CH 28

“It’s Herwin’s birthday in a week.”

“Is it that time already?”

“Herwin, do you want anything? I’ll buy you everything.”

The conversation turned to Herwin’s birthday, starting with Christine.

“What about a birthday party? Should we ask the professor’s permission and borrow his classroom for half a day?”

“I think we should, there’s no other way.”

“Right, because that’s what we did for Christine’s birthday.”

Christine’s birthday was in mid-May, and she rented an empty classroom to celebrate with her friends.

It wasn’t a big party, just a few close friends.

Throwing a big party at the academy was out of the question, as the entire student body lives in dormitories and only goes out on weekends.

“Oh, can I make a suggestion?”

Bianca, who had been still, slowly raised her hand.

“What is it?”

“There are other people besides us who want to celebrate Herwin’s birthday.”

“Other people?”

“Yeah, well… the ones who usually envy Herwin.”

“Ah…….”

A small sigh escaped them. The friends glanced at Herwin, the bridge of his nose scrunched up.

“I know you don’t like them, and I was going to say no, but they’ve already rented a mansion.”

“What? A mansion?!”

“Yeah, a pretty big mansion. Herwin’s birthday is on Saturday, so he can go out. They seem to be planning to throw a birthday party at the mansion for that purpose.”

All of their friends were stunned by the sheer scale of it.

“Wow, I knew you were popular, but I didn’t realize it was like this…….”

Herwin’s eyebrows waggled as Ethan exclaimed.

“Since things have gotten to this point, maybe we should just have the birthday party at the mansion the kids have set up…….”

“No.”

Herwin interrupted before Bianca could finish her sentence.

“When did I ever ask them to do anything like that? They did it on their own accord, there’s no reason for me to go.”

“But they were all thinking of you… and they wanted to give you a birthday you’d never forget…….”

“I still don’t want to go. I don’t like crowds.”

The friends glanced at Herwin and Bianca in silence.

Bianca’s proposal was certainly overwhelming.

Especially for Herwin, who hates crowds.

Not that he didn’t know his heart, but there was another problem with turning down Bianca’s offer.

Given that they had already rented the mansion, they would have paid for everything, and what would happen to their efforts if they turned it down here?

However, Herwin was adamant. A third party could not come forward and stop the person concerned even though he did not like it.

“Well, I think it’s a good idea.”

Just then, Arista spoke up.

“Arista.”

“Herwin, think again. The kids said they wanted to celebrate your birthday, not anything else.”

Despite Arista’s persuasion, Herwin remained unimpressed.

“Besides, they’ve already paid for it, and I’m sure they’ve worked hard to save up for it, but what if you don’t go?”

“Well, I don’t see why I should have to take their side of the bargain.”

“How can a person be so harsh? At least they started it out of kindness, so we should show our sincerity. Don’t you think so, Lucia?”

Lucia’s shoulders shook as she stood still. She felt the eyes on her and then locked eyes with Herwin.

Herwin seemed to think she was the only one who would take his side.

“Uh… I’m thinking the same thing as Arista.”

“…… Huh?”

“It’s not such a bad idea, it’s just a lot of people and we’re all there to celebrate with you…….”

“Lucia, you know how much I hate those things.”

“I know, but if not now, then when, and the way they’ve organized this, I’m sure they’ll do the same thing next time.”

Herwin shuddered, realizing that Lucia had a point.

“So why don’t we just attend this time, and tell them nicely not to do it again? They say to take out the iron while it’s hot.”

“As expected, Lucia! I knew you’d understand me.”

Arista’s eyes twinkled and she pulled Lucia into a tight hug.

“If it’s still too much for you, consider it an end-of-term party, not a birthday party, and it’s right before summer vacation starts. Bianca, how many people organized this in total?”

“Quite a few. Like 10? There’s probably over 70 people in attendance, maybe most of the first-years.”

“……Huh, I heard there was a fan club, but that’s more than I thought.”

“Well, I guess that means the majority of the grade is in love with Herwin.”

At the whispers of his friends, a vein stood out on Herwin’s forehead.

“Come on, Herwin, just this once.”

“Yeah, it’s been a while since we’ve had a party! Sounds like fun!”

Lucia and Arista both glared at Herwin.

He was about to say no, but the onslaught of glares made him sigh.

“Ha… Whatever you want.”

“Yes!”

“Wow?”

“Yes, only this once. Bianca, you have to be clear with them too. If they do this again next time, I won’t stay still then.”

