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Chapter 30
“Why does the birthday boy look so gloomy?”
“…Brother!”
“Happy birthday, Herwin. Here, this is your gift.”
The one who patted Herwin’s back was none other than Lucas. His well-dressed appearance immediately caught people’s attention.
Receiving the gift from Lucas, Herwin finally showed a genuinely happy expression.
“Thanks. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten birthday wishes from you in person.”
“I couldn’t celebrate with you while I was at the academy, but I still sent gifts without fail, didn’t I?”
“Haha, I know. I received them well.”
“Ah, I didn’t prepare a gift. My apologies, Young Lord Peneus.”
Someone appeared, resting a hand on Lucas’s shoulder.
“Lord Lydia.”
“Lucas asked me to come to the party, so I came empty-handed. If I’d known it was a birthday party, I’d have at least brought a gift.”
“No, thank you just for coming.”
Ares grinned and glanced around.
“Isn’t this the grandest birthday party in the academy’s history?”
“You didn’t rent out a mansion even for your birthday. This might become the next trend.”
The chatter went on briefly, until Lucas looked around.
“But where’s Lucia? She didn’t come with you?”
“Well, I haven’t seen her yet…”
“She’ll be here soon. The girls decided to come separately.”
“Oh, so you are…”
As Ethan answered in Herwin’s place, Lucas looked awkward. Ethan only smiled warmly in his usual way.
“I’m Ethan Belluna. A close friend of Lucia’s.”
“Ah, right. We met in the infirmary. Sorry about last time. When it comes to my sister, I tend to lose my head…”
Mentioning the incident where he had grabbed Ethan by the collar, Lucas looked regretful. Ethan quickly waved it off.
“No, it’s fine. If I heard my sibling was hurt, I’d probably react the same way.”
“I’m Brian Chercis. Please take care of us, senior.”
“I’m Lucas Agnes. Please take care of Lucia and Herwin.”
“I’m Ares Lydia. Looks like you’re close to Arista as well.”
The people who had briefly met in the infirmary introduced themselves properly, building rapport.
Not far away, Bianca stood stiffly, sneaking glances at Lucas and Ares.
Of course they’d look just like Arista and Lucia’s older brothers.
Feeling inexplicably uneasy, Bianca furrowed her brows slightly.
“Ah! There they are!”
“Ha, I’ve been looking everywhere.”
“Seriously. So many people here.”
Familiar voices could be heard close by.
“Girls, you’re here—”
Ethan turned toward the girls, but the words caught in his throat. The same went for everyone else. His usually languid red eyes widened.
As the crowd shifted, three girls appeared.
At the center stood Arista, upright in her academy uniform. To her left was Christine, and to her right was Lucia.
The three of them were so beautiful, no one could look away.
“Lucia!”
“Huh? Brother!”
Lucas rushed toward Lucia.
“What are you doing here, brother?”
“What else? I was invited by Herwin.”
Grinning broadly, Lucas scanned Lucia from head to toe.
“…What? Do I have something on my face?”
“No. Sigh…”
Lucas let out a deep sigh, rubbing his gaunt face before stroking his chin with a serious look.
“My little sister is just too pretty. What if some good-for-nothing tries to hit on you?!”
Lucia’s face flushed scarlet. She could feel the people around glancing at them.
“Did you have to dress up this beautifully today? Sure, you’re always the prettiest in the world, but today you look like an angel descended!”
“Seems you’re very loved, Lucia.”
Hearing Christine mutter that, Lucia quickly snapped back to her senses. Secretly, she pinched Lucas’s arm hard.
“Say one more word and I won’t even look at you at home.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
When Lucas finally stopped gushing, Lucia sighed in relief. Looking around, she realized her friends were staring at her.
“Sorry, guys. My brother exaggerates too much…”
“No, he’s right. You really are stunning today.”
“Yeah, you look amazing. Christine, Arista, you two as well.”
Hearing Brian and Ethan’s compliments, Lucia grew shy. Lowering her head, she stole a glance past them at Herwin.
When her eyes met his red ones, she twisted her legs nervously under her skirt.
“…You’re beautiful.”
Herwin smiled faintly as he said it, and Lucia felt her body heat up instantly.
Thank goodness she’d brought a fan—she quickly raised it to cover her face.
“Still wearing your uniform? You haven’t broken that habit since you were a kid?”
“Ugh, Ares…”
Spotting Arista, Ares sighed softly. She narrowed her eyes at him in irritation.
“You’re really hopeless, aren’t you? Isn’t that right, Lucas?”
Arista clamped her mouth shut when Ares dragged Lucas into it. Lucas awkwardly shifted his gaze, then smiled faintly.
