Chapter 32

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 32

Chapter Title: The Broadcast Confession

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The men nearby, leaning against the wall, stole glances at Arista.

Arista was lost in thought about the kids she'd just seen in the garden and Bianca.

No matter how she racked her brain, something felt off. What on earth had they been plotting in the garden?

As she pondered them deeply, a glass of non-alcoholic champagne suddenly appeared right in front of her.

"Want some?"

"Ah......"

The one handing her the champagne was none other than Lucas. Arista jumped in surprise at the unexpected face.

Lucas passed the glass to Arista and immediately leaned against the wall beside her.

Arista sneaked a peek at his profile as he took a sip, but when their eyes met, she whipped her head away.

"Haha, you're such a shy one. Total opposite of your brother, huh? That guy's got a real cheeky streak."

"Ugh, please don't compare me to that jerk."

"Did that bother you? Sorry if it did."

"It's not that it bothered me... We're more like sworn enemies."

Arista shot a pouty glare at Ares, who was dancing with his partner far across the room.

People were whispering about how handsome Ares looked, but to Arista, he was nothing more than her blood relative—two years older, no more, no less.

When Arista locked eyes with Ares and shot him a visual curse, he returned a look of pure disgust right back.

"Getting along well with our Lucia?"

"Huh?"

Arista, mid-stare-down with Ares, whipped her head around in shock. Lucas, usually brimming with mischief, now looked dead serious. She swallowed hard.

"Of course! We're doing great!"

"That's a relief. Truth is, Lucia's never really clicked with other girls her age, ever since she was little."

"Lucia?"

"Yeah. Probably 'cause she's only ever hung out with Herwin growing up—she just doesn't mesh with other kids. Makes me worry it's the same here."

Arista suddenly recalled the female students whispering toward Lucia.

They'd badmouth her solely because she was close to Herwin.

"......Keep a good eye on our Lucia for me. Kid's too sweet for her own good—tries to laugh off bad stuff, but deep down, it's not like that."

Those blue eyes—so like Lucia's—were brimming with concern.

"Got it. I'll look out for her. Lucia's my precious friend."

Lucas blinked in surprise at her earnest reply, then let out a soft chuckle and a faint smile. It felt more genuine than his usual beaming grin.

"I don't usually bring this up... Guess you just seem trustworthy. Must be 'cause you're Ares's sister?"

"Th-that's too kind."

Arista's ears flushed as she waved her hands in denial. That's when something caught her eye.

......Herwin?

Through the slightly parted curtains, she spotted Herwin stepping into the garden.

"That's... a restricted area, isn't it?"

"Huh? What'd you say?"

"Oh, nothing."

Arista brushed it off with an awkward smile. But inside, her thoughts churned.

Why was Herwin heading to the garden? He'd normally turn right back at a no-entry sign...

"Hey, you okay? You look pale."

Lucas eyed her darkening expression with worry.

"Well, you see......"

"Everyone! Having fun at the party?"

Before Arista could finish, a voice boomed through the hall. She turned to see one of the organizers speaking through a megaphone magic tool.

"We've got a special event lined up for tonight's party: fireworks!"

Gasps of excitement filled the hall.

"Our organizers are prepping an amazing fireworks show right now, so hang tight just a bit longer."

"Ooh, fireworks. That's some scale."

"......Yeah."

The organizer hadn't been bluffing about the fireworks.

Zzzzt—

People murmured at the tingling buzz in their ears.

[......It suits you so well, so I, I bought it. Haven't given you the gift yet, right?]

A familiar voice followed the odd static.

"Where's that coming from?"

Lucas and Arista's eyes widened slowly amid the growing buzz.

"This is......!"

"Lucia's voice?"

The pair, stunned, scrambled to pinpoint the source—but froze at the next words.

[I like you.]

[Even now you're......]

[This isn't heat-of-the-moment talk! Sure, I confessed once 'cause my feelings got the better of me, but not today.]

"Whose voice is that?"

"Sounds familiar..."

Startled by the sudden audio, people grew even rowdier once they caught the words.

And no wonder—it was a confession brimming with passion.

"Arista! Know where Lucia is?"

Ethan rushed up, dragging Brian and Christine along.

