🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 29
“Whoa, you rented such a big mansion?”
“Yeah, it’s way bigger than I expected….”
“Right? That’s why I tried so hard to convince Herwin.”
Right before entering the academy, Lucia and her friends followed Bianca to check out the mansion she had reserved in advance.
Compared to each of their family homes, it wasn’t all that big, but among the mansions on Tervan Street, it was considered one of the larger ones.
“Wanna take a look inside if you don’t mind?”
“Huh? Are we allowed?”
“Of course, I already got permission. People come by to tour the place from time to time, so it’s fine.”
When they followed Bianca inside, they saw a neatly decorated garden in the distance. The mansion itself was in very good condition.
“At this size, it could definitely hold a lot of people.”
“Yeah, and the hall is really spacious too.”
As Christine and Arista admired the interior, Lucia also glanced around curiously.
Then Bianca quietly approached her.
“Did you buy Herwin’s present?”
“Of course I did.”
“Really? What did you get?”
Bianca lowered her voice so no one else could hear. Lucia chuckled faintly. For the first time in a while, it felt like things were back to how they used to be.
“That’s a secret!”
“What? You could at least tell me.”
“Haha, you’ll see later. I found something perfect for Herwin.”
“Hmm, the way you say that makes me even more curious.”
Bianca narrowed her eyes, pretending to glare, and after locking eyes for a moment, the two burst out laughing together.
“Herwin might say he doesn’t want this, but it’s definitely going to be the best birthday ever. So many people are coming to celebrate him.”
Bianca, staring at her brown hair that shimmered under the light, smirked.
“So, on such a wonderful day, don’t you think you should confess to him?”
Lucia jolted and whipped her head around.
She quickly scanned the area to make sure Christine and Arista hadn’t overheard. Luckily, they were far away.
“Don’t say that so loud!”
“They’re too far to hear. I’m serious, don’t you want to confess? Even though it’s his birthday party, it’s also doubling as an end-of-term celebration, so most people will be dressed to the nines. That includes you and Herwin.”
Just as Bianca said, the focus was on Herwin’s birthday, but since vacation was coming soon, it was also meant as an end-of-term party.
Most of the students would show up in elegant clothes to enjoy themselves.
Lucia, too, had prepared a pale sky-blue dress just for Herwin’s birthday.
“Wouldn’t it be such a waste not to confess on a day like that? You’re going to be dressed up beautifully anyway—it’d be a shame to let the chance slip.”
“Well…”
“You’ve got the gift ready, so give it to him and confess. He might even say yes this time.”
“But… Herwin likes Arista….”
“Sure, but they’re not dating. Are you really planning to give up just like this?”
“…”
Lucia pressed her lips together. Bianca’s words shook her a little, but she still had no intention of confessing to Herwin.
After glancing around, Bianca suddenly grabbed Lucia’s hand and led her out of the mansion.
“Lucia, I’m actually in charge of organizing this party.”
“In charge? I thought you were just helping the others.”
“It just kind of turned out this way. But that’s not the important part. Since I’m in charge, I can create a special moment just for you and Herwin.”
“…How?”
“Come on, follow me.”
Bianca led her to the garden behind the mansion.
“When the party’s in full swing, I’ll lure Herwin here. You wait for him and confess. I’ll make sure no one else can get in.”
“The place is nice, but… isn’t it too open?”
“By the time the party peaks, it’ll be dark. From inside, people won’t see out clearly. And like I said, I’m in charge. If I put up a ‘restricted access’ sign, no one will come this far, and I’ll hang curtains over the hall. What do you think? Pretty good idea, right?”
It was tempting. Unlike a casual confession, doing it in a dressed-up setting with a gift in hand at such a beautiful spot would surely make it unforgettable.
But part of her worried—was it really right to confess on his one and only birthday?
“Think it over. For now, I’ll make sure this place stays off-limits.”
“…Okay.”
“Lucia! Bianca! There you are. Let’s go already.”
Christine spotted them and hurried them along.
The sky was already turning orange with the sunset.
Lucia quickly wrapped up her talk with Bianca and went over to join the others.
Herwin’s birthday was just one week away.
“Whew…”
Lucia let out a nervous sigh as she fiddled with her hair.
She’d been standing in front of the mirror for at least half an hour, unable to tear herself away.
“Lucia, what are you doing? We’re going to be late!”
“Huh? Oh, oh! Just a sec!”
From outside the room, Arista knocked and urged her to hurry.
Panicking, Lucia grabbed Herwin’s gift and her handbag.
Just before leaving, she glanced at the mirror again and fussed with her hair.
“…It’s not too much, right?”
In the mirror, her rich brown hair was braided neatly into one long plait, decorated with small beads. A touch of makeup gave her face a lively glow, and her airy sky-blue dress matched the summer perfectly.
