episode_0705

Upon returning to the mansion, Joey was greeted with many congratulations from the Duke’s family.

She is the official disciple of the great wizard Erginus and a wizard who has made brilliant achievements in the war against the gods.

Her accomplishments were so great that it wouldn’t be strange if she pushed aside her eldest son and declared Joy the next Duchess.

Joey had no interest in power, aside from the fact that Jeff would gladly give up his title if Joey wanted it.

That’s why she accepted the congratulations from people around her with a pure heart.

But when the noisy party was over and she was left alone in her room, Joy realized that everything she had experienced had been a daydream.

Looking back, her two years were filled with unrealistic things.

Fighting against various evil gods. Becoming the disciple of the great wizard Erginus. Standing at the forefront of the war of the gods. And winning in the end.

Joey was afraid to sleep because he had achieved so many things that were too much for him, a fool.

I couldn’t close my eyes because I felt like the moment I lay down on the bed and closed my eyes, everything I had experienced would disappear like bubbles, leaving only the Duke’s Young-ae, who had to put on a fake smile in the bleak reality.

What would Lucy have said if she was next to me at that time? Would she have laughed at me for thinking the same thing?

Hahaha. I hope you come back soon.

Now that I know that my mother, whom I missed so much, is actually alive, I will not be able to see her for a while, but I still want to see her and be with her.

Because when I’m with Lucy, I have so much fun that I don’t have time to worry about other things.

I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep if I stay still, so I guess I’ll have to think about what to do with Lucy later.

The mission given to Lucy is now complete.

So now it’s time to have fun like a school girl at the Academy!

For reference, Joy took out a youth novel published by a female writer who graduated from the academy and projected herself and her friends onto the characters there and smiled foolishly.

“Joy. You said that?”

In this situation, Joey was taken aback when he suddenly saw Lucy.

At first, I thought I was dreaming because I had fallen asleep without realizing it.

After realizing that it was reality, I was afraid that my delusions would be exposed.

And after Lucy opened her mouth to smile, I couldn’t believe what was coming out of her mouth.

Lucy… called me without any nickname!?

That’s ridiculous!

This is a dream!

I really have no answer!

How long has it been since I last saw Lucy that I’m dreaming about her!?

I also had a dream where Lucy suddenly came to me in the middle of the night and called me by my proper name!

“Should I get some serious advice from Pavie?”

“If I tell him my worries, he might say something irrelevant.”

“That’s true too. If it were Faby, she’d definitely be jealous and say it’s a blessed dream.”

“Do I still seem like a dream to you, you idiot?”

Lucy, who had been thrusting forward with her cheeks puffed out, grabbed Joy’s cheeks before she could react.

Having learned what this behavior was through several experiences, Joy waved her hand urgently.

“No! Absolutely not! Lucy is Lucy! This is definitely not a dream!”

“Really?”

“Really, really, really! So don’t pull! It hurts a lot!”

Joy gave up everything and closed her eyes tightly when she saw Lucy sizing her up with a playful look, but no pain came. Unlike usual, Lucy stepped back with a playful smile.

“…Am I really dreaming?”

“If you like being hurt, tell me. I’ll listen to that much.”

“That’s not it!”

Lucy burst into a refreshing laugh as Joy shook her head urgently.

Her light and lively laughter was completely different from usual.

The laughter of an ordinary girl, not that of a mean child who can only laugh at others.

Only then did Joey understand the situation.

“Is the curse lifted?”

“Agra released me to torment me. Don’t you remember?”

“Everything that’s happened recently feels like a dream.”

“Ugh. You’re really an idiot.”

“I see. So Lucy’s curse has been lifted. She’s become a girl who can speak normally.”

Lucy shrugged her shoulders and stood at attention, then bowed her head in perfect accordance with the etiquette of a nobleman.

“That’s right, Princess of the Partran family. I will not be rude to you any longer.”

“That’s really great. You won’t have to be afraid of meeting people anymore.”

Joy felt joy and a hint of regret upon seeing that greeting.

I know this is good for Lucy.

I also know how happy she is that she doesn’t have to suffer anymore.

From now on, Lucy can live with everyone’s love.

Lucy was the one who attracted people even though she was under a terrible curse.

If she can have a normal conversation, there will be people who want to become friends with her without her having to look for them.

So I feel a little sorry.

The fact that Lucy will no longer be our only friend.

We’re not the only ones who can see Lucy’s good points.

