CH 14

After that, we talked some pointless talk, and Bella returned to her room.

I sat on the bed, feeling the empty silence. Is it because of the wound I got? Since awakening my power, dealing with people has been harder than before, especially with someone kind to me, like Bella. On the contrary, Frinel… it was easier to have a conversation with him.

His sadly smiling face flickered in front of my eyes for some reason. Stepmother and half-sibling. It was similar to Merilly’s situation. Fortunately, Merilly looked happy.

Still… It’s uncomfortable to hear such a story. My stomach felt bloated, as if I had eaten the wrong food.

I didn’t want to hear such a detailed story. On the surface, I looked benevolent, but it was because I had no intention of forming a deep relationship with them. I quietly recalled my conversation with Bella.

“A deep relationship can hurt each other, but a light relationship can end rather cleanly.”

In fact, it was me talking to myself. The coward wasn’t Frinel who pretended to be a wretch, but it was myself. Because I realized that there was nothing more painful than being hurt by people.

Well, I didn’t want to know either. What was more painful than the body beaten by the knights and the river that choked me while being betrayed by Endimion, having Merilly stolen, and being pushed by Magorit’s hand.

That’s enough. I should train. I shook my head vigorously, raising the mana in my body. For one day, I was training my magic, releasing my mana little by little as if I was building my muscles before going to bed. Around my body, a golden light mixed with blue light rose subtly. I let the mana flow out gradually to prevent it from exploding. After a while, I started to feel short of breath.

“Sigh, sigh…”

I gathered my mana at once. Then I caught my breath and drank the water on the table. Before I knew it, cold sweat was forming on my forehead. Apparently, training magic for a long time was beyond my stamina. It’s not a matter of mana. It’s a matter of stamina.

Since losing my mother, I have lived a normal life. I lived as an ordinary lady to an ordinary housewife. Still, suddenly I took various classes, assignments, and magic training, so it was natural that my stamina was lacking. I think I should take some classes that will help me gain stamina.

I would be more likely to stay up all night in the future, so I couldn’t just do nothing about it. Didn’t I have a nosebleed just because I stayed up all night?

I lay down on my bed. Tomorrow, I will have to ask Duke Gracie. My tired eyes made me sleepy, and my eyes began to blink slowly. A class that can improve stamina… I hadn’t finished my thoughts, but my blinking eyes were already completely closed.

A murmur quietly reverberated through the room. Soon, my brow wrinkled as I was having a nightmare.

Lobelia, who had been whining for a  long time as if suffering from a fever, breathed heavily. At that moment, tears trickled down from the corners of her eyes as she fell asleep without even being able to cover herself with the blanket. The resentment she had been holding back all this time seemed to flow out of her unconscious.

It was Lobelia, who was sucked into her sleep in an instant. Even though she fell asleep, her face in a nightmare was filled with tiredness instead of rest.

⚜  ⚜  ⚜

“Hmm? What?”

Rubbing my eyes, I woke up and frowned as I saw the traces of my tears in the corners of my eyes. I thought I had a dream last night but couldn’t remember it.

I shrugged it off and began to get ready. Oversleeping was unacceptable for me. I had no choice but to move diligently from the morning because I had three classes today, and I had to ask to increase the number of classes that could improve my stamina.

Asking to add the class will be told at breakfast… I have a social class in the morning, so I’ll have to prepare for it in advance.

Soon Sera came into the room. After finishing my bath and getting ready,  I hurriedly headed to the dining room.

“You’re here.”

“Lobelia!”

“Yes. Good morning, Duke, Bella.”

I slightly bowed to them, who were having breakfast first.

Bella’s eyes sparked brightly. It had only been a week since Lobelia started her class earnestly, but she was already setting a perfect example.

“I think you have already become a real princess. Very elegant and pretty, Lobelia!” Bella raised her voice excitedly.

“Thank you, Bella.”

“It’s very good. You deserve to be the princess of Duke Gracie. I recognized you for being that kind of person.”

“It’s really a relief, Grandpa.”

“…Thank you, Duke.”

I only said greetings once, but the excessive praise continued.  I sat down next to Bella, blushing slightly.

“I will eat something simple this morning. Just soup and salad, please.”

“Yes, Lady”

Now it was quite natural for me to order something from servants. Soon, hot soup with boiled chicken and salad from various vegetables was placed in front of me. I scooped up the soup and got to the point.

“That, Duke.”

“Hmm?”

“I have a favor to ask of you.”

Duke Gracie, who was slicing the grilled bacon, replied, gulping down the food in his mouth. “Um. Speak comfortably.”

“I think I lack a bit of stamina to study.”

“Stamina?”

“Yes. Can I take a class that will improve my stamina? Yesterday’s nosebleed—”

“Nosebleed?”

“You got a nosebleed?”

Their eyes flashed. I shouldn’t have said that I got a nosebleed. Embarrassed, I quickly shook my head.

“…It was just a little.”

“If you’re that tired, you should cancel the class.”

“No, that’s…”

“You must rest, Lobelia. Don’t overdo it. Stamina is the core of your body!” Bella exclaimed, clenching her fists.

“…I don’t want to cut back on my classes. I don’t have time…”

I blurted out my argument. However, Duke Gracie and Bella didn’t have the same opinion as me.

“Didn’t they say it would take three months for the adoption process to be completed? Judging from your learning speed, I don’t think you have to be in such a hurry.”

“…Duke?”

“Grandpa is right. I can’t see my benefactor, Lobelia, studying while having a nosebleed! Please cut it back now!”

“…Bella?”

“What is your class for today?”

“…For today, it’s social class, philosophy class, and world history…”

As soon as I answered, he turned to Sera.

“Sera.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Cancel all three classes.”

“D-Duke!” At those words, I sprang up from my seat.

“I want to attend them. I want to learn more… You got it wrong. I think I can work harder if I build up my stamina…” I approached Duke Gracie and begged earnestly.

His eyes turned to me. Somehow, the look in his eyes at me was similar to the way he looked at Bella.

Duke Gracie shut his mouth momentarily as if thinking about something, then spoke slowly. “…Then cancel all except for social class. From now on, I will adjust her schedule so that she can only take one class a day.”

“…Yes, I understand.”

It seemed impossible to get any better, so I accepted it quietly.

Why is he so concerned? They were strangely concerned about me, their benefactor. Whether or not I get a nosebleed, I was no different from an uninvited guest who wildly proposed being adopted.

“Then I’ll go and prepare for social class.”

“Have you finished eating already?”

“Yes. I’ve had enough. If I eat more, I think I’ll get sick.”

“…Then there is nothing I can do. Go ahead. Today…”

As he stretched his words, he coughed in vain and continued.

“Ahem, ahem, good job.”

“Yes.”

After replying briefly, I looked at Bella and left the dining room. I immediately took a book for my social class and went out to the garden. I was about to read a book when a familiar voice hit my ear.

“Ah!”

My head relaxed.

“Lady Lobelia!”

As soon as I saw the protagonist of the voice, my face hardened coldly. It happens again…

The identity of that person was Frinel. He was walking toward me again, with the front of his shirt undone so that his chest was visible.