“Okay! I’ll make sure they know!”

“Is there anything else we can do to help?”

“Yeah, I mean, I’ve been to a few parties, but…….”

“I’ll ask them today. Then I’ll give you something to do. First of all, let me tell you how far things have progressed.….”

Bianca told them what she knew.

She wondered if Herwin, the birthday boy, shouldn’t be there, but his friends already didn’t care about him.

Herwin leaned back against the chair back in defeat, and his eyes locked with Lucia’s for a moment.

‘I’m sorry.’

Lucia whispered. She felt like she’d forced him to do something he didn’t want to do.

Herwin sighed a little when he saw his good-natured childhood friend.

‘It’s okay, it’s what it is.’

Lucia was relieved to see the bridge of his nose straighten.

Someone was watching them secretly. It was Bianca.

She narrowed her eyes for a moment as she watched the two exchanging glances. But then someone spoke up, and she quickly composed herself.

* * *

Saturday, the day after Herwin’s birthday party was set.

Lucia, along with her female friends, went out on the streets of Tervan to buy a birthday present for Herwin.

“Hmm, I don’t know what to get him.”

“I was thinking of a fountain pen, would that be okay?”

“Oh, Bianca, you have good taste.”

Christine and Bianca, who were walking ahead, talked about Herwin’s gift.

Arista, who was walking next to Lucia, asked Lucia.

“Lucia, do you have anything in mind for Herwin?”

“Umm… not yet. Arista, what are you going to do?”

“I was thinking of getting him some polish or some tools for sword care, after all, his sword is his life.”

“I see there are such things. That’s a novelty.”

“Well, I’m a swordsman, so that’s all I can think of.”

Compared to the usual gifts of books, handkerchiefs, and fountain pens, it was something that will stand out.

It was unusual, if unusual, but it was Arista.

For a moment, Lucia thought of Herwin, who would be delighted to receive Arista’s gift.

It was easy to picture him showing her the smile he never showed her.

Lucia hurriedly shook her head before her feelings were consumed by jealousy.

‘You promised yourself you wouldn’t hate Arista anymore, get a grip, Lucia Agnes.’

“Lucia, let’s go over there!”

Arista grinned and tugged on Lucia’s hand.

Lucia stiffened for a moment, then grinned broadly at her beaming friend.

“Yes! Let’s go!”

Lucia clutched Arista’s hand tightly and followed behind her. There was no hesitation on Lucia’s face.

* * *

“……….”

Standing in front of the small shop, Lucia couldn’t take her eyes off the goods in the window.

As her friends scattered, each with their place and time, Lucia wandered around on her own, looking for a gift for Herwin.

Then she stumbled upon the jewelry store.

Ding-

“Excuse me…….”

Lucia cautiously entered the store in a small voice.

“Welcome, miss.”

The old man, his glasses perched precariously on the bridge of his nose, jumped to his feet.

“Is there something you’re looking for?”

“Uh… I was wondering if I could take a look at that thing over there?”

Lucia pointed to an object in front of the stained glass window.

“You mean cufflinks, which ones do you want?”

“The second one from the left here.”

The owner pulled out a cufflink from the display.

It was a gem-encrusted cufflink, blacker and more intensely colored than a ruby.

She couldn’t take her eyes off of it, because it looked just like Herwin’s eyes.

“Maybe you’re giving it to your boyfriend?”

“Uh, what?”

Lucia blushed, and the old man gave her a kind smile.

“I’m sure the recipient of this gift from such a cute young lady will be very happy.”

“I mean…….”

“I can engrave them, especially for you, young lady. I can engrave your initials on the inside of the cuffs, would you like to?”

Lucia’s mouth dropped open, even though she knew she should have told him she wasn’t gifting them to her lover.

She pursed her lips and finally bowed her head.

“Then… please do the favor.”

“Can you tell me the name to engrave?”

“Herwin Phoenae… no, Lucia Agnes, please.”

Lucia started to say Herwin’s name but quickly corrected it to her name.

“The button is too small for your full name, so I’ll just use your initials, is that okay?”

“Yeah, it’s fine.”

“I’ll make it pretty, just give me a minute.”

The owner took the cufflinks and went into the workshop inside.

As she waited for the buttons to come out, Lucia cooled the heat on her face with her hands.

“I hope this is okay……”

Usually, it was only between lovers to present an object with their name on it to the other person.

However, it was not a full name, it was just an initial.

Lucia consoled herself, saying that it was a gift that could be given to friends.