Chapter 29
“Huh, you rented such a huge mansion?”
“Yes, it’s much bigger than I expected…”
“Right? That’s why I worked so hard to convince Herwin to go along with it.”
Right before entering the academy, Lucia and her friends followed Bianca to see the mansion she had mentioned reserving in advance.
Compared to their family estates, it wasn’t enormous, but for a house on Tervan Street, it was definitely one of the larger ones.
“If it’s okay, want to take a quick look inside?”
“Huh? Can we really?”
“Sure, I already got permission. A few others come to look around sometimes, so it’s fine.”
Following Bianca inside, Lucia could see a neatly kept garden stretching out in the distance. The mansion’s overall condition was excellent.
“With a place this big, we could host a lot of people.”
“Right? The hall’s spacious too.”
As Christine and Arista looked around the mansion, Lucia also wandered, glancing here and there.
Then Bianca quietly sidled up to her.
“Did you get Herwin’s gift?”
“Of course I did.”
“Really? What did you buy?”
Lowering her voice so others wouldn’t overhear, Bianca’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. Lucia gave a small laugh. For a moment, it felt like they were back in the old days.
“That’s a secret!”
“Oh, come on. You could at least tell me.”
“Haha, you’ll find out later. I picked something that suits Herwin perfectly.”
“Hmph, saying that just makes me more curious.”
Bianca narrowed her eyes in mock irritation. After a moment of locking eyes, both girls burst out laughing.
“Herwin said he didn’t want anything, but it’s going to be the best birthday ever. So many people are coming to celebrate with him.”
Bianca smiled faintly, watching Lucia’s brown hair glimmer in the light.
“It’s going to be a wonderful day, just like you said. But… are you really not going to confess to him?”
Lucia jumped, whipping around in surprise.
She quickly looked over her shoulder, worried Christine or Arista might have overheard. Luckily, the two were some distance away.
“You can’t just say that out loud!”
“They’re far away, it’s fine. So? You really don’t plan on confessing? Even if it’s technically a birthday party, it’s also sort of an end-of-term celebration. Everyone’s going to be dressed up, you and Herwin included.”
Just as Bianca said, while the party was centered around Herwin’s birthday, it also doubled as a sendoff before the break.
Most students would show up in elegant outfits, eager to enjoy themselves.
Lucia too had prepared a pale sky-blue dress, chosen especially with Herwin’s birthday in mind.
“Wouldn’t it be such a waste not to confess on such a nice day? You went through all that trouble to look pretty!”
“Well…”
“You already have his gift—give it to him and confess. Maybe this time, he’ll actually accept it.”
“But… Herwin likes Arista…”
“He likes her, sure. But they’re not dating. Are you really planning to just give up?”
“…”
Lucia pressed her lips together tightly. Bianca’s words shook her, but she still couldn’t bring herself to decide.
After glancing around, Bianca took Lucia’s hand and led her out of the mansion.
“Lucia, I’m actually the one in charge of organizing this party.”
“The organizer? I thought you were just helping out.”
“It sort of turned into that. Anyway, the point is—I can arrange a private spot for you and Herwin.”
“…What do you mean?”
“Come here, I’ll show you.”
Bianca guided her to the back garden behind the mansion.
“When the party’s in full swing, I’ll lure Herwin here. You’ll wait here and confess to him. I’ll make sure no one else comes in.”
“The spot’s nice, but… isn’t it a bit too open?”
“By the time the party’s in full swing, it’ll be dark, so people won’t be able to see in from the hall. And I told you—I’m the organizer. I’ll mark this area as off-limits, and if I draw the curtains inside the hall, no one will notice. What do you think? Great idea, right?”
It was tempting. Unlike a casual, everyday confession, this one would be under beautiful lighting, in a decorated garden, with a gift in hand—it would surely be memorable.
But still, Lucia hesitated. Was it really right to confess on his one special day of the year?
“Think it over. I’ll handle the arrangements so no one disturbs this spot.”
“Okay… got it.”
“Lucia! Bianca! There you are—come on, let’s go!”
Christine called out when she spotted them.
By now, the sun was dipping low, painting the sky in soft orange hues.
Lucia quickly wrapped up her talk with Bianca and joined the others.
There was only one week left until Herwin’s birthday.
“Phew…”
Lucia let out a long, nervous sigh as she fiddled with her hair.
She’d been standing in front of the mirror for at least half an hour and still couldn’t tear herself away.
“Lucia, what are you doing? If you don’t leave now, we’ll be late!”
“Huh? Oh! Just a second!”
Arista’s impatient voice came from outside the door, followed by a knock.
Lucia hastily grabbed Herwin’s gift and her handbag. Before heading out, she checked herself in the mirror once more.
“…It’s not too much, right?”
The reflection that stared back was a lovely one—her wavy brown hair neatly braided and adorned with tiny beads, her light makeup giving her a bright and lively air. The flowing sky-blue dress she wore suited the summer evening perfectly.
She’d definitely put more effort in than usual, and part of her wondered if it might be too much.
“Lucia!”
“Coming!”
Lucia rushed outside, where Arista and Christine were waiting.
Christine looked like a woodland fairy in a soft mint-green dress that perfectly suited her. Arista, on the other hand, wore her knight’s uniform instead of a gown—odd, but somehow fitting.
“Sorry, did I keep you waiting?”
Both turned to her—and froze.
“…Cute.”
“Lucia! You look amazing!”
Arista stared in awe, and Christine showered her with compliments.
“It’s not… too much?”
“No way! You look gorgeous!”
“Yeah, all the boys are going to fall for you.”
Being praised by both Christine and Arista—the academy’s renowned beauty—Lucia’s face flushed red.
“Where’s Bianca?”
“She went ahead to finish party prep.”
“The boys already left too, so it’s just us now.”
The three quickly left the dorms together.
It was Saturday, and though the academy was usually quiet on weekends, tonight the grounds were lively.
Students, both male and female, were dressed to the nines—clearly all headed to the same destination.
There was an unmistakable excitement in the air.
“Feels like a lot of new couples might come out of tonight.”
“Wouldn’t surprise me. Some might’ve come just for that.”
Hearing their whispers, Lucia glanced around.
Sure enough, she could already spot a few pairs of nervous boys and blushing girls talking shyly to each other.
Watching them, Lucia saw herself and Herwin in their place—the way he’d smile brightly whenever she spoke. The image, though just a fantasy, made her heart flutter.
“Lucia, what are you doing back there?”
Snapped from her daze, Lucia looked up to see Arista and Christine waving from ahead.
When she turned back, the spot where she’d imagined herself and Herwin now held another happy couple chatting away.
“Coming!”
She smiled and hurried after her friends, her steps light and full of anticipation.
“Happy birthday, Lord Peneus!”
“I brought a gift! Please accept it!”
“Happy birthday, Herwin! Wow, I knew you were popular, but this is beyond what I imagined. Must be nice being everyone’s favorite!”
Herwin let out a weary sigh as yet another group of people approached.
They were all academy classmates, there either to celebrate his birthday or just enjoy the party.
When Bianca had shown him the guest list, he thought it looked a bit excessive—but he hadn’t expected this many people.
If he’d known, he would’ve found an excuse to come late.
Resolving never to get dragged into something like this again, Herwin stood stiffly as Ethan came over.
“Herwin, look at that—your gifts alone are already stacked into a mountain. Opening them later’s going to be a nightmare.”
Following Ethan’s gaze, Herwin saw the pile of gifts that towered nearby.
Most people would’ve been thrilled, but his expression just darkened.
“Haah… I want to go back to the dorms.”
“Hang in there. You’re the birthday boy, at least dance once.”
“Yeah, seriously. Look over there—those lovely ladies are waiting for you.”
Brian, clearly having the time of his life, grinned as he strolled up.
“Why do you look happier than the actual birthday boy?”
“Haha, the ladies just won’t leave me alone. What can I say? My charm’s unstoppable.”
“Ugh, gross.”
Ethan grimaced, disgusted at Brian’s smugness. It was their usual banter, but there was a definite air of excitement among them.
Herwin sighed again. Was he the only one not enjoying himself?
“Why the long face? Don’t like the party?”
“…Bianca.”
A soft perfume drifted by as Bianca appeared, guest list in hand. The moment Brian saw her, he whistled.
“Ooh~ someone really went all out tonight.”
“Heh, what do you think? Pretty, right?”
Flipping her reddish-brown hair over her shoulder, Bianca gave him a playful smile.
She was a natural beauty, and in her crimson dress she looked even more stunning—elegant and dazzling.
A few nearby boys couldn’t help sneaking glances at her.
“Bianca, there seem to be more people here than the list you gave me.”
“Really? It’s only like ten more than planned.”
“So there are more.”
“Oh, come on, ten’s nothing. The more the merrier!”
“Haah… So when does this party end, anyway?”
“Once everyone settles in, we’ll officially start. There’ll be about an hour of dancing, then a few small events… so maybe in three hours?”
“No way, that’s too long. Cut it down.”
“What? No! Do you know how much I’ve prepared for this?”
“If it ends in three hours, that’s around ten o’clock. Curfew’s nine—if this many students return late, the academy’s bound to complain.”
“Don’t worry. I already talked with the academy—they extended it to midnight. See? Even a few professors showed up.”
Ethan followed Bianca’s pointing finger and grimaced.
“Ugh, seriously? I thought I was imagining it…”
“Weren’t the professors here to keep students from causing trouble? But…”
Brian trailed off, at a loss for words.
The very professors meant to keep watch were holding wine glasses, laughing and chatting away.
“…Guess they’re enjoying their little rebellion, too.”
Pop!
Just then, a sharp sting hit Herwin’s back from behind.
He widened his eyes and turned around, clutching his side—
