One Day, My Fiancé Brought His First Love Along - Chapter 30

Just before stepping into the training grounds—

Clap, clap, clap.

A sudden round of applause drew Aileen’s attention. Turning toward the sound, she spotted Siran, appearing as he usually did, with half of his hair loosely tied back.

“Thanks for the great show, Aileen.”

The other knights who had been excitedly chatting beside her—saying things like “I didn’t know you could do that!” or “Serves Haller right!”—froze the moment they saw the vice-captain. They quickly bowed and scattered like startled birds.

“You saw it?”

“I happened to be passing by and caught it. I had no idea our Aileen was that good with daggers.”

“I only know a little, that’s all.”

“If Ashite were even half as humble as you, wouldn’t that be something?”

Aileen simply shrugged in response.

“But still, Haller Petter… He’s got a pretty nasty streak. Will you be okay?”

Siran’s voice carried a trace of concern.

“He was already acting nasty, which is how things got this far.”

Aileen clicked her tongue. He was the one who started things by dragging Ashite into it. Backing down would’ve gone against everything the Revart name stood for.

Siran gave a knowing nod, as if to say fair enough.

“He really was asking for it. Ashite’s going to love hearing about this. After all, her sweet little sister got the last word.”

Instead of replying, Aileen gave him a steady look. Siran gave a dramatic oops and covered his mouth with one hand before smoothly changing the topic.

“I guess we’ll finally get to see you in a dress again at the upcoming Imperial banquet.”

There was a twinkle of amusement in his eyes.

Now that he mentioned it, the national holiday was coming up soon. With all her focus on training lately, Aileen had completely forgotten.

Soon enough, it would be all about dresses, accessories, jewelry—endless fittings and preparations. The realization struck her like a wave.

“Thanks for the reminder. I’d completely forgotten.”

“Well, now that I’ve helped, mind telling me what it is?”

“Oh, it’s nothing, really… Mother mentioned she called for a dressmaker. I’m just trying to mentally prepare myself.”

Aileen’s face clouded over. Siran, who had a similar schedule lined up, understood her pain all too well.

“Hang in there, Aileen.”

His tone was unusually sympathetic, as if he, too, carried the same burden.

As Siran had predicted, Duchess Revart soon summoned a small army of tailors, jewelers, and merchants to the mansion.

Even though Aileen still had perfectly good dresses from Madame Kiroe’s last visit, her mother insisted they were already out of fashion. Without hesitation, she had new dresses, shoes, and accessories ordered and tailored.

Normally, she wouldn’t go to such lengths. But this time was different. The Duchess wanted Aileen to appear beautiful, elegant, and poised—to show the world that she was still every bit as dignified and unshaken.

Understanding her mother’s intentions, Aileen quietly followed the schedule that had been laid out. It was exhausting. And it would only get more exhausting.

“Aileen, I heard this perfume is really popular right now.”

Her mother appeared without warning just as Aileen had finished her bath and collapsed onto the sofa. For someone so dedicated to graceful appearances, showing up in such a rush could only mean one thing: this was important.

Aileen quickly sat up. The Duchess waved a tiny, thumb-sized bottle in front of her—clear glass, with a pale yellow liquid inside. Aileen’s curious eyes followed it.

“It’s so popular, I had to pull some strings just to get it. If you like it, go ahead and wear it.”

The Duchess sprayed a bit into the air as a sample. Instantly, a cool yet sweet scent spread around them.

“It smells nice.”

“Doesn’t it? I thought it would suit your taste.”

A soft smile crossed the Duchess’s face.

“Well, go finish getting ready now. Have a lovely evening.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Having delivered the perfume, the Duchess left as quickly as she had come. So that was the only reason she came in?

Aileen wasn’t one to put much thought into her appearance. Perfume was no exception.

But for her mother to go out of her way and track down a trendy scent—it must really be popular. Most likely, she wanted Aileen to leave a strong impression on Jeron during their meeting tonight.

And when Aileen wore it again at the upcoming banquet, it would show everyone that she was still in step with the social scene—that she hadn’t faded into obscurity. Ever since joining the knight order, Aileen had taken a very different path from the typical noble young lady.

Once her mother had gone, Sera, who had been quietly waiting in the corner, came hurrying over.

“This is harder than knight training.”

Aileen groaned as she sank back into the long sofa.

“But the scent really is lovely,” Sera said.

“I honestly don’t know. I’m not even sure it’s worth putting on.”

“I heard it’s super popular right now. Expensive, too. And some people say it even helps with insomnia? Either way, it’s apparently really hard to get—since they don’t mass-produce it, they’re always out of stock.”

“So it’s one of those finicky perfumes… Still, I’d just like to rest like this.”

“I know you’re tired, but if you stay like that too long, you might be late for your appointment.”

Sera, who had been tidying up nearby, nudged her playfully.

“Ugh… I shouldn’t have scheduled everything on the same day.”

“Well, you’re always busy, my lady.”