They'd clearly clocked it as Lucia's voice too.

"No clue. Me neither."

"What kind of creep pulls a nasty prank like this......!"

"Forget that—find Lucia first. This is gonna blow up."

"Someone set this up for sure. The voice leaking out and all..."

[From age eight to now, not one moment have my feelings ever been fake. I like you, Herwin.]

The hall—and her frantic friends—fell deathly silent.

[Please go out with me.]

"Wait... That was a confession to Young Lord Peneus?"

"No way—who'd confess to Young Lord Peneus..."

Herwin's name dropped, and the hall erupted anew.

"Did she say Herwin?"

"Lucia......!"

The kids who'd stumbled into their friend's confession looked utterly lost.

"Hold on, we can't just—!"

Swish!

Arista recovered first and started to speak—but before she could finish, the curtain beside her flew open.

The other windows followed suit.

Panic hit Arista like a drop in her chest.

Through the flung-open panes, Lucia and Herwin stood side by side in the gazebo, exposed in stark clarity.

"No way......"

The pair looked just as shocked, staring into the hall with wide, panicked eyes.

Once Lucia was outed as the voice, the hall exploded in waves.

Initial fluster turned to laughter as people started mocking her confession.

Not many shouted, but smirks were everywhere.

As the murmurs swelled, Herwin and Lucia's faces fell.

Lucia especially—her shoulders quaking, eyes trembling. She backed away, gaze going blank at something.

Arista traced her line of sight.

Amid the crowd, one face stood out instantly.

'Bianca!'

Bianca covered her mouth in mock shock like everyone else—but a smirk peeked through her fingers.

That grin hit Arista like ice water, snapping everything into place.

Bianca pushing the mansion birthday party. Her scheming with organizers in the garden. Herwin vanishing out there.

All the puzzle pieces meshed like gears.

"Lucia!"

Lucas called urgently. She was already bolting from the scene.

Left behind: a crumpled gift box tumbling on the floor.

"What, she's running away now?"

"I'd die of shame too. Confessing publicly in front of everyone."

"Poor Young Lord Peneus. What a birthday mess from one bad friend."

"Acts all aloof around us, plays friends when it suits her, but harbors creepy crushes behind our backs. Gives me chills."

"Right? Clinging as 'childhood friends,' acting superior. Can't pull that anymore."

"They say still waters run deep—or quiet cats climb the stove first. Spot on."

The entire hall buzzed about Lucia.

The mockery was suffocating even to overhear.

Yet they kept yapping, like kids with a shiny new toy.

"Herwin, you good?"

"Public confession in front of everyone. Rough times ahead."

Friends from the other class sidled up to Herwin as he stared at the discarded gift.

They patted his back in the awkward spot.

"You knew Lady Agnes had a crush on you forever?"

"Dude, read the room."

But someone snickered and poked the bear anyway.

"Aw, c'mon. Admit you're dying to know. Childhood friend crushing since eight? Total novel bait."

"Well......"

"And Lucia Agnes? Cute face, sweet personality. I'd take it."

Sarcasm dripped despite the "I'd take it."

Herwin wordlessly stooped and scooped up the mangled gift box.

"......! It's you......!"

"Huh?"

"Fight breaking out?"

"Duchess's Daughter Lydia and... Lady Lawrence?"

"Whoa, vibe's lethal."

"Herwin, aren't those your friends?"

Herwin finally reacted, turning his head.

Far off, Arista and Bianca were yelling at each other.

He watched them a beat, then shifted his gaze.

"Yeah. Were."

His eyes landed on the bushes right by the gazebo. Something glinted in the leaves.

"You're kidding, right? This was you!"

"Eek! D-Duchess's Daughter Lydia......!"

"What the hell are you doing! Let go now!"

Female students shrieked, prying at Arista.

Arista had Bianca by the collar.

No one but Herwin—top of swordsmanship—could budge her.

Bianca thrashed futilely, biting her lip, then glared daggers.

But she twisted into a smirk soon enough.

"Doing this in front of everyone? Bad look, Duchess's Daughter Lydia."

Bianca smirked, sweeping the stares.

Most would've wilted under the eyes, but Arista only gripped tighter, spurred on.