101st Confession

sigh.

“I know, it’s your business, and it’s funny that I’m telling you what to do.”

Bianca shifted on her hips, leaning against the window sill.

“Well, if you ever want to talk to me about anything related to Herwin, I’m here for you.
I’m sure you need to get it off your chest somewhere every once in a while.”

“Ah…….”

“I’ll never tell anyone, so don’t worry too much.”

Lucia couldn’t help but smile at Bianca’s concern for her.

“Yeah, I’ll do that.”

“Okay, we should get going.
Lights out in a few minutes.”

After parting ways with Bianca, Lucia entered her room and went straight to bed.

Somehow, she felt relieved.

She hadn’t expected it to be so relaxing, just to confide in someone else about her feelings.

Lucia fell asleep quietly, thinking she was lucky to be caught by Bianca this time.

* * *

From the day she told Bianca everything, Lucia shared a lot with her, confided in her, and they became closer than ever.

Bianca has been very supportive of Lucia’s love life, sometimes even fending off women who try to approach Herwin.

Sometimes Bianca could be a little too self-conscious and overbearing, but other than that, she was a dear friend who knew her secrets.

“Princess Lydia’s been suspicious lately.”

“Huh? For what?”

Christine stepped away for a moment, leaving Bianca and her alone, and Bianca glared at Arista in the distance with an inquisitive look.

Lucia was taken aback by her outburst.

“What the hell, you can’t even see that?”

Bianca thumped her chest in frustration and pointed at Arista, who was flanked by Herwin, Ethan, Brian, and the other boys.

It was the usual scene at swordsmanship class.

“They’re talking?”

“They’re not just talking, but if you look closely, they’re touching him.”

She looked again, and Arista was laughing out loud, punching Herwin and the other boys.

“I’ve been feeling it since last time, Princess Lydia must have a crush on Herwin.”

“Aww, that’s ridiculous.”

“Oh, look at her, don’t you realize that she has a crush on Herwin, and isn’t she touching him because she’s interested in him?”

Bianca lowered her voice for a moment.
As she continued to speak with such conviction, Lucia began to get a little confused.

So she watched them closely again, but she couldn’t see the point of what Bianca was saying.

If someone was in love with Herwin, she couldn’t help but notice.

Even if she looks around, she can see the black hearts of the girls watching Herwin, and there is no way that Arista won’t notice it.

Arista was talking and laughing, not only with Herwin but with the other boys as well.

“No matter how you look at it, it’s not, they’re just friends.
If you look, she’s not just messing with Herwin, she’s messing with Ethan and Brian.”

“Ha, that’s so frustrating.
Well, I can’t help it if that’s what you think, but aren’t you nervous? Princess Lydia is popular with everyone, young and old, and what if Herwin has a crush on her?”

“Um… well.”

Lucia replied shakily.
Bianca gave her an incredulous look.

“That’s the answer you’re going to come up with here?”

“I don’t think I should be so upset, I just can’t imagine Herwin liking anyone…….”

“……You do like Herwin, don’t you?”

“Regardless of what I like, Herwin isn’t the kind of person who would suddenly like someone, I can’t imagine.”

She doesn’t know whether to call this bold or naive.
Bianca was momentarily at a loss for words.

“Okay, okay, okay, let’s not talk about it.”

“……Hush, are you mad?”

“I’m not angry! Why would I be angry!”

“Oh, you look angry.”

Bianca’s lips pouted as Lucia nudged her arm in her trademark patronizing way.

She glared at Lucia for a moment, then pinched her delicate shoulder.

“You think I’m going to let you get away with being cute?”

“Ouch! It hurts!”

Lucia’s face was bright despite the pain.

As the two were teasing each other, Christine returned and the swordsmanship lesson was over.

“Haha, the practical evaluation is next week.”

“I heard they’re changing the venue, but where will it be?”

“I heard from the seniors that we’re going to the wilderness, and the mission is to get to the target and back.”

After class, Herwin and his friends returned to the group and were talking about the lab assessment.

“Lab assessment? What’s going on?”

“Yeah, suddenly we have an emergency assessment next week?”

“I guess they’re going to give us a midterm grade.
It’s already May, so it’s time for a midterm.”

Brian and Ethan explained.

Swordsmanship is a very hands-on subject, so they sometimes take off half a day or a whole day to teach elsewhere.

They wondered if that would be the case this time.

“Do you think there will be a change in grades this time?”

Ethan asked.

“Jeremy’s been doing a lot better lately.
Don’t you think he’s going to bump up his grade?”

“Hmm, I’m just hoping for a middle-of-the-pack.”

Brian didn’t seem too interested in this assessment.

“You don’t seem to have much use for the sword, so why are you taking this class?”

“I didn’t want to, but what can I say, my dad, made me do it.”

Brian sighed heavily, and Herwin approached.

“Lucia, where are my clothes?”

“Oh, I got a little cold and I was wearing them.
I’ll give them to you right now.”

Just before class, Herwin had left his uniform with Lucia.

Despite it being early May, it was still quite chilly, and Lucia briefly wrapped Herwin’s blazer around her shoulders.

When Lucia hurried to give it back, Herwin held out his hand.

“That’s okay, you keep it on.
Can I get some water?”

“Sure.
I already left some.”

Lucia handed him the water bottle, and Herwin gulped it down.

Their friends stared at the two of them as if they were watching a married couple of ten years.