Chapter 103
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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Chapter 103
"B-beautiful?!"
Lucian's eyes widened at hearing this for the first time.
"Yes. Those long eyelashes, for instance."
Lucian blinked his round eyes repeatedly, and with each blink, his long eyelashes fluttered, creating a gentle breeze.
"And that sharp, well-defined nose."
This time, I reached up and touched the bridge of his nose, which rose higher than most.
"There's truly not a single feature that isn't handsome."
"That's right. You're also quite tall for your age."
"It seems the old saying about heroes having different bone structure is entirely true."
With each compliment, Lucian's chest puffed out with pride. He even ran a hand through his hair to tidy his appearance.
It was only natural to want to look impressive in front of someone who was praising you.
"Ahem, I'm not really that handsome. I'm at a loss for words with all this praise."
It was a display of modesty he'd never shown before. Thinking that everyone's attention was on him alone, dignified behavior came naturally.
"Oh my, and so modest too!"
At this, the young ladies covered their mouths and giggled.
Lucian, displaying a composure he'd never shown before, opened his mouth to address the young ladies.
"I don't think an introduction of myself is necessary. But I'd like to know your names."
"I-I'm Corelle from the Stanley Earldom."
"Forgive my late introduction. I am...."
The young ladies, who had been gazing only at Lucian, began introducing themselves eagerly, some even adding unnecessary explanations they hadn't been asked for, hoping to leave a deeper impression on him.
"Horseback riding? Miss White certainly has an impressive hobby."
"Not at all. It's just riding a pony for a brief outing."
"Yet how many people can't even do that much."
There's a saying that circumstances shape a person.
Believing that everyone present was his devoted admirer, I felt my body naturally straighten. The only thought occupying my mind was that I mustn't disappoint their expectations.
"You all have such wonderful hobbies."
The incorrigible little troublemaker had somehow transformed into a gentleman that would make nobles weep.
"How is it that the young prince of House Bellomen has such a kind nature?"
"Right? According to rumors, he was supposedly an uncontrollable troublemaker...."
"Miss White!"
At the reproach from those around her, the girl who had been speaking with a bright expression covered her mouth.
"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean it in a bad way...."
Miss White's face fell into an apologetic expression.
"I understand. Miss White is right—I was indeed a troublemaker in the past."
Yet Lucian smiled generously at Miss White, as if to show his understanding.
"But that past version of me no longer exists. Because I was reborn through subjugating monsters!"
With his hands planted firmly on his hips, Lucian continued with unwavering confidence.
"Perhaps those difficult experiences have made me a far stronger person?"
"Oh my, how wonderful!"
Lucian not only graciously forgave Miss White's mistake, but even acknowledged his own past wrongs.
And he didn't stop there—he took one step further!
"You're truly amazing."
Five pairs of eyes fixed on Lucian seemed to overflow with hearts.
"Hehe!"
Lucian smiled, feeling a satisfaction unlike anything he'd experienced before.
Listening to the praise pouring down upon him, his body felt as though it were floating toward the heavens.
'All the girls my age must like me!'
There was the Stanley girl, and Miss White too.
And probably Amelia as well....
'Probably...?'
At the sudden image that surfaced in his mind, the smile that had been blooming across Lucian's face vanished without a trace.
'Does Amelia... like me?'
If she did, she should have praised him like the other children gathered here, or squealed with excitement.
But Amelia did not.
Far from complimenting him, she only found fault with him every single day.
As if she were treating a younger sibling.
'What does it matter if everyone else likes me? Amelia doesn't like me.'
It was the moment when Lucian's shoulders, which had soared without knowing the height of the sky, suddenly slumped.
* * *
"Please take care on your way home."
"Yes. Today was lovely."
"Let's continue our conversation next time we meet."
The tea party hosted by Lady Stanley finally ended as the sun began to set.
After bidding farewell to those I had spent the day with, I boarded the carriage heading home with Lucian.
Beyond the window, the sun sank in a slow, lingering descent.
Watching the crimson-stained sky, thoughts I had been deliberately suppressing began to surface one by one.
For instance, my relationship with Claude.
"Sigh...."
"Sigh...."
The sigh I released intertwined with one that escaped from across the carriage. It overlapped with the sound Lucian had made.
"Why the sigh?"
What troubles could someone as small as a chickpea possibly have?
"And why are you sighing, Aunt?"
"I have my reasons."
"I have my reasons too."
Lucian's face as he answered was quite serious. Serious enough to dispel any urge to tease him.
"What on earth is it? Just a moment ago, you seemed excited and chatty."
"It's just...."
"Did you quarrel with the young ladies?"
"What do you see me as, Aunt?"
"If that weren't the case, you wouldn't be moping around like this. Stop hiding it and tell me what's wrong."
"Well, it's just...."
Lucian trailed off for a moment before exhaling deeply and finally speaking.
"All the girls like me."
"...That's true."
My nostrils flared as I fought back laughter.
I'd wondered what all those sighs were about—was this just a setup for bragging?
"But here's the thing. Everyone likes me, yet the girl I like doesn't like me back."
Oh my.
'So it's about Amelia.'
The urge to tease Lucian began creeping up on me.
'And here I thought the little one was too young to have crushes.'
I wanted to burst into song right then and there.
Yet Lucian's face, as he gazed out the window, was utterly serious.
'If I tease him about this, it could backfire badly.'
His pride might take a devastating hit.
So I suppressed my mischievous impulses and spoke gently.
"What makes you think she doesn't like you?"
"If someone likes you, they should compliment you—say you're cool or handsome. But she doesn't do any of that."
Lucian's lips pouted like a duck's bill, as if the mere thought upset him.
"Instead of compliments, she just keeps telling me to stop acting like a child."
"But that doesn't mean she dislikes you. She's saying those things because she cares about you."
"I know she doesn't hate me. The point is, she simply doesn't like me—she just doesn't hate me."
"Uh...."
I could only blink stupidly, at a loss for words.
When had my Lucian become so articulate?
His command of language was impressive, but his logic was equally formidable.
Perhaps love truly does make people grow.
"I don't need other people to like me.... All I want is her heart.... So why doesn't she like me?"
Lucian's voice, murmuring to himself, was pitiful.
I'd thought the affections of a mere seven-year-old would be fleeting, but Lucian's feelings for Amelia ran far deeper and more serious than I'd anticipated.
So I resolved to be his strength.
"Lucian, don't assume she doesn't like you. Perhaps she's just hiding her feelings."
"Hiding her feelings?"
"Yes. Maybe she actually likes you but is too shy to say it."
"Hmm, I don't think that's it...."
Lucian shook his head.
"She seems to think of me only as a friend."
"That doesn't matter. Regardless of how she feels now, you just need to make her fall for you eventually."
I clenched my fist tightly and raised it with determination.
"So try your best to make him fall for you. People's hearts can change at any moment, after all."
"Make him fall for me, huh...."
It was only brief before Lucian rested his chin in his hand, lost in thought.
"It doesn't seem particularly helpful, but I'll keep it in mind."
Lucian regarded me with a sly expression before speaking as if bestowing a favor.
"Hah."
I felt a bit exasperated.
'And here I was, offering advice.'
Did he really think the counsel of a lifelong singleton was worthless? I felt a pang of sadness when he asked—
"But Aunt, why did you sigh?"
This time, Lucian's question was directed at me.
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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