‘Yuri’s coming-of-age ceremony already…’
In this world, children have their coming-of-age ceremony in the year they turn sixteen.
It doesn’t mean they are officially adults, but it serves as proof that they are no longer children.
To my eyes, Charlotte, Julia, and Yuri all still looked like kids, so I thought their coming-of-age ceremonies were still a long way off.
Yet here Yuri was, already old enough for hers this year…
Wait a second. If Yuri is having her coming-of-age ceremony this year, that means Julia’s is next year.
And the year after that, it’ll be Charlotte’s turn?
That means all three of them will have completed their ceremonies in just two years…?
“Huuuuuh?!”
The realization made my breath hitch, and for a moment, I nearly forgot how to breathe.
Yuri’s coming-of-age ceremony…
On one hand, my heart swelled with excitement at the thought that we were finally reaching the engagement phase of my grand plan.
On the other, a deep despair filled my chest at the realization that Yuri had already grown so much.
The days of her being a child were being swept away by the tides of time, soon to disappear forever.
Should I be happy about this… or should I cry…?
‘Come to think of it, Yuri really wants to see Mr. Black again.’
— So, I’m going to have a small coming-of-age ceremony… but I guess you won’t be coming, right…?
There was a faint longing in that message.
A coming-of-age ceremony only happens once in a lifetime.
Of course, it’s natural to want to share such a moment with someone important.
But Yuri still couldn’t meet Mr. Black.
Not for at least another three years…
Even if she rushed through her studies and graduated early, it would still be another year and a half before they could meet.
So, as much as I felt bad for Yuri, I had no choice but to tell her that I wouldn’t be able to attend her ceremony…
It didn’t really matter anyway. Once I revealed my identity in the future, I could always tell her that I had been there all along.
Still, for now, knowing I’d have to disappoint her weighed a little heavily on my heart.
‘No, wait. Strictly speaking, it’s not like I can’t meet her…’
A good idea suddenly came to mind.
Maybe I could keep Yuri from being disappointed and keep my identity from being exposed.
With a faint smile, I picked up my pen.
.
.
.
“Should I hold the ceremony at a church? I’ve barely ever been to one in my life, though… will that be okay…?”
Shff, shff.
Yuri shifted through the clothes in her wardrobe, lost in thought.
For a coming-of-age ceremony, she wanted something not too flashy but still elegant and solemn…
What should she wear…?
“Pfft…”
She suddenly found herself laughing at the ridiculousness of her own worries.
Debating what to wear to a coming-of-age ceremony…
It was such a trivial concern—one she never could have imagined having back in the days when survival and the safety of her friends were her biggest priorities.
She had always told them that if they endured and kept going, the day would come when they’d finally see the light.
But she never expected to be living such a comfortable life so soon…
And it was all thanks to Mr. Black.
And…
“…Even though I hate to admit it… Aslan Vermont as well…”
His contributions were just as significant.
After all, while she had been separated from Charlotte and Julia, he was the one who took care of them.
And it wasn’t just simple caretaking.
He poured his family’s full support into them—despite them being complete strangers with no blood ties.
Of course, Aslan Vermont must have had his own ulterior motives.
He was probably treating them so well in the hopes of raising a suitable bride for himself.
But even so, she couldn’t help but feel grateful.
‘And lately… he’s even been treating me well…’
Charlotte and Julia were essentially bound to the Vermont family as their dependents, so it made some sense.
No matter how much support Aslan gave them, it was still an investment that would ultimately benefit his family.
But what about her?
She wasn’t a dependent or anything.
Their connection was nothing more than a thin contractual relationship—one that could be severed at any time.
Yet despite that, he provided for her, gave her a job, helped her awaken her abilities, and supported her in developing them.
There was no guarantee she wouldn’t just take all that and run.
So why was he treating her so well?
Was it love at first sight?
If not…
“…Is it just because I’m someone he’s sponsoring…?”
A chill ran down her spine.
What if… what if that Mr. Black was actually Aslan Vermont?
It was a suspicion that had started creeping into her mind from time to time.
“No way. That’s ridiculous.”
