I had always imagined that the day my parents decided my future would be dramatic.
It wasn't.
The sky above Asterion City was clear. Spring sunlight bathed the maple-lined streets as the black sedan carrying us drove steadily toward the prestigious North Valerion district.
I sat in the back seat beside my mother.
My hands were clasped together on my lap. My fingers felt cold even though the inside of the car was comfortably warm.
"Are you nervous?" my mother asked softly.
I gave her a small smile.
"A little."
"Only a little?"
I let out a quiet breath.
"...Okay. Very nervous."
She chuckled and gently took my hand.
"You don't have to force yourself into anything today."
I nodded.
"Your only job is to get to know them."
"And... get to know my future husband too?"
"If the two of you have the chance to talk."
I turned my gaze toward the window.
Future husband.
The words still felt unfamiliar.
I knew why we were here. Several weeks ago, the Ashford family had contacted my father to discuss the possibility of uniting our families through marriage.
There was nothing unusual about that among families like ours. Still, knowing it was common didn't make me feel any calmer.
From the front seat, my father looked back.
"Evelyn."
"Yes, Dad?"
"Don't feel pressured."
"I know."
"If you don't like him, tell us."
I nodded quietly.
That was just how my father had always been.
Gentle.
He had never forced his decisions on me.
Maybe that was why we had always been so close.
The car gradually slowed.
Beyond the tall black iron gates stood a magnificent classical mansion in the middle of an expansive garden.
The building was constructed from warm cream-colored stone, with towering columns supporting a second-floor balcony. A circular fountain decorated the front courtyard, while rows of white roses lined the driveway.
I caught myself holding my breath.
"It's beautiful..."
Mother smiled.
"The Ashford family has preserved this estate for generations."
The gates slowly opened.
Our car rolled into the grounds.
Several attendants dressed in black stood neatly along the driveway.
Nothing about it felt excessive.
If anything, it was peaceful.
Orderly.
As though everyone already knew exactly what their role was.
The car stopped at the foot of the marble staircase.
An elderly butler, probably in his sixties, opened the door for us.
"Welcome to Ashford Estate, Mr. Laurent."
My father inclined his head.
"Thank you."
I stepped out last.
The spring breeze brushed against the hem of my light blue skirt.
I smoothed my long hair behind my shoulder before following my parents up the marble steps.
The moment the front doors opened, the scent of cedarwood and black tea greeted us.
The interior was much warmer than I had imagined.
White marble floors stretched beneath deep crimson carpets.
Family portraits decorated the walls.
A grand crystal chandelier hung from the high ceiling overhead.
Everything looked elegant without feeling ostentatious.
"The Laurent family has arrived."
The butler's calm voice echoed through the foyer.
A few moments later, three people walked in.
The first was a tall middle-aged man whose black hair had begun to show strands of gray. He greeted us with a warm smile.
Beside him stood an elegant woman wearing an emerald-green dress.
Behind them...
A young man.
I only caught a glimpse of his silhouette before he turned and disappeared down another hallway.
That must have been Lucien.
Before I could look any closer, the middle-aged man stepped forward and offered his hand to my father.
"Welcome. I'm Adrian Ashford."
My father accepted the handshake.
"Damien Laurent. It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person."
"The pleasure is mine."
Adrian's smile was surprisingly warm.
Very different from the image I had formed of the famously reserved Ashford family.
The elegant woman stepped forward next.
"I'm Claire."
"Iris Laurent."
The two women exchanged gentle smiles as they shook hands.
Claire then looked at me.
"You must be Evelyn."
"Yes, ma'am."
"For today, why don't you just call me Aunt Claire?"
I blinked in surprise.
"All right... Aunt Claire."
She laughed softly.
"Much better."
The atmosphere, tense only moments before, gradually relaxed.
We were invited into the main drawing room.
It was spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the back garden.
Ivory-colored sofas surrounded a large oak coffee table.
A small fire crackled inside the fireplace, even though the weather wasn't particularly cold.
A maid soon arrived with tea and an assortment of pastries.
