Chapter 91
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: 30. Dangerous Date
-----------------------------------------------------------------
We fled the café as if chased out, and before we knew it, we were walking down a street in the royal capital.
It had been such a chaotic time that I couldn't even remember how the coffee and dessert I'd ordered had gone down my throat.
'Go do your salting somewhere else!'
...With faces saying that, and the employees' murderous glares boring into us, we'd escaped the café like fugitives.
Even after leaving the café, Iris still clung tightly to my arm, refusing to let go.
"Young Master. Did you see that person's face earlier? They were glaring at you. Why do you think that was?"
'Anyone could see it was because of you!'
She giggled as if it had been some amusing spectacle.
But I couldn't even muster a bitter smile.
Was that something to laugh about?
I'd nearly had a coffee cup flying at my head.
"...So, where to next?"
I forcibly changed the subject.
I didn't know what other mishap might befall us if I let her drag me around aimlessly.
"Hmm... Not sure?"
Iris pretended to ponder, looking around.
Then, suddenly, her gaze stopped on one spot.
"Young Master. Shall we ride that this time?"
With a small exclamation like she'd spotted something fun, she pointed to a spot where...
...a gorgeously decorated carriage was parked.
"...You're serious?"
The problem was that it wasn't an ordinary carriage.
It had an open-top structure with the ceiling completely exposed, colorful flower decorations.
And colors so vibrant they were embarrassingly flashy.
It screamed 'We're lovers!' to anyone who saw it—a carriage clearly meant for couples.
In fact, everyone riding those around the streets seemed to be lovers.
'Ride that?'
Really? For real?
'Eh, no way.'
It had to be a joke.
Ask me to climb aboard that public execution platform voluntarily? With her?
'Can't you ride it with some other heroine instead of me?'
The mere sight made my face sour.
I tried to shake my head firmly in refusal.
"No way... But surely you don't hate the idea?"
Squeeze.
Her sweet voice came with a smile, but the grip on my arm was vicious.
It was a silent pressure saying refusal wasn't allowed.
A lot of it.
"...Fine. I'll ride it."
Damn it.
I should just consider today a total loss.
...From the looks of things, I didn't have a choice anyway.
If I refused and she pulled some stunt like hugging me in the middle of the street, it'd be even worse.
Unlike the café, this street was crawling with academy students.
It might actually be less embarrassing to hop in that carriage and move quickly.
For her sake too.
If anyone saw her like this with a guy like me, rumors would fly.
After running the calculations in my head, I finally nodded in resignation.
"Come on up! What a rare handsