Chapter 18

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 18

Chapter Title: A Secret Shared

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'Bianca would be okay, right?'

She'd only known her for a little over a month, but the girl Lucia knew wasn't the type to carelessly spill someone else's secrets.

Lucia finally decided to trust Bianca and opened her mouth.

"...Sorry for lying. The truth is, I like Herwin."

Gasp—

A sharp intake of breath echoed in the room.

Of course. Bianca had probably just thought of them as childhood friends, not realizing one was secretly pining for the other.

"Pretty shocked, huh?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah. A bit shocked... no, honestly, really shocked. You never let it slip even once."

"I worked really hard to keep it hidden."

Bianca fell silent for a moment. She looked like she had a ton to say but had no idea where to start.

Watching her lips twitch repeatedly, Lucia let out a small, deflated chuckle.

"You must have a bunch of questions. Ask away if you're curious."

"Is that okay? If it's uncomfortable..."

"I think it'd be fine with you. Besides, now that it's out, no helping it. You're not gonna go blabbing it elsewhere, right?"

"Ugh, why would I ever tell anyone!"

Bianca waved her hands frantically, even swearing she'd never breathe a word.

Lucia gestured for her to go ahead and ask anything, and Bianca finally spoke up.

"Why'd you hide that you liked Herwin all this time? Even today, girls kept asking you to introduce them. If they'd known you liked him, they wouldn't have bothered you."

"Hmm... no real upside to other people knowing. You know how folks love to gossip about me and Herwin. There's already so much chatter, and if they found out I'm the one crushing on him...?"

"Ah... yeah, true."

"I just like Herwin, that's all. But I hate how people judge and belittle me for it. That's part of why I kept it secret. Plus, Herwin and I have a promise."

"A promise?"

Lucia hesitated. She wasn't sure how much to reveal.

"Bianca, can you make a promise with me?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"Promise you won't tell a soul what I'm about to say."

"I already said I won't..."

Bianca laughed lightly, but she froze at Lucia's serious expression.

"Okay, I promise. I won't tell anyone. Ever."

Bianca's green eyes grew solemn. It was a gaze Lucia could trust, easing her worries at last.

And so, she poured out her story.

From age eight up to now at sixteen, she'd been in love with Herwin. She'd confessed nearly sixty times and been turned down each one.

Everything, including their promise to act like close friends in everyday life despite the unrequited love.

She skipped his trauma and other private details, though.

After listening quietly for nearly an hour, Bianca nodded gravely.

"So that's how it is. Haha, kinda weird, right?"

"Yeah. Really weird."

Bianca said it plainly.

"How do you manage that? Liking him for eight years, hiding it, and still hanging out as friends? It's mind-blowing."

"Guess so... I've been doing it so long that I can switch modes—friends one minute, confession the next."

"Even so, unrequited love messes up relationships. Amazing you two haven't fallen out after all this time."

"That's thanks to Herwin's consideration. Even as 'friends,' it'd end if he pulled away. I'm grateful he slips right back to normal after every rejection."

"...Still, sixty rejections? Doesn't that hurt? After that many, you'd think it'd piss you off... Sorry. But yeah, you'd have to feel a little resentful if he never says yes."

"I'd be lying if it didn't sting sometimes, but it's fine. Better than forcing it."

"Huh? Wouldn't it be better to date anyway, even if it's not love yet? Feelings could grow over time."

"...Or he might never like me. It has to be mutual. Besides, Herwin doesn't brush off my confessions. He takes them seriously every time."

"How do you know he takes them seriously?"

"Gut feeling. Sure, he gets annoyed sometimes since I confess so often, but he never ignores me."

"You two trust each other a lot, huh?"

Bianca sounded impressed. Lucia snapped out of her deep thoughts.

"Was that too heavy? Sorry. It's my first time telling anyone."

"Nah, it's fine. Refreshing, actually. You seem so open, yet always holding secrets."

"Me... really?"

"Yeah, that's why kids approach you but hold back. You've got this untouchable aura."

"Nah, no way. You're hyping me up too much."

"No, for real. That's what drew me to you."

"...Seriously?"

Lucia felt awkward. Aura? She couldn't sense it herself.

"But what if Herwin falls for someone or gets a girlfriend?"

"...Dunno. He's never dated or shown interest in anyone."

"Still, someday he will."

Bianca asked earnestly.

Lucia laughed it off now, but she was right—it would happen eventually.

What would I do then?

Truth was, she had no clue. She'd never faced it, so hard to imagine. If he liked someone else...

"I'd probably just... stay put."

"What? You'd sabotage it, obviously!"