There was no evidence.
And they were so drastically different that it was hard to find any similarities.
But… for some reason… for some inexplicable reason…
She just felt like it could be true.
“No way. It can’t be.”
Yuri scoffed and dismissed her suspicions.
Yet, deep down, she couldn’t suppress the tiny hope that her doubts might actually be correct.
‘What if they were the same person…?’
She liked that Mr. Black.
She didn’t know his face or even his name, but ever since she had received his help, she had admired him.
Through their exchanged letters, she had come to appreciate his character.
He didn’t seem to see her as a woman, yet she liked him so much that she wanted to meet him right away, no matter what it took…
And Aslan Vermont… well, he probably—no, definitely—liked her.
From what she had heard of his territory and reputation, he seemed like a reckless scoundrel.
But the more she got to know him, the more she realized he was actually a respectable and admirable person.
His kindness wasn’t entirely unwelcome.
However, when she thought about Mr. Black she wouldn’t see for another three years, she couldn’t just accept Aslan’s affections so easily.
The person she liked.
And the person who liked her.
If they were one and the same…
Then she wouldn’t have to struggle with this heart-wrenching dilemma anymore…
‘That’s just wishful thinking.’
The idea that Mr. Black might be Aslan Vermont was probably just her desires manifesting as suspicions.
It wasn’t really a logical doubt—more like a subconscious wish taking shape in the form of a hunch.
Otherwise, how could she be so convinced of something with no evidence whatsoever?
Yuri let out a long sigh and rubbed her chest, trying to ease the frustration in her heart.
“…!”
She had barely stepped outside for a walk to clear her head when she noticed an envelope sticking out of the dormitory mailbox.
Quickly, she snatched it up and hurried back to her room.
A letter from Mr. Black after so long?!
—Or so she thought.
“Ah.”
The moment she spotted the Vermont family’s seal stamped onto the envelope, she let out a disappointed sigh.
It was a letter from Aslan Vermont.
With little care, she ripped open the seal and pulled out the contents.
— I believe you are sixteen this year.
— I heard you don’t know your exact birthdate. How do you plan to handle your coming-of-age ceremony?
— If you wish, I can arrange one for you.
“Seriously… What kind of employer personally hosts their employee’s coming-of-age ceremony…?”
His relentless kindness was honestly overwhelming.
But… just a little—really, just a little—she felt touched.
If Mr. Black weren’t in the picture, she might have actually considered marrying Aslan Vermont…
“Well, this works out.”
She had planned to hold a small, quiet ceremony at a local church, just asking the priest to perform the rites on a day the church was closed.
It was supposed to be a simple affair with only Charlotte and Julia in attendance.
But thanks to Aslan Vermont, it seemed like it would turn into something closer to a birthday party.
She should probably be grateful for that.
— By the way, the expenses won’t be covered by me but rather by your sponsor, so there’s no need to thank me.
— And speaking of your sponsor, they asked me to pass along a message: once your coming-of-age ceremony takes place, your Mr. Black will be attending in person—one way or another.
“Huh!?”
Snap!
Yuri’s eyes widened as she unconsciously clenched the letter.
Mr. Black was coming to her ceremony?
In person?
Really? REALLY?!
“This… This is my chance! My real chance to finally uncover his identity…!”
He was underestimating her memory far too much.
She still vividly remembered his tall silhouette and the sound of his footsteps from the brief moment she had seen him last year.
If she saw him again, there was no way she wouldn’t recognize him.
Confidence surged through her.
“Yes… Alright… Thank you, Count… I’ll entrust my coming-of-age ceremony to you…”
She quickly grabbed a pen and began drafting a reply.
This was the perfect opportunity to find out who Mr. Black really was!
He had promised not to reveal his identity until she graduated, but there was nothing stopping her from figuring it out on her own.
Would she continue waiting three years for the man she longed for?
Or would she accept Aslan Vermont’s affections?
If she could finally uncover the truth, then this agonizing dilemma would come to an end.
Determined, Yuri clenched her fist.
‘No matter what… I’ll find out who he is.’
