Chapter 58: Fratina’s Confused Mind

Christine led Lucia around the entire camp, time slipping away until the moon began to set. They returned to the main hall.

Their earlier “intimacy” faded, especially after passing patrolling soldiers, when Christine switched back to calling her Lucius.

“Well, I should rest now.”

Lucia glanced at the hall’s map. “Christine, don’t stay up too late either.”

“I understand.”

Outside, Emmeline overheard this familiar exchange, a sense of unease rising.

Those were words she often said to her Highness. Was Lucia stealing even that now?

As Emmeline fretted, Lucia returned to her room.

Emmeline entered the hall. “Your Highness, you…”

“Were you following us, Emmeline?”

Christine cut her off before she could finish.

“Sorry, Your Highness. It was to protect you.”

“It’s fine. I’m not upset.”

Christine smiled, shaking her head.

Emmeline gathered her courage. “Your Highness, what kind of person is Lord Lucius?”

“Why ask?”

Christine looked puzzled.

“I saw you two alone together… I thought you might trust him deeply already.”

“Well, maybe I do.”

Christine recalled her talk with Lucia. “Lucius is a good person. As a partner, we can trust her…”

Emmeline’s heart sank with each word.

Such high praise after one day? Was this love at first sight?

“Of course, it’s just one day. I don’t know her completely…”

Emmeline’s eyelids twitched.

‘Know her completely?’ When had her Highness become like this?

“Your Highness, you’ve known each other for one day. Please don’t be so… hasty. Even for future marriage prospects, this is too rushed.”

“…?”

Christine looked at Emmeline, confused, then burst into laughter. “Haha, Emmeline, I get why you’re saying this.”

Emmeline was bewildered.

After a moment, Christine stopped laughing and faced her. “Don’t worry, Emmeline. I don’t have those feelings for Lucia. She’s just a friend.”

“A friend?”

“Yes.”

Christine nodded.

Both being girls, how could there be anything more?

But she knew her closeness with Lucia tonight might have upset Emmeline, who’d followed her so long.

Standing, she walked to Emmeline and hugged her.

Emmeline, startled, felt her heart race.

“Lucia told me I should rely on you more, Emmeline. So don’t find me annoying from now on, okay?”

Emmeline, flustered, stammered but caught the key point.

Was her Highness’s openness because of Lucia’s words?

Her earlier resentment turned to gratitude. “Your Highness… I’d never find you annoying. Honestly… I’ve always worried you’d break under the camp’s pressure alone…”

In her urgency, Emmeline voiced her long-held fears.

Christine kept holding her. “It’s okay. I won’t be so stubborn anymore…”

*

Lucia didn’t realize she’d done a great deed. Waking the next morning, despite sleeping only a few hours, she felt refreshed from days of rest on the road.

In the hall, Christine had gone to bed, but Emmeline was up early, cleaning.

Seeing Lucia, Emmeline greeted her warmly. “Good morning, Lord Lucius.”

“Oh, good morning.”

Lucia was puzzled. Emmeline’s attitude seemed friendlier than yesterday.

They’d barely interacted, making it odd.

“By the way, if you’re looking for Lady Fratina, she’s training in the square.”

Lucia thanked her and headed there.

At the sparring ground from yesterday, Fratina wielded her sword alone in the wide space.

Some early risers watched her precise movements in awe; others kept their distance, fearing injury.

Fratina seemed lost in her own world.

She didn’t know what was wrong today, but each swing carried emotion, her heart unsteady.

She tried imagining the training dummy as Christine, who’d “made a move” on Lucia last night, but even slashing through countless dummies didn’t calm her.

“Fratina?”

Lucia’s voice came from nearby.

Fratina halted her swing, sheathed her sword, and turned. “Lord Lucius? Why are you up so early?”

She nearly asked if Lucia was up after her late-night “rendezvous” with Christine but swallowed the words, fearing Lucia would know she’d followed them.

“Lord Lucius, you’re up early… Is something up?”

“You seem distracted.”

Fratina flinched, then relaxed.

Lucia was far stronger; of course she’d notice her unfocused practice.

“Sorry, Lord Lucius.”

Though Lucia’s power was currently diminished, her memories and theoretical knowledge remained. Watching Fratina, she could still spot flaws.

Frankly, her expertise was intact; only her practical skill was gone.

Seeing Fratina’s sloppy swordplay, she grew concerned. “Can you tell me why?”