Chapter 7
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 0.5
Chapter Title: Fiancée's Fall? (1)
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...
An unfamiliar ceiling.
As I opened my eyes amid the crashing headache, the world spun wildly.
At the same time, an unstoppable thirst came over me. Fortunately, a glass of water was within reach.
Gulp, gulp, gulp.
The cool water slid down my throat, rousing my settled mind. And then...
"The scent is really nice."
The memory of drinking whiskey for the first time in my life yesterday came flooding back like a panorama.
"Halfwaaay, halfwaaay, little staaar~!"
"Wow! It's snooow!"
"The wooorld is spiiinning!"
Ah.
"Uwaaaang!"
Lucia de Astria. Are you insane? What the hell did you do?
Memories that shouldn't exist—or maybe they did—were tearing my head apart.
"Hehe. Your hand is bigger than mine."
"Lady Lucia. Please, that's enough—."
"You can't call me just Lucia?"
The typical ravings of a drunkard continued. I even threw in a nasal whine to sound cute.
"Coachman. Sorry, but go as sloooow as possible—."
"Uweeeek."
"...My apologies. I'll walk from here, so could you stop now?"
And to top it all off, the truth that I'd done things no lady should.
It was more than enough to turn her pale face beet red.
'What am I going to do...?'
Dead drunk. Drunken nonsense. Vomiting.
Each one was rude enough on its own, but the fact that I'd chained them together like dominoes for hours was enough to shatter Lucia's sanity.
Among them, the one line I wanted to stuff back in right now was.
"But why haven't you ever dated anyone until now? At this point, you're exceptio— Kuweek."
...Better stop there. I didn't even want to recall anything beyond that.
Knock knock. Along with the knock came a woman's voice from beyond the door.
"Sister-in-law, are you up by any chance?"
Sister-in-law. Soon to be family. Seeing that my clothes had been changed, there was a high chance her hands had done it.
Which meant she'd witnessed my disgrace from the front row last night.
At that realization, Lucia swallowed hard.
"I just woke up! You can come in."
I had to ask. Where I was, what I'd done. And whether it was something that might become my dark history.
Creeeak. As the door opened, her night-brown hair and eyes peeked out from behind it.
"Did you sleep well? Head hurting or anything?"
"I'm fine. But..."
What happened yesterday?
"..."
A strange mix of emotions crossed my sister-in-law's face at my question.
Cuteness. Pity. Worry. Bittersweetness. Emotions hard to coexist with her faint smile.
"Hmm... No big deal, just."
Just?
"A day to learn your tastes."
Ah.
Taboo or not, Lucia wanted to turn back time, whatever it took.
Eyes. Blue pine needles. Cold wind. Coffee aroma.
"Haaah..."
Anything to distract her mind would do.
Otherwise, yesterday's memories would sprout up fresh again.
Like a rough hand much bigger than hers. Or muscles honed by relentless training. Men and women's bodies were definitely tota—.
'Aaaaaaah!'
The moment she let her guard down, even just a bit, this happened.
Her head filled right up with thoughts of him. Like she'd caught some illness.
'...Is it love?'
Lately, chatting with friends her age or other young ladies, one topic came up often.
"Look at this. Super cool, right?"
"Hey~. Are you teasing me right now?"
"No clue..."
"Hey!"
Boasts disguised as love advice about fiancés.
"I just... sometimes he looks so cute. Clearly idiotic behavior, but somehow adorable."
"Ah. That's bad. Others think he's dumb and ask why you like it, but to you he's cute?"
"Yeah, that describes it."
"Totally bad. Opposite is 'cool.' Liking for coolness doesn't last. Cool only works if he does what you want. Moment he doesn't, love breaks."
"Wow. How do you know so well?"
"...Read in a book."
"...Huh?"
Confident love expert advice. (Not sure if she really was one.)
The kids around her seemed way more interested in love lately.
Maybe she was the weird one. She'd thought a sword was enough to fill her life till now.
So, assuming she was 'in love' right now.
'Am I this easy a girl?'
All the guys she'd dumped before—had she just not liked them? Was the sword an excuse?
To calm her swirling thoughts, she took a sip of coffee. Bitter. Very much so.
"Whiskey's all about the scent. Tilt the glass like this, sniff close, then from afar."
That had been sweet. Amazing scent too.
Of course, price difference considered. But she couldn't shake the thought that this coffee would've tasted different shared with him.
'Just sleep it off.'
No. In this state, she couldn't even imagine what dreams might bring.
As she lifted the cup to drain it somehow.
A jingle tickled her ears.
"Hey there, pretty miss~. Mind if I join you?"
