Chapter 14
It’s My Feelings
The tea room, with its glass dome ceiling and elegant brass decorations, was bright and filled with the scent of fresh flowers and sweet melodies.
“Kalia, hold it in.”
“Hold what?”
“You look like you want to rub your face against that ice sculpture.”
“…Is it that obvious?”
I muttered, unable to take my eyes off the smooth, cool-looking dolphin-shaped ice sculpture.
“…Would it be bad if I just happened to collapse over there?”
“Take off that veil first.”
“My arms don’t have any strength left.”
I had already taken off my gloves. I thought I was going to get a rash.
Clicking his tongue, Richard carefully removed my veil for me.
“But I must look like a mess right now.”
My face was flushed red, and my hair was damp with sweat, sticking to my skin. I probably looked ridiculous.
“Didn’t you say earlier that fashion is completed by the face?”
“That’s exactly the problem right now.”
Letting out a quiet laugh, Richard soaked a handkerchief in ice water and gently pressed it against my cheek.
“Doesn’t look much different to me.”
“Now I know how you usually see me.”
I replied weakly, staring at his hand before taking the handkerchief from him.
“My apologies.”
“That’s my line.”
We hadn’t even known each other long, yet his touch didn’t feel frightening—it felt comforting.
Human emotions really were fickle.
“Here is your raspberry sherbet.”
“Thank you.”
The server placed a sherbet and a silver dessert spoon in front of both me and Richard.
I thanked them automatically and immediately began devouring mine.
As my overheated brain seemed to cool down, I leaned back for a moment before lowering my head again.
“…Huh? What’s this?”
There was another sherbet in front of me identical to the one I had just finished.
For a moment, I thought I was hallucinating.
But Richard had pushed his portion toward me.
“Richard, aren’t you hot?”
“Not particularly.”
At this point, I almost felt respect for him.
My past self, who thought positions of power were based on looks alone—reflect.
Maybe not the Emperor, but at least an Admiral needed character too.
With that thought, my motivation for the mission surged.
As I relaxed, I began to hear people whispering.
“Admiral… with a woman…”
“I heard she’s from Reinfeld—”
But they kept their voices low, as if they knew to be careful.
It’d be better if someone caused a scene.
And sure enough—there was one.
A bold voice, laced with malice, rang out without any attempt to lower its volume.
“It seems the Lavius family has fallen on hard times. To come dressed in early winter clothing in the middle of summer…”
“It appears the Admiral is accompanying her out of humanitarian concern.”
A young nobleman with neatly slicked-back hair chimed in, and a young lady in a revealing summer dress laughed.
Glancing at Richard, I noticed his expression remained blank, but there was a subtle irritation beneath it.
I rang the bell on the table.
It was time to earn my sherbet.
“How may I assist you?”
Though the server maintained professionalism, there was fear in their eyes.
The room fell silent for a moment.
They probably thought I was about to vent my anger.
“One extra-large raspberry sherbet.”
“Right away.”
Relieved by the ordinary request, the server hurried off.
Just as the tension began to ease—
“She must be too shameless to feel embarrassed, stuffing her face like that.”
The same young lady spoke again, louder this time.
Even her companion hesitated to respond.
At that moment—
“Your extra-large raspberry sherbet.”
That was fast.
I gestured.
“Not here. Over there.”
“…Pardon?”
“Do I need to repeat myself?”
“N-No.”
The server hurried over and placed the sherbet in front of the loud young lady.
“What is this? Why are you putting it here?”
“The lady over there asked me to deliver it…”
I smiled brightly at her.
“It’s my gift.”
She looked at me in disbelief.
Judging by her expression, she was probably thinking, What is wrong with this crazy woman?
But I didn’t care and continued smiling.
“You seemed to be lacking fabric, given how little you’re wearing… As a Lavius noble lady, I felt quite sorry for you.”
Honestly, coming from Earth, it didn’t seem that strange.
But considering the Empire’s norms, her outfit was quite revealing.
Whispers broke out.
“…Miss Manehill does dress rather boldly.”
“I hope people don’t think all Southerners are like Miss Estra…”
So her name was Estra Manehill.
I watched her calmly as she processed my words.
Her expression shifted from confusion to fury in real time.
“How dare you… how dare you insult me like that! I heard you were a vile villainess—turns out every rumor is true!”
Wow, she knew and still picked a fight? Impressive courage.
Then I’ll respond properly.
Feigning innocence, I widened my eyes.
“So you knew? I thought you hadn’t heard the rumors about me.”
Her face twisted at my shamelessness.
