Chapter 19:
Lucina
I lie on my bed. Stacy gently massages my shoulders. Another maid attends to my tired feet.
I reflect on the banquet.
It was undoubtedly successful. But incredibly exhausting. The faces of the nobles blur together in my mind. Their names and titles become a jumbled mess.
I feel newfound respect for characters in novels who seem to seamlessly navigate these social gatherings.
For me? It's hell.
*
It's been several months since I arrived in this world.
Thanks to Stella's efforts, I've been effectively exiled from the social scene.
Honestly? I'm grateful to her for that.
Luan, on the other hand, has been reveling in his newfound spotlight. He comes up with what he considers "genius" ideas in the royal court. To me, they're just basic knowledge from Earth—things like marketing and voting.
Good for him, I suppose.
I've made it my mission to avoid him at all costs these past few months. He makes me uncomfortable. He gives off vibes that remind me of the incels back on Earth.
But perhaps that's just my bias.
Don't mind me.
The real highlight of my time here has been my weekends at the villa.
I've genuinely grown closer to the boys. They've bonded with each other as well. Plus, after months of good food and physical activity, I've been treated to quite the feast of eye candy.
And I've effectively avoided the call of the police.
Valendor looks like he's in his early twenties—or even a teenager. Imagine my surprise when I found out he's actually twenty-six! Those elven genes work wonders.
Nikolai, despite appearing like a skinny teenager, is actually twenty-one. Malnutrition took its toll on him. Now he's looking healthier than ever.
Then there's Haroun, the baby of the group. We had no idea of his age, but Nikolai performed some spell and we discovered he's actually eighteen.
It's been quite the eye-opening experience, getting to know these boys and watching them grow and thrive.
Also, very big plus: I'm not some creepy groomer raising child brides. It's a fantasy world, but come on.
I internally shudder at the thought.
Nope. Let's not think about it.
---
Lucina (Four Months Ago)
About four months ago, I sat outside, ostensibly observing Haroun as he practiced with his sword.
I was definitely focused on his movements. Analyzing his stab and slash techniques.
Okay, maybe I was also appreciating the wall of muscle and the glistening sweat.
But that's beside the point.
Apparently, my "subtle" observation wasn't as subtle as I thought.
The following weekend, Valendor took it upon himself to manually plant and grow some plants. Being an elf, he definitely didn't need to do that. But I wasn't about to complain.
That is, until I nearly choked on my snack.
I saw what Valendor was wearing.
Those black sleeveless turtleneck... crop tops?
I swear, I'll have to have a talk with Kai about his fashion choices.
Not to be outdone, Nikolai decided to unbutton a few too many buttons on his usually pristine shirts while practicing spells way above his level.
What in the world has Kai been teaching these boys?
*
Lucina (Present)
Currently, I lounge in the living room area of the villa, indulging in some of Valendor's improved pastries.
They're absolutely divine. A testament to his massively improved baking skills.
I reach for another pastry.
A hand swiftly steals it from me.
Kai.
"What are you doing here?" I glare at him, slightly annoyed.
He lounges comfortably on a cozy sofa, a smirk on his beautiful face. "Already tired of me, Your Highness?"
He takes a leisurely bite of the stolen pastry.
"I don't recall inviting you." I cross my arms.
"Really? Couldn't resist my charming company?" Kai closes his eyes. A fan floats in the air to cool him—courtesy of Nikolai, no doubt.
"I'm supposed to spend my weekends admiring my eye candy." I gesture toward the window. The boys are outside, looking all sweaty and attractive.
"Don't be so stingy. I get to admire them too—as payment for my lessons." Kai grins.
We both turn to the window like a couple of perverts.
"Lessons?" I raise an eyebrow.
"Ah, still not telling. A men's secret." A mischievous twinkle lights his eye.
Kai and I banter and tease each other for a few hours. The playful exchange flows easily.
The boys finally return. Flushed faces. Disheveled hair. Looking even more appealing than before.
Kai takes it as his cue to leave.
"That's my cue."
He gets up from the sofa. I walk him to the door, watching as he boards the Gilcha lizard with ease. He clearly has Maverick wrapped around his finger. Maverick's crush on one of Kai's workers has him eager to take Kai back to the 'Elysium of Petals.'
I laugh as Kai disappears into the night.
Thanks to Kai's efforts, I found a designer who can create comfortable clothes for me. Julian—a commoner recommended by Kai—has brought to life everything I described.
Currently, I wear comfortable shorts and a white dress shirt I borrowed from Nikolai's closet.
The first time I arrived at the villa and changed into Earth-style clothes—just a cute sundress—the boys were so surprised that Haroun practically hyperventilated.
It was quite dramatic.
Hilarious, too. Kai has never let Haroun know peace since he found out.
But that wasn't as bad as the day I decided to steal one of Nikolai's shirts for the first time and pair it with shorts...
*
Lucina (Flashback: The Shirt Incident)
This week has been so exhausting. I can barely keep my eyes open.
I rummage through Nikolai's closet and pick out one of his shirts. The fabric feels like heaven against my skin.
I trudge back to my room—the master bedroom of the villa. Finally, I can relax.
With a sigh of relief, I strip off the stressful corseted dress and change into comfortable shorts. I slip on Nikolai's shirt.
I appreciate how much more relaxed I feel in these clothes compared to the extravagant gowns and corsets I'm usually forced to wear. The fashion here is just so exhausting.
A delicious aroma wafts into the room. Valendor is conjuring up something magical in the kitchen again.
Hungry and curious, I make my way out to the living area—connected to the kitchen in an open space.
"Vale, that smells amazing."
"Thank you. I recently grew some herbs that I've used as spices and dressing." Valendor's back faces me as he continues his culinary magic.
Suddenly, Haroun stands up to greet me.
He takes an awkward stumble.
I watch in confusion as he trips over his own feet, falls awkwardly, and hits his head on the edge of the table.
The impact knocks him out cold. A streak of blood trickles from his hairline.
"Haroun!"
I rush to his side, panic rising. How on earth did a skilled swordsman manage to trip over his own feet like that?
I gently tap his face, trying to rouse him. He remains unconscious.
"Nikolai, help!"
I turn and my heart skips a beat.
Nikolai stands nearby, looking dazed and disoriented. Even more alarming: streaks of blood flow from his nose at an alarming rate. He seems too out of it to notice.
A loud crash echoes from the kitchen.
I turn.
Valendor desperately tries to put out a fire that has erupted. Pots, pans, and various cooking utensils are strewn across the floor. Flames lick at the walls.
"What the hell?!"
The tranquil afternoon has quickly turned into a disaster.
I'm left wondering how on earth we managed to get into such a mess.
---
Lucina (Present)
I still laugh at the thought of that incident.
"As beautiful as always, Your Highness." Nikolai bows and gives my hand a gentle kiss.
Valendor and Haroun follow suit, offering accurate and definitely not awkward bows. A stark contrast to clumsy Haroun from a few months ago.
"You flatter me, Nikolai. You'd call me beautiful even if I was dressed as a sack of potatoes."
"The most beautiful sack of potatoes." His eyes twinkle with amusement.
The boys freshen up.
Valendor takes charge of preparing dinner. His expertise evident in the tantalizing aromas wafting from the kitchen.
Haroun absentmindedly massages my feet, lost in his own thoughts.
Nikolai cuts pieces of fruit and feeds them to me with a gentle smile.
I am not ashamed to admit that I've gained a few pounds due to my extremely lazy lifestyle.
I chuckle to myself, realizing why many people in power or with money tend to be on the heavier side.
I munch on a juicy slice of fruit, let out a contented sigh, and drift off into a peaceful nap.