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Chapter 28
“Just one more week and it’s Herwin’s birthday.”
“Has it already been that long?”
“Herwin, is there anything you want? This hyung will buy you anything.”
Starting with Christine, the conversation turned to Herwin’s birthday.
“How should we do the party? Should we ask the professor for permission to borrow a classroom for half a day?”
“Wouldn’t that be the best way? We don’t really have other options.”
“Right. We did the same thing for Christine’s birthday.”
Christine, whose birthday had been in mid-May, had borrowed an empty classroom to celebrate with friends.
Since it was only a gathering of close friends, it hadn’t been a big event.
All the students lived in the dorms and were only allowed short outings on weekends, so holding a large party in the academy was impossible to begin with.
“Ah, wait. Can I make a suggestion?”
Bianca, who had been quiet, cautiously raised her hand.
“What is it?”
“Well, actually… some of the other kids also said they want to celebrate Herwin’s birthday.”
“Other kids?”
“Yeah, you know… the ones who kind of admire him from afar.”
“Ah…”
A sigh slipped out. The friends glanced at Herwin, whose nose bridge had already creased in displeasure.
“I know you hate that kind of thing, so I was going to turn them down, but they’ve already rented a mansion.”
“What? A mansion?!”
“Yeah. And a pretty big one too. Since your birthday falls on a Saturday, we’ll be allowed out. They’re planning to hold the birthday party there.”
The scale was beyond their imagination. Everyone stared, dumbfounded, mouths agape.
“Wow, I knew Herwin was popular, but I didn’t think it was to this extent…”
At Ethan’s amazed words, Herwin’s eyebrow twitched.
“So since things turned out this way, why don’t we just hold the birthday party at the mansion they prepared—”
“No.”
Herwin cut Bianca off before she could finish.
“When did I ever ask them to do something like that? They went ahead on their own, so why should I go?”
“But they only did it for you. They wanted to give you a birthday you’d never forget…”
“Still no. I can’t stand big crowds.”
The friends exchanged glances, clearly uneasy.
It was true—Bianca’s suggestion was a bit much. Especially considering how much Herwin hated being around lots of people, this would be torture for him.
They understood his feelings, but flatly rejecting it wasn’t simple either. If the mansion was already rented, then payment must have been made. To refuse now would throw away all that effort.
But Herwin was firm. Since the person concerned didn’t want it, no one else had the right to force him.
“Well, I don’t know. It sounds like a good idea to me.”
That was when Arista spoke up.
“Arista.”
“Herwin, think about it again. They only did it because they wanted to celebrate your birthday.”
Despite her persuasion, Herwin’s expression didn’t soften.
“And besides, they already paid for everything. They must’ve worked hard to save up and plan all this. If you don’t go, what happens to all of that?”
“Who told them to go ahead without asking me? I don’t see why I should care about their situation.”
“You can’t be that heartless. At least they started with good intentions, so we should show some appreciation. Don’t you think so, Lucia?”
Lucia flinched at suddenly being dragged in. She looked at the faces turned toward her, then met Herwin’s eyes.
It was clear he expected her, at least, to take his side.
“Um… I think I agree with Arista.”
“…Huh?”
“It’s not such a bad suggestion. Sure, there’ll be a lot of people, but they’re all gathering just to celebrate you…”
“Lucia, you know better than anyone how much I hate that sort of thing.”
“I do. But when else will you ever have a chance like this? And honestly, if they went this far, they’ll probably try the same thing next time too.”
Herwin flinched. He couldn’t deny her point.
“So why not go just this once, and then make it very clear that they’re never to do it again? You know what they say, strike while the iron’s hot.”
“See? I knew you’d agree with me, Lucia!”
Arista’s eyes sparkled as she pulled Lucia into a hug.
“And if it feels overwhelming, just think of it as a year-end party, not a birthday one. It’s right before summer break anyway. Bianca, how many people are organizing this?”
“Quite a few. About ten kids. As for attendees… easily over seventy. Maybe almost the entire first-year class.”
“…Huh. I heard you had a fan club, but that’s bigger than I thought.”
“Looks like most of our year really likes you, Herwin.”
At their murmuring, veins popped on Herwin’s forehead.
“Herwin, please? Just this once.”
“Yeah, come on, it’s been ages since we had a party! Sounds fun.”
Both Lucia and Arista looked at him with sparkling eyes.
He opened his mouth to refuse, but under their stares, he let out a long sigh.
