When Joy returned to the mansion, she was greeted with overwhelming congratulations from the members of the Duke’s family.
She was the official disciple of the Grand Mage Erginus and had made significant contributions during the War of the Gods.
Her achievements were so great that it wouldn’t have been strange if they had announced her as the next Duchess, pushing the eldest son aside.
If Joy had desired it, Jeff would have gladly given up his title, but in reality, Joy had no interest in power.
Thus, she accepted the congratulations from those around her with pure intentions.
However, when the loud party ended and she was left alone in her room, Joy thought that everything she had experienced felt like a daydream.
Looking back, her two years had been filled with unreal events.
She had fought against various evil gods. She had become a disciple of the Grand Mage Erginus. She had taken the lead in the War of the Gods. And in the end, she had won.
These were all things too grand for a fool like her to have accomplished, and so Joy was afraid to sleep.
When she lay in bed and closed her eyes, she felt as if everything she had experienced would disappear like bubbles, and only the false smile of the Duchess would remain in the harsh reality. She couldn’t bring herself to fall asleep.
What would Lucy have said if she had been here? Would she have laughed, calling her silly for thinking such things?
Heh heh. I hope she comes back soon.
I found out that the mother I had missed so much was actually alive, so it would be difficult to meet her for a while, but I still want to see her and spend time together.
When I'm with Lucy, I have so much fun that I don't even think about other trivial things.
Since lying still doesn't seem to help me sleep, I guess I should think about what to do with Lucy later.
Lucy’s mission is already complete, right?
So now, I should enjoy myself like a proper academy girl!
For reference, Joy pulled out a youth novel published by a former academy graduate and, as she imagined the characters in the book to be herself and her friends, she couldn’t help but laugh foolishly.
"Did you say Joy?"
In this situation, Joy was taken aback by Lucy’s sudden appearance.
At first, she wondered if she was dreaming, having fallen asleep without realizing it.
After realizing it was reality, she feared her delusions might be exposed.
And after Lucy smiled and spoke, the words that came from her mouth seemed unbelievable.
Lucy... called me by my real name!?
This is impossible!
It must be a dream!
I really am hopeless!
How long has it been since I last saw Lucy, and now I’m dreaming of her!?
And in this dream, Lucy suddenly shows up in the middle of the night and calls me by my real name!
"Should I seriously ask Fabi for advice?"
"If I tell her my worries, she’ll probably just talk nonsense."
"That’s true. If it were Fabi, she’d probably say something like she’s envious of my blessed dream."
"Do I still look like a dream to you, you fool?"
With her cheeks puffed up, Lucy suddenly pushed forward and grabbed Joy’s cheeks before she could react.
Having learned from experience what this behavior meant, Joy waved her hands frantically.
"No! That's not it at all! Lucy is Lucy! This is definitely not a dream!"
"Really?"
"Really, really, really! So please don’t pull, it hurts a lot!"
Seeing Lucy’s playful gaze, Joy gave up and tightly shut her eyes, but no pain came. Unlike usual, Lucy pulled back with a mischievous laugh.
"...Am I really dreaming?"
"If you like the pain, let me know. I’ll indulge you as much as you want."
"It’s not that!"
When Joy quickly shook her head, Lucy burst out laughing in a refreshing manner.
Her light and cheerful laughter was completely different from the usual.
It wasn’t the laugh of a nasty child who only mocks others, but the laugh of an ordinary girl.
Only then did Joy understand the situation.
"Has the curse been broken?"
"Agrath released it to torment me. Don’t you remember?"
"Everything that has happened recently feels like a dream."
"Ha, you’re really a fool."
"I see now. Lucy’s curse is broken. You’ve become an ordinary girl who can speak normally."
Lucy shrugged her shoulders and then stood at attention, bowing her head with perfect aristocratic manners.
"That’s right, Lady of the Partlan family. I’ll never disrespect you again."
"Really impressive. You no longer have to fear meeting people."
Seeing this greeting, Joy felt both joy and a hint of sadness.
She knew that this was a good thing for Lucy.
She was probably thrilled that Lucy would no longer suffer.
From now on, Lucy would live with everyone’s love.
Even in the state where she was cursed, Lucy had always drawn people in.
Now that she could speak normally, people would naturally want to get close to her without needing to be sought out.
