Chapter 104
“Wow, it’s already this late. We should get going.”
“Today was so much fun! Let’s hang out again like this sometime.”
“Lucia, if you ever change your mind, just let me know, okay?”
After four nonstop hours of talking with everyone, including Herwin, it had finally grown to evening. One by one, everyone began to get up as it was about time to go home. Just before leaving, Herwin’s friends casually threw out remarks, making his expression even grumpier.
Eventually, Herwin snapped and yelled:
“Don’t ever come back! We’re done being friends. Got it?”
“Yes, yes, we got it.”
“Yikes, scary! Better run away quickly!”
“Even though they have no other friends, they act so bold…”
Of course, these weren’t friends who were easily frightened.
Watching his friends run away while laughing, Herwin’s shoulders trembled.
Arista, who had stayed nearby until the very end, laughed, clutching her stomach.
“Seriously, they’re driving me crazy. Herwin, what are you going to do? They’ll keep teasing you like that for a while.”
“It’s my own fault for letting them be my friends until now.”
Herwin had clearly been thoroughly annoyed after being teased throughout the conversation with his friends.
As he stomped into the parlor, Lucia and Arista burst into laughter again.
“Lucia, you’re going to have to calm Herwin down. He’s really sulking.”
“I think he’s extra grumpy because it’s rare for anyone to tease him. I’ll have to coax and soothe him.”
The two women caught each other’s eyes, shoulders shaking as they tried to hold back their laughter. It felt like they had spent a year’s worth of laughter all in a single day, their stomachs aching from it. Arista wiped away tears that had formed, placing a hand on Lucia’s shoulder.
“It’s late, but congratulations. You two really suit each other.”
“Thank you, Arista.”
Seeing Lucia smile so brightly and happily, Arista forced a small, bitter smile.
She couldn’t help but recall that Herwin had once confessed that he liked her.
Even now, with the two of them together, Arista was grateful that Lucia had remained her friend without showing any bitterness, despite knowing everything.
Arista hugged Lucia tightly.
“I’m always on your side. You know that, right?”
Lucia, surprised, chuckled and returned the hug.
“What’s with the sudden hug? It’s embarrassing. Of course I know.”
“If that jerk Herwin ever hurts you or if someone bothers you, tell me. I’ll rush over and teach them a lesson in no time.”
“Ha ha! Really?”
“Of course. I’m your knight, remember?”
Arista stepped back slightly, holding Lucia’s hand and pressing a brief kiss on it. One corner of her lips lifted as she gazed at Lucia with her violet eyes.
Lucia’s cheeks burned with embarrassment before she could stop it.
“A knight… you really are something…”
“It’s not a lie. I promised back in my first year at the academy that I’d always protect you. That was my own knightly vow.”
Lucia, thinking it was a joke, laughed softly.
“Just hearing that makes me happy. Arista, if you were a guy, I’d probably have fallen for you immediately.”
“Why, what an honor, my lady.”
Arista widened her eyes, then spoke slyly like Brian, making Lucia laugh, feeling ticklish.
At that moment, a hand suddenly appeared between them.
Herwin, who had gone into the parlor, had come back out before they noticed.
“Can’t relax for even a moment, huh? What did you say? Falling for Arista?”
He had already pulled Lucia into his arms, pouting and grumbling.
“Lucia, is it me or Arista? There’s only one correct answer: ‘your one-and-only childhood friend,’ Herwin Feneus. Now, choose.”
In the end, there was only one choice. Seeing Herwin consumed by jealousy, Arista’s gaze cooled.
“Herwin, that’s pathetic.”
Herwin, keeping his eyes on Lucia, waved his hand dismissively, as if it were a bother.
“You’re still going to say stuff like that when Arista’s here?”
“Yes, so answer quickly. My patience isn’t long.”
Lucia, exasperated, struggled in Herwin’s arms. Then she waved toward Arista, who was already moving away.
“Arista, sorry! See you later!”
Arista turned and waved. At that moment, she caught sight of Herwin kissing Lucia.
Not wanting to see her friends’ display of affection, she quickly looked forward.
Once out of the hallway, Arista exhaled sharply.
“What are they even doing? If anyone saw that…”
Once his mood was unleashed, Herwin seemed uncontrollable. The way he acted cute toward Lucia still didn’t feel familiar.
It was fortunate that the two had finally gotten together after all the hardships, but Arista didn’t envy that much.
Still, it was nice to watch, and she smirked.
“Sorry I’m late, everyone…”
Arista apologized as she reached the main gate. Her friends must have been waiting. Since they had all arrived together in Kristin’s carriage, she needed to catch the same carriage to leave.
But for some reason, there was no answer.
Arista hesitated and looked around. Could it be—
“Did they leave me behind?”
She stepped outside in disbelief. There wasn’t even a shadow of her friends, let alone the carriage.
“Lady Lydia, didn’t you depart already?”
Aaron, passing by, noticed Arista and was startled. He remembered Kristin’s party had left just a while ago.
Arista looked at Aaron with a disheartened expression.
“They already left?”
“Y-Yes, they departed about ten minutes ago.”
Confirming that she had been left behind, Arista’s eyebrows twitched.
“These guys really…!”
Auric energy flared from Lydia’s right arm, and Aaron instinctively stepped back.
