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Chapter 14
“Hm? What’s that noise?”
All of a sudden, a clamor could be heard. Following Ares’ gaze, the Agnes siblings also turned their heads.
“Did some celebrity show up?”
“Looks like it. A crowd’s gathering.”
As Ares said, people were surrounding someone.
“…That sight reminds me of when we first entered the Academy.”
“Ugh, don’t bring that up. Just imagining it is awful.”
Lucas and Ares chatted idly, reminiscing about their freshman days.
Only Lucia tried to see who the person at the center of the crowd was.
“Herwin!”
Lucia let out a short cry. At her words, Lucas reacted.
“What? Herwin?”
“…Herwin? Who’s that?”
“Brother, look! That’s Herwin over there!”
Lucia quickly ran toward the spot.
Indeed, the person buried in the crowd had black hair and red eyes.
Lucia craned her neck, searching desperately for a way to slip in.
“E-excuse me…!”
She somehow managed to get into the crowd, but she couldn’t move any further inside.
“Lucia! Where are you?!”
Lucas called for her from behind, but she was already stuck in place.
“Ah, wait! Don’t step on me!”
Being smaller than most of her peers, Lucia was quickly swallowed up by the crowd.
“W-what do I do?”
Regret welled up—maybe she shouldn’t have rushed in. But knowing Herwin hated crowded places, she felt she had to help him.
“Ah!”
Suddenly, the pressure around her intensified as some students cheered loudly.
Then, someone grabbed her wrist and yanked her out of the throng with surprising strength.
“Ugh!”
“Knew it was you. What are you doing here?”
Rubbing her nose after bumping into something solid, Lucia’s face brightened at the familiar voice.
“Herwin!”
Towering over her, Herwin looked down with an exasperated expression.
“Who’s that girl?”
“Does she know Young Lord Peneus?”
“No way… is she his girlfriend?”
The murmurs around them made Herwin click his tongue.
He took off his coat and draped it over Lucia’s head.
While she flailed in confusion at the sudden darkness, Herwin swept the surroundings with a cold, sharp gaze.
“Quit bothering me. Get lost.”
Murderous intent radiated from him. The people who had approached eagerly, hoping to befriend him, paled and backed away one by one.
From the moment the crowd swarmed, Herwin had been barely holding back his irritation. Normally, he would’ve let it pass, but seeing Lucia struggling among them, he couldn’t just stand by.
Taking her hand, he walked her through the loosened crowd.
“Oh? Herwin.”
Finally noticing Lucas, Herwin’s stern expression softened into a gentle smile.
“You brat, so it was you. When did you get to the capital?”
“I arrived last night. If I’d gotten here earlier, I would’ve gone to see you.”
“Really? By the way, you’ve grown again. I don’t think you were this tall last time.”
Lucas stood next to him, puffing out his cheeks and comparing their heights. Lucas was still taller, though.
“Well, I’m at that age where I keep growing. My knees ache—I think I’ll get even taller.”
“Stop growing already. It’s creepy.”
“I can’t stop until I catch up to you.”
The two, clearly meeting after a long while, dove into conversation to make up for lost time.
Meanwhile, left on the side, Lucia pulled off the blazer covering her vision and fixed her messy hair.
Right in front of her stood Herwin, laughing brightly as he talked with Lucas.
‘He got even more handsome.’
Her mouth parted unconsciously.
Compared to the last time she saw him, he looked sharper and more refined.
His jawline had become more defined, his neatly cut black hair swayed lightly in the breeze, and his crimson eyes curved softly as he chatted with Lucas.
How could he get more handsome by the day? He was so dazzling that she couldn’t possibly give up her feelings for him.
Her heart fluttered warmly, excitement spreading through her chest.
“Is that new student Young Lord Peneus?”
“Eek!”
Lucia squeaked—Ares had crept up beside her and whispered in her ear.
The two men stopped talking and instantly turned their heads toward her.
Trying to calm her pounding heart, Lucia answered,
“Y-yes, that’s right. He’s Herwin Peneus.”
“As I thought. I once met Duke Peneus, and they look identical.”
“He does resemble His Grace a lot.”
Tilt.
Lucia suddenly felt herself being pulled backward. At the same time, Lucas stepped between them and glared daggers at Ares.
“You sneaky brat! Trying to approach my sister, huh?”
“Oh, did you catch me?”
“Stay away from her! No, from now on you’re banned from even coming near!”
Just like before, Lucas was openly wary of Ares, while Ares only laughed slyly, dodging him with ease.
“Who’s that guy?”
