The position of a noblewoman in a duke's family is not something an ordinary person can endure.
Great power means a great deal of responsibility. A child born with the privilege of ruling over others simply because of their birth must learn to bear the weight of that responsibility. Of course, not everyone will think this way.
The thoughtless may wield power without considering the responsibility that comes with it. The immature may not even realize that they have both power and responsibility and act recklessly.
Among others, there are few who will tirelessly strive to bear the full weight of responsibility.
Joy was one of those rare individuals.
Without anyone telling her, she understood deeply the meaning of being born into a duke’s family. She was a sincere person who tried to live up to the expectations of her position, trying to be someone worthy of her title.
Though she was at an age when she should be focused on how to have more fun with her friends, Joy began searching for ways to become an adult.
It was only natural for her to bear such a heavy burden.
When it had become so difficult that even waking up every day seemed like a struggle, Jeff, who had been watching her sympathetically, offered her some advice.
He told her that simply working hard would eventually break her. In order to work desperately, she needed to find a way to release the pressure building up in her heart.
Joy, who thought she didn’t have time for hobbies, realizing this advice came from her kind older brother, gave it some thought. After hearing about romance novels from another noblewoman, she came to realize that Jeff's advice was indeed right.
From then on, after finishing her daily routine, Joy would lock herself in her room and immerse herself in romance novels. After a few years, without ever experiencing real love, she began to believe she was an expert on romance.
"Do you understand?! There’s no magic more powerful than childhood memories! If this goes on, I’ll lose Lucy!”
Arthur, who knew about her situation, looked at Joy passionately discussing the crisis with a slightly tilted gaze.
"I’ve heard enough about your delusions, but this is reality."
"Are you saying I'm talking nonsense?!"
"I think it’s true that the two of them met when they were young. That’s why it’s hard to believe it. Do you think it was possible for Lucy Alrn back then to get close to anyone?"
Arthur had only heard the story, but Lucy Alrn had been an absolute troublemaker, one who would never insult a king directly with any normal mindset.
Could such a rude child, of all people, become friends with others—especially someone as difficult as her older brother?
Pfft, that sounds reasonable.
“That’s the key point!”
“What?”
“Anyone who treats others kindly is easily swayed by new attractions!”
It’s a basic romantic trope that a tyrant with great power, furious at a strong woman, will eventually fall in love with her. Joy had read this dozens, even hundreds of times.
“But that’s just a story in novels.”
“I told you! After talking to her multiple times! If there wasn’t any interest, would Lucy at that time have approached her? I would’ve avoided her as much as possible!”
“...That’s convincing.”
As a noblewoman, Joy had managed to unite other noblewomen, and she could even tame those with a rough personality to some extent.
But she still couldn't understand why anyone would keep approaching someone they despised. This behavior was hard to understand.
“Could it be that you’re into that kind of thing?”
“You know, Prince. You can’t judge someone’s taste based on what’s visible.”
There were plenty of examples of such cases around them. People who, when Lucy wasn’t around, could become normal.
"And if our speculation is correct, it’s clear that Lucy has some feelings too."
“She was the only one who came to her when she had to bear everyone’s criticism. Hmm, considering their bond, Lucy Alrn seemed to be quite uncomfortable with him.”
“I doubt that too. Isn’t it rare for Lucy to be uncomfortable with others?”
On the day Lucy Alrn decided to spend time with the First Prince, Arthur, who had been trying to persuade Joy, soon realized that he was being persuaded instead.
"...Alright, let’s say everything you said is true. But then, do we even have the right to interfere?"
"Of course! I’m Lucy’s friend! If a friend is about to make a wrong choice, I have to stop them!"
"Is the wrong choice yours?"
"Yes! Of course!"
“That could be considered blasphemy.”
“We don’t have time to worry about things like blasphemy.”
“...I can’t deny that, and it makes me sad.”
“Ah! They’re here!”
The First Prince appeared, looking immaculate as if he were attending a ball.
Though Joy wasn’t fond of it, he was quite handsome.
With that appearance, if he stepped into the social scene, a few noblewomen would probably faint.
"Joy, are you really sure we won’t get caught?"
"Of course. No matter how genius the First Prince is, he can’t break the power of the darkness."
As long as they hid in the darkness, no one could notice them. This was not a human technique but a divine power.
Feeling proud of the technique she had learned directly from Erginus, Joy grew tense when she saw Lucy walking in the distance.
The word that could describe Lucy right now would be "white."
A pure white dress without any ornament. Her skin, so white it almost seemed to blend with the dress, radiated life. Her red hair fluttered, and the jewelry naturally settled among the strands.
