For Romantic Superpowers - Chapter 1 - Without Any Warning, The Story Began

#1. Without Any Warning, The Story Began

Lia stared intensely at the moss in front of her. Despite the cliff being right in front of her, she showed no fear. Perched on the rock, she hardly looked like a lady. Her dress already touched the muddy ground, gradually turning green from the moss. If her governess, Jacqueline, had seen her like this, she would have surely scolded her.

“It’s covered in moss.” 

The rocks were densely covered in moss, with a circular hole among them, likely from someone stepping on it. Lia gently touched that spot.

“It would be pretty if it were heart-shaped, wouldn’t it?”

Where her hand touched, moss slowly grew. As she desired, it began to form a heart shape, rapidly filling in the gaps.

“Stop! Stop!”

An alarmed Lia waved her hand, but it was too late. The moss filled the gaps, dyeing her dress green halfway. Lia hastily stood up, lifting her dress. She frowned at the two-tone transformation.

“Jacqueline will be furious.”

“Lady! Who would think you’re a noble lady with such a sight? Even a maid wouldn’t dare to mess herself up like this!” 

Jacqueline’s scolding seemed to echo in her ears. Lia decided she needed to leave before her dress got completely soaked. She thought of returning home as she leaped off the rock, but her landing failed, and she stumbled, her hand hitting the ground.

“Ouch!”

Lia’s hand accidentally touched a wild fern. Suddenly, it began to grow vigorously, creating a fern field in front of her.

“It didn’t need to grow this much… It’s going to be so hard to get through with all these twists and turns.”

Lia sighed. Eventually, she rolled up her sleeves, tied up her dress, and proceeded through the fern field.

In the country where Lia lived, Psychedelia, all citizens were born with psychic abilities. These ranged from controlling water and fire to telekinesis and clairvoyance, with variations in types and degrees of manifestation. Lia’s power was the ability to make the plants around her grow. It was said that on the day she was born, amid a heavy snowstorm, the trees in the yard bloomed with flowers.

In Psychedelia, although there still existed a caste system, if one possessed a powerful psychic ability, regardless of their status, they were valued and utilized. Those with combat-related abilities, if strong enough, were immediately recruited into the royal palace’s knights. If one had a strong prophetic ability, they received invitations from the national security policy office, and if it was weaker, they might be contacted by the meteorological department. 

Psychedelia actively utilized psychic abilities in governance in this manner.

However, Lia had not received the nation’s call even after turning eighteen. She couldn’t help but feel disappointed, hoping for contact from the department related to plants. Her father, Count Penelope, took this as an opportunity to arrange a marriage for her but Lia had no desire to become a married woman yet. 

She wanted to work, to use her abilities. She wanted to prove the usefulness of her psychic power. However, there was a significant flaw in Lia’s ability: her lack of control. Plants would grow uncontrollably, not as she wished, often causing trouble.

The Count built Lia her greenhouse behind the castle. There, Lia continued to practice tirelessly to control her ability to grow plants. When the greenhouse became overcrowded with foliage, Lia would occasionally retreat into the forest. 

Despite her continuous efforts, she couldn’t properly control her ability. Today, she failed again, but she wanted someday to be acknowledged properly.

“Lady!”

An angry shout echoed from afar. It was probably Jacqueline. Lia frowned but quickened her steps. It was best to get scolded quickly and retreat to her room.

“Ugh. Can’t even wait for a while.”

The bushes rustled. Lia swung her arms to roughly break the branches, planning to come back later to let them grow again. Eventually, she reached a clearing. A carriage was parked at the mansion’s entrance. A guest must have arrived.

Lia ran with all her might. Whether she got scolded by Jacqueline for being late or by her father, she was certain she would get scolded anyway. If she had to get scolded, it was better to be by Jacqueline. Despite being noisy, it was better than her father, the Count’s, scolding.

“Watch out!”

As Lia approached the mansion’s entrance, someone got out of the carriage. Lia thought the guest had already entered the mansion, but she was mistaken. Trying to stop herself, she couldn’t halt in time due to her momentum. She had no choice but to collide with the guest.

Contrary to the expected loud noise, there was silence. Lia opened her tightly shut eyes. Before her stood someone dressed in a splendid uniform adorned with golden embroidery. Even the buttons were golden. There was only one meaning behind this attire: they worked in the royal palace!

“How long will you stay like this?”

A voice filled with displeasure reached Lia’s ears. Startled, Lia stepped back to confirm who it was. It was a man with purple hair tied back and wearing glasses. He was so tall that Lia had to tilt her head to see his face. He was undoubtedly the most handsome man she had seen recently.

