Chapter 1
The Day Before the Wedding
Reynard Roderick was spending tea time with his fiancée, Liliana Fortis, in the garden of the Fortis family.
Liliana's younger sister Mireia was seated next to them.
A butler with a stern expression approached the table where the three were seated.
He handed Reynard a letter and a velvet jewelry box, concealing them from Liliana's view.
Having received the jewelry box, Reynard lifted the lid with a tense expression, ascertained the brooch within before clutching it with tremulous hands.
I've tried to believe in you, but I can't anymore.
Reynard muttered those words in a deep, strained voice.
Liliana, seated across from him, watched with a bemused expression.
Is there something wrong, Rey?
In tandem with Liliana's question, Reynard flung the brooch he gripped in his right hand to the ground.
The brooch bounced imperceptibly on the lawn before settling at Liliana's feet.
I've been holding back all this time, but I'm at my wits' end, Liliana! Don't ever grace me with your presence again! Our engagement is off!
Lips quivering, Reynard rose from his seat, turned his back on Liliana, who was caught off guard at this unforeseen turn of events, and began heading straight for the gate.
Wait, Rey—I mean, Lord Reynard!
Mireia, who was sitting in company, hurriedly pursued Reynard and grasped his left arm.
On her slender wrist swayed a lily of the valley bracelet.
Tenderly, Reynard drew his arm around her, and Mireia snuggled in to lean against him as well.
Neither looked back as they crossed the garden toward the carriage drawn up outside the gate.
At the sight of their retreating figures, Liliana abruptly snapped to her wits and pursued Reynard and her own sister.
Hang on, Rey! Explain yourself! What is this all about? I don't get why you called off our engagement!
Desperately, Liliana dashed off and eventually caught up with them, reaching out her hand from behind.
No sooner had she attempted to touch Reynard than he unceremoniously shoved her aside.
Stop it! don't call me Rey! It's obnoxious!
Heh.
He thought he heard a faint snicker.
Obnoxious? How can you dismiss me as obnoxious without any justification? What in the world is going on?
Liliana stood directly in front of Reynard, obstructing his path.
Her slightly disheveled hazel hair, emerald eyes brimming with tears, and small lips were trembling.
Not even bothering to spare a glance at her face, which he had once found so endearing, Reynard continued on his way.
I cannot accept being dismissed so unilaterally. Please explain yourself properly!
Disregarding her, the pair continued on, prompting Liliana to run ahead of them and dash through the gate.
She went to the coachman, who was standing beside the horse, and pleaded frantically with him not to have the carriage drawn.
At a loss, the coachman alternately shifted his gaze between the approaching Reynard and Liliana.
Right then, a ferocious gale swept by.
Sand swirled around the garden.
Liliana's long, stunning hair fluttered upward, and she stumbled.