The angel with ruby-like eyes, gazing at the earth, easily captured everyone’s attention.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.
"...That person. Doesn’t she look too sincere?"
Arthur muttered with his nose plugged, and Joy nodded.
The two of them had seen something similar before.
On that day, Lucy Alrn had come out dressed just like that, planning to captivate everyone with her overwhelming appearance.
“I remember the First Queen saying she was enchanted. I can understand what she meant now.”
“Even now, you’re still looking for your mom? The gloomy prince is definitely a mama’s boy.”
“Haha. Maybe so.”
Seeing them laugh and talk, Joy bit her lip and carefully opened her mouth.
“Third Prince. What if Lucy really does have feelings for him?”
Seeing this meeting might be as important to Lucy as that moment from the past, Joy hesitated and said it, but Arthur chuckled.
“Now you’re saying that?”
“But..."
“It’s too late to turn back now. Let’s follow and see what happens.”
The first place they visited was the largest jewelry store in the capital. Famous among visiting noblewomen, Lucy swept up several expensive gems there.
“Isn’t she not interested in jewels?”
“She probably isn’t. She could buy as many jewels as she wanted, but she didn’t even mention it.”
Then Lucy casually passed the payment to Rene. Given the amount, Rene’s face briefly stiffened, but he quickly composed himself and paid the jeweler.
“I’ve never seen staff members come out to send someone off before.”
“If you’re paying that much, even if the person’s a commoner, they have to do it.”
The next stop was an artifact store.
Even though it was their first time visiting, Lucy, with the face of a prominent royal heir, walked right in and picked the most expensive items.
“That bracelet can record ten magic circles! I’ve wanted it for so long, but it’s too expensive to even touch!”
“She’s taking all the protective charms. How much would that all add up to?”
Naturally, Rene was the one who made the payment. He seemed to have a lot to say, but he forced a smile and handed over the money.
The same thing happened as they continued shopping. Lucy indulged herself, and Rene took care of it. No matter where they went, this remained unchanged.
Even Joy, immersed in romance novels, couldn’t help but feel a sense of discomfort in this situation.
“Is this really a date?”
This was definitely not a date. How could one call it a date when the woman clung to a sucker and drained him dry?
“Joy, didn’t you make a mistake in your thinking? Lucy Alrn’s actions are full of resentment.”
“Ah, but the two of them...”
“Get out of your delusion and face reality. Would you act like that toward someone you had feelings for?”
Joy couldn’t answer Arthur’s question.
If you didn’t care about the other person’s feelings, such shameless actions would be impossible.
To Lucy, the First Prince was just a decent guy in the end.
“You see? Didn’t I tell you it was delusion?”
“Ha... I’m glad, but.”
“What’s wrong now?”
“You really have no purity, do you!? I was expecting more excitement, that itchiness, that feeling of frustration and that giggly smile! I thought I’d see that kind of reaction!”
“Not my problem. Annoying kid.”
“What do you mean annoying?! What’s wrong with me?!”
Arthur pressed Joy’s head down and silenced her. Then he frowned as he saw the two of them entering the most famous restaurant in the capital.
“Well, we have to follow them until the end, right?”
"I've been thinking, I might as well follow them until the end."
With a lighthearted chuckle, I walked after the pair into the most famous restaurant in the capital. No matter what, this would certainly be a spectacle worth seeing.
I had managed to bring back a lot of items with other people's money—birthstones that would boost our abilities, and magic tools to prepare for future crises. I was content with today’s accomplishments.
<"Ruel. Do you not care about your actions?">
<"...Don’t ask me.">
<"If you don’t ask me, who are you going to ask?">
<"Ask your god! I don’t know!">
Ignoring the back-and-forth of the two, I hummed a little tune while glancing at the menu.
Since I had moved so much today, maybe I should indulge a little more. At my current state, I could probably eat everything from the beginning to the end of the menu.
Yep! Decision made! Since Rene will pay anyway, let’s really go all out!
"...Are you really going to order all of this?"
"Why? Is it too much for you?"
"Of course, it’s too much! Think about how much I’ve already spent today!"
"Well, I’m a girl, and I’m with a pathetic, gloomy, and smelly man like you. You should have come prepared for that."
"Sigh, you’re really shameless."
Do I feel guilty about it? Not at all! If it were a normal person, maybe. But since it’s a perverted pedophile who tries to hit on me, I think this is the least I can do!
"I thought you had changed a lot, but you’re still the same in this regard."