Not long after, the conversation began.
"I've heard about Laurent Hospital for many years," Adrian said as he poured tea for my father.
My father smiled.
"We've also been following Ashford Financial Group's growth."
"So we're both busy people."
"Especially these past few years."
Claire turned toward my mother.
"I heard Evelyn is an interior designer."
Mother nodded proudly.
"She has her own small design studio."
"Oh?"
Claire looked at me with interest.
"That's wonderful."
I smiled shyly.
"I've loved drawing ever since I was little."
"Do you mostly design homes?"
"Homes... and a few cafés."
"That's impressive."
The conversation continued naturally.
Business.
Family.
The city.
The weather.
Strangely enough...
I had expected this meeting to feel like a corporate negotiation.
Instead...
It felt more like a family lunch.
Every now and then Adrian made a joke that had everyone laughing.
Even my usually serious father smiled.
Claire paid close attention to every guest, making sure none of our teacups stayed empty for long.
Little by little, I began to relax.
But one question kept lingering in my mind.
Where was Lucien?
As if reading my thoughts, Claire smiled.
"Lucien is finishing up a work call."
"Oh..."
"He has a hard time stepping away from work."
Adrian shook his head with a helpless smile.
"That's my fault."
Claire glanced at her husband.
"And why is that?"
"I'm the one who taught him to work from a young age."
"And you're also the one who taught him that family always comes first."
"...That's true."
The two of them exchanged a look before quietly laughing together.
Watching such a simple interaction made me feel a little envious.
Their relationship looked so effortless.
So genuine.
Filled with mutual respect.
A few moments later, footsteps echoed from the hallway.
Unhurried.
Steady.
The room gradually fell silent.
I looked up.
A tall man entered the drawing room wearing a simple black suit.
His black hair was neatly styled.
His dark gray eyes were calm yet piercing.
He was undeniably handsome, with a sharp jawline and an expression that revealed almost nothing.
He looked to be around thirty.
He stopped a few steps away from us.
"Father."
"I'm sorry for keeping everyone waiting."
His voice was low.
Calm.
Neither rushed nor nervous.
Adrian stood.
"Lucien, come here."
Those gray eyes shifted toward me for only a brief moment.
Not long.
But long enough for me to realize...
For the first time in my life, I was standing before the man who might one day become my husband.
Lucien walked toward us with calm, measured steps.
Every movement he made was composed.
Neither hurried nor deliberate.
For some reason, I immediately understood why so many people described the Ashford family as people who carried a natural sense of authority.
He stopped beside his father.
"Allow me to introduce my son," Adrian said with a faint smile. "Lucien."
Lucien inclined his head to my parents first.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Laurent. Mrs. Laurent."
His voice was low and steady.
Not cold.
Just... remarkably calm.
My father stood and shook his hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet you as well."
Their handshake was brief but firm.
Lucien then turned to my mother.
"Thank you for coming."
She returned his greeting with a warm smile.
"We're happy to have been invited by the Ashford family."
Only then did those gray eyes settle on me.
I stood as well.
My heart began beating a little faster.
"Hello." My voice came out softer than I had intended.
Lucien gave a slight nod.
"Hello, Miss Evelyn."
He didn't immediately offer his hand.
It was as if he was waiting to see whether I was comfortable with it.
I appreciated that. So I reached out first.
"It's nice to meet you."
Only then did he take my hand.
His grip was warm.
Not too firm. Not too lingering.
Just a few seconds before he let go.
"It's nice to meet you too."
That was all.
There were no flowers blooming in the background.
No dramatic exchange of gazes like the romance novels I secretly loved to read.
Just two strangers introducing themselves.
Strangely... that made me feel a little more at ease.
"Please, have a seat," Adrian said.
Lucien took the single armchair positioned slightly to one side of mine.
Close enough for conversation, yet still maintaining a respectful distance.
A maid arrived carrying a cup of black coffee.
Lucien gave a small nod.
"Thank you."
After she left, conversation once again filled the drawing room.