So, there was a little bit of regret.
The fact that Lucy would no longer just be their friend.
The fact that no one else would understand Lucy’s good qualities like they did.
The fact that their relationship would change, becoming no different from anyone else’s friendship.
She knew this was selfish.
She knew Lucy, who had suffered so much, deserved to be rewarded.
She hated having such thoughts, but still...
"I’m still scared."
"...What?"
"Think about my current position! How many wolves eager for scraps will try to get close to me?"
"Well, that might be true, but Lucy’s influence will make it hard for them to get close easily."
"That’s a problem too! People will treat me like some kind of demi-god! How am I supposed to live with that pressure? Imagining entering high society is terrifying! Perverted knights will gather to praise me! I can’t handle that!"
"Heh. Hahaha."
Joy couldn’t help but laugh at Lucy’s mock shudder.
"I’m serious, you know?!"
"Hehe. Well, it’s funny. Heh!"
No matter what changes happen, Lucy will always be Lucy.
My cute and precious friend.
No matter how hard others try to get close to her, they’ll never be as close as I am.
Lucy will never like those kinds of people anyway.
"Go ahead, you fool. Try standing in my place! How disgusting is it to have perverts sticking to you? I could never have handled it, but I bet you’d faint immediately!"
"Hehe. Well, I wouldn’t be so sure about that. You don’t know, but there are plenty of creepy people in high society. I’m used to it."
"...Who’s that perverted guy? Tell me his name. I’ll make him a eunuch."
"He’s already gone."
"Gone?"
"Yeah. He disappeared one day."
Blinking a few times, Lucy awkwardly smiled and then sat next to Joy as if it was only natural.
"Anyway, the reason I’m here is that I wanted to thank you."
"Lucy, for me?"
"Yeah. Joy, you were the first person to become my friend, and despite everything I’ve caused, you’ve never once complained. How could I not thank you?"
Joy didn’t know how to respond to Lucy’s honest confession.
She had always thought she had only received from Lucy, but Lucy had thought that she had only given.
...How foolish.
"Actually, I’ve always wanted to say thank you. Every time you helped, I wanted to express my gratitude. I wanted to praise you every time something happened at the academy."
With her head down, Lucy fidgeted with her fingers, her ears slightly red.
She was probably embarrassed to say such awkward words.
But the reason she didn’t stop was probably because it was something she had to say.
"I feel the same, Lucy."
"Yeah?"
"I always wanted to say thank you. That you’re kind. That you’re cute. That you made me happy. But I couldn’t because I was too shy."
"Uh. Uhhh?"
"So, you don’t need to feel guilty about it. We’re the same."
"R-really?"
"Ah! So from now on, you’ll say all those things to me, right? Thank you. That you’re happy. That I’m pretty. That you like me."
"Ah... Maybe?"
"That’s enough. Lucy. I’ll be expecting it."
Lucy, sweating profusely, looked like she was struggling, but she didn’t say she couldn’t do it.
Even if the curse was gone, Lucy was still Lucy.
She acted proud and cocky, but inside, she was a fragile girl.
Actually, now it’s easier to tease her since the curse is gone.
She’s showing signs of it every time she tries to act tough.
Hehe. I wonder how she’ll react if I make her wear cute clothes.
She hated it before, but now, I’m sure she’ll say it’s really cute.
"...Joy. Your gaze is perverted."
"That’s too much. Where’s the perversion in my pure eyes?"
"It’s not just your eyes! From your hand movements to the things you say!"
"It’s just your imagination. I’m a dignified Duchess, you know?"
"You fool!"
Seeing Lucy’s honest reactions was so fun that Joy couldn’t help but poke her.
But she decided to stop soon.
Lucy had other people she needed to greet.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.
"Yawn. Lucy, I’m starting to get sleepy."
"Ah, is that so? So sleep is more important than me, huh?"
"Not really. It’s just that I can’t be selfish and monopolize you."
"...Ha! You better not end up being pushed to the back."
"I’ll pray that doesn’t happen."
When Joy awkwardly smiled, Lucy turned and flashed a grin.
"Goodnight."
"You too, Lucy. Have a good night."
After Lucy disappeared with a soft glow, Joy lay her head on the pillow.
She thought that tonight, she would be able to have a good dream.