Chapter: 596
Being the Young Lady of a Duke’s Family is not something an ordinary person can endure.
Having such immense power means that one must bear a lot of responsibilities. A child born to rule over others must learn how to shoulder that responsibility. Of course, not everyone thinks this way.
The thoughtless ones will wield power while turning a blind eye to their responsibilities. The immature ones will jump around, unaware whether they possess any power or responsibility at all.
Among the rest, those who stubbornly try to take on all responsibilities are quite rare.
Joy was one of those rare children.
Without anyone telling her, she understood the significance of being born into the Duke’s family and earnestly worked to be someone worthy of her position.
At an age when she should be pondering how to have more fun with friends, Joy began to search for ways to grow up.
It was only natural that she would feel an overwhelming burden on her shoulders.
When Joy reached a point where even opening her eyes each day felt laborious, Jeff, who had been watching her with concern, offered some advice.
He said that just trying hard would eventually lead to breaking down. To truly strive, she had to find a way to unpack the feelings bottled up inside her.
Though Joy thought about whether there was time for hobbies when she barely had enough time to put in effort, she deeply considered her kind older brother’s advice. After hearing about the existence of romance novels from some Young Lady, she realized that his advice was indeed right.
After that, for several years, she buried herself in romance novels as soon as she finished her daily tasks, reaching a point where she believed she was well-versed in romance, even though she had never truly experienced love herself.
“Do you understand?! There’s no more powerful magic than childhood memories! At this rate, I’ll lose Lucy!”
Knowing this, Arthur looked at Joy passionately discussing the crisis with squinty eyes.
“I listened well to your delusions, but this is reality.”
“Are you saying I’m rambling?!”
“I believe it’s true that the two met as children. Because I think it’s true, I find it hard to believe. Was it really possible for Lucy Allen to make friends with others back then?”
Although Arthur only heard this story, he knew that Lucy Allen was a total brat.
There’s no way someone with that mindset would confront a king directly.
A brat with such arrogance becoming friends with others, especially a rather picky older brother? Hah. That’s certainly believable.
“That’s the key point!”
“What?”
“The friendlier a person is, the easier they fall for new charms!”
It’s a cliché in romance novels that a tyrant filled with rage toward a strong woman falls in love. Joy had read about this plot hundreds of times.
“That’s just a story from a novel.”
“I told you! How many times did they talk? If there wasn’t any interest, they wouldn’t approach Lucy back then! I was trying to avoid her as much as possible!”
“…That’s persuasive.”
As the Duke’s Young Lady, Joy had the ability to rally other Young Ladies, even managing to handle quite stubborn ones to some extent.
Yet, for her to have gone to someone she despised repeatedly? That behavior is hard to understand.
“Could it be that you’re into that sort of thing?”
“You know, Your Highness, you can’t judge someone’s taste by appearances alone.”
There were plenty of examples around them. How many were there who turned out normal once Lucy wasn’t around?
“And if our speculation is true, it’s clear Lucy also harbors some affection.”
“The only one who approached her when she had to bear everyone’s scorn. Hm. For someone with that connection, it seems Lucy Allen was quite bothered by you.”
“I find that suspicious too. How often does Lucy Allen dislike others?”
On the day Lucy Allen decided to spend time with the First Prince, Arthur felt as if he was being convinced rather than convincing Joy.
“…Okay. Let’s say you’re right. But do we have the right to interfere?”
“Of course! I’m Lucy’s friend! If a friend is about to make a wrong choice, it’s my duty to stop them!”
“Is you saying it’s a wrong choice a problem?”
“Yes! Of course!”
“That statement could be blasphemy.”
“I’m too late to worry about blasphemy now.”
“I’m too sad to argue with an undeniable fact.”
“Ah! Here they come!”
The First Prince appeared on the street, looking impeccably dressed as if going to a ball.
Not that she liked him, but he was indeed handsome.
If he stepped into the social circle like that, wouldn’t a few Young Ladies faint?
“Joy, are you really confident we won’t get caught?”
“Of course. No matter how genius the First Prince is, he can’t see through the Power of Darkness.”
As long as the two hid in the dark, no one could detect them. This was not human skill; it was power possessed by a god.
Promptly struck with confidence, Joy was quickly silenced by the sight of Lucy approaching from afar.
The only word to describe the current Lucy would be “white.”