Lucia shook her head.

"No. He'd hate that. I'd just stick by him like always and keep confessing."

"...You're something else."

Lucia grinned sheepishly, and Bianca sighed meaningfully.

"Well, it's your life. Silly of me to butt in."

Bianca pushed off the windowsill.

"If you ever need to vent about Herwin, hit me up anytime. Gotta unload sometimes."

"Ah..."

"I swear I won't tell. Don't worry."

Bianca's warm kindness made Lucia smile naturally.

"Yeah, I will."

"Alright, let's head back. Lights out soon."

After parting with Bianca and returning to her room, Lucia flopped onto her bed.

Her heart felt strangely lighter.

Just sharing her feelings with someone else brought this much relief? She hadn't expected it.

Thinking it was a good thing Bianca had found out, Lucia drifted off to sleep.

From the day Bianca learned everything, Lucia shared more with her, confiding her innermost thoughts and growing even closer.

Bianca cheered on Lucia's love enthusiastically, even shooing away girls approaching Herwin sometimes.

It felt over-the-top at times, but aside from that, she was a precious friend who knew her secret.

"The Lydia Duchess's Daughter's been acting suspicious lately."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

With Christine away, Bianca eyed Arista Lydia in the distance with clear displeasure.

Lucia's confusion showed at the out-of-nowhere comment.

"What do you mean, what? You can't see it?"

Bianca thumped her chest in frustration and pointed. Arista was with Herwin, Ethan, Brian, and other boys.

The usual sight during Swordsmanship Class.

"They're just talking?"

"Not just talking. Look closer—she keeps touching Herwin."

Sure enough, Arista was laughing big and playfully poking Herwin and the other boys.

"I've noticed it for a while. The Lydia Duchess's Daughter definitely has a thing for Herwin."

"Nah, no way."

"Girl, come on? You like Herwin and can't tell? Anyone can see she's into him with all that skinship!"

Bianca lowered her voice. Her confident tone started making Lucia doubt herself.

She watched them closely again but couldn't spot what Bianca meant.

If someone liked Herwin, she'd know. Girls' sneaky glances were obvious, and Arista was no exception.

Arista chatted and laughed evenly with Herwin and the others.

"No matter how I look, it's not that. She's just friendly. See? She teases Ethan and Brian too."

"Sigh, you're impossible. Fine, if you say so. But doesn't it make you uneasy? The Lydia Duchess's Daughter's popular with everyone! What if Herwin likes her back?"

"Hmm... dunno."

Lucia mumbled uncertainly. Bianca gaped.

"Dunno~? That's your answer?"

"No need to get mad. I just can't picture Herwin liking anyone suddenly..."

"...You do like him, right?"

"Setting that aside, he's not the type to fall for someone out of nowhere. Hard to imagine."

Naive or straightforward? Bianca was speechless.

"Ugh, whatever. Dropping it."

"...Did I make you mad?"

"I'm not mad! Why would I be?"

"You seem mad though?"

Lucia grabbed Bianca's arm and pulled her puppy-dog charm. Bianca's lips puffed out.

She glared briefly, then pinched Lucia's slim shoulder.

"Think your cuteness fools me?"

"Ow! That hurts!"

Lucia's face was all smiles despite the complaint.

As they goofed around, Christine returned, and Swordsmanship Class ended.

"Sigh, Practical Assessment next week."

"They said we're going somewhere else. Wonder where."

"Heard from upperclassmen it's a mountain. Mission's to reach the goal and return."

After class, Herwin's group chatted about the sudden Practical Assessment.

"Practical Assessment? What's up?"

"Yeah, emergency eval next week."

"Probably ranking us midway. It's May already—time for check-ins."

Brian and Ethan explained kindly.

Swordsmanship Class emphasized practicals, so half- or full-day off-site lessons happened occasionally.

Seemed like one of those.

"Any ranking shakes this time?"

Herwin answered Ethan's question.

"Jeremy's improved a lot lately. Think he'll climb?"

"Eh, mid-tier's perfect for me."

Brian seemed uninterested.

"You don't even care about swords—why take this class?"

"Didn't wanna. But Dad insisted."

Herwin approached as Brian sighed dramatically.

"Lucia, where's my jacket?"

"Oh, it got chilly so I borrowed it. Here."

Before class, Herwin had left his uniform with her.

Early May was still brisk, so Lucia had draped his blazer over her shoulders.

As she hurried to hand it over, Herwin waved it off.

"Keep it on. Got any water?"

"Yeah, I filled it up."

Herwin gulped down from the canteen she handed him.

The scene was so couple-like, their friends stared openly.