Turning her head, a woman with a refreshing smile stood there.
Deep brown hair and eyes. Lips colored with bold lipstick. Black sunglasses, earrings gleaming in winter sun.
Somewhat bold outfit.
Black leather jacket over a red sweater, skin-tight light apricot pants that screamed sensuality.
"...Do you need something from me?"
"Oh my. Didn't expect you'd catch on so fast."
Of course. Plenty of empty tables in the cafe.
As she leaned back slightly, the woman rummaged in her leather jacket. Soon, a symbol in her hand.
A golden cradle encircled by laurel. The crest of Ailene's Cradle Academy.
"You're Lucia, right? We'll be teacher and student next semester, so I came to get a face-to-face early."
She smiled brightly and placed a business card on the table.
Clean rectangular paper from the Mage Tower workshop. Info simple.
Irene Restain, 6th Circle, Tenured Astrology Professor.
"Private meetings violate school rules."
"Oops. I'm a parachute hire this year, didn't know. And not officially teacher yet?"
She plopped down like it was her own home. Pushed sunglasses atop her head and added.
"Oh, by the way, my interest's in you, not Astria. Miss Lucia."
Not family business made it stranger. Requests for house support or name use common, but few wanted anything from her personally.
"Didn't expect this branch change... but main path looks fine. This'll do."
"...Pardon? What do you—."
"Explaining's complicated."
She crossed her legs casually.
"Congrats first, maybe?"
Her expression grew odder. Like a kid who'd waited for this moment, she burst into a sly grin.
Hahaha.
As laughter faded, she said flatly.
"Straight to it: what do you think of Daniel Dia Tristan?"
"...Huh?"
Couldn't process instantly. Why his name suddenly, why ask her opinion out of nowhere.
And why tell her.
'Haa...'
Head already killing her, now weird person. Maybe here to extort over last night's mess.
Best not engage seriously—.
"Glass slippers birthday gift at seven. Hid under bed. Twirled in front of mirror in fave pink dress."
...Wait. How do you know.
"Prince on white horse picture book at ten, under small drawer. First romance novel at thirteen, inside teddy bear."
Secrets poured from her mouth. Like she'd peered into Lucia's past.
"And sensual novel at sixteen—."
"...Never read any."
"Huh? Weird. Pretty sure."
Her smile turned sly. Like peering into Lucia's feelings.
Continuing this chat wouldn't end well.
"No idea what trick—."
"Height ten cm taller perfect, broad shoulders, muscular but not burly—hate unmanaged more."
"..."
"Mid-low clean voice preferred. Rough hands feel manly? Hate frivolous attitudes or walks. Not picky on looks but handsome nice, love firm back to lean on. Mature, reliable anytime perfect."
"Hold on!"
Tastes brutally exposed. Every single one!
"Key is wild side shown only to you alone—. Mmph."
Lucia clamped her mouth shut. No clue how she knew, but letting her continue would've made showing her face impossible.
"Who the hell are you?"
"Just a stargazer."
Future. Present. Past. Reads world's flow from stars' shapes, twinkles, sizes.
"Can read far future too. Past obvious. Love-limited though."
"..."
"Back to main point."
Like finding fun toy, childlike grin. Seductive ring dizzying her ears.
"I can help you snag that guy."
"...No plans to."
"Really?"
Well. I mean.
"J-just curious. Gotta apologize for the other day too—."
"Apologize and date, pretend accident hand-hold, arm-link night stroll, climb adult steps like that sixteen-year-old novel."
"..."
"Told you. Far future hard, near future? Easy."
Coffee on table long cold.
"Appetizer over."
Seemed pleased with chat, smirked and placed small luxurious box on table.
Opened lightly: pair of sapphire rings.
"...What's this?"
"My fee. Also engagement rings to aid your romance biz?"
Pushed sunglasses up, deep brown eyes bore in.
"Now, real talk."
Like prior was joke, words heavy.
"Strongest exorcist Daniel Dia Tristan must fall, or world ends."
"...Huh?"
Couldn't grasp. Nonsensical words. Logical leap.
"Sudden, right? Just do what you planned. Straight on."
Seduce him with all you've got.
"Fall sounds grandiose, but no biggie."
Pure devoted love. Endlessly tender romance. Confirming hearts happy-end kiss.
"Pure fall, harem fall, whatever. Body before heart fine, platonic love too."
Obviously.
"Fail to make him fall, world ends."
His blade slew ancient evil even primordial heroes couldn't. No one knows when it'll turn on humanity.
Sooner, the better.
"Steal his heart. Girl in love."
Sly grin.