chapter 3
chapter 3
Eighteen
“That’s too much no matter how many times I think about it! Even so, you went too far with what you said to your friend!”
Watching Sophia’s puffed-up cheeks and brown hair swaying in the spring breeze, Lucia lifted her teacup and moistened her lips.
“It’s not like you did it because you wanted to.”
When no answer came back, Sophia added in a voice an octave higher.
Rumors about Lucia and Rosaria had spread like wildfire, and when they were exaggerated into talk of a frail lady, a grand duke’s daughter who had lost her magic, this count’s daughter had come all the way to the estate to confirm the truth.
Whether she was reckless or just naturally bold, either way, it was remarkable for someone so young.
Lucia quietly looked down at her reflection in the tea. Seeing the matured face mirrored on the surface, she thought, she was already eighteen.
“Well, it’s fine.”
“How is it fine! I’m not fine yet!”
As their meaningless exchange continued, Chloe stepped in at just the right moment and refilled Sophia’s cup.
“So you’re still not over it after five years?”
“Of course not! You look so unaffected that it makes me even angrier!”
Sophia set her cup down with a sharp sound and stared straight at Lucia. Lucia didn’t bother avoiding her gaze and simply met it calmly.
I’m really fine though. Isn’t it too late to be angry? Rosaria must have just been immature back then.
She tapped the floor lightly with the tip of her black enamel shoes, and Chloe quietly scolded her for getting dirt on them. It was hard to tell if she was a personal maid or a second mother.
Ignoring the scolding, Lucia sank deeper into her chair. Sophia looked at her with concern.
“What if your mother suddenly appears and says your posture is a mess and starts throwing icicles?”
“What else? I’d dodge.”
What kind of question is that.
Lucia replied without expression, and Sophia made a complicated face.
“That’s true, but…”
That had been her daily life.
Having been struck countless times over etiquette and posture, Lucia now instinctively dodged at even the slightest sign of icicles.
‘Maybe being smaller makes it easier to dodge.’
Lucia picked up a financier from the white plate on the round table and took a bite.
“Lucia! Are you nibbling that like a squirrel? No wonder you stopped growing!”
Sophia’s blunt criticism almost made her choke on crumbs, but Lucia swallowed them with lukewarm tea and replied indifferently.
“What can I do about natural limits?”
“My lady, please don’t say things like natural limits.”
Chloe spoke with a darkened expression.
Ah… since I changed, maybe it’s not a natural limit?
As Lucia’s thoughts wandered in a strange direction, Sophia narrowed her eyes and met her gaze.
“Anyway, are you preparing for your debutante?”
“What is there to prepare? Mother and Chloe will do everything.”
When Lucia glanced at Chloe, she met her eyes neatly.
“Of course. It’s your first appearance, my lady. I’ll make sure you shine the brightest in the Empire. You must show the dignity of Castiya.”
“No, I shouldn’t shine the brightest. I’m supposed to be sick.”
At Lucia’s cold answer, Chloe’s expression noticeably fell. She didn’t like the idea of her lady being treated as a weak person.
‘If being known as the grand duke’s daughter who lost her magic helps me avoid trouble, it’s easier to gain sympathy.’
There was no need to say what everyone already knew.
The imperial family was wary because of Rosaria, and others would mock her as a barbaric noble who couldn’t even use magic. Acting sick was better.
It couldn’t be helped. As long as Asel absorbed all her mana, magic was no longer something she could rely on. If anything, it was closer to enhancing a weapon.
As Lucia chuckled softly, unable to wipe the smile from her lips, Sophia pulled her chair closer and lowered her voice.
“Anyway, there’s someone you really need to watch out for this time.”
“In the capital? There’s more than one person to watch out for.”
“No, this is top-level information. Have you heard of Isadora Valenti?”
It was an unfamiliar name, but she knew the family.
“The Marquess Valenti family… those magic fanatics?”
“Exactly.”
Those people who endlessly spoke about the aesthetics of magic circles and the elegance and dignity of the caster. It was true that such perfection increased power, but it was still hard for Lucia to understand.
“But that’s not the point. She’s like a gentle fox, and she’s curious about you.”
Sunlight filtering through the leaves flickered her shadow across the table.
“So if she talks to you, just faint.”
“…What kind of advice is that?”
“It’s perfect advice! You’re already rumored to be sick, so if you faint, she won’t be able to do anything.”
Lucia looked at Sophia silently. Her face was completely serious.
“What if I pretend to be sick and actually collapse?”
“As if. Your core strength is great.”
“How would you know that?”
“I helped dress you before. I touched here and there.”
At Sophia’s dangerous confession, Chloe coughed lightly. Ignoring the absurd remark, Lucia brushed her silver bracelet.
‘It’s not impossible.’
Pretending to be sick was something she always practiced. Going a step further wasn’t difficult, though collapsing might look bad for a grand duke’s daughter.
“I’ll think about it.”
“Oh, you’re seriously considering it?”
“No.”
Sophia looked disappointed, but only for a moment.
“And there’s more amazing information.”
