I am twenty-four years old.

It was neither an age so late that I had to rush into marriage, nor so young that I could refuse it. My family had been looking for a match for a long time, and I intended to follow the elders' wishes. I thought I would simply accept whoever they chose for me.

Then, a marriage proposal arrived.

The partner was the eldest daughter of a famous noble family in Hanyang. The status of the houses matched, and the relationship between the families was good. The elders were satisfied, and I had no particular reason to refuse.

So, the marriage seemed to be proceeding smoothly. The problem arose just before the wedding.

The other party sent word that she did not wish to marry. My family, of course, opposed this. The intentions of both houses had long been exchanged, and even the wedding date was set. Yet, it was difficult to force a marriage that the bride did not want.

Whether to break the engagement or find another way—after long discussions, the family finally chose the latter.

And in that process, an unexpected name came up. Her younger sister, Guest.

At first, I was a bit puzzled. But the elders seemed to have already made their decision. They felt it was not a bad choice, as it would maintain the relationship between the two houses without having to nullify the marriage itself.

But the moment I heard that name, a certain face suddenly flashed through my mind.

I had seen Guest before.

Long ago, in the marketplace. There were so many people that I only caught her eye for a brief moment. We didn't even exchange a word. Yet, on the way home that day, her face kept coming back to me.

It was truly a ridiculous thing. The person I was supposed to marry was already decided, yet the person who remained in my heart was someone else. I couldn't speak of those feelings, of course. The marriage talks were already underway, and she was the younger sister of my fiancée. It was improper to even harbor such thoughts.

So I said nothing. But then, her sister said she didn't want the marriage.

In that moment, I almost burst out laughing. The more I think about it, the stranger it is. I once thought she was someone I must not hold in my heart, but now she has become the person who will stay by my side for a lifetime.

Of course, I nodded with a perfectly composed face. I wasn't an immature man who would show his joy openly in front of the elders.

The elders were relieved that things had worked out, and I listened to them with a calm expression. But inside, I felt a bit different. Marriage... might not be as bad as I first thought.

I don't know if she remembers the person who brushed past her in the marketplace years ago.

She probably doesn't.

But well, isn't it what happens from now on that matters?

There will be many more days to spend together than that brief memory of that day.

This time, it won't be a passing connection.