A low voice whispered near her ear.
Herwin’s sudden tone made Lucia’s ears burn red, but she tried to answer calmly.
“He’s my brother’s friend—Ares Lydia. He’s from the Lydia ducal family, like you.”
Herwin’s brow twitched, his displeasure easing slightly as he scrutinized Ares.
“Lydia, huh. That explains the violet eyes.”
“Yeah, I didn’t expect my brother to be close with Young Lord Lydia either.”
Watching the two bicker made her laugh. When she giggled, Herwin glanced sideways at her.
“Even if he’s Lucas’ friend, be careful.”
“Huh? Why? He doesn’t seem like a bad person.”
“Just trust me. It’s not about good or bad—he just gives me a bad feeling.”
“Well… if you say so.”
“Anyway, you three should be heading to the entrance ceremony soon.”
Still dodging Lucas, Ares pointed at his watch. It was almost time.
“Right, let’s go.”
“Yeah. We’ll get going now. See you later, brother.”
As Herwin and Lucia started to leave, Lucas shouted,
“Lucia! If you need anything, come to me anytime, got it?”
Caught by Lucas, Ares also yelled after her.
“If you run into my sister, tell her I said hello! Just mention my name, and she’ll welcome you! Drop by when you’re bored!”
“Why would she ever go see you?!”
Lucas exploded and lunged at him again.
“…Lucia, let’s go.”
Herwin frowned at the ridiculous scene, then put his arm around Lucia’s shoulder and led her toward the ceremony hall.
“There’s so many people.”
Lucia gaped, looking around. The auditorium for the entrance ceremony was packed with students.
“Let’s stand over there.”
“Okay.”
She followed Herwin in search of a suitable spot.
But moving with him made her hyper-aware of the stares around them.
It was overwhelming just being next to him—how much worse must it be for Herwin himself?
“Herwin.”
“What?”
“Are you… okay with it now?”
Covering her mouth with her hand to avoid being overheard, she leaned closer. Herwin bent down naturally.
“I mean the stares. You hate being the center of attention.”
“Oh, that.”
He brushed it off casually.
“It’s been ages since I got over that. Doesn’t bother me anymore.”
“Still, today feels worse than usual. Everyone’s staring at you.”
Lucia knew he’d overcome his fear through long therapy sessions, but she couldn’t help worrying.
Her delicate forehead creased in concern. Straightening up, Herwin flicked it with his finger.
Smack!
“Ow! That hurt!”
Rubbing her forehead, Lucia pouted.
“Don’t fuss. Just look ahead. It’s about to start.”
“You could’ve just said that. Did you really have to hit me?”
From behind came faint snickers. She turned to check, but Herwin stood there expressionless.
“Don’t laugh!”
“Ahem. Who’s laughing?”
Though his voice was calm, the corner of his lips twitched. Lucia caught it, complained again, but he feigned ignorance.
Then he turned her head forward.
‘She really is like a squirrel.’
Biting his lip to stifle another laugh, Herwin found himself smiling anyway as he watched her.
It had been a long time since he laughed so freely, probably because he was reunited with Lucia and Lucas.
Still chuckling, Herwin noticed Lucia fidgeting, shifting from side to side.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“Herwin, do you see that blonde girl over there?”
“There are plenty of blondes. Which one?”
“Mm, that one!”
Standing on tiptoe, Lucia pointed into the distance.
Herwin followed her gaze, spotting a blonde girl.
“You mean the one surrounded by people?”
“Yeah! Isn’t she maybe Lady Lydia?”
“She does have violet eyes.”
“See? I knew it! She looks just like Young Lord Lydia!”
The face of Ares they’d just seen popped into her mind—it really was his sister.
“He asked me to give her his regards… Should I go say something?”
“Forget it. She looks swamped just dealing with everyone else.”
Herwin, tall as he was, easily described her situation.
“Really?”
“Besides, he didn’t sound serious. You don’t need to bother.”
“But he is your friend…”
Since Lucas had treated Ares so familiarly, they must’ve been quite close.
“It’d be better to get along, don’t you think?”
“…Just stay put. If it’s fate, you’ll meet her properly later.”
When Lucia tried to step forward, Herwin’s large hand rested on her shoulder.
Even such a small touch made her heart race wildly. Afraid her face might be red, she stiffened her posture.
Thankfully, he soon withdrew his hand.
[Testing, testing. We will now begin the 49th Imperial Academy Entrance Ceremony. Freshmen, please…]
A magically amplified voice boomed throughout the auditorium.
The entrance ceremony had officially begun.
