chapter 6
chapter 6
No Position to Argue
“Look at this, how do I seem?”
In the mansion’s reception room, Lucia leaned on Asel and walked unsteadily as if she might collapse at any moment.
“What do you think? At this level, no one would imagine I’m actually fine, right?”
“But you got caught.”
At Sophia’s remark, made while she sat on the soft sofa eating peeled tangerines Chloe handed her, Lucia flopped down into the large sofa across from her, stretching out her body.
“Ah… if only I had held the staff properly back then… Was I nervous without realizing it? Why did I do that?”
“Say ah, my lady. The tangerines are very sweet.”
With a calm expression, Chloe gently placed a slice into Lucia’s mouth.
Lucia had already been complaining for two hours. Outside the window, the reddish sunset settled over the three of them.
“Still, the fact that you’re entering the academy feels like a dream to me.”
“Yeah, I wish it were a dream. No, just tell me it is.”
As Chloe spoke with emotion, Lucia muttered desperately, as if wanting to throw ashes over that excitement.
Sophia brushed tangerine peel from her fingers and spoke.
“But maybe Her Highness has actually calmed down? She used to hate even seeing you. But now she’s making you attend the academy you don’t even want?”
‘That arrogant princess, calm down?’
It wasn’t that she had calmed down. If anything, she was dragging Lucia into the academy to show everyone just how useless and pitiful the grand duke’s daughter of Castiya was.
“Ha… should I just smash everything?”
At the end of her escapism, Lucia muttered weakly into the air.
“Sure. Let’s smash everything together. It wouldn’t be so bad if Castiya collapsed.”
“Mother!”
The door opened, and Isabella entered gracefully. Without hesitation, she agreed with Lucia’s nonsense, like a true parent ready to commit treason together.
The sound of teacups being set down rang clearly.
“Uh… I’d like to stay out of treason.”
“Sophia!! Weren’t we friends forever?”
“No matter what, treason is a bit much.”
To refuse without hesitation… perhaps there was no such thing as eternal friendship in this world.
“Mother, I really don’t want to go to the academy.”
“How can anyone live doing only what they want forever?”
Isabella spoke calmly.
“Since it’s come to this, seize the opportunity. Graduate at the top and crush the pride of those arrogant capital nobles.”
“If that were possible, would I be like this?”
At Lucia’s realistic answer, Isabella smiled.
“You’re so realistic and quick to give up. Perhaps it’s time I give up on you too.”
For a moment, it felt like mana flickered in Isabella’s hand.
“No! I’ll definitely reform them all!”
As the warm yet terrifying conversation continued, Sophia and Chloe cautiously added their thoughts.
“I-I think Lucia looks cool when she swings that stick—I mean, staff.”
“Me too, my lady.”
“If you keep praising her like that, she’ll start believing it.”
Without even looking at them, Isabella scolded calmly.
“A daughter of a grand duke must act with dignity and refinement. What noble lady runs around waving a crude stick while her dress flutters?”
“Mother, I’m not that bad…”
As Lucia pouted, Sophia quickly jumped in.
“Well, in the Valencia Alliance, there are many female warriors like Lucia! Haha.”
“That barbaric mercenary group?”
Isabella’s fan stopped.
“To compare my daughter to them… as a mother, that pains me deeply.”
Sophia flailed in panic.
“No! That’s not what I meant!”
As Sophia struggled, the sunset faded and night settled.
Lucia casually changed the topic.
“Anyway, you’re going to the academy too. It’d be nice if we shared a room.”
“Oh? That would be so fun! Like a party every day!”
“Right? Sneaking snacks at night.”
“But we’re in different departments.”
“Ugh… my mood just dropped.”
Still, they could hang out on campus.
Just then—
“Call me too!”
Chloe’s eyes sparkled.
The academy entrance ceremony arrived.
As they were about to leave, Sophia ended up joining their carriage, making the journey lively.
On a quiet forest road—
Crash!
“Aah!”
“The monster!”
Before Chloe could stop her, Lucia opened the door and stepped out gracefully.
Sunlight filtered through leaves as her pale blue dress fluttered.
Blood stains would be hard to remove.
With a flick of her wrist, Asel appeared, glowing with golden mana.
A bear-like monster blocked the path.
One step.
Two steps.
Like a dance, she approached.
As claws fell—
Slash—
Boom!
Golden energy exploded.
The monster was flung into a tree.
Lucia turned gracefully, her dress settling.
Perfect. Untouched.
“…My lady.”
“…She’s cool…”
Lucia returned calmly.
“Why are you staring? Let’s go.”
Though inwardly annoyed at the dirt on her dress.
Later, nearing the capital—
“That cake looks amazing! Let’s go!”
“…I’m supposed to be sick.”
“Then sit and eat.”
That made sense.
They sat at a café.
Sweet cake.
Delicious.
This was real travel.
People stared, of course.
Lucia pretended not to notice.
Sophia ordered more.
“Sit down, Chloe.”
Soon, all three sat together.
“At the academy, you’ll come see me, right?”
“You said we’re in different departments.”
“Still…”
Lucia pushed her drink instead of answering.
By evening, they arrived at the hotel.
Sophia left for her room.
Lucia followed Chloe.
Then—
The uniform.
Short.
Too short.
“Does nobility disappear at the academy?”
“Please try it on.”
Lucia stared.
“Is this a mistake?”
“No, it’s correct.”
“This makes no sense. Magic values elegance, yet this?”
“…It’s tradition. For mobility.”
“Does tradition explain everything?”
“…We’re not in a position to argue, are we?”
True.
Lucia raised her arms.
Soon—
She stood before the mirror.
Platinum hair.
Neat uniform.
Bare legs.
Strange.
Younger.
I’m wearing a school uniform…