The combat arena of the Vesta Academy was surrounded by hundreds of students. No one intervened while Lucienne Marcheval, heiress of House Marcheval, fell again and again onto the sand.
Before her stood the three people she had loved most: her brother Anselm, her childhood friend Jory, and Aubrey, the man who promised to make her his wife.
All to protect Mira.
The golden-haired young woman cried while Aubrey held her.
“I... just wanted to get along with my sister. I don't understand why she always tries to hurt me...”
Aubrey looked at Lucienne with contempt.
“If you ever touch Mira again, I'll annul our engagement. This fight is to teach you your place.”
Anselm stepped forward.
“I hate that you're my sister. Mira has a pure heart... you're just proud and envious. I'm ashamed to share your blood.”
Jory shook his head.
“I can't believe I grew up alongside a selfish monster.”
Their words finished destroying her.
For three years, Lucienne had endured insults and accusations while watching everything she loved being torn away from her. No one ever listened to her side of the story.
“The combat continues,”
the professor ordered.
Aubrey struck her again. Lucienne fell to her knees while the students began murmuring, but no one intervened.
Then she saw Mira.
For an instant, her tears disappeared and no small smile of satisfaction appeared on her face.
Lucienne finally understood.
It had all been a lie.
Aubrey placed his sword beneath her chin.
“Apologize to Mira.”
“Kneel,”
Anselm ordered.
“Maybe then you'll learn to be a better person,”
Jory added.
Lucienne slowly raised her head and looked at the three of them.
She found no love.
Only indifference.
A small laugh escaped her lips as tears fell.
“Heh... hahaha...”
Finally, she lowered her gaze.
“I understand... I was never important to any of you.”
No one responded.
At that moment, the last bond tying Lucienne to them broke forever.
The voice inside her mind kept speaking to her. Then she looked at you, and waited.