Let's Train Heroine

Chapter 201: Heroine Let Her Guard Down

The waiter soon returned, carrying a tray with two elegantly plated desserts. Each one was a small, delicate creation—beautiful to look at but, to Julia, rather underwhelming in size compared to the price she'd seen on the menu. The dessert was a dainty arrangement of spun sugar, candied fruits, and a small dollop of some creamy mousse, intricately decorated with edible gold leaf.

As the plates were set in front of them, Julia leaned forward, squinting at the dessert. "This… is it?" she muttered under her breath.

Lucan, clearly amused, gave her a soft chuckle. "It looks like a work of art, doesn't it? You've got to admire the craftsmanship."

Julia poked at the delicate structure with her spoon, watching the sugar strands glisten under the dim light of the restaurant. "It's tiny," she grumbled, her disappointment poorly masked. "For the price they're charging, I could've had an entire meal at a normal place."

Lucan took a bite, savoring the rich flavors. "It's not bad," he said, his tone casual, but the grin on his face gave away his amusement at Julia's clear discontent. "I mean, it's not about quantity here. It's about the experience."

"Experience," Julia echoed sarcastically, rolling her eyes as she took a hesitant bite of her own dessert. She chewed slowly, letting the taste sink in before offering a shrug. "I mean… yeah, it's good. But worth the price? Not really."

Lucan smiled, watching her expression shift between annoyance and acceptance. He could tell she was trying to enjoy the moment, but the discomfort of the fancy setting and the shock of the prices were clearly weighing on her.

As they finished their desserts, the waiter returned with the bill, discreetly placing it on the table. Julia, trying to maintain her composure, reached for the small leather booklet. She flipped it open, her eyes scanning the total.

Her face paled.

Lucan noticed immediately. "What's wrong?"

Julia swallowed hard, her grip tightening on the edge of the table. "Uh… It's just a little more than I expected," she said, her voice suddenly smaller than usual. She had known the restaurant was expensive, but this? This was absurd. She'd spent a fortune on a single meal, and while it had been a nice experience, the dessert alone could've fed her for a week if she'd been more sensible.

Lucan, sensing her unease, chuckled softly. "Do you need help?"

"No!" Julia said a little too quickly, her pride surfacing as she shook her head. "I can handle it. I just wasn't… prepared for this, that's all." She pulled out the necessary coins from her pouch, feeling the weight of her dwindling funds with each one she placed on the table.

As the waiter collected the payment, Julia forced a smile, though inside she was mentally cursing herself for choosing such an extravagant place.

Experience tales with ???

They both stood, and Lucan, ever the gentleman, offered her his arm as they walked toward the exit. Julia hesitated but took it, her embarrassment still lingering. As they stepped outside into the cool evening air, she felt a strange mix of relief and regret. The restaurant had been beautiful, but she couldn't shake the feeling that it hadn't been worth the cost.

The carriage was already waiting for them, and Lucan helped Julia step inside once more. As they rode back in silence, the weight of the evening began to sink in. Julia couldn't help but glance at Lucan every now and then.

They arrived at academy shortly after, and as the carriage came to a stop, Lucan turned to her with a gentle smile. "Thanks for tonight, Julia. It was nice."

Julia nodded, trying not to let her flustered feelings show. "Yeah… it was." Her tone was a bit awkward, but sincere. "I'm glad you came."

Lucan reached for the door handle but paused for a moment. "Don't worry about the cost. It's the thought that counts."

Julia flushed. "I wasn't worried about it!" she snapped a little too defensively. Lucan only chuckled in response.

"Of course," he said with a smirk, stepping out of the carriage. He turned back, giving her a wave before closing the door behind him. "Goodnight, Julia. Get home safe."

The door shut, and Julia was left alone in the carriage, her cheeks still warm from the embarrassment of the evening. As the carriage rolled forward once again, she leaned back against the plush seat, staring out of the window at the moonlit streets.

The city was quiet now, the hustle and bustle of the evening having settled into a peaceful calm. Julia's thoughts, however, were anything but calm. She replayed the night in her mind—the fancy dress, the restaurant, Lucan's gentle compliments, and the way her heart had raced every time he looked at her.

Her gaze drifted to the sky, where the moon hung low, casting its soft glow over the city. In the silence of the carriage, with only the rhythmic sound of the wheels turning on the cobblestone streets.

Julia clenched her fists in her lap, her heart pounding as she stared out at the night sky. The thought of confessing her feelings terrified her, but the thought of never doing it was even worse. She couldn't keep running away from this, from him.

Next time, she told herself firmly. Next time, I'll do it. I'll tell him how I feel.

Her fingers curled tightly around the fabric of her dress as she made her silent vow. Yes, next time, she would confess. She would stop hiding behind her tsundere act, stop pretending that she didn't care. Lucan deserved to know the truth, and she deserved to be honest with herself.

With one last glance at the moon, Julia leaned back, a determined look settling on her face.

Next time, she would tell him. Absolutely.

---

"How did I fall asleep?" Maris cursed herself. She usually kept an eye on Lucan to keep any women away. However, recently there hadn't been any women near Lucan, and her relationship with him was developing very well. That's why she stopped monitoring Lucan while she slept, but now, she had fallen asleep, and Lucan had gone on a date with Julia.

"I must not let my guard down until our relationship is confirmed."