She looked stunning—maybe even too much.
“Lucia!”
“Coming!”
She rushed out. Arista and Christine were waiting outside.
Christine wore a pale green dress that made her look like a forest fairy, while Arista, unexpectedly, was dressed in her knight’s uniform instead of a gown. But it suited her so well that it didn’t feel strange.
“Sorry, did I keep you waiting?”
The two turned to her and widened their eyes.
“…Adorable.”
“Lucia! You look so pretty!”
Arista stared blankly at her, while Christine gushed with compliments.
“It’s not… too much?”
“Not at all! You look gorgeous!”
“Yeah, you’re going to have all the boys falling for you.”
With both Christine and even Arista—the academy’s most beautiful girl—praising her, Lucia’s face grew warm.
“What about Bianca?”
“She left early to prepare for the party.”
“The boys already headed out too, so it’s just us now.”
The three of them hurried out of the dormitory.
Since it was Saturday, the academy would normally be quiet, but today the campus was bustling with students—all dressed to impress.
Clearly, they were all headed to Herwin’s birthday party.
There was an unusual atmosphere among them.
“Feels like a lot of couples are going to be made tonight.”
“Maybe that’s the real reason some people are coming.”
Lucia overheard their whispers and looked around.
Sure enough, some boys and girls were already striking up conversations.
The shy approach of a boy and the bashful response of a girl—it suited them perfectly.
Lucia unknowingly projected herself and Herwin onto that scene.
She imagined him smiling brightly at her words. Even if it was just fantasy, it felt wonderful.
“Lucia, come on!”
Her daze broke at the sound of her name. Arista and Christine were already further ahead.
When she looked back once more, the couple in the spot where she had imagined herself and Herwin were now laughing together happily.
“Coming!”
She turned away without regret, her steps light.
“Happy birthday, Lord Peneus.”
“I prepared a gift for you, please accept it!”
“Happy birthday, Herwin! Wow, I knew you were popular, but this is insane. Must feel great being so loved!”
Herwin looked tired as he faced the endless stream of people.
They were all academy classmates, either there to celebrate his birthday or just enjoy the party.
When Bianca first showed him the guest list, he knew it would be a lot, but he hadn’t expected quite this many.
If he had, he would have come up with some excuse to arrive late.
He swore to himself he would never agree to something like this again.
Just then, Ethan came over.
“Herwin, you’ve already got a mountain of presents piled up. Opening them later will be a chore.”
Herwin followed Ethan’s gaze and saw the towering pile of gifts.
Most people would be thrilled, but he only scowled.
“Sigh… I just want to go back to the dorm.”
“Hang in there. At least dance once—you’re the guest of honor.”
“Yeah, look at all the lovely ladies waiting for you to ask them.”
Brian, who had clearly been having fun with some girls, joined with a smug grin.
“You look happier than Herwin does.”
“Heh, what can I say? The ladies won’t leave me alone. My charm is unstoppable.”
“Ugh, you’re insufferable.”
Ethan groaned at Brian’s arrogance. Their banter was familiar, but there was an undeniable buzz in the air.
Herwin sighed again, wondering if he was the only one who hated the party.
“Why are you sighing? Don’t like the party?”
“…Bianca.”
A faint scent of perfume announced Bianca’s arrival. She carried the guest list in her hand. Brian let out a whistle as soon as he saw her.
“Ooh~ Someone went all out tonight.”
“Hmph, how do I look? Pretty, right?”
Bianca brushed her reddish-brown hair back, responding confidently.
She was a beauty on any day, but in a red dress she looked especially dazzling.
Herwin noticed several boys sneaking glances at her.
“Bianca, there are more people here than the list you gave me.”
“Really? At most ten extra showed up.”
“So there are more.”
“Come on, that’s nothing. The more, the merrier.”
“Sigh… So when does this thing end?”
“Hmm, once everyone’s here, the real party will start. We’ll have about an hour of dancing, then a few small events… so, maybe in three hours?”
“No way, that’s too long. Cut it short.”
“What? Absolutely not. Do you know how much I prepared for this?”
“If it ends three hours later, that’s 10 p.m. Curfew’s at 9. If all these students go back late, the academy will definitely crack down.”
“Don’t worry. I already arranged with the academy—we have until midnight. That’s why there are even professors here.”
Ethan turned to look where she pointed and recoiled.
“Ugh, they really are here. Thought I was seeing things…”
“Aren’t the professors supposed to be here to supervise in case anything happens? But…”
Brian trailed off.
The professors, supposedly there to keep watch, were holding wine glasses and chatting merrily.
“…Looks like they’re enjoying their rare night off.”
Pop!
Just as Herwin was frowning at the laughing professors, he suddenly felt a sharp sting on his back.
Eyes widening, he clutched at his back and spun around.
