chapter 5
chapter 5
Debut 2
As soon as Sophia exchanged a few words with Lucia, she rushed off to mingle among the ladies, spreading her lively presence, leaving Lucia alone. Lucia took a glass of sweet fruit juice from a passing servant’s tray, only wet her lips, and slipped out of the banquet hall like a ghost.
Unlike the heat of the hall, the corridor was quiet. A long passage lined with windows was dimly lit by scattered candle sconces casting an orange glow, and a deep red carpet stretched endlessly.
It seemed better to escape to a corridor leading outside rather than linger awkwardly on the terrace.
‘Should I just run back to the capital residence like this? I don’t have anything else to do anyway. I could just tell Chloe I got tired and left early.’
Leaning against the wall, Lucia slowly drew circles on the carpet with the tip of Asel, seriously considering it.
Then a dark shadow fell over her.
Without even lifting her head, she could see the hem of a deep red dress embroidered with imperial patterns.
She could already tell who it was.
Was she giving off some kind of pheromone? Why were so many people eager to bother her today?
Forcing her pounding heart to calm, Lucia slowly raised her head. Rosaria, a head taller than her, looked down with lowered lashes.
She said nothing.
Lucia had expected a sharp remark right away. Something about hiding like a mouse or mocking her for trying to run away already.
But Rosaria simply stood there.
Maybe what happened back then was just childish immaturity after all. If so, that would be a relief.
Even though she had done nothing wrong, cold sweat gathered in her palms. She lowered her gaze, no longer needing to meet that clear face directly.
Staring blankly at the hem of the red dress, she spoke.
“…If you have nothing to say, I’ll be going.”
She stepped aside. She just had to pass by and leave the corridor naturally.
“You’re the same.”
If not for the low, even voice behind her, she would have.
Lucia slowly turned back. Rosaria stood there, expression unchanged.
“You always say nothing.”
“What are you suddenly—”
The quiet corridor echoed faintly with music from the hall. Candlelight flickered, stretching their shadows along the wall.
Rosaria slowly curved her lips.
“You said you came to see my beautiful face with your own eyes. Then shouldn’t you look more sincerely? That’s rather insincere.”
Her voice was gentle, yet sharp like shards of glass.
“…I said that because it was a formal occasion.”
Lucia lowered her gaze, gripping Asel tighter. The cold surface steadied her.
Rosaria’s eyes briefly dropped to her hand, then lifted again.
“I see. You’re too unwell to even attend the academy. How tragic, Lucia.”
Lucia felt uncomfortable hearing her name but didn’t show it.
“You don’t need to worry. I didn’t want to go anyway.”
“Oh?”
Rosaria’s brow lifted slightly.
“As a noble, there are things you must learn. Is it right to sit so comfortably in the position of a grand duke’s daughter without responsibility?”
“It’s hardly my fault I’m too sick to go.”
“Isn’t it your fault?”
Her voice sank deeply beneath polite words.
“That you changed so horribly, lost your magic, and now rely on that pitiful stick. All of it is your own doing.”
Lucia swallowed her rising emotions.
‘Fine. Blame me.’
She pressed her inner lip. The memory of thirteen—Rosaria knocking her hand away in disgust—flashed through her mind.
The pounding headache and suppressed emotions trembled dangerously.
“…You know better than anyone that I didn’t choose this.”
Her voice was no longer gentle. It was rough, filled with restrained hostility.
“I’m tired. I’ll be going.”
She turned, planting Asel firmly—
Tap.
Rosaria blocked her path.
The heavy scent of perfume filled the space between them.
“Where do you think you’re going? I’m not finished.”
The politeness dropped from her voice.
“Running away when things don’t go your way?”
She stepped closer, cornering Lucia.
“It suits your small, pitiful figure. How cowardly.”
“I have nothing more to say.”
Lucia’s voice was sharp now.
“Believe what you want. I’ll disappear from your sight.”
She turned again—
“Who do you think you are to say that so confidently?”
The arrogant voice stopped her.
“Whether you leave or not is up to me. You’ve become even more irritating, Lucia.”
‘Lucia.’
At that familiar call, her head snapped back. Her golden eyes sparked.
“If it bothers you, I’ll gladly disappear. What’s the problem?”
Her voice rang sharply like a clawed beast.
‘I need to calm down.’
Why was it only in front of her that she couldn’t hold back?
Rosaria’s eyes narrowed, a deep crease forming between her brows.
Step.
She approached again.
Lucia stepped back.
Step—
Rustle—
Again.
Rosaria advanced, Lucia retreated.
‘Why does she keep coming closer?’
Then—
Thud.
Lucia’s back hit a planter.
No more space.
She straightened instead, refusing to shrink.
“You’re still good at it.”
At what?
Rosaria’s lips parted.
“But you need to focus more, Lucia.”
Her hand reached out.
Tap. Tap.
Her fingers lightly tapped Asel.
“If you’re going to act, do it properly. What sick person holds a staff like that?”
Lucia flinched and looked down.
She was gripping it like a sword.
“Still vulgar. Fooling people just like before.”
“….”
“And just as prideful.”
Caught by the one person she couldn’t fool.
Her heartbeat thundered.
Then Rosaria stepped back slightly, looking her up and down.
“You could go to the academy after all.”
“I can’t. I’m sick.”
“Really?”
She stepped back further.
Then—
Flash—
Blue mana shot forward like a blade.
Before thinking—
Clang!
Lucia deflected it with Asel.
The energy shattered at their feet.
Silence fell.
“…As expected.”
Rosaria smirked coldly.
“I knew it. You’re nothing but lies.”
“I’m trying so hard to stay out of your sight, so why are you doing this to me!?”
Emotion finally broke through Lucia’s voice.
“Don’t ask me that.”
Rosaria turned away.
Then, just before leaving—
“…I still hate you.”
The door closed.
Lucia stood there, staring blankly.
Her palm was damp.
Her mouth dry.
“…I hate you too.”