Chapter 22

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 22

Chapter Title: Jealousy and Avoidance

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"What on earth is going on? Tell me quickly."

"It's just... really nothing..."

Lucia hesitated but eventually confessed her unstable state.

In the past two weeks, the ominous feeling that had started as discomfort had grown into full-blown jealousy. It was completely different from any emotion she'd felt before.

Whenever Arista and Herwin talked—even if it was nothing special—she kept suspecting there was some hidden meaning. Seeing them together became unbearable, and eventually, just the sight of Arista tormented her.

These feelings were entirely new to her, and in her current state, Lucia struggled to handle them.

"Arista saved Herwin's life... I know I shouldn't feel this way. But I don't want to see her."

Bianca tightly hugged Lucia's shoulders as she inwardly agonized in pain.

Her face hardened, as if she understood Lucia's heart.

"It's okay. It's natural. Don't feel too guilty."

"Is this really natural? Am I just a terrible person...?"

"Ugh, what do you mean terrible? Look at you now. You're agonizing over hating just one person. You're too kind-hearted. People can't help but dislike or hate others sometimes."

"But Arista hasn't done anything wrong to me... She's always taken good care of me."

Lucia knew exactly how good Arista was and how kindly she'd treated her, which made hating her now all the more painful.

"Still, there must be a reason you dislike the Duchess's Daughter of Lydia, right? For example..."

Herwin showing interest in her...

Lucia's face stiffened at Bianca's words. Her guess was spot on.

The sole reason Arista had become hateful was Herwin's interest in her.

"You said before that you'd just stand by if Herwin liked someone..."

Bianca sighed, recalling their conversation from a few weeks ago.

Lucia now realized how naive she'd been.

Reality was starkly different.

You couldn't calmly watch the person you had a crush on like someone else.

"Bianca, what should I do now?"

Her head knew Arista had done nothing wrong, but her heart rejected her, so she couldn't continue as if everything was normal.

"What do you mean what? Follow your heart."

"Follow my heart... You mean avoid Arista?"

"If that eases your mind, sure. But this isn't just between you and the Duchess's Daughter of Lydia—Herwin's in the middle. It won't solve things if you just avoid her."

"You're right..."

As Lucia's shoulders slumped again, Bianca hurriedly added,

"Just follow your heart. Avoid her if you want, stay close if you want. But remember one thing."

Lucia's eyes met Bianca's hazel ones.

"You care too much about others. It's good to look after people, but take care of your own heart first. Otherwise, you might not have the strength left for yourself later."

As Bianca said, Lucia's tendency to prioritize others was both a strength and a flaw.

Lucia quietly pondered her advice in her mind.

After talking with Bianca, Lucia decided to keep her distance from Arista.

Bianca had suggested letting out her anger with a good outburst, but Lucia couldn't bring herself to do that, so distancing herself was the best option.

However, she couldn't avoid Arista every time.

She made excuses to avoid being alone with her, but when with friends or the three of them together with Herwin, she couldn't just leave.

Still, over the past few days, Arista—who had always approached her openly—had started treating Lucia awkwardly, as if sensing her avoidance.

Lucia could see Arista trying to restore their old rapport while watching her reactions, but she pretended not to notice.

No matter how much she disliked Arista, pushing her away didn't feel good either.

It was natural, since she was doing it solely because Herwin might like her.

Lucia felt petty and cowardly, yet she couldn't let Arista get close.

Eventually, her friends began noticing Lucia's odd behavior over the past few days.

No matter how hard she tried to hide it, Lucia was terrible at lying, and her emotions showed plainly on her face.

Today, as usual, while chatting with friends, Arista approached.

The moment Lucia saw her, she visibly panicked and stood up with Bianca.

"Guys, sorry, I need to use the restroom real quick."

"...Yeah, go ahead."

Before Arista could reach them, Lucia fled with Bianca like she was being chased.

Herwin, Christine, and the others watched Lucia leave through the door.

After a brief silence, Brian turned to Arista.

"Did you do something to upset Lucia?"

Arista shook her head, her face stiffening.

"I want to know too. Why is she acting like this toward me?"

"You must have done something to hurt her feelings. Lucia isn't the type to hate someone easily."

"Forget hurting her—we haven't even talked much. Just casual greetings and small talk..."

"Her behavior has definitely been off lately."

"Bianca seems to know something... Christine, heard anything?"

Christine shook her head at Ethan's question.

No one there knew Lucia's true feelings.