Upon closer examination, despite his scholarly appearance, he had a robust physique. He was brushing off his uniform as if he had touched something dirty, and his gloved hands indicated a preference for cleanliness.

“I’m sorry. Are you the guest at the mansion?”

Lia offered her most pitiful expression, trying to apologize. However, he seemed utterly unwilling to accept Lia’s apology, judging by his expression. Fortunately, he seemed to know how to make small talk despite his unreadable expression and said something completely different.

“It’s all right. I came from the palace. I’m Perth Versier, the chief aide to the First Prince. I’ve come to meet Count Penelope. “

“You’ve come to meet my father? I am Lia Penelope. Please come inside.”

“It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Lia.”

“Likewise.”

Perth remained honest in expression until the end. Though he knew how to make polite remarks verbally, he seemed unable to manage his expression. Lia naturally smiled as if mocking him. Then, gracefully, as if the collision earlier had been a lie, she guided him into the mansion.

“Lady.”

As soon as they entered the mansion, Jacqueline was the first person Lia faced. Although she didn’t show it because they had a guest, her eyes were filled with reproach toward Lia. Where had she been all this time? Moreover, half of Lia’s clothes were stained green. Lia pretended not to notice and smiled.

“Jacqueline, please inform my father that a guest from the palace has arrived. I’ll guide the guest to the reception room.”

“Yes, Lady.”

Lia directly opened the door to the reception room and guided Perth without going through a servant. Even though it was his first time in the mansion, he didn’t look around at all. Lia guessed he was someone who didn’t show interest in anything around him.

“What kind of tea do you like?”

“Anything is fine.”

He wasn’t interested in tea either. Lia squinted slightly. He didn’t seem to have any preference for tea, despite his good looks. She thought he might be a boring man.

“Then I’ll serve you with Ceylon. It’s the most delicious these days.”

It was Lia’s favorite tea. While Lia was brewing tea in front of him, Perth didn’t say a word. He just watched Lia’s moving fingertips, not out of interest, but seemingly because something was moving in front of him to watch.

While brewing tea, Lia pondered on Perth’s purpose for visiting the mansion. Her father, Count Penelope, wasn’t particularly close to the First Prince. However, sending someone akin to a personal secretary, the Chief Aide to the First Prince, indicated there was undoubtedly a significant matter they wanted to convey directly. As she wondered what it could be, Lia extended the tea to Perth with her hand.

“Please, have some.”

“Thank you.”

There was a brief moment before the Count arrived. Lia looked at Perth with the hope that he might briefly hint at the purpose of his visit to her as well. However, Perth, like someone whose only duty was to drink tea, was focused solely on the tea. After taking a sip, he looked surprised. Although it was fleeting, Lia, who had been staring at him intently, could quickly discern the change.

“Does the tea suit your taste?”

“Yes, surprisingly.”

It was a rare honest response. Lia smiled satisfactorily. She had confidence in her tea because she always brewed and drank it herself without asking anyone else.

“I’m glad it suits your taste.”

“You have a talent for brewing tea.”

It was praise Lia hadn’t expected. Perhaps it was because of her mood, but Perth’s stiff expression seemed to soften a bit. He appeared to have a cute and honest side unexpectedly not as blunt as Lia had thought.

“You’re too kind.”

At that moment, the door opened, and Count Penelope entered. His face seemed slightly flushed, indicating that he was in a hurry. He usually stayed in his study in casual attire, so he must have changed into formal clothes to greet the unexpected guest. The Count entered the reception room with a wide smile.

“Welcome, Chief Aide Perth.”

“Greetings to Count Penelope. It’s an honor for you to remember the name of a mere aide.”

“There’s a reputation in the palace that there’s no one as capable as you. Please, have a seat.”

Now that the Count had arrived, Lia felt it appropriate to excuse herself. But as she was about to leave after the greetings, Perth caught her arm.

“It would be best if Lady Lia stayed. She is the person involved.”

Involved? Lia’s eyes widened at the sudden statement. The Count, seemingly puzzled, asked Perth.

“What on earth is going on? You came directly to my mansion without notice, and now my daughter is involved?”

Lia sat down first. Her heart was pounding. Could it be, could it be what she was thinking?

“Let’s skip the preamble. Lia has a sudden temperament, and it’s dizzying.”

Perth nodded slightly at the Count’s words. Then he looked at Lia and the Count alternately.

“We need Lady Lia’s abilities.”