<Episode 15>
After the entrance ceremony, Lucia and Herwin headed to their assigned class.
"It's a relief we're in the same class, isn't it?"
"Yeah, what are the odds of such a coincidence?"
Fortunately, the two were in the same class.
'My wish for a month has come true!'
Lucia cheered inwardly.
Ever since hearing the news that they would be entering the same academy, she had prayed every day until today that she would be in the same class as Herwin.
She was overjoyed, as if the heavens had granted her wish.
"Oh? It seems the Princess is in our class too."
As soon as they entered the classroom, Princess Lydia, who was already sitting in her seat, caught their eye.
Just like at the entrance ceremony, she was surrounded by many people.
"To put up with all that. She's quite something."
Herwin pitied Princess Lydia with a hint of sympathy.
In fact, if Herwin hadn't acted coldly, he would have been in the same situation as the Princess.
Hadn't he already experienced something like that before the entrance ceremony?
"Oh?"
At that moment, Princess Lydia, who was among the people, made eye contact with Lucia. She widened her eyes as if surprised to see Lucia.
Lucia couldn't help but stop walking because she was staring so intently.
"Lucia, what are you doing? Come on."
"Huh? Oh, okay, I'm coming."
Only after Herwin called her did Lucia break free from Princess Lydia's gaze.
Herwin had already taken a seat in the back. It was a choice that reflected his desire to avoid being noticed by others.
"Kyaa!"
Lucia suddenly screamed. She lost her balance and fell forward because something caught her foot.
Just as she was flailing her arms to avoid falling, someone grabbed her waist.
"Are you okay?"
"T-Thank you..."
"It's nothing, I'm just glad your pretty face didn't get hurt."
Lucia calmed her startled heart and looked at the person who had caught her.
He was a handsome man with shoulder-length navy hair and golden eyes that created a strange harmony.
He wasn't as handsome as Herwin, but Lucia was inwardly surprised by his unexpectedly outstanding appearance. After admiring him for a moment, Lucia opened her mouth.
"Um... could you let go of my hand..."
He was still holding Lucia's hand and waist. He was startled and quickly let go.
"Oh, I didn't realize I was still holding on. I'm sorry if it made you uncomfortable."
Normally, she would have been uncomfortable if someone else had done this, but strangely, she didn't feel any repulsion.
"I'm Brian Chercesis. We're in the same class, so let's get along."
As Brian introduced himself, Lucia also revealed her name.
"I'm Lucia Agnes. I look forward to getting along with you too. Thank you for catching me so I didn't fall."
"I just did what anyone would do. But... is that your friend behind you?"
Lucia turned around at Brian's words and saw Herwin standing there with an uncomfortable expression.
"Huh? Herwin, when did you get here?"
He was clearly sitting far away before she fell.
"Just now. I'm glad you didn't fall."
"Yeah, Sir Chercesis caught me."
The eyes of the two men met across the bright Lucia.
A strange tension and a tiny spark flew between them.
Brian narrowed his eyes, then smiled gently and extended his hand to Herwin.
"I'm Brian Chercesis. I look forward to getting along with you too."
"...Herwin Peneus."
"Oh, so you're from the Peneus Family. I knew there was something different about your spirit."
Brian exclaimed with a small exclamation. It was just a joke, but Herwin frowned as if he felt unpleasant.
"Lucia, let's go. The professor will be here soon."
"Okay! Sir Chercesis, see you later."
Lucia was pushed by Herwin's hand and had no choice but to head to her seat.
"Be careful. Are you going to be clumsy even at the academy?"
"W-Who's being clumsy! What could I do when my foot got caught in my bag?"
As soon as she sat down, Herwin began to nag. Even as Lucia blushed with embarrassment, he still looked displeased.
"That's what being clumsy is. Seriously, that's why Lucas and I can't take our eyes off you."
"........"
Lucia felt offended, as if she was being treated like a child.
She wanted Herwin to see her as a woman. As time went on, he treated her like Henry.
Sometimes, she felt upset because he treated her like a child even younger than Henry.
'...Still.'
On the other hand, the fact that he kept watching her made her heart flutter.
She resented her fickle feelings, but only when it came to Herwin.
As time passed, students began to take their seats one by one.
Most people glanced at this place. They were all aiming for the empty seats around Lucia and Herwin.
It was only natural, as occupying those seats would give them a chance to become close to Herwin. However, no one dared to take the plunge.
Lucia wondered why they were hesitating when at least one person should have come, and she realized the reason when she looked to the side.
"Herwin, your expression."
Herwin's face was distorted as if he was angry.
To others, it may have looked like he was angry, but Lucia knew better. She knew that he sometimes frowned without thinking.
"Stop frowning, okay?"
Lucia said again, and his expression softened a little.
"Oh, there's a seat here."
Someone took a seat in front of Herwin with a lively voice.
With his forehead exposed red hair and ordinary brown eyes, he had a mischievous impression that matched his cheerful voice.
"Excuse me, is this seat taken?"
"Huh? Yes, yes. No one's here."
And soon after, a female student approached him.
She was a female student who was suitable for the expression of being neat.
With light gray hair, she slightly left her long hair neatly down. She was a beauty with slender eyes that suited her well.