“Why? It suits her.”
“Still, she should’ve dressed for the occasion. She’s probably the only one here not in a gown.”
“Erss, sthop it. (Ares, shut up.)”
Arista ground her teeth as she spoke, and only then did Ares drop it.
Glaring at her brother, Arista quickly turned her head when her eyes met Lucas’s. She clenched her pants hem where no one could see.
Bianca, who had been quietly observing the cheerful scene, clapped her hands.
Clap—
“Looks like everyone’s here. Shall we start the party?”
At her signal, another organizer gestured to the band, and the music changed.
The real party had begun—and with it, the dancing.
Guests naturally moved to the sides of the hall, leaving the center open. All eyes turned to Herwin.
“The host should start us off, don’t you think?”
As Bianca set the stage, Herwin looked around awkwardly.
He wasn’t keen on it, but he knew if he didn’t dance, no one else would either. Reluctantly, he had to choose a partner.
Scanning the room, he noticed nearby young women blushing as his eyes swept past them. But he didn’t linger on them—he turned instead to the group closest to him.
When his gaze settled on the four girls, Arista raised both hands.
“For the record, I’m not dancing. I’m not even in a dress.”
Indeed, it would be odd to invite Arista in her uniform.
Herwin’s gaze shifted. Then, carefully, he extended his hand.
“Lucia.”
“…Me?”
When Lucia pointed to herself in confusion, Herwin nodded slowly.
Lucia glanced around nervously. Her eyes met Arista’s, who gave her a sly smile.
After a moment’s hesitation, Lucia placed her hand in his.
Hand in hand, the two stepped into the center of the empty hall.
Drawing on what they had learned, they naturally moved in time with the music.
As their dance began, others soon paired off, filling the space.
Lucia felt like she was dreaming.
If Arista had come in a dress tonight, Herwin surely would have asked her instead.
I’m probably just Arista’s stand-in.
Even knowing that, Lucia’s heart floated.
No matter what she thought, the fact remained that she was Herwin’s first dance partner tonight. That truth wouldn’t change.
“Lucia.”
“Hm?”
“Don’t you have something to say to me today?”
Something to say? While dancing?
Lucia froze for a moment—then remembered she hadn’t said it yet.
Her blue eyes curved softly.
“Happy birthday, Herwin.”
He’d heard the phrase many times today, but hers was the one he wanted most.
Feeling warmth swell inside him, Herwin smiled gently.
Lucia momentarily lost herself in that smile. It was exactly as she’d imagined before coming here.
Something about tonight just felt right.
“Arista, are you really not going to dance?”
While others enjoyed themselves, Ethan sidled up to her.
Arista smirked, tugging at her uniform.
“How could I in this outfit?”
“Don’t tell me you wore it just for this reason?”
“Ah, you caught me. How’d you know?”
She giggled mischievously.
Indeed, many boys were sneaking glances at her but too hesitant to approach.
Though she thought her strategy worked well, a tiny part of her regretted not simply wearing a gown.
“Hm?”
Leaning against the wall with a non-alcoholic champagne in hand, Arista spotted a familiar figure in the distance.
“…Bianca?”
While everyone else was focused on the dancers, Bianca stood off in a quiet corner. She was speaking seriously with a group of girls.
“…What’s she up to?”
Holding her breath, Arista secretly trailed after Bianca.
Just earlier, she had seen Bianca conversing in hushed tones with other girls in the hall, and it bothered her enough to follow.
From the pink flower pinned to Bianca’s chest, it was clear she was one of the organizers.
If so, maybe she was just moving on to the next stage of the event. But Arista’s instincts prickled at her neck.
A sense of foreboding crawled over her, making her palms damp.
Bianca led them into the garden behind the mansion.
“…Ready?”
“Now… install it…”
In the distance, Bianca and the girls whispered together.
Arista strained to listen, but they were too far.
It seemed like they were sharing a secret before hiding something round in the bushes.
“…A crystal orb?”
It looked like one, but what for?
Maybe it was a surprise event, but their behavior seemed far too suspicious.
They glanced around nervously, whispering so low no one could overhear.
Everyone knows they organized the party, so why so secretive?
“Should I get a bit closer?”
Erasing her presence, Arista crept forward.
Rustle—
“Lady Lydia, what are you doing here?”
A voice came from behind, and Arista flinched, swinging her arm reflexively.
“Kyaa!”
A girl screamed as Arista’s fist came flying—then froze just before impact.
“…You scared me.”
“Y-you scared me! Who just swings their fist at someone like that?!”
“Sorry. You startled me, speaking up from behind…”
Feeling sheepish, Arista offered her hand to help the girl up. Grumbling, she accepted and stood.
