Hero – Part 02
“I wonder how Luke is doing.”
Three days had passed since their visit to the Militant Nation.
Cecily had grown tired of the endless debates when she accidentally muttered the words aloud. And, of course, it was overheard by the nation’s highest authority, the Supreme Seat, also known as the Girl King, Zenobia Q. Lanchester.
She immediately raised her voice and announced, “Let’s take a break!”
The meeting was instantly put on hold, and every man in the room was ushered out quickly. Aria and Cecily exchanged confused glances as Zenobia summoned Charlotte, Doris, Penelope, and Margot. The once heated discussions about the Dormancy of Blair Volcano evaporated, replaced by a much different scene: a gathering of young women.
“Lady Zenobia, what’s going on?” Cecily asked.
“We’re going to talk about your love life!” Zenobia replied.
“What did you just say?!”
The room had previously been thick with the smell of sweat and intense debate between the Independent Trade City’s side, led by Harvey, and the Militant Nation’s side, led by Arvie. After opening the windows to air out the foul atmosphere, Charlotte and the others brought in sweet-smelling tea and pastries, filling the room with a pleasant aroma.
The young women, now prepared for something entirely different, closed in on Cecily, forming a tight circle. Penelope and Margot, especially interested in such topics, leaned forward eagerly, while the boyish Doris, who usually acted indifferent to matters of love, listened curiously.
Cecily had no idea what was happening, but her body instinctively shrank back. She wasn’t wearing her usual knight’s uniform but a dress carefully prepared by the Militant Nation’s maids, which made her feel uncomfortable and self-conscious.
“Let’s hear it, Cecily Campbell,” Zenobia said.
“Wh-What do you mean?”
“You rascal. Stop playing dumb!” Zenobia suddenly scowled and shouted. “I’m talking about the man whose name you just whispered so sweetly! I’ve had my suspicious for a while now since you had the utmost confidence in him completing the Sacred Sword. I wondered if there was something going on between you two, and it seems I was right!”
Cecily flinched as the Girl King closed in on her, eyes gleaming and breathing heavily.
“I-I’m not sure what you mean by something going on between us. I just wondered how he was doing since I haven’t seen him in a while.”
“So, basically, you miss him, huh?” Zenobia teased.
“No, that’s not it! Let me make it absolutely clear. Luke and I don’t have that kind of relationship.”
“What?!” Zenobia’s eyes widened, and she turned to her attendant. “Ch-Ch-Charlotte! You must have seen them together in the city, right? Is she telling the truth?”
The attention shifted to Charlotte. She crossed her arms thoughtfully, looking unusually serious.
“When we were in the city, I didn’t see them much together. So, I can’t say for sure, but I do remember one time when the blacksmith rushed to Cecily’s side. He was furious.”
Upon hearing the word “furious,” Cecily’s face flushed even deeper, and she cast her eyes downward. Charlotte was referring to the time she was attacked by Doris and the girls. Luke had come to her aid then, but she didn’t know he was angry.
“I think it would be faster to ask her partner,” Charlotte said, passing the baton to someone else.
Everyone except Cecily turned their gaze toward Aria, who had been idly watching the exchange. She seemed in low spirits.
“M-Me?” She froze and shrank back as five pairs of eyes fixed on her.
“Miss Aria, be honest. Are they in love with each other?”
“Uh… I think it’s obvious when it comes to my partner.”
“What do you mean it’s obvious?” Cecily mumbled to herself, though no one paid her any attention.
“But Luke’s a bit harder to read. You can never tell what’s on his mind,” Aria continued. “I’m sure he has feelings, though. Don’t you think so, Cecily?”
Cecily didn’t know how to answer. She could only hang her head in silence.
Growing impatient, Zenobia and the girls leaned in even closer. Charlotte, Margot, Penelope, and even Doris, their eyes burning with curiosity, surrounded Cecily, forming an uncomfortably tight circle.
“Just admit it, Cecily Campbell. I can’t take this anymore.” Zenobia, clearly not used to this kind of conversation, was practically breathless with excitement. “There has to be something sweet between you and the blacksmith. If you don’t say it now, I won’t be satisfied. Spit it out!”
Faced with the Girl King baring her teeth like a ravenous beast, Cecily inadvertently blurted out the truth.
“We, um… We danced together once.”
“You danced?! When?”
“Ah, wait.” Aria suddenly remembered. “You mean at the last ball? When the gathering was over, Lisa and I stepped out, and you two were alone.”
Cecily nodded vigorously, her face burning with embarrassment.
The girls erupted in squeals, their excitement spilling over. They were no longer acting like ordinary humans. Cecily could do nothing but tremble helplessly like a small animal cornered by a predator.
In a rather ungracious manner, Zenobia downed her tea in one gulp, trying to steady her breath.
“Haah… haah… I-I got a little too excited. But Miss Cecily, this means your feelings might not be unrequited after all.”
“P-Please don’t put it like that. People might take it the wrong way.”
“Then tell me, what is that man to you?”
Cecily froze. The question caught her completely off guard.
What was Luke Ainsworth to Cecily Campbell?
“For me…” Cecily stammered, struggling to find the right words. Why was it so hard to say?
She knew she had feelings for him, that much was certain. But when she realized she couldn’t put it into words, it hit her. Had she ever, until now, truly tried to define what those feelings meant?
What is Luke to me?
Zenobia and the girls waited with bated breath, while Cecily searched for an answer, trying to put her feelings into words.
“For me, he is—”
“Excuse me.” Arvie entered the meeting room without so much as a knock.
“Now is not a good time!” Zenobia snapped, glaring at him.
“My apologies, Lady Zenobia. But we have visitors.”
“Visitors?”
A man with a stoic face, Arvie was typically hard to read, but he appeared to wear a graver look than usual.
“The Empire and the Continental Law Commission have arrived,” he announced.
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