“…I’ll get up.”

Dragging herself upright, Aileen let Sera help her finish getting ready as quickly as possible. She had asked not to go overboard this time—just enough to look presentable without seeming like she’d put in any real effort.

“You look beautiful anyway, my lady.”

Sera smiled softly as she gave Aileen’s loosely styled hair a final brush.

Even with only the basics done, Aileen’s beauty was undeniable. The simplicity only emphasized her elegance, giving her a refined, quiet presence that made it hard for anyone to approach carelessly.

Aileen, thinking it was just another polite compliment, nodded and thanked her before heading out.

From her carriage window, she saw the sky beginning to glow with deep orange light. Tonight’s dinner was with Jeron, and at this rate, it would be nightfall by the time they finished eating.

She looked out the window, hoping it would turn out to be a pleasant evening.

“You’re here, Aileen.”

Jeron greeted her as she stepped down from the carriage, offering his arm.

He looked more composed than usual—sharper, somehow—and Aileen, already familiar with this rhythm after their last meeting, accepted his escort without surprise and walked into the building alongside him.

Just like last time, the location was quiet and perfectly secluded, ideal for private conversation.

“I’ll have the lamb steak and the house red,” Jeron told the staff.

While they waited for the food, the conversation remained formal and light. But soon enough, Jeron brought up a more familiar topic—how he had somehow already heard about the incident with Haller.

“I didn’t expect the Count of Petter’s second son to be so petty.”

Jeron furrowed his brow deeply and sighed, his voice calm despite the clear frustration on his face. Aileen let out a dry laugh.

After she’d planted a dagger exactly a finger’s width above Haller’s head, the men of House Revart had practically exploded.

Ashite in particular had gone ballistic, threatening to kill Haller even if it meant getting expelled from the Lil Order. Aileen had spent hours calming her down. The way Ashite reacted, one would think Aileen had come home crying.

Convincing Ashite to stay calm and avoid any retaliation at the order had taken a full two hours.

Remembering that exhausting ordeal, Aileen shook her head slightly at Jeron.

“I did the same thing, so I’d say we’re even.”

“But he’s the one who acted disgracefully first, didn’t he?”

Jeron’s tone grew quieter as he added under his breath, “And to think he calls himself a knight. Hardly a man at all.”

That last remark made Aileen’s expression shift slightly.

She was a knight too. Yet somehow, people always seemed to see her as weaker. Comments like this—subtle, well-meaning, but ultimately rooted in outdated expectations—were starting to wear her down.

She wasn’t foolish enough to confuse genuine concern with simple gender bias. But far too often, those around her fell into the latter category.

Except for Carlisle.

Carlisle had never thought it strange for Aileen to want to grow stronger. He never tried to stop her.

Instead, he helped her push past her limits, taught her the skill of throwing daggers, and even sparred with her using real blades when she asked.

He had always supported her completely—for who she was.

Though that changed a little after the day Aileen nearly died… it was understandable. He had seen someone he loved come back from the brink of death. His protectiveness came from trauma, not doubt. And that made all the difference.

“I proved my point, and that’s enough. Things have been quiet since then.”

Since the incident, even the usual back-and-forth with the Lil Order had calmed down. These days, the knights of the Khan Order gave her knowing smiles every time they saw her.

They joked about assigning her as the official “Lil Order Eliminator,” and though it was meant playfully, it felt real enough to make her shudder.

“I heard you planted the dagger just a breath away from his neck. If it had been just a little off, it could’ve pierced him.”

“…It wasn’t that close.”

“Aileen, that was incredible. I mean it.”

As Jeron’s eyes gleamed with quiet admiration, Aileen began to feel increasingly awkward—but thankfully, the food arrived just in time.

Steam rose from the plate where a tender cut of lamb, the size of her palm, was coated in a deep red sauce. The wine glass was half-filled with dark ruby-colored wine.

“Doesn’t it look like your eyes, Aileen?”

As soon as the server left, Jeron lifted his glass and smiled.

It did. That subtle, mysterious shade of purple-red—just like her eyes. And the wine itself was from a vineyard tied to the Marquess of Hessiden.

Knowing that this drink was touched by Hessiden influence made her want to pour it straight onto the floor.

She should’ve chosen something else.

As she stared at the swirling liquid in her glass, an uneasy feeling crept over her. Jeron, sensing her hesitation, asked gently if she disliked wine.

Faced with his worried expression, Aileen finally took a cautious sip.

“…It’s good.”

“This place is famous for their lamb and wine. I really wanted you to try it.”

“Thank you, Jeron.”

As she ate, Aileen silently reminded herself to follow up later—either with Duke Revart or with Edys—to check what ties, if any, this wine had to Hessiden.

The wine slid down smoothly, and the steak melted in her mouth. It didn’t take long to finish the meal.

Matching her pace, Jeron finished his food as well. Seeing the relaxed look on her face, he realized it was time to finally say what he had been holding back all night.

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