Ever so slowly, time continued to pass, and soon enough, Juno’s eighteenth birthday was a week from now.
“I’ll be an adult,” Juno murmured. She was about to see the end of this dangerous path.
Then Jupiter was at her side. “Juno?”
He still had a beautiful face. His features as a boy had sharpened as he became an adult, yet he retained the elegance and splendor of his youth. She remembered the birthday she spent with him last year. It was a sweet, warm birthday. Well, most of her memorable moments were with Jupiter.
Juno stared at him. The end that could be seen in front of her also meant Jupiter’s future was set in stone. He was busy trying to become the next marquis. Yet despite his hectic schedule, Jupiter always found time to visit her.
“Hello,” she said.
“What are you doing?”
The sun was setting. Juno leaned back in her chair and looked out the window. “I’m waiting to turn eighteen.”
“…”
It was almost time to get engaged. One could even be married at an early age. Thinking about her future, Juno glanced at Jupiter who recently turned twenty-one years old. “By the way, why aren’t you engaged?”
“Let me think.”
It didn’t matter when men got married, but Juno was at the age to be married. “Is Nusrion is getting in the way?”
Rather than answering, Jupiter smiled.
Still staring at his face, Juno concluded that getting engaged might be a requirement for becoming the official heir of House Trish. “It might be better to wait then.”
After becoming the heir, he could find a better marriage partner. Satisfied with the answer she came up with, Juno nodded.
“Why don’t you fight?” Jupiter asked. His mood had somewhat changed.
“What do you mean?”
“Why…” He moved closer to her. “Don’t you want to become the next head of the family?”
“Of House Trish?”
“Mm-hmm.”
It was a sudden question. She never thought Jupiter would ask that. Wasn’t he the one who wanted to be the next marquis?
“May I be honest?”
“Of course.”
She would be lying if she said she hadn’t thought about becoming the next head since she was a child. But it was different now. “I don’t care.”
Jupiter frowned. It seemed he didn’t like that answer. “Your life is at stake, is it not?”
“Jupiter.” There was a sad smile on Juno’s face. It was impossible for Jupiter to be unaware. Juno could never become the next family head because she was a woman. “That title will be inherited by my husband-to-be. Not me. The man I must keep an eye on will only change from my father to my husband.”
“…Are you going to stay like this because you can’t do anything about it?”
She couldn’t understand why Jupiter was angry. He was technically an outsider from the branch families. “Do you think I should actively look for a husband?” Juno sighed. “Even if I find a good man, will my father treat him kindly?” She wasn’t sure what the marquis would do.
Jupiter took her hand. “I have something to tell you.”
“What is it?”
Jupiter was silent, and Juno waited for him to speak. The bond between them was at a point where one could wait for the other to collect his or her thoughts.
After a long time, Jupiter spoke slowly. “I—”
The door opened.
“My lady.”
Juno glared at the servant who didn’t knock. It was a familiar face: Lilith’s maid.
“You’re quite rude.”
The impolite servant looked at Jupiter, and her face turned pale as she lowered her head.
“I’m sorry! My lord said he must make an announcement… It’s urgent.”
It’s not worth getting mad at her. Before Jupiter stepped forward, Juno held him back and asked, “Where is he?”
“The dining room. Everyone has been asked to join.”
That meant the family relatives were present.
“Did he also call for Jupiter?”
“Yes.”
“Please give us a moment.”
The maid quickly left the room, glancing back at Jupiter.
“It seems my father has made his choice,” Juno muttered. “Ah, what did you want to say?”
Jupiter shook his head. “Let’s go down first. This sounds very important.”
Juno nodded without any hesitation. I wish I had something more to say.
The two walked to the dining room. It was obvious the announcement had to do with the heir.
“What would my father do?” Juno asked.
“He’d choose you. There’s no one else.”
Juno recalled Lilith, who always looked at her in contempt. Shouldn’t you direct your anger toward the marquis? Juno didn’t know why Lilith hated her so much. Lilith not getting pregnant was their problem. Lilith was a mistress, but she still tried to pretend to be a marchioness. She even participated in the power struggle with the family relatives. Yet it didn’t last long.
Lilith slowly realized the marquis’s favor wasn’t everything. While he appeared powerful, he wasn’t a man who could always protect her. The closer Juno’s eighteenth birthday got, the more Lilith became anxious. She became more paranoid and began to overestimate the branch families. It wasn’t that Juno was happy about it, but she didn’t feel she was in a better position than Lilith. You never know when things will change. Well, the fight for who gets to be the heir is almost over now.
Shrugging, Juno said, “He hates me more than he hates you.”
“The marquis isn’t a fool. The moment he chooses me, the greater the risk he poses to himself.”
Jupiter’s words made sense. If Jupiter became the official heir, the branch families would have the most power.
Ah, but Father’s love is quite strong. Juno said, “Isn’t it love that’s causing my father to make a fool of himself?” The marquis could’ve given up his power for Lilith.
“There might be another option.”
“What do you have in mind?” Juno asked.
“Something to tie us together.”
After thinking about what he meant, Juno slowly looked at Jupiter. They made eye contact, and he nodded as if to confirm her guess was correct.
“…So, marriage?” Juno said.
“…”
Jupiter didn’t deny it, but he also didn’t give her an explicit answer. There were a few instances where noble families had their only daughter marry a family relative. If we get engaged, we prevent them from doing anything for a while. Specifically, the marquis could keep his power for a longer period of time. However, their marriage was also the marquis saying that he lost. He would inevitably hand over the title of marquis to Jupiter, so it was only a matter of when.
“It would be less humiliating.”
Until Juno and Jupiter actually got married, the marquis maintained his position. He would protect his pride to some extent without betraying Lilith. It was the best decision the marquis could make.
“Maybe that’s why Nusrion has yet to select a marriage partner for you.” Juno took another step to the dining room entrance.
“Would you be all right with it?”
Juno already imagined many worst-case scenarios, such as living in a rich, old man’s mansion. This was nothing. “You’re better than a stranger.”
Silence.
Juno turned her head. “Jupiter? Are you not coming with me?”
“…No, let’s go.” Jupiter, who had been standing like a statue and staring at her, immediately rushed to her side. His cheeks were slightly red.
For the past year, Juno had been the one to make Jupiter blush.
She tried to look at his face, but he kept avoiding her gaze. Eventually, Juno straightened her posture and smoothed out the wrinkles in her clothes. It was time to care about appearances. She refused to look ridiculous in the dining room. I should be proud. That way no one can ignore me.
She rested her hand on Jupiter’s arm so he could escort her; a slight warmth was shared between them. Green and blue seemed to mix as emotions bubbled.
Not yet. Not yet. Juno turned her head.
After preparing herself, Juno winked at the servant.