“A-apologize to me right now!”
Oh, she stuttered.
I felt a bit proud.
But it wasn’t over yet.
Tilting my head, I replied casually,
“You’re the one who should apologize. You interrupted my sweet time with Richard.”
Take this—polite yet insulting attack.
She had been glancing at Richard the whole time, so I targeted that.
“….”
Bingo.
Her face contorted like a demon.
Countdown to explosion: 3, 2, 1—
“Admiral! I cannot accept this! How can you associate with such a vulgar woman?!”
“Why would our relationship require your approval?”
I cut in before Richard could respond.
Then I shrugged and adjusted my veil.
“Let’s go, Richard. This place is too noisy.”
I extended my hand as if asking for an escort, and he naturally offered his arm.
“I-It…!”
Estra’s eyes burned with fury.
“Stop, Lady Lavius!”
I ignored her and began to walk.
Even with my back turned, I could feel her anger blazing.
“Stop right there!”
“How exhausting.”
As I turned around—
I saw her raising a heavy sherbet glass, about to throw it.
But instead of dodging, I felt satisfied.
Good thing I put my veil back on.
Humans learn from experience.
After surviving the May Festival incident, something like this was nothing.
I had anticipated this from the start.
But—
Splash!
This is… unexpected.
For someone who prided herself on watching K-dramas, I hadn’t predicted this variation.
“…Richard.”
“My apologies for pulling you in so suddenly.”
Cold raspberry sherbet dripped from his black jacket.
Meanwhile, only the ends of my veil and dress were lightly splashed.
Why did he step in? He didn’t have to.
Still, I had let my guard down.
At the very least, I needed to handle the aftermath properly.
Letting my irritation show, I spoke coldly:
“How dare you touch my man.”
Kalia might look slender, but she was strong.
“I wasn’t aiming for the Admiral, I— Aah!”
In an instant, I grabbed her hair and slammed her face into the ice sculpture.
It was my first time grabbing someone’s hair, but it felt strangely natural.
Estra’s cheek pressed against the catfish-shaped ice sculpture as she gasped.
“Y-you crazy woman…!”
“That’s right. Now you know. I’m completely crazy about Richard.”
A bit of genuine anger helped the performance.
I released her, and she coughed violently.
Looking down at her disdainfully, I then turned to the onlookers.
The whispering audience avoided my gaze.
I smiled brightly.
“From now on, anyone approaching Richard should be prepared to come to their senses in the North Sea.”
Then I took out a handkerchief and brushed the sherbet off Richard’s jacket.
“We were having such a nice time. This is really upsetting.”
I said in a slightly pouty tone.
Then I noticed a drop of sherbet on his cheek.
“Could you lower your head for a moment?”
He complied without resistance.
But I couldn’t use the same handkerchief I had just used on his coat.
So I held his arm, stood on my toes—
—and licked the red droplet off his cheek.
I felt his arm stiffen instantly.
“…Kalia.”
“Such a waste. It’s delicious.”
“….”
I had wanted to leave one final impactful impression.
…Was that too much?
Richard said nothing.
Maybe it had been too forward.
No, stay confident.
Light kisses were already part of the contract.
And this wasn’t even on the lips—it was just his cheek.
Totally harmless.
After rationalizing, I activated my “social survival skill.”
“I want to taste it again next time, Richard.”
I whispered as if it were a secret—loud enough for others to hear.
“…My goodness.”
“…I must be seeing things.”
“…I think I heard something…”
But it wasn’t just the crowd—Richard’s blue eyes had lost focus.
Wait…
Had I misunderstood the boundaries?
What if he thought “peck” and I went full PG-15?
Being a possessive villainess was fine, but becoming a perverted lunatic was not.
“Richard.”
I called cautiously.
He looked at me briefly, then straight ahead again.
After a long silence, he spoke:
“Kalia. Refrain from public displays of affection.”
His tone was cold and firm, but I felt relieved.
At least it was just a warning.
From now on, I’ll strictly stick to all-ages standards.
Still, I couldn’t back down completely.
“That means we should move somewhere private. So I can love you without distractions.”
Smiling sweetly, I took his arm—and discreetly traced “I’m sorry” on the back of his gloved hand.
His hand twitched.
“…Very well. Your clothes are dirty anyway. Let’s leave.”
Thankfully, he cooperated until we exited.
“That was a great sherbet place. I enjoyed it.”
“It’s our honor! Please visit again!”
After generously compensating them for cleaning, the manager bid us farewell loudly.
And just like that, Richard and I left the tea room.
