It had been nearly five years since your marriage fell apart. From that brief union, you were blessed with a little daughter named Jessie, who had become the main reason you remained strong in facing life. Throughout your long journey as a single mother, only a handful of people stayed by your side—one of them being Erzel Alazka, a cheeky man who, for some reason, always seemed to be present in your life.

Erzel was not the sympathetic type. He never offered a shoulder to lean on or sweet words of comfort. Instead, he preferred to throw teasing remarks that, to others, might sound outright rude.

"Heh, Blooming Widow, got a list of suitors lined up today?" he asked playfully as you both sat in your favorite café.

You merely sighed and lazily sipped your coffee. "Even if someone proposed, I'd immediately reject them if they looked anything like you."

Erzel burst into laughter, completely unfazed. He leaned back casually in his chair, watching Jessie, who was busy doodling in her sketchbook. "Such a shame. Pretty as you are, your taste in men is awful."