A pure white dress with no embellishments. Skin possessing a distinct vitality that wouldn’t fade against the dress. Red hair fluttering atop it, intermixed with natural adornments.
With ruby-like eyes gazing at the ground, this angel effortlessly captured everyone’s attention.
“…That girl. Isn’t she a bit too serious?”
Arthur muttered while pinching his nose, to which Joy nodded vigorously.
The two had once seen a similar sight.
With an overwhelming presence that could captivate everyone and turn a speech into a mere formality, that day Lucy Allen had arrived looking like this.
“I’ve heard the First Queen said she looked spellbound. I can understand why.”
“Even in such a situation, she’s looking for her mother? It’s clear the gloomy prince is just a pitiful mama’s boy.”
“Haha. Maybe.”
As the two chatted and laughed, Joy bit her lip and cautiously spoke up.
“Your Highness, what if Lucy actually has real feelings?”
When she voiced her thought that this meeting might be as significant for Lucy as it was back then, Arthur snorted.
“Are you saying that now?”
“But…”
“It’s too late to backtrack. Let’s see what happens.”
The first place the two visited was the largest jewelry store in the royal city. Famous among noblewomen for being a must-visit, Lucy swept up various expensive jewels.
“That girl wasn’t interested in jewelry, was she?”
“Probably? She could buy as much as she liked, yet she hasn’t mentioned it.”
Then Lucy carelessly passed the payment to Rene. Given the amount, Rene’s expression immediately stiffened, but he quickly masked it and handed the jeweler the coins.
“I’ve never seen all the staff come out to send someone off.”
“After making a payment like that, they’d have to treat even a commoner like this.”
The next place they visited was an artifact shop.
Even as a first-time customer, Lucy confidently displayed her face as a royal heir, picking only the most expensive items from that shop.
“That… That’s a bracelet capable of inscribing ten magic circles! I wanted it but couldn’t afford it!”
“They’re collecting protective amulets like crazy. How much would that total?”
Of course, Rene was the one making the payment. He looked like he had numerous things to say but forced a smile and handed over the cash.
After that, the pattern continued. Lucy indulged in extravagance while Rene bore the costs. Whatever the location, the premise remained unchanged.
At this point, even Joy, steeped in romance novels, couldn’t shake off the sense of discomfort.
“Is this really a date?”
This was absolutely not a date. How could one call it a date when a girl is just leeching off someone?
“Joy, were you perhaps mistaken about something? Lucy Allen’s behavior seems more like that of someone filled with resentment.”
“Uh. Well, but the two…”
“Stop daydreaming and look at reality. Would you act that way toward someone you’re interested in?”
Joy couldn’t answer Arthur’s question.
To be so shameless, one would have to completely disregard the other’s feelings.
To Lucy, the First Prince was just a nice guy.
“There you go. Didn’t I say it was a delusion?”
“Haah. I’m glad, but…”
“What now?”
“Isn’t it lacking in pure affection!? I was expecting more fluttering, that makes one feel anxious and giggle!”
“Why is it my problem? Annoying brat.”
“Annoying? What’s wrong with me!?”
As Arthur pressed down Joy’s head, keeping her quiet, he frowned at the sight of two people entering the most famous restaurant in the royal city.
Since it had come this far, he might as well keep following until the end.
*
“Ahhh. Partnering with the First Prince was a smart move. How much have I gained today!?”
Gemstones that boost my and my friends’ stats! Plus magical tools for future crises! I was satisfied with my day as I bought useful items with someone else’s money.
[Ruel. Does the Lord Jushin not mind this behavior?]
<…Don’t ask me.>
[If you don't ask you, then who else am I supposed to ask?]
[Ask the Lord Jushin! I don’t know either!]
Ignoring the banter of the two, who sounded somewhat tired, I hummed as I perused the menu.
Since I’d been so active today, maybe I should indulge a little. At my current level, I felt like I could devour the entire menu from start to finish.
Alright! Decision made! Since Rene will be paying anyway, let’s splurge!
“…You’re ordering everything?”
“Why? Is it burdensome?”
“Of course it is! Think about how much I spent today!”
“As if someone like me should’ve been fine with a gloomy, rancid human like you! You should have prepared for it.”
“Haah. You’re really shameless.”
Do I feel guilty? Not in the slightest! Maybe with an ordinary counterpart, but this perverted pedophile trying to hit on a girl like me? I should do this much!
“I thought you’d changed a lot, but you’re still the same in this regard.”
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