Chapter 21

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 21

Chapter Title: Emerging Jealousy

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Seeing Lucia's kitten-like face, Herwin chuckled softly and propped up his upper body.

"Ugh...!"

"Don't get up—lie back down. You've got bruises all over, so it has to hurt."

"Ah, that explains it... Everything's been aching."

Despite Lucia's protests, Herwin stubbornly sat up in bed.

"Aren't you hungry? You haven't eaten since lunch yesterday. I figured you'd be starving when you woke up, so I made you a sandwich..."

Ignoring Lucia as she pulled out the sandwich, Herwin scanned the room as if searching for something.

"...Lucia."

"Yes?"

"Where's Arista?"

"Arista? Why are you looking for her?"

It felt a bit odd that the first thing he asked upon waking was about Arista. Lucia watched Herwin, sensing something different about him, until realization dawned.

"Oh! Did Arista save you? She's in the infirmary too. She hasn't regained consciousness yet."

Herwin's brow furrowed. Thinking he was worried about Arista, Lucia quickly added,

"Don't worry too much. Aside from a bit of fatigue, she's not injured at all. She'll regain consciousness soon, just like you..."

Before Lucia could finish, her blue eyes widened in surprise. Herwin was trying to get out of bed.

She jumped up without even noticing the sandwich drop to the floor.

"Herwin! I told you not to get up yet!"

"...I need to see Arista."

"What? Where do you think you're going in your condition? Your ankle's in a cast—you can barely walk."

"Lucia, help me up."

"No, absolutely not. You just woke up—how could you..."

"Please."

Lucia, about to refuse firmly, faltered at the sight of his resolute red eyes. She could see his sincerity shining through them.

With no choice, she sighed and supported him.

"This is the only time. Promise you'll just see her face and lie right back down."

"Yeah, I promise."

With their height difference of at least 20 cm, it looked more like Herwin was leaning into her than her properly supporting him, but Lucia did her best.

Thankfully, Arista's bed wasn't far.

"Oh? Lucia, Herwin."

Arista, whom they'd expected to be asleep, was sitting up and greeting them. Lucia exclaimed in surprise,

"Arista! You're awake! When did you wake up?"

"Just now. Is this the infirmary?"

"Yeah, they brought you here right after you collapsed. How's your body? Does anything hurt...?"

As Lucia hurriedly checked on Arista, she felt a firm grip on her left shoulder.

Sensing Herwin's hand tightening, she turned her head.

"Lucia, sorry, but could you give us a minute alone?"

"Huh...?"

"I just need to talk to her."

She felt an invisible wall from Herwin, who spoke without even glancing her way, his eyes fixed on Arista.

Startled, Lucia instinctively stepped back.

"O-okay. I'll step aside..."

"Thanks."

Herwin pulled the bedside curtain closed, blocking any view.

Throb—

A unfamiliar anxiety she'd never felt before crept up, slowly overtaking Lucia's heart.

What if... Herwin likes Arista...?

Why was Bianca's earlier comment suddenly coming to mind?

Lucia couldn't figure out the reason.

Two weeks had passed since the day Herwin and Arista went missing.

The academy had buzzed for days after their disappearance, but as time went on, the children's attention shifted elsewhere. Now, no one outside their circle paid them any mind.

Arista returned to her daily routine the day she regained consciousness.

With only minor bruises and fatigue, she had no reason to stay in the infirmary.

Herwin, on the other hand, was confined there for a week due to bruises everywhere, a fractured ankle, and mild concussion symptoms.

Thanks to that, Lucia volunteered to nurse him daily, and friends like Brian, Ethan, Christine, and Bianca visited often.

Lucas even came to pay his respects after hearing the news.

Herwin seemed just like his usual self before the injury.

At a glance, it was as if nothing had changed beyond the wounds. But Lucia noticed he reacted differently to one particular person.

"Still got that cast on, huh? How much longer?"

About a week after leaving the infirmary, Arista approached Herwin.

His right ankle was still wrapped in bandages.

"They said one more week."

He would have snapped curtly at Ethan or Brian, but to Arista, he smiled softly.

They'd been close enough to joke around before the incident, but it had just been friendly banter.

The smile he wore now was the kind reserved for someone more than a friend.

Watching the two so affectionate, Lucia felt an inexplicable impatience.

Even simple greetings felt unwelcome when he talked to Arista.

Definitely... he wasn't like this before.

When Bianca or others had tried to pair them off before, he'd shown no interest.

She'd dismissed it as gossip-mongers spinning silly rumors.

But now, ominous thoughts crept in—maybe the rumors held truth.