"Thank you, I was in trouble because there were no seats."
"No, don't mention it. I'm Ethan Belluna! I'm from the Belluna barony."
"I'm Christine Diores. Sir Belluna, I look forward to working with you."
"Okay! Let's get along in the future! You too in the back!"
Ethan, who was talking to Christine, turned around.
Lucia, who was unknowingly eavesdropping on their conversation, was startled when Ethan pointed at her.
"Me?"
"Yeah! I thought you wanted to talk because you kept looking at me. Am I wrong?"
"Ah, that's... sorry. I didn't mean to listen on purpose."
"It's okay, it's okay. You heard my name just now, right? What's your name?"
"Lucia Agnes. This next to me is Herwin Peneus."
"Oh! You two are friends? I thought you were meeting for the first time like Christine and me."
"We're childhood friends."
"Really? You're lucky to be in the same class as your friend, right?"
Ethan led the conversation without any awkwardness with his unique sociability. Christine, as well as Lucia, were melted into his atmosphere.
Herwin, who had been quiet, also seemed to like Ethan quite a bit, and he was soon listening to his words.
"By the way, if you're a Peneus, you must be from the Northern Dukedom, right?"
Christine asked when much of the awkwardness had disappeared.
It was closer to a question that came from pure curiosity rather than a question to get closer to Herwin.
Herwin also felt that, so he nodded willingly.
"That's right."
"I see, I didn't know that Sir Peneus was our age."
"Speaking of which, I know you're from a pretty famous family."
"Are you talking about me? We're nothing compared to Peneus."
"That's not true, Diores is famous for leading a famous merchant group in the Empire."
"Oh my, thank you for seeing me in a good light."
Christine smiled softly.
"Wow, it's an honor for my family to become friends with such famous people! Actually, I'm from a completely rural area, so I don't know much about aristocratic society!"
Ethan fearlessly revealed the part that could act as a disadvantage.
Whether he really didn't know much about the class difference between nobles, or whether he didn't care much, he showed a consistent attitude even after knowing the identities of Christine and Herwin.
"Okay, everyone's here, right?"
The classroom, which had been chaotic due to the appearance of the professor, was organized. The professor started with self-introductions and briefly explained the class schedule for the future.
The academy, which had officially started, could be said to be progressing smoothly.
* * *
Quite a lot of time has passed since entering the academy.
What was awkward at first was only for a while, and the children gathered in groups of friends who matched their personalities.
Among the groups formed in groups of three or five, Herwin's group was the largest.
Herwin, who had everything from appearance, skill, and wealth, was someone everyone wanted to be friends with.
Princess Lydia's popularity, who was in a similar position to him, also soared, but compared to her, who easily made friends with people, Herwin was the type who didn't easily give his side.
If there is a famous person who is difficult to get close to, isn't it human psychology to want to talk to them somehow?
People joined their group with the desire to become friends with Herwin, but they could not enter within the certain line that Herwin had set.
The people who came into his line were Ethan and Christine, Brian, whom he had talked to on the first day of the semester, and Bianca Lawrence, whom he had become friends with later.
At first, Herwin seemed to dislike Brian, but now they were getting along well. Bianca Lawrence was the case where she approached him first and became friends.
She didn't show much interest in Herwin like Christine. Because of that, Herwin was also able to treat her comfortably.
Of course, Lucia was also a representative member of Herwin's group.
It was only natural since she was the closest person to Herwin.
Perhaps that's why there were many people who gossiped about Lucia and Herwin at the beginning of the semester.
Since the two were always together, most people thought they were dating.
However, after realizing that it was just a misunderstanding, many people began to approach Lucia.
There were those who were fascinated by her cute appearance and gentle personality and tried to become friends with her, but most of them were children who were trying to somehow make a connection with Herwin through her.
In particular, there were many female students who knew that Herwin didn't have a lover and asked Lucia to introduce them.
Just like this.
"Hey, Lucia. Could you introduce me to Duke Peneus?"
"I heard you two are very close. We also want to become friends with Duke Peneus, but it's not easy to talk to him..."
"Please? I'm begging you!"
Lucia looked at the people in front of her with a smiling face. This was already the 20th time she had been asked this.
The female students who asked her to introduce Herwin looked at Lucia with sparkling eyes.
"I'm sorry, but I don't think I can do that."
"Ah..."
A sigh of disappointment flowed out.
"Why? You two are childhood friends. Isn't this kind of request easy for you?"
"I still don't think I can. I'm sorry. Herwin hates this kind of thing. If you really want to be friends with him, why don't you try talking to him directly? Herwin will usually accept it."
She refused their request once again in a soft and gentle tone.
The female students, who sensed that she would not grant their request no matter how much they asked, hardened their faces.
"Tch, she's just showing off that she's friends with Duke Peneus."
One female student said it out loud, as if she was upset. At that moment, Lucia couldn't manage her expression and hardened her face.
"Hey, what did you just say?"
Bianca, who was next to her, got angry on her behalf.
"What did I say? I was just talking to myself. Girls, let's go."
"Where are you going! Don't you stand there!"
Bianca got angry and grabbed the female students who were walking away, but they had already left.
