Robert Dalton and Celiana Dalton. Their connection began about fifteen years ago. When Celiana was seven years old, she met eight-year-old Robert for the first time. That day was the first time Celiana wondered,

'If God had a son, would he be like this?' She met Robert in the garden of her home, the Aberdeen Earldom, so the thought wasn't realistic, but Robert Dalton's first impression was that powerful. 

His glossy, silvery-blue hair was the most beautiful color Celiana had seen in her seven years of life. And his jewel-like violet eyes matched his pale skin perfectly. 

Celiana had often been told she was quite fair, but Robert's skin was almost ghostly pale. All these features combined to create an aura that kept others at a distance. 

It was hard to believe an eight-year-old could make such an impression, especially being only a year older than her. Even adults would be struck by it-how much more for Celiana? She couldn't even speak to Robert, who sat beneath the big tree in her garden.

'Wow, he's pretty.' She could only admire him from afar. Then, suddenly, Robert turned his head. Their eyes met. Startled, Celiana flinched, her surprise plain to see. She remembered her noble upbringing, knowing she shouldn't show her emotions so openly.

'If Mother finds out, she'll scold me again.' But Robert was different, not startled at all, which she thought was impressive. Then-

"Uh, hello. Who are you?" Robert spoke to Celiana first. Her eyes widened. She hadn't expected him to speak to her first.

"Me? I'm Celiana. Celiana Aberdeen."

"You're that girl."

"Huh? You know me?"

"Of course. My whole family came here today because of you." His tone wasn't reproachful, just matter-of-fact. Celiana didn't understand the meaning until later. She was just happy that this beautiful boy had come to the Aberdeen Earldom because of her.

'Because of me?' A few hours later, At a dinner with both the Dalton Marquisate and Aberdeen Earldom families,

"I'm Robert Dalton."

"Celiana, he's your fiancé. Greet him."

"Yes, the Young Marquis Dalton will grow up to be your husband." Celiana finally understood Robert's words. The two quickly became close in a short time. 

There were frequent exchanges between the Dalton Marquisate and Aberdeen Earldom, and their parents often put them together. 

Today, Celiana was visiting the Dalton Marquisate. She spotted Robert in a corner of the garden.

"Robert!" She called out to him loudly, happy to see him. If her mother were there, she'd be scolded for lacking dignity, but with Robert it didn't matter.

"Celiana, come here quickly. There's a frog." It was no longer hard to approach Robert. She felt more comfortable with him than with other noble children. 

Strangely, she didn't have to worry about acting like a noble lady in front of Robert. With other friends, she felt the need to act mature, but not with Robert.

"Okay! Wait for me!" 

Tap-tap, tap-tap- 

Celiana dashed toward Robert, her eyes fixed on him, not noticing the exposed tree root at her feet.

"Ah!" Her toes caught the root, and she tumbled to the ground. She landed on her left elbow, hitting rough stones. She scraped her knee, and blood flowed from her left elbow.

"Ah, ahhh!!" Celiana burst into tears. It was only natural. A seven-year-old expressing surprise and pain by crying.

"Celiana! Are you okay?"

"Ah, ahh. It hurts, ahh!" Robert ran over, worried, but Celiana couldn't answer that she was okay. At seven, she hadn't learned to hide her pain for others. Sitting and sobbing loudly, Celiana's tears shocked Robert. 

After that, Robert never told Celiana to come over to him first. He always approached her instead. It was clear he did this so she wouldn't get hurt running to him. Celiana liked Robert for that. She felt secure and happy that he cared for her. So one day, she said,

"I really like how kind you are, Robert!"

"Huh? Me?" Celiana nodded vigorously at his question.

"Yes! You always worry and think about me. Even when I make mistakes, you don't scold me."

“My mother always nags me.” Her cheeks puffed out as she complained about her mother always telling her she wasn't ladylike, about being scolded for using the wrong utensils at dinner.

"You always teach me slowly, saying it's okay even when I'm wrong." Joy appeared in Robert's eyes.

"I'm glad. I'm happy you like me."

"I'm really happy I get to marry you, Robert!" Celiana meant it. She was happy to be marrying the wonderful and kind Robert. If she married Robert Dalton, who was like a son of God, would she become God's daughter? Young Celiana often imagined such happy things. 

"I'm happy you'll be my bride, too." Robert felt the same. He liked Celiana, and her early, sincere words tickled his heart. Who wouldn't be happy to hear that from their future bride?

"Let's always cherish each other." Celiana held out her pinky finger.

"Yes, let's be a couple who treasures each other forever." Robert gladly hooked his pinky with hers. On this innocent childhood promise, they built their trust. 

About five years passed. Celiana was now twelve, and Robert thirteen. Robert had grown a lot in that time. Unlike Celiana, who was still childish, Robert had become a mature young man. Celiana felt different when she looked at him now. To put it simply, it felt awkward. 

He was much taller than her now. Robert treated her the same, but her face reddened and her heart felt different when she stood before him. She was always comfortable with Robert-so why now? 

She started to care about her clothes and behavior around him for some reason. But before Celiana could fully understand her feelings, an unexpected change came to their relationship.

"Celiana. I have to leave the Empire for a while."

"What? Where are you going?"

"To the Kingdom of Periwel. I'm going to study abroad." The Kingdom of Periwel was far from their Empire. Famous for its scholars, many geniuses studied there, and students from nearby countries went for education.

'Robert was going there?'

"When I become the Marquis Dalton, I need to be someone useful to the Empire." It made sense, but...

"Periwel is so far away. When will you come back?" Robert, looking uncertain, held Celiana's hand. His warmth spread to her. 

Thump-thump. 

His hand was so hot-just holding it made Celiana feel warm all over.

"I don't know yet. But you'll wait for me, right, Celiana?" Looking into his eyes as he asked her to wait, Celiana blushed. Her answer came out reflexively.

"O-of course! I'll definitely wait for you."

"Thank you. I'll miss you." And so Robert left, and at first, they kept in touch by letter. But maybe because Periwel was so far away, their letters often didn't reach each other. Naturally, contact faded. 

Still, Celiana waited for Robert. She kept her promise, and felt no interest in other men. But as time passed, her memories of Robert became hazy, like distant nostalgia. Celiana became an adult, and now twice as much time had passed since the five years she spent with Robert. But Robert Dalton remained in her heart. The only difference was, she'd awakened to a sexual preference she hadn't known before.