My Crybaby Father is the Kingdom's Worst Villain
Chapter 54: A Storm Named Catalina

Chapter 54: A Storm Named Catalina

Two days passed...

Luzia sat on her bed, her legs crossed beneath her as she closed her eyes. She took a slow, measured breath, feeling the cool air fill her lungs before exhaling softly. Her focus turned inward, reaching for the mana coursing through her body. It pulsed faintly beneath her skin, like a distant heartbeat, elusive yet present.

She furrowed her brows in concentration, willing the energy to flow toward her heart. The process was delicate—like guiding a stream through unfamiliar terrain. Each attempt left a tingling sensation in her chest, but the mana scattered before it could settle. Frustration threatened to creep in, but she pushed it down. She had to be patient.

Exhaling again, Luzia steadied herself. Again. She reached, called, and tried to mold the mana into obedience.

A faint warmth began to build at the center of her chest, fragile yet promising. Luzia held her breath, afraid that even the slightest distraction would cause the mana to slip away again. Slowly, she tried to shape it, to make it settle within her heart.

But the moment she forced it, a sharp pain stabbed through her ribs. Her concentration shattered, and the mana dispersed like sand slipping through her fingers. She gasped, gripping her chest as the sensation faded into a dull ache.

Her eyes fluttered open, frustration knitting her brows together. Still not enough. She had been trying for two days, yet the mana refused to move as she wanted.

With a sigh, she ran a hand through her unruly brown hair. She looked down at her hands.

"I need to figure this out," she muttered to herself. She wasn’t going to give up. If it took a hundred tries, she would keep going.

Pushing herself up from the bed, Luzia rolled her shoulders and inhaled deeply. Again.

Before she could begin again, her room door creaked open.

Elena stepped inside, her sharp eyes scanning Luzia with concern. "My lady, you’re awake?"

Luzia exhaled, rolling her shoulders as she turned to face her maid. "Of course, I am." Her voice came out steady, but the frustration lingered beneath it.

Elena frowned, stepping closer. "You’ve barely slept the past two days. If you keep pushing yourself like this, you’ll—"

"I’m fine," Luzia interrupted, standing up. She crossed her arms, her posture rigid. "I just need more time."

Elena’s lips pressed into a thin line, clearly unconvinced. "At least eat something first. You won’t get anywhere on an empty stomach."

Luzia sighed, knowing the maid wouldn’t back down. "Fine. But after that, I’m continuing."

Elena hesitated before speaking, her tone cautious. "My lady, I don’t think that would be possible."

Luzia narrowed her eyes. "How so?"

"His Lordship has requested that you see him immediately, so I am here to get you ready, my lady," Elena explained, bowing slightly.

Luzia’s expression hardened. She had been expecting this, but not so soon. "Father wants to see me?"

"Yes, my lady," Elena confirmed. "He said it was urgent."

Luzia clenched her fists, suppressing the irritation bubbling inside her. She had no choice but to obey. "Fine. Help me get ready, then."

Elena nodded, moving swiftly to prepare her.

Chapter Continuation

Elena worked quickly, brushing Luzia’s hair into something presentable before dressing her in a simple yet elegant gown. The deep blue fabric clung lightly to her frame, its embroidered silver accents catching the candlelight as she moved. Luzia barely acknowledged the process, her mind preoccupied with her failed attempts at controlling her mana—and now, her father’s summons.

Once she was ready, Elena stepped back, smoothing the wrinkles in Luzia’s sleeves. "There. You look presentable."

Luzia barely glanced at the mirror. "Let’s go."

Elena hesitated for a moment, then opened the door, Stephan was on guard outside.

Stephan, one of her father’s personal guards, stood rigidly at attention. His dark eyes flickered over Luzia before he gave a small nod. "Good morning My lady," he greeted, his voice steady.

Luzia returned the nod, though she didn’t slow her pace. "Good morning to you too sir Stephan."

"Yes," Stephan confirmed. He turned smoothly and began leading the way down the dimly lit corridor.

When they reached Ramiro’s study, the air felt noticeably heavier.

Stephan knocked twice, his movements precise.

"Come in," came a voice from within.

Stephan pushed the door open, stepping aside as Luzia strode in without hesitation. Elena followed, her presence a silent anchor at Luzia’s back.

Inside, Ramiro glanced up from the parchment in his hand, his sharp steel-gray eyes taking in Luzia’s presence.

Luzia didn’t bother standing on formality. She crossed the room with measured steps and sat on the couch, draping one arm over the backrest in a manner that was just casual enough to be insolent.

Ramiro’s gaze flickered with mild disapproval, but he made no comment. Instead, he spoke, his tone flat. "I’ve been told you’ve been neglecting sleep."

Luzia didn’t flinch. "Training," she corrected, tilting her chin up slightly.

Ramiro exhaled slowly, his fingers tapping against the desk. "Foolishness."

Luzia’s lips curled in irritation. "And yet, I don’t recall asking for your opinion on the matter."

Ramiro’s gaze sharpened. "You believe depriving yourself of rest will help you master your mana?" He leaned forward slightly, eyes locking onto hers.

Luzia met his stare without wavering. "I believe wasting time sitting here discussing it accomplishes even less."

Luzia met his gaze without flinching. "Rest is a luxury for those with time to waste. I don’t have that privilege."

Ramiro’s fingers stilled against the desk, his expression unreadable. "Reckless determination will only break you."

"Then I’ll piece myself back together," Luzia shot back, her voice steady. "Over and over again, if I have to."

A flicker of something—perhaps approval, perhaps irritation—passed through Ramiro’s eyes. "You speak boldly for someone who has yet to prove herself."

Luzia leaned back against the couch, crossing one leg over the other. "If words alone were proof, we’d have no need for swords or magic, would we?"

Ramiro, however, was unmoved. "You assume mastery can be rushed. That sheer willpower is enough."

Luzia arched a brow. "I assume nothing. But I know one thing—waiting for power to come on its own is just another form of weakness."

A long silence stretched between them. The fire crackled in the hearth, filling the space where neither spoke.

Then, Ramiro smirked, slow and knowing. "Very well, anyways..."

Luzia narrowed her eyes. " what?"

Ramiro leaned back in his chair, his smirk deepening. "We are having an important guests today "

Luzia crossed her arms. "Who is it?"

Ramiro’s amusement didn’t fade. "Esteban’s wife and their daughter."

Luzia’s brows twitched, but she kept her expression carefully neutral. "Esteban’s wife?" she repeated, as if to make sure she’d heard correctly.

Ramiro nodded. "Matilda Almagro and their daughter, Catalina."

Luzia clicked her tongue, leaning back into the couch. Matilda Almagro. She didn’t know much about the woman, aside from the fact that she existed. Matilda had never been of particular importance in the original Luzia’s world—just a name, a title, a shadow behind Esteban’s ever-present figure.

Catalina, on the other hand—Luzia knew her.

Or rather, she knew of her.

A loud, battle-crazed brat who never knew when to shut up. Luzia had never liked her, and the feeling had been mutual. Catalina lived for the thrill of a fight, for the crackle of steel meeting steel, for the rush of combat. She was reckless, loud, and annoyingly persistent—everything Luzia couldn’t stand.

Ramiro watched her, clearly waiting for a reaction.

Luzia exhaled through her nose. "And why, exactly, should I care about their visit?"

Ramiro smirked. "Because you’ll be spending time with Catalina."

Luzia’s entire body tensed. "Excuse me?"

Ramiro’s amusement deepened, but his tone left no room for argument. "She’ll be staying for a while."