweetly.

“Isn’t she Vice-Captain Ashite’s little sister?”

The moment she finished speaking, a mocking voice rang out. It came from a rather average-looking man with brown hair dressed in the red uniform of the Lil Order.

His tone was biting, and the way he spat Ashite’s name made his attitude all too clear. Aileen instantly recognized who he was.

Haller, that was his name. The second son of Count Petter. She recalled Ashite grumbling from time to time about how irritating he was—especially after losing the vice-captain position to her.

And if Aileen remembered correctly, his family had close ties to Marquess of Hessiden. Naturally, her expression turned cold.

“And who might you be?” she asked, her tone equally devoid of respect.

Haller narrowed his eyes at her, his voice sharp.

“That arrogance—you’re just like your brother.”

His inferiority complex toward Ashite was as clear as day. As Count Petter’s second son, he faced a bleak future once his elder brother inherited the title. Hoping to secure at least some honor, Haller had worked tirelessly to earn the position of vice-captain in the Lil Order.

Being sent off to some forgotten corner of the kingdom was his inevitable fate. If he couldn’t secure that rank, there would be no prestige, no pride left. And just when it was within reach, Ashite took it from him.

To Haller, Ashite was nothing but a thorn in his side—constantly standing in his way. And by extension, so was Aileen.

“Haller Petter. As you can see, I’m a knight of the Lil Order. Aileen, was it? Do you even have the strength to lift a sword with those skinny arms of yours?”

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