“Episode 29”
Bang-! In that moment, Lucas slammed his hand on the table forcefully. He thought everything was going well! Joseph Bender glanced around in confusion, trying to gauge the mood. Lucas’s face displayed a mix of emotions: confusion, sadness, disappointment, and betrayal.
“…Get out.”
“Pardon?”
Joseph wanted to take in a bit more of the prince’s visage, especially at times like this, to become someone Lucas would trust more than the old Alicia Blante. “If something is troubling you, please let me know. I can find a way—”
Joseph spoke, hoping Lucas would recall his cleverness, but instead…
“Must I repeat myself? Get out, Joseph Bender.”
The words were colder than ice. The force of it made Joseph feel like he couldn’t breathe, and he hurriedly fled the room.
Click.
The door closed softly.
“Ha, Alicia.”
Crash, thud! Lucas, unable to control his anger, swept everything off the table. Among the items was the dress box he had painstakingly chosen. The ink spilled, staining the dress as if it symbolized how unworthy individuals were gradually encroaching on what should have been his alone—Alicia.
“…Did you deceive me?”
He had always believed she was honest with him. How daring she had been.
“You’re so close with the young marquis—”
A grinding noise emanated from between his teeth.
“You acted ignorant when you were by my side?”
First came the anger, then laughter. Oh, he knew those tactics well enough. ‘Fine, I’ll indulge you, Alicia. I know how deeply you cared for me, how much you cherished me.’ Just as he had dragged her into his swamp due to his own childhood miseries.
“You wanted to do the same, didn’t you?”
Alicia Blante, who had no place among her family. She probably thought he’d value her more if she seemed lost. Lucas licked his dry lips. Somewhere along the line, they had cracked, and an unpleasant taste seeped from his tongue.
“So, Alicia. I’ll grant your wish.”
Wasn’t it all a cute play to capture his heart? He looked at the ruined dress and smiled thinly.
“I’ll give you the spot right by my side.”
He had no intention of letting his cherished childhood friend, who had become so valuable, escape.
*
“Why are you like that, my lady?”
The maid asked as I shivered, touching my ear while taking a warm bath.
“Hm? Oh, suddenly my ear itched and I got goosebumps.”
“Are you cold? Should I pour more hot water?”
“No, the water temperature is perfect.”
Despite my words, the maid carefully poured hot water over my shoulder, worried.
“You must be careful not to catch a cold. It’s the season for it.”
“That’s true. Hmm, maybe… it’s because I overexerted myself today?”
“Overexerted yourself?”
The maids looked puzzled, tilting their heads in unison. Their synchronized confusion made me laugh, and though they didn’t understand why, they seemed pleased that I was happy.
‘Indeed, it finally feels like home.’
It used to be hard to tell if this was my house or Lucas’s. The maids always talked about Lucas and never seemed to improve their skills despite serving for years. On days when Lucas was angry, it was always my job to somehow calm him down and turn him back into the hero Lucas Delic.
So, I felt quite pleased. Although the social battle had just begun, I could now find joy in these small moments.
“Of course I overexerted myself, no, I pushed myself too hard!”
So I spoke more excitedly. Though I found it a bit troublesome, the maids were delighted.
“My brother insisted I get an enormous number of dresses tailored, didn’t he? I spent the whole day choosing designs, taking measurements, and trying on the dresses brought over.”
I thought Gerald was just teasing Joseph Bender, but he had indeed made sure to tell the maids to have more than twenty dresses tailored. Even the tailors and jewelers, with their determined eyes, left me no choice but to comply.
When I sighed deeply as if exhausted, a maid quickly began massaging my shoulders and arms, speaking cheerfully.
“Only we are happy about it? We were thrilled thinking of you in those beautiful dresses, my lady.”
“Really! Your hair is so beautifully rose-colored, and your skin is smooth, so new dresses will suit you perfectly.”
“The current dresses are splendid, but they don’t fully capture your loveliness. We’ve been so eager to see you in something that does.”
As expected, the praise showered over me was even more than anticipated, and my cheeks reddened. Almost unconsciously, I found myself apologizing.
“S-sorry. I’ve just been staying at home…”
Feeling like I had been unfair to these talented individuals who took pride in their work. But the maids quickly shook their heads, dismissing my apology.
“No, no! It’s understandable that you might be tired if you’re not used to it.”
“But still… we hope you get used to such things, my lady.”
At their words, I blinked a few times, then slowly sank my mouth into the bathwater. Bubbles rose to the surface, popping gently. The affectionate warmth in their voices brought a strange, fluttering feeling inside me.
It felt both unfamiliar and yet… like something I should accept.
‘So, Alicia, please accept it.’
I realized all I had to do was reach out and grasp it.
**Chapter 6: Retribution**