My father and Adrian began discussing Valerion's economic outlook.
Claire and my mother talked about the educational foundation the Laurent family had recently established.
I listened from time to time. Occasionally answering whenever someone asked me a question.
But I noticed one thing.
Lucien listened far more than he spoke.
Whenever someone addressed him, he gave them his full attention.
He never interrupted.
He didn't stir his coffee absentmindedly.
He didn't glance elsewhere.
His eyes remained on whoever was speaking.
It was such a small habit.
Yet somehow, I found myself watching him longer than I meant to.
"...Miss Evelyn?"
I blinked.
"Hm?"
Lucien looked at me.
"My father was asking whether your studio is in the central district."
"Oh..."
I immediately turned toward Adrian.
"I'm sorry. I was daydreaming for a moment."
Adrian laughed softly.
"Not at all."
I let out a small breath before answering.
"It's in West Asterion."
"How long have you been running it?" Adrian asked.
"Almost three years."
"And how is business?"
"It's still small, but it's been quite stable."
"That's good."
Lucien finally joined the conversation.
"Do you handle most of the projects yourself?"
I turned toward him.
"For the most part, yes."
"That sounds exhausting."
I smiled "But it's rewarding."
"What made you choose interior design?"
I thought for a moment.
"Maybe... because I believe a home is the place people return to."
Silence settled over the room for a few seconds.
Only then did I realize how embarrassingly sentimental that had sounded.
"I... I mean..."
"No." Lucien gently shook his head.
"That's a good answer."
I blinked.
He had said it without any dramatic expression. Yet that was exactly why it sounded sincere.
Claire smiled as she watched us.
"Evelyn is very talented. Iris showed us some photos of her work earlier."
"Really?" Adrian asked.
My mother took several photographs out of her handbag.
"I always carry them with me."
Everyone laughed.
"That's what mothers do," Claire said as she accepted the photos.
Lucien looked at them as well.
He studied each picture carefully.
"The lighting concept is interesting."
I looked at him in surprise.
"You know something about design?"
"Not really."
"Then..."
"I simply pay attention to how people feel when they're in a room."
His answer caught me off guard.
It wasn't something people usually said.
Lucien continued calmly.
"This first room feels warm."
He pointed to one of the photographs.
"This one makes people want to stay a little longer."
Then he pointed to another.
"And this one encourages people to work."
I stared at him for a few seconds.
"That's exactly how I designed them."
"Hm."
"How did you know?"
Lucien gave a slight shrug "Maybe it was just a guess."
I smiled.
"Then it was an incredibly accurate guess."
For the first time since he had entered the room, the corner of his lips lifted slightly.
It was barely noticeable. Yet it made him look years younger.
Claire immediately glanced at her husband.
"Did you see that?"
Adrian tried to suppress a laugh.
"I did."
Lucien let out a quiet sigh.
"Mother."
"What?"
"You're talking about me."
"We are talking about you." Claire answered without the slightest hint of guilt.
"You finally smiled."
"It was only a little."
"Still counts as progress."
Laughter once again filled the room.
I found myself smiling too.
So...the Ashford family was nothing like I had imagined.
They weren't stiff.
They weren't intimidating.
If anything...they were warm.
Perhaps it was because Adrian and Claire had a remarkable way of making people feel welcome.
When the laughter finally died down, Adrian set his teacup on the table.
"So, Lucien."
"Yes, Father?"
"What's your schedule this afternoon?"
"I'm free."
"Good."
Adrian turned to me.
"Evelyn."
"Yes?"
"How about Lucien shows you the back garden after this?"
Instinctively, I looked toward my parents.
My father smiled.
"Go ahead."
My mother nodded gently.
"You two can talk for a while."
I looked back at Lucien.
He was already looking at me.
"Of course," he said calmly. "If you don't mind."
I took a quiet breath.
"All right."
Somehow, the nervousness that had filled my chest since this morning was slowly giving way to curiosity.
I still didn't know Lucien Ashford.
But for the first time that day...
I realized I genuinely wanted to.