Casual Heroing, Chapter 237

LUCINDA, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?! 👩‍🦰👩‍🦰👩‍🦰

Next chapter comes out on February 12th!

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Chapter 237 - Meetings in the Garden

Lucinda shuffled uncomfortably as [Prince] Brutus addressed the [Guards], instructing them not to hinder Joey's entrance. She couldn't help but feel a mixture of awe and intimidation in the presence of such a high-ranking noble. Her eyes darted between the [Prince] and Joey, the tension in her shoulders rising.

Joey, on the other hand, regarded Brutus with a raised eyebrow, his demeanor quite casual. "A night we shall never forget?" he repeated the [Prince]'s earlier words, his tone laced with a mix of curiosity and skepticism.

Brutus nodded, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Indeed, Mr. Luciani. It is the first time a Human has been invited to participate in the Day of Blooming. I believe [Lady] Cornelia may have had reservations about her granddaughter's decision to invite you, but I trust she acted only with the best intentions in mind. Her roots were in fertile, albeit slightly acidic soil."

After a brief pause, Brutus added, "Did you know that not even [Diplomats] from Teiko have been invited to this event in Aethereum, our Capital?"

Joey shrugged nonchalantly, "War is war, I guess. And I don’t come from Teiko, [Prince] Brutus, Your Highness."

Lucinda's heart raced as she observed Joey's casual manner in addressing the [Prince]. It was a bold move, perhaps too bold. She knew the importance of honorifics and respect for someone of Brutus's stature. The tension in the air was almost palpable, and she found herself holding her breath.

A [Guard], clearly offended by Joey's informal tone, snapped, "It’s [Prince] Brutus, filthy Human."

Brutus, however, seemed unfazed by the exchange. He waited a moment, observing Joey's reaction with keen interest before speaking again. "So, [Prince] Brutus," Joey said, emphasizing the title with a hint of irony, "shall we?" He gestured toward the entrance, clearly eager to move past the formalities.

The [Prince]’s smile broadened, "I'd like just another moment of your company, Joey Luciani. Once inside, I'm sure you'll be the center of attention, passed around like a rare artifact."

Lucinda caught the subtle undertone in Brutus's words and felt a pang of insecurity. The [Prince]'s considerate demeanor towards Joey was surprising, to say the least. But what really bothered her was something else: she couldn't shake off the feeling that she was out of her depth, standing beside someone who commanded the attention and respect of such powerful individuals.

As the [Prince] and Joey conversed, her thoughts wandered.

Who am I to stand beside Joey while he talks to a member of the Royal Family like this? He invited me here, but... do I belong?

...

Joey smiled with an air of casual confidence while facing [Prince] Brutus amidst the gardens of the Gens Valeria estate. The [Prince], a man of middle age, sported a well-groomed, thick but short beard; his eyes were deep and thoughtful, and his smile revealed a row of pearly white teeth.

[Prince] Brutus initiated the conversation with a hint of curiosity. “By the way, I hope my niece has not caused you too much trouble, Joey Luciani. My Royal Brother, His Majesty, intended to discipline her – a lesson in cooperating with Humans. But, knowing her, she might not have made it easy.”

Joey's response was measured, betraying none of the initial hostility he had encountered with [Princess] Laurealia. “On the contrary, Your Highness,” he said with a composed tone. “She handled the catering all by herself. It was unexpected, to be honest, considering  the extent of [Lady] Cornelia's request, but the [Princess] managed just wonderfully.”

Lucinda, standing a few steps away, couldn't help but feel a tinge of surprise. She knew the initial animosity that the [Princess] had shown towards Joey firsthand. Yet here he was, giving her credit where credit was due, diplomatically omitting the rocky start of their relationship. This tactful omission made Lucinda ponder the depths of Joey's character.

I’ve never really seen him around other people, save for his co-workers and the first time he met the [Princess], she reasoned. She had been busy with work at the Watch and her own training back when she still believed her future resided at the Nine Towers Academy.

As they talked, Lucinda was thinking a lot. She noticed how much Joey had changed since he first came to Amorium. He seemed to fit in easily with all sorts of people, something that would have been hard for many. The way he talked to the Prince and that he even gave credit to Laurealia showed Lucinda a side of Joey she was still trying to understand. It was like he knew how to handle tough situations and change them for the better, and she was almost starting to expect that from him. Realizing Joey could do things she couldn't even imagine was both amazing and slightly scary.

As the two were talking, Joey seemed calm and sure of himself. He stood and spoke in a way that was both easy-going and strong. He made it clear he respected what the Princess had done but also hinted at the fact that he had a hand in fixing some problems at the early stages of their cooperation.

Prince Brutus kept paying close attention, looking both interested and amused. It was clear he was sizing Joey up, trying to figure out what kind of person he was – a person who had received an invitation to the legendary Day of Blooming event.

And, clad in a glittery red dress that had caught Joey’s attention earlier, Lucinda now felt a wave of insecurity wash over her. Her fingers nervously twiddled the fabric of her dress, the sparkling material failing to boost her confidence. Despite the luxurious setting and her stunning attire, Lucinda felt out of place, overshadowed by the magnitude of the event and Joey's ease in navigating it.

Joey talking so easily and respectfully to the Prince felt like a whole different world compared to Lucinda's life. He was getting all this attention from a high-ranking noble and seemed to fit right in. Lucinda couldn't stop thinking about how different their paths had been. She had struggled to figure out her own way, full of doubts and hard choices, while Joey, even though he’d started later, seemed to have zoomed past her without any trouble. She really looked up to how Joey could handle tough situations and turn them into something good, but she also felt a bit jealous.

He seemed so sure of himself in Amorium, doing things that got him noticed and respected by important people.

Lucinda realized Joey was on a path that might take him to places she couldn't even imagine. He had grown so much, changing from a newcomer to someone who the Prince and Princess looked up to. This change was really inspiring but also kind of scary for her. She tried to calm her nerves, feeling the weight of her decisions more than ever.

As Joey and Prince Brutus talked, Lucinda was caught up in her thoughts. She looked back and forth between the two men, feeling all kinds of emotions. The fancy garden party, with all its rich guests, made her feel even more unsure.

And so, expecting this to be just the entree of a long night for Joey’s exposure to the strongest people on the continent, she had just one thought as the conversation with the [Prince] was about to come to a close.

Do I deserve him?