Chapter 30

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 30

Chapter Title: The Debut Dance

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“Why does the party host look so dead inside?”

“……Brother!”

“Happy birthday, Herwin. Here, your gift.”

The one patting Herwin’s back was none other than Lucas. Dressed in fine attire, he drew everyone’s eyes.

Herwin, receiving the gift from Lucas, finally cracked a joyful smile for the first time.

“Thanks. It’s been ages since I heard birthday wishes straight from you, brother.”

“I couldn’t swing by in person while I was at the Academy. Still, I sent gifts every year without fail, didn’t I?”

“Haha, I know. Got every one.”

“Oh no, I didn’t prepare anything. Sorry about that, Young Lord Peneus.”

Someone rested a hand on Lucas’s shoulder.

“Young Lord Lydia.”

“Lucas said he was coming to the party, so I tagged along empty-handed. If I’d known it was your birthday, I’d have brought a gift at least.”

“No need, thank you for coming.”

Ares flashed a grin and glanced around.

“Isn’t this the grandest birthday bash in Academy history?”

“We didn’t rent out a whole mansion for your birthday either. Might set a new trend.”

Their casual chatter didn’t last long before Lucas scanned the room.

“So, where’s Lucia? Didn’t come with you?”

“Beats me, haven’t spotted her yet……”

“She’ll show soon. The girls planned to arrive separately.”

“Oh, so you’re……”

Ethan fielded the question, leaving Lucas a touch awkward. Ethan offered his usual gentle smile.

“Ethan Belluna. Close friend of Lucia’s.”

“Ah, the infirmary guy from before? Sorry about that. I lose my head whenever my sister’s involved……”

He referenced grabbing Ethan by the collar at the infirmary; Ethan waved it off.

“No worries. Perfectly natural when your sister’s hurt.”

“I’m Brian Chercis. Nice to meet you, senior. Looking forward to getting along.”

“Yeah, Lucas Agnes. Take good care of Lucia and Herwin going forward.”

“I’m Ares Lydia. Seems you’re tight with Arista too.”

The group who’d crossed paths briefly at the infirmary exchanged introductions and warmed up to each other.

A short distance away, Bianca stood awkwardly, shooting side-eyes at Lucas and Ares.

Just as expected from Lucia and Arista’s brothers—their faces sprang to mind unbidden.

A wave of unease hit her; Bianca furrowed her brow ever so slightly.

“Ah! There they are!”

“Phew, took forever to find you guys.”

“Seriously. Place is packed.”

Familiar voices sounded right nearby.

“Guys, you’re he……”

Ethan whirled around upon sensing the girls’ arrival. He trailed off mid-sentence.

The others froze too. Languid red eyes slowly widened.

The crowd parted bit by bit, revealing three women.

Arista stood ramrod straight in her uniform at the center, Christine to her left, Lucia to her right.

All three were breathtaking.

“Lucia!”

“Huh? Brother!”

Lucas bolted straight to her.

“What brings you here?”

“What do you think? Herwin invited me.”

Lucas grinned ear to ear, eyeing Lucia up and down.

“……Why? Something on my face?”

“Nah. Haa……”

Lucas let out a deep sigh and dragged a hand down his dry face. His gaze turned serious as he rubbed his chin.

“My little sister’s way too pretty. What if some deadbeat creeps start buzzing around!”

Lucia’s face ignited. She felt nearby stares.

“You overdid the glam today, didn’t you? Sure, you’re the world’s most beautiful, but today you look like an angel straight from heaven!”

“You’re quite the beloved sister, Lucia.”

Christine’s murmur snapped Lucia back; she pinched and twisted Lucas’s arm where no one could see.

“One more word. You’re dead to me at home.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

With Lucas’s doting shut down, Lucia finally exhaled in relief. Glancing around, she caught her friends staring.

“Sorry, guys. Brother lays it on thick……”

“Nah. He’s right—you look stunning today.”

“Totally. And you too, Christine, Arista.”

Brian and Ethan’s compliments left Lucia bashful. She ducked her head, peeking past them at Herwin.

Red eyes met hers; Lucia crossed her legs beneath her skirt.

“……Pretty.”

Herwin’s faint smile sent heat surging through her.

Thank goodness for the fan—she hurriedly hid her face behind it.

“Uniform? You’ve done that since you were little—still haven’t kicked the habit?”

“Ugh, Ares……”

Ares sighed softly upon spotting Arista. She hunched her shoulders, scowling.

“Whose sister are you, anyway? Unbelievable, right Lucas?”

Ares dragged Lucas in; Arista clamped her mouth shut mid-retort. Lucas rolled his eyes awkwardly before grinning.