“…Fine. Do whatever you want.”
“Yesss!”
“Really?!”
“Yeah. But just this once. Bianca, tell them clearly—if they pull something like this again, I won’t let it slide.”
“Got it! I’ll make sure to tell them!”
“Shouldn’t we help out too?”
“Yeah, it feels wrong to just show up.”
“I’ll ask them today. I’m sure they’ll have things for us to do. For now, the progress so far is…”
Bianca began explaining what she knew of the preparations.
Technically, Herwin should’ve had no part in hearing it, but his friends had already pushed him out of the picture.
Leaning back in his chair, helpless, Herwin happened to catch Lucia’s eye.
Sorry, she mouthed softly.
Forcing him into something he hated made her feel guilty.
Herwin gave a small sigh at his overly kind childhood friend.
It’s fine. What else can I do at this point?
As the crease on his nose bridge smoothed, Lucia let out a breath of relief.
But someone else had been watching them quietly—Bianca.
Seeing the two childhood friends wordlessly communicate with their eyes, Bianca narrowed her own for a moment. But when someone spoke to her, she quickly smoothed her expression.
The day after Herwin’s birthday party was set—Saturday.
Lucia, along with her female friends, used an outing permit to head into Tervan Street to shop for Herwin’s present.
“Hmm, I really don’t know what to buy.”
“I was thinking of a fountain pen. Do you think that’d be okay?”
“Ooh, nice choice, Bianca.”
Walking ahead, Christine and Bianca discussed gift ideas.
Meanwhile, Arista asked Lucia, who was walking beside her:
“Lucia, have you thought of anything for Herwin yet?”
“Hmm… not yet. What about you, Arista?”
“I’m thinking of buying some polish or maintenance tools for his sword. For a swordsman, the blade is life.”
“Oh, I didn’t think of that. That’s a clever idea.”
“Well, I am his sparring partner, so it’s all I could come up with.”
Compared to the usual gifts like books, handkerchiefs, or pens, it definitely stood out.
It was unusual, but very Arista.
Lucia imagined Herwin receiving Arista’s gift, smiling in delight.
A smile he never showed her, but would show to her.
Quickly, Lucia shook her head before jealousy could consume her.
You promised not to resent Arista anymore. Pull yourself together, Lucia Agnes.
“Lucia! Let’s go over there!”
Beaming, Arista grabbed her hand and tugged her along.
Lucia, whose face had stiffened for a moment, found herself smiling back at her friend’s brightness.
“Yeah, let’s go!”
She held Arista’s hand tightly and followed. Not a trace of hesitation showed on her face.
“…”
Standing in front of a small shop, Lucia couldn’t tear her eyes away from the display inside.
After splitting up from the others to buy gifts individually, Lucia had wandered around on her own… until she stumbled upon this jewelry store.
Ding-ling.
“Excuse me…”
She stepped inside, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Welcome, young lady.”
An elderly man, glasses perched precariously on his nose, stood up from his seat.
“Is there something you’re looking for?”
“Um… could I see that item there?”
She nervously pointed at something in the glass case.
“Ah, the cufflinks. Which one exactly?”
“The second one from the left, please.”
The shopkeeper carefully took out the pair.
It was set with a gemstone, darker and fiercer than a ruby.
Lucia couldn’t take her eyes off it—it looked exactly like Herwin’s eyes.
“Is this perhaps a gift for your boyfriend?”
“Wh-what?”
Her face flushed bright red, and the old man smiled warmly.
“The gentleman who receives a gift from such a sweet young lady will be very lucky indeed.”
“No, I mean…”
“I’ll include engraving service for free. You can have initials inscribed on the inside. Would you like that?”
She should have said it wasn’t for a lover. But the words wouldn’t leave her lips.
After opening and closing her mouth uselessly, she finally lowered her head.
“…Yes, please.”
“Then may I have the name?”
“Herwin Pene—no, please put Lucia Agnes.”
She had almost said Herwin’s name, but quickly changed it to her own.
“Since the space is small, it will be engraved as initials. Is that acceptable?”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
“Very well. I’ll make it beautiful. Please wait just a moment.”
The shopkeeper disappeared into the back workshop with the cufflinks.
Lucia fanned her face with her hands, trying to cool the heat rising to her cheeks.
“This much is fine… right?”
Usually, gifting something engraved with one’s own name was reserved for lovers.
But this was only initials, not her full name.
That much, surely, was still okay between friends.
She tried to convince herself as she waited.