“Huff… I won’t let this go.”
Though she knew it wasn’t intentional, she was still angry. Aaron, cautious of her, spoke carefully.
“Shall I prepare a carriage to take you home?”
Arista hesitated for a moment, then lowered her head.
“Can’t be helped. Then… I’ll need a little favor.”
Before she could finish, she caught the faint sound of hooves. Soon, a carriage appeared.
Could her friends have returned? But it wasn’t Kristin’s carriage.
The door opened, and Lucas stepped out.
Rubbing his neck tiredly, Lucas froze when he saw Arista.
The silence was suffocating, and Arista awkwardly greeted him.
“…Hi?”
Yesterday’s orc incident aside, having witnessed Becky’s affair before that made it even more awkward.
Yet it seemed only Arista felt awkward, as Lucas strode confidently toward her.
“What are you doing here? Did you come to see Lucia?”
Scanning around, Lucas asked. Arista stepped back slightly as he got too close.
“Yes, I came with friends. I was worried about what happened yesterday…”
“I see… But what are you doing here?”
“Oh, well…”
Arista hesitated at first, then explained her situation. Lucas listened for a moment before bursting into laughter.
“Ahahaha! So they left you behind?”
“…Yes.”
“Unbelievable. Why did they leave you? You’re not exactly invisible.”
“Exactly. Just wait. I’ll get revenge somehow later.”
Arista pouted, muttering complaints. Lucas chuckled.
“Want me to take you home?”
“Huh?”
“You need to go home, right? Get in. I’ll take you.”
Before she knew it, Lucas reached the carriage and extended his hand. Arista, caught off guard, instinctively waved him off.
“No, it’s fine! Just let me borrow the carriage. I’ll manage myself.”
Lucas narrowed his eyes slightly, then playfully grabbed her hand and helped her into the carriage.
“Fine, just sit quietly. I’ll get you there safely.”
With that, Lucas also climbed in, instructing the driver to head to the Duke’s residence.
It was Arista’s first time riding alone with Lucas, so she stiffened.
Her fingertips tingled, and she clutched her skirt, whispering:
“…Thanks, big brother.”
“Don’t thank me. Between us.”
Even if he didn’t mean it that way, she wanted to assign meaning to it.
Arista was grateful her friends had left her behind—otherwise, this moment wouldn’t have happened.
Clunk!
Suddenly, the carriage came to a sharp stop. Arista, thrown forward, was firmly caught by Lucas, ending up in his arms, blinking in surprise.
“Are you okay, Arista?”
“Mm…”
“How on earth is the carriage being driven? What happened?”
After confirming she was safe, Lucas asked the driver. Sitting back, Arista adjusted her hair. For a brief moment, she noticed a hint of citrus scent from Lucas, refreshing and familiar.
“Sorry, sir. Someone ran in front of the carriage suddenly…”
The driver stammered. Both Lucas and Arista looked out the window.
And froze at the unexpected figure.
“…Big brother.”
“Wait here.”
Lucas left Arista in the carriage and stepped out. The figure standing ahead rushed at him.
Becky.
Becky. After what she had done yesterday, she now clung to Lucas’ sleeve, begging for forgiveness.
Arista worried Lucas might weaken, but it seemed her fears were unnecessary; his expression remained unmoved.
“I really messed up. It won’t happen again. Please don’t leave me…”
Becky, now in tears, begged persistently. Lucas cut her off firmly, but she wouldn’t relent.
“I’m still upset? Then I’ll wait until you forgive me, okay? I’ll stay here until you do…”
Becky’s obsession continued, and Lucas pinched the bridge of his nose in exhaustion. Arista got out of the carriage.
“Just forgive me this once…”
“That’s enough.”
Becky, worn out in a single day, froze at the sight of Arista.
“Arista, I told you to stay inside.”
Lucas approached Arista, and Becky couldn’t move, pointing at both of them.
“W-Why is she coming out of the carriage? Are you two dating? Is that it?”
Seeing them together in the carriage, she had misunderstood. Becky continued speaking without pause.
“How can you do this! We broke up only yesterday! And now this! Ah—so you’ve been meeting behind my back! Right?”
Lucas, fed up with her ridiculous accusations, scowled.
“Watch your mouth. Who do you think you’re talking to?”
“You! Both of you! Acting so innocent and clueless, it’s disgusting!”
Blinded by fury, Becky couldn’t see anything else. Her wild behavior made Lucas lose whatever remaining patience he had.
Just as Lucas was about to warn her again, Arista grabbed his hand and stepped forward.
“Yes, we’re dating.”
“…Huh!”
Becky let out a bitter laugh, stunned, but Arista stood confidently.
“My big brother accepted my confession. There’s nowhere for you to return to. So stop making a scene—”
Get lost.
Arista muttered lowly, exuding a deadly aura. It was impossible for an ordinary woman to withstand the presence of a sword expert’s aura fully.
Eventually, Becky’s legs gave out, and she collapsed.
Arista snorted, amused, and held Lucas’ hand tightly as she climbed back into the carriage.
Lucas was still in shock at how suddenly things had unfolded.
“Go ahead.”
The driver hesitated briefly, then began driving. Arista glanced back to see Becky sitting dejectedly on the ground.
She would no longer bother Lucas.
It felt like a weight had been lifted.