That our relationship would change into that of friends, no different from other people’s relationships.

I know it’s a selfish desire.

I also know very well that Lucy deserves compensation for all the suffering she has endured so far.

I hate myself for thinking like this. But still.

“I’m still scared.”

“…Huh?”

“Think about my current status! How many lynxes would rush in just to get a piece of powder!”

“That may be true, but it won’t be easy to approach him because he’ll be watching Lucy’s mood.”

“That’s a problem too! How can I live without feeling burdened when other kids treat me like a god! Just imagining going out into society is terrifying! A bunch of perverts and apostles will gather around and praise me! I can never stand that!”

“Phew. Puhahaha.”

Even just imagining it gave me goosebumps, and I couldn’t help but laugh at Lucy’s shuddering appearance.

“Am I serious?!”

“Phehe. So. Hehehe. Funny. Hehe! That’s what I said!”

No matter what changes, Lucy is Lucy.

My cute and precious friend.

No matter how much other people try to get closer to Lucy, they can never be as close to her as I am.

Lucy wouldn’t like those kinds of people in the first place.

“You little punk, stand in my place! How disgusting it is to see perverts cling to you! I can hold on because I’m the one who does it, but if it were you, you’d just pass out?!”

“Hehe. Hoo. Hmm. No? I don’t think so. I don’t know about Lucy, but there are quite a few people in the social world who don’t seem human. I’m used to it.”

“…Who is that pervert? Tell me his name. I’ll turn you into a eunuch right now. ”

“It’s already gone.”

“No?”

“Yes. At some point, I couldn’t see it.”

Lucy blinked and tried to smile, saying, “Oh, I see,” and sat down next to Joy as if it was natural.

“Anyway, the reason I came here was to say thank you.”

“Lucy to me?”

“Yes. Joy is the first person who became my friend, and she is a precious person who has suffered a lot because of me, but has never once complained. How can I not say thank you?”

Joy didn’t know what to say in response to Lucy’s honest confession.

I thought I only received things from Lucy, but Lucy thought I only gave to her.

…How stupid.

“Actually, I wanted to say thank you a lot even before. I wanted to express my gratitude whenever Joy helped me. I wanted to praise her whenever something happened at the Academy.”

Lucy’s ears were slightly heated as she twiddled her fingers with her head down.

It must be embarrassing to say something so strange.

The reason I keep talking is probably because it’s something that absolutely has to be said.

“Me too, Lucy.”

“Huh?”

“I always wanted to say thank you. I wanted to say that Lucy was kind. That she was cute. I wanted to say that I had fun because of her. But I was too embarrassed to say it.”

“Huh. Huh huh?”

“So Lucy doesn’t have to feel guilty about it. They’re the same people.”

“That. Really?”

“Ah! So now Lucy is going to talk to me a lot? Saying thank you. Saying I’m happy. Saying I’m pretty. Saying she likes me.”

“Ah…Magic?”

“That’s enough, Lucy. I’ll be waiting.”

Lucy was sweating profusely and it was obvious that she was in trouble, but she didn’t say anything about not being able to do it.

Even if the curse is gone, Lucy is Lucy.

A girl who appears arrogant and cocky, but is actually a soft-spoken person.

No, the curse is gone so it’s easier to tease.

Now, whenever I try to act strong, it shows.

Hehehe. I wonder what Lucy’s reaction would be if I dressed her up in cute clothes like this.

I used to hate it too, but I’m sure it would make a really cute sound now.

“…Joy. Your eyes are like a pervert’s.”

“You’re going too far. What part of my innocent eyes is showing that?”

“It’s not just the look in your eyes! Everything from your hand gestures to the way you speak is like that!”

“I guess it’s my imagination. I’m a majestic duchess, right?”

“On the topic of ice cream!”

The honest reactions are so funny that I find myself touching them without realizing it.

But I think we should stop now.

Because I’m not the only person Lucy has to greet.

“Haaam. Lucy. I’m starting to get sleepy now.”

“Oh. Really? Sleep is more important to you than me, right? ”

“That’s not true. It would be fatal for me to monopolize Lucy all by myself.”

“…Ha! Don’t be so considerate. You might get pushed back?”

“I hope that doesn’t happen.”

Lucy turned around with a smirk as Joy laughed awkwardly.

“Good night.”

“Lucy too. Good night.”

After Lucy disappeared with a soft light, Joy, left alone, laid her head on the pillow.

I felt like I could have good dreams today.