“What? Suits her fine.”

“Still, read the room. She’s the only one not in a dress here?”

“Aressh, iljelman heura.”

(Ares, shut it—just one word.)

Arista ground her molars before speaking; Ares finally went quiet.

She glared daggers at her nemesis brother, then whipped her head away when her eyes met Lucas’s. Her fingers clenched her skirt hem out of sight.

Bianca, who’d been quietly observing the lively vibe, raised both hands.

Clap—

“Looks like everyone’s here. Time to kick off the party?”

Another organizer caught Bianca’s cue and signaled the orchestra. The music shifted.

The change heralded the real party’s start—and dance hour.

Gathered guests naturally hugged the walls, clearing the hall’s center. Every eye turned to Herwin.

“Come on, host goes first to get things rolling?”

Bianca paved the way; Herwin looked around awkwardly.

He had zero appetite for it, but knew no one else would dance unless he led. No choice—pick a partner.

Herwin swept his gaze around; nearby women flushed.

But he skipped them, turning straight to the group close by.

His eyes locked on four women; one, Arista, threw up both hands.

“FYI, no dancing for me. Not wearing a dress.”

True enough, asking the undressed Arista felt off.

Herwin shifted his gaze and extended a hand carefully.

“Lucia.”

“……Me?”

Lucia pointed at herself in a daze; Herwin nodded languidly.

Lucia sneaked a glance around.

Arista caught her eye and winked mischievously.

Lucia hesitated only a beat before clasping Herwin’s hand.

Soon, the pair stood side by side, hand in hand, at the empty hall’s heart.

Drawing on their lessons, they flowed naturally into the music’s rhythm.

As the two opened the floor, couples trickled in one by one, filling the space.

It felt like a dream to Lucia.

Had Arista worn a dress today, Herwin surely would’ve asked her.

I’m just pinch-hitting for Arista.

She knew it full well, yet her heart still floated light.

No matter the thoughts swirling, she was Herwin’s first dance partner tonight. That truth held firm.

“Lucia.”

“Huh?”

“Nothing to say to me today?”

Say? While dancing?

Lucia floundered a moment before remembering—she hadn’t passed on those words to Herwin yet.

His blue eyes curved softly.

“Happy birthday, Herwin.”

He’d heard it from plenty already, but hers was the one he’d craved first and foremost.

Herwin smiled tenderly, emotions swelling within.

Lucia blanked out for a heartbeat—just a heartbeat. His smile mirrored the fantasy she’d spun before arriving.

Somehow, today felt especially right.

“Arista, you really not dancing?”

As Ethan sidled up to Arista amid the dancing spectators.

Arista smirked and eyed her outfit.

“Can’t in this getup.”

“No way—you wore the uniform on purpose to dodge it?”

“Ah, busted. How’d you guess?”

Arista giggled teasingly.

Truth be told, plenty of boys stole glances at her but hung back.

Arista congratulated her scheme’s success while nursing a faint regret over skipping the dress.

“Hm?”

Arista, leaning against the wall with non-alcoholic champagne, craned her neck at a familiar silhouette afar.

“……Bianca?”

While all eyes glued to the dancers, Bianca lurked in a deserted corner.

Deep in serious talk with some girls.

“……What’s she up to?”

Arista trailed quietly, breath held, on someone’s tail.

That someone: Bianca. Her chatting with the other girls back in the hall nagged at Arista; she’d followed on impulse.

The pink flower on her chest screamed organizer.

So probably just prepping the next event. Yet some gut hunch kept prickling her nape.

Instincts flared with creeping dread. This vibe always meant trouble; Arista wiped her sweaty palms.

Tailing Bianca led to the garden behind the mansion.

“……Ready…?”

“Almost…setting it up……”

Far off, Bianca and the organizer girls huddled, murmuring.

Too distant to catch clearly, even straining her ears.

They stashed a round something amid the bushes after hushed talk.

“……Crystal orb?”

It resembled one, but what for? No clue.

Maybe a surprise event prep? Nah, their moves screamed shady.

They scanned surroundings conspicuously, voices pitched deathly low like fearing eavesdroppers.

Everyone knew they ran the party—why the cloak-and-dagger?

Closer look?

Arista crept nearer, masking her presence.

Rustle—

“Lady Lydia, what are you doing out here?”

The voice from behind jolted Arista; she whipped around, arm swinging on reflex.

“Eek!”

A woman yelped as the sudden fist flew her way. It halted inches short.

“……You scared me.”

“That’s my line! Who swings a punch out of nowhere?”

“Sorry. Voice came outta the blue from behind……”

Arista felt sheepish and offered a hand to the toppled woman. Grumbling, she took it and stood.