If only they knew why she was acting this way—it was frustrating not to.

Arista, the most frustrated, sighed deeply and asked Herwin,

"Herwin, you don't know anything?"

"No idea."

"How can you not know when you're childhood friends? Go find out right now!"

Arista scolded him lightly in frustration.

"Sigh, I don't want to drift apart from Lucia like this. We just got close! I wish she'd tell me what I did wrong."

Arista made a pouty face.

From the first day of school, Arista had wanted to befriend Lucia.

But aside from being in the same class, they lacked common ground and chances to talk, making it hard.

Lately, through Herwin, Ethan, Brian, and others, they'd grown closer. Saving Herwin had made her think they were finally friends—where had it gone wrong?

"Herwin, do something about it. I really don't want to lose Lucia."

Arista clasped her hands and pleaded. Herwin slightly dodged her approach, then smirked at her pursed lips.

"Alright, I'll ask her."

"Yay! You have to ask, okay? And if I did something wrong, tell me so I can fix it."

"Got it, so back off a bit."

Arista's face had gotten too close. When Herwin created distance, she backed off without complaint.

Clunk—

The door opened.

Everyone turned to see Lucia and Bianca had returned.

Bianca whispered something to Lucia with a slight frown, and Lucia's face grew darker.

"Lucia! Back from the restroom?"

Arista tried her best to greet her brightly, hoping to mend things.

But Lucia grimaced and left the classroom again.

Her expression looked like she might cry, leaving everyone flustered.

"Did I do something wrong again?"

Arista looked to her friends, bewildered, but they just shook their heads.

"Herwin, what do you think?"

"...I'll go check on Lucia."

Herwin stood with a serious look and hurried after her. Arista followed him hesitantly to the door.

Bianca glanced at Herwin as he passed, then shot a glare at Arista by the door.

"Fox."

It was a small mutter, but Arista, right next to her, heard it clearly.

Wondering if she'd misheard, Arista frowned and turned.

Bianca, who had been glaring, scoffed mockingly before smiling and heading back to the others.

Her attitude flipped so quickly that no one but Arista noticed.

"...What?"

Arista's mood soured as she frowned.

Since getting close to Lucia's group, Bianca had been wary of her, provoking her subtly when others weren't looking.

Arista had considered snapping at her once, but Bianca was one of Lucia's few close friends—she couldn't risk it.

She couldn't let one person like Bianca widen the gap with Lucia again.

Pushing aside her unease, Arista returned to the classroom.

Lucia desperately held back tears threatening to burst as she hurried away from the classroom.

Just now, Arista and Herwin looked like a loving couple to anyone watching. She hated to admit it, but they suited each other perfectly.

That alone made her heart sink, and she couldn't bear seeing them so close, as if they might kiss.

'That's definitely for you to see. Look, she's mocking you.'

She hoped Bianca was wrong, but Arista's smile toward her felt like a sneer.

'Herwin... Do you really like Arista?'

She desperately wanted to ask, but the words stuck in her throat.

If Herwin truly liked her, if her suspicions were right.

'What should I do...?'

"Lucia."

Covering her mouth and grimacing, Lucia stopped at the strong hand grabbing her from behind.

The person she least wanted to face right now stood before her.

"...Are you crying?"

Herwin panicked. He'd followed her because her behavior had been off lately, but she was crying.

Or on the verge—her blue eyes brimmed with tears, ready to spill at a touch.

His panic faded quickly, replaced by a scowl.

"Who."

"Huh?"

"Who made you cry!"

Herwin was angry. Genuinely so. It had been a long time since he'd been this mad.

His fury made her tears recede. Even as they vanished, his chest heaved with rage.

"Tell me now. Which bastard made you cry?"

"...You care if I'm crying?"

"Of course! Who wouldn't care about their only childhood friend crying!"

His concern, even while angry, warmed her heart, but it also hurt, seeing herself still just as his childhood friend.

As Lucia grimaced again, Herwin ruffled his hair in frustration.

Lucia was innocent and kind, but not one to cry easily.

So her tears now, without explanation, drove him mad.

Herwin suppressed his boiling anger, grabbed her shoulders, and met her eyes at her level.

"It's okay, just tell me. What happened?"

Lucia parted her lips. She wasn't sure if she should confess her feelings to him.

"Lucia."

Herwin called again.

Lucia finally met his eyes. His red gaze stared intently, seriously.

It stirred her heart, bringing the tears surging back.