@Introvert So
Spoiler!
In short Pilav thought Deborah would definitely marry him, but she completely rejected him. His reputation and past behavior caused the proposal to fail. He became the target of gossip and ridicule, and when he confronted Deborah, she confidently told him that she did not need him for wealth or status, leaving him embarrassed and defeated. Deborah realizes that Pilav is the type of person who always wants things he cannot have. She thinks he and another woman named Deborah Seymour are very similar in that way. Deborah no longer cares about Pilav's feelings. If he keeps chasing her after everyone knows she rejected him, it will only damage his reputation. Unlike her, Pilav cares a lot about what other nobles think of him. As Deborah thinks about the rumors that she only wants to marry a mage, she suddenly realizes that she never actually said that. Her thoughts then drift to Isidor. She remembers his shy smile and handsome face, and she becomes embarrassed by how much she keeps thinking about him. Looking at a small ceramic turtle on her desk that has green eyes like Isidor's only makes her think of him more.
✕She remembers a conversation with Isidor where he teased her about only drinking when he was around. His playful smile and gentle behavior affected her more than she wanted to admit. She even suspects that he practices the piano because he knows she likes listening to it. Feeling overwhelmed by her growing feelings, she rests her head on her desk and admits that Isidor is confusing her emotions. The story then switches to Isidor's point of view. He sits alone, holding a ceramic cat figure that reminds him of Deborah. Ever since they touched hands, he has felt something he has never experienced before. Because of his fear of physical contact, he had never imagined he could comfortably touch another person's skin. Yet with Deborah, everything felt different, and he became fascinated by her. Over time, Isidor realizes that his fascination has become love. He constantly thinks about Deborah, smiles whenever he remembers her, and even continues practicing the piano because of her. He is happy that she rejected Pilav and secretly wishes she would think about him as much as he thinks about her. Even his cat, Cookie, cannot take away the ceramic figure because it has become very precious to him. By the end, Isidor fully accepts that he is deeply in love with Deborah.
I like to post spoilers for the stories I find interesting because I don't have much time to read novel due to busy schedule you will find me in most romantic historical manhwa comment sections