"So, can you use Aura properly now?"

"I've been trying, but it doesn't cooperate like I want. Still, since I've managed it once, I should be able to wield it freely soon."

"Aw, I thought I'd master Aura first... Once you're all healed, I'll have to catch up quick."

Her tone held regret, but the emotion beneath was close to affection.

Knowing Herwin didn't show such fondness to just anyone, Lucia gripped her skirt tightly without realizing.

"Lucia, you okay?"

Lost in spiraling thoughts, Lucia snapped her head up.

Arista and Herwin were now looking at her with concern.

"Huh, what?"

She stammered in confusion.

"Your expression doesn't look good. Are you hurting somewhere?"

"I was fine just a bit ago."

A large, rough palm covered her pale forehead.

Herwin was checking her temperature.

That small gesture lifted Lucia's sunken mood a little.

"...Got a slight fever?"

"What? Really? Is your cold not fully gone?"

"No, the cold's mostly better. Maybe it's just hot."

Even as she waved his hand away with a forced smile, neither relaxed.

His hand left her forehead. Regretting its absence for a moment, her face was suddenly drawn forward.

She met his red eyes. Before she could comprehend, a cool touch pressed against her forehead.

"See? You have a fever."

"Ah, no, I'm fine..."

This time, Herwin pressed his own forehead to hers.

With his face so close, Lucia couldn't bear to look.

She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to pull away from his grasp.

Thankfully, he let go. She felt heat rushing to her face.

Was it flushed red enough for others to notice?

"Herwin, you're so good to Lucia. She caught a cold but still poured all her care into nursing you."

"I know. I told her she doesn't have to go this far when she's not well herself, but she won't listen."

Herwin sighed wearily at Arista's light-hearted jab.

It sounded annoyed, squeezing her heart tight.

"Lucia, the cast is all, but there's no real pain. You don't need to look after me anymore. Take care of yourself first."

"Yeah, exactly. Even childhood friends have limits—don't you think you're overdoing it? He's not a kid; he can handle himself."

Arista backed him up.

Lucia forced down her crumbling expression. Normally, she'd laugh it off, but not today.

He's saying it so clearly—surely you get it? You're a nuisance. He wants to be alone with her, and you're barging in cluelessly. Stop pretending and face reality.

Negative thoughts bubbled in her mind.

She knew rationally it was just her imagination, but her heart refused to accept it.

This feeling was entirely new.

Her stomach churned like boiling lava, irritation surged wanting to lash out, emotions spun out of control leaving her frustrated.

And worst, Arista's genuine concern felt fake, making Lucia resent her more.

She'd thought she'd handled jealousy toward girls approaching Herwin wisely. Figured she could endure it repeatedly.

But it was all arrogance.

The jealousy she'd felt before didn't even touch the edge of this.

A trembling breath escaped Lucia's lips.

"Lucia, your face looks even worse..."

Slap—

As Arista reached out, Lucia unwittingly swatted her hand away with a hardened expression.

The mood plummeted instantly.

Her face stiffened only briefly before she realized her mistake, paling.

"Ah, s-sorry... Did I hurt you?"

"Huh? Oh... no, I'm fine."

"I must be sensitive from fatigue. I'm really sorry..."

Lucia dropped her gaze meekly. Arista, flustered at first, quickly smiled to ease her embarrassment.

"I'm okay, so don't apologize. It happens."

"........."

Herwin stood beside the smiling Arista, gazing at Lucia with a grave expression.

Before her crush on him, they were childhood friends—had he noticed her inner turmoil? Anxiety welled up.

N-no... I don't want that...

She didn't want him seeing her ugly side.

"Lu... Luci..."

"Lucia!"

As Herwin started to call her, someone from behind beat him to it.

"Bianca."

"Professor's calling for you, Lucia."

Bianca cut in abruptly, grabbing Lucia's hand. Catching the signal, Lucia played along.

"Oh, right... If the professor's calling, I have to go."

She stood hurriedly. Glancing back as she left with Bianca, she saw Herwin staring intently.

Feeling guilty, she avoided his gaze and turned away quickly.

Once out of the classroom and into the hallway, after a long pause, Lucia spoke.

"...Bianca, thank you."

"You looked troubled, so I made something up. Something did happen, huh?"

Lucia had no reply to Bianca's words.

Seeing her darkened expression, Bianca snorted.

"What did I tell you? Watch out for the Duchess's Daughter of Lydia."

"........."

Normally, she'd have protested such talk, but this time, Lucia stayed silent.

Seeing her on the verge of tears, Bianca quickly pulled her to a secluded spot.