The Aftermath of First Love - Chapter 4

Cherilliana stood before the mirror, admiring herself.

Today, she would graduate from the academy. As she looked at her reflection, dressed for the graduation party, she wondered if she would appear beautiful in Darnell’s eyes.

At the party, she would be escorted by her fiancé, Darnell. Their attire reflected their relationship: Cherilliana wore a dress with gold accents, representing Darnell’s hair color, and Darnell had a touch of purple, matching Cherilliana’s violet eyes.

The gold in her dress was subtly shaded toward brown, a detail only Cherilliana would notice, aside from the seamstress…

Cherilliana looked down at the pale purple dress with apricot and silver embroidery, and smiled quietly, thinking, “Darnell will never notice.”

Darnell had no real interest in her. In fact, it suited Cherilliana just fine.

It was far more comfortable for him to remain indifferent. She didn’t want to be obsessed over by someone with no feelings for her—it would be too creepy.

She recalled the time, just a few years ago, when she had longed for Darnell’s attention. Back then, he was always the focus of her gaze. Even when he spent time with that other female student, Cherilliana only watched Darnell.

But, at some point, her attention began to drift to that serious, brown-haired honor student……

After graduation today, she and Adrian would probably never speak again.

They would only ever exchange glances, as acquaintances from their time in the student council room. Cherilliana had no dreams of anything more. She couldn’t even deceive herself with a kind lie.

No one would allow her to heat up their gaze. In six months, her marriage to Darnell would be settled, and as a duchess, she would likely have no time for love. That will be in the distant future.

As the entrance to the party began, Cherilliana entered with Darnell’s escort. When partygoers saw their outfits, they whispered excitedly. The scandal from their school days had not been forgotten, but now they were seen as a loving engaged couple.

In the midst of the excited chatter, where friends introduced their outfits and their fiancés, the first dance began. Cherilliana and Darnell danced their first dance, gracefully.

“Lord Nelson and Lady Mardock’s dance is impeccable, isn’t it? They’re absolutely stunning,”
“Look at how their outfits match! It’s just wonderful.”

Adrian listened attentively to the discussions about Lord Nelson and Lady Mardock as they finished their dance and moved to the drinks table. Seizing the moment, Adrian went over to greet the student council members.

“Ah, congratulations, everyone,” Darnell said cheerfully, addressing them.

“Lord Nelson, it’s been a while. That was quite the waltz.”

This casual exchange sparked light conversation, and Cherilliana stood behind Darnell, listening to the conversation between him and the graduates, who had once been on the student council.

It was then that Adrian, who had not joined the group, addressed Cherilliana.

“Lady Mardock, would you do me the honor of dancing in celebration of your graduation?”

Adrian extended his right palm toward her.

Cheriliana placed her right hand on his palm and, looking down, said, “Please,” in a soft voice. Upon hearing Adrian’s voice, Cheriliana ’s world became just music, Adrian and herself.

The song, commonly used in class to teach students who had only danced in lessons, was easy to dance to and familiar. Yet, for Cheriliana , it became something special.

The heat she felt in her fingertips where she touched Adrian, the pounding of her heart that beat faster and stronger than ever before—it frightened her that he might feel it too.

Her long years of lady’s education seemed to have paid off, for none of her flustered feelings showed on the surface. With a soft smile, her lips curling slightly, and a graceful step, Cheriliana danced beautifully, her only change being the faint redness on her cheeks. Otherwise, she seemed unchanged.

Adrian was surprised that he had invited her to dance. Perhaps he had been intoxicated by the scent of her perfume, which had been unusually close to him.

As he felt the soft, white warmth of her hand, Adrian led her onto the dance floor.

Dancing to the waltz, a melody often played in lessons, Adrian led Cheriliana , but as they danced, he couldn’t bring himself to look into her eyes.

If he found the same warmth in her gaze as he always did, his heart would surely break beyond repair.

As he gazed at her silver hair, intricately braided and reflecting the light of the chandelier, Adrian found himself wishing that time would stop right then and there.

No matter how much he wished it, the short song soon ended. The two returned to the area where Darnell and the others were chatting. Just before releasing her hand, Adrian whispered softly enough for only Cheriliana to hear, “Until we meet again.”

Cheriliana , upon hearing his whisper, understood that they had shared a special moment.

The two joined Darnell and the others and quietly spent the time in conversation without speaking or making eye contact.

The graduation party became an unforgettable day for both Cheriliana and Adrian.

Six months later, Darnell and Cheriliana stood at the altar, pledging their love and loyalty.

As he gazed at Cheriliana , now his wife, Darnell marveled at how beautiful she was.

Darnell, who hadn’t looked at her closely in years, looked at Cherilliana as if she were looking at someone she had never met before.

Noticing her silver hair, purple eyes, and the delicate, wistful smile that looked into the distance. He felt a surge of gratitude that this beautiful woman was now his wife.

In Cheriliana ’s heart, though, it was the memory of that graduation day that remained. That brief moment when they had touched hands, she had smiled at him, as if acknowledging the specialness of their fleeting connection.