“That was information?”
“Of course! But this is even bigger. The daughter of the Este duchy—she’s incredibly beautiful! The nobles are going crazy about her!”
Lucia looked at Sophia’s excited face, then leaned back slightly with a cold gaze.
“Yeah. Thanks for the great information.”
It was completely useless. Who nobles fussed over didn’t matter. Castiya, located in the northwest, was too close to the battlefield against monsters to care about such idle matters.
“Hey! That look! It’s important!”
Ignoring Sophia’s social education, the afternoon sunlight stretched across the table.
“Your father isn’t coming?”
Sophia suddenly asked quietly.
“No. I guess the monsters aren’t cleared yet.”
“…I see.”
It was rare for the grand duke to leave the frontlines, but when lives were at stake, a debutante was nothing.
‘Well, at least one person nagging me won’t be there.’
At that moment, Sophia’s gaze briefly lingered on the silver bracelet on Lucia’s wrist before disappearing.
“Then I’ll go with you! We can ride the same carriage.”
“We’ll arrive in a day anyway. Let’s just meet at the entrance.”
“But it’s about the feeling!”
“We can feel it at the entrance.”
Sophia’s lips twitched, then closed, and silence fell between them.
“Lucia…”
Her voice broke it cautiously.
“The princess will be there too…”
“It’s fine. It’s already been five years.”
The bitterness on her tongue—whether from tea or something else—lingered.
“Still…”
“It’s fine. I’ll take a walk.”
Lucia stood up, leaving behind the worried gaze. She lightly shook her silver bracelet, and with a clinking sound, a long staff appeared.
The sensation of Asel touching the ground traveled through her palm. It was the perfect height to support her. She didn’t need to take it out, but she should keep practicing.
Chloe approached and draped a light coat over her shoulders.
“Alright, I’ll send several dresses from my house. Make sure to pick the prettiest one!”
“As long as it’s not overloaded with decorations.”
With Sophia’s taste, it would surely be full of lace, ribbons, and jewels.
“No way! Trust me!”
She didn’t trust her at all.
“Thank you for the tea! Take good care of Lucia!”
“Thank you, Lady Sophia. Please travel safely.”
After seeing off the noisy guest, silence fell. Chloe tilted a lace parasol, and the two walked along the edge of the estate.
“The sun’s almost gone.”
“A lady’s skin is precious. Let’s go.”
Watching Chloe’s skilled movements felt strange. The clumsy maid from before was gone.
“Chloe, you’ve gotten really good.”
“That’s thanks to how much care you require, my lady. It’s been a fulfilling five years.”
“Is that a compliment or an insult?”
“Deep affection, of course.”
“I still remember you memorizing manuals.”
Chloe’s cheeks reddened.
“P-please forget that.”
“I have a good memory.”
“My lady!”
Lucia laughed softly as a cherry blossom petal landed on the parasol.
“Do you still find me strange sometimes?”
“Of course.”
“I see.”
Chloe’s steps slowed slightly.
“It’s amazing. That little lady is now preparing for her debutante.”
Lucia didn’t reply. She lightly swung the silver staff like a sword, then wrapped it around her wrist and walked beside Chloe again.
“How about this one, Lady Lucia?”
“Yeah, it’s fine.”
“Please don’t just say everything is fine.”
“They’re all fine…”
Chloe gently scolded Lucia, who answered with unfocused eyes, and brought another dress. She had been standing in front of the mirror for over an hour.
They had only arrived at the capital estate two days ago. Watching the scenery from the carriage had felt like a trip, but that happiness ended once the dressing began.
Isabella was also dressed more elaborately than usual, choosing accessories.
“Raise your arms.”
Following Chloe’s hands, a pale blue silk dress flowed smoothly from shoulders to feet. The refined waistline and delicate silver embroidery created restrained elegance.
“All done. Your Grace.”
Isabella approached silently with a jewelry box.
She placed pearl earrings on Lucia.
“Is it heavy?”
“No.”
Then a ring and necklace. Warmth lingered where her hands touched.
“Your hand.”
Lucia extended it, and Isabella carefully put on silk gloves.
“You look wonderful.”
Chloe said with teary eyes. Lucia held her staff and looked at the mirror.
A composed, cool grand duke’s daughter stood there.
Isabella placed a wide-brimmed hat on her head, casting a soft shadow over half her face.
“You’ve grown well, my daughter.”
Lucia didn’t respond.
“Let’s go.”
**
The road to the imperial palace was filled with noble carriages. Castiya’s carriage moved ahead effortlessly.
Lucia stepped out, accepted Chloe’s hand, and entered.
With her fan raised, her golden eyes lazily observed the world.
Sophia approached, dazzling.
“You look like a walking chandelier.”
“At least I won’t feel intimidated!”
Lucia replied dryly.
Inside, Lucia walked calmly with her staff.
At the window seat, one woman calmly sipped tea.
Dark brown hair, gentle smile.
“So you are Lady Lucia of Castiya.”
She smiled warmly.
“It’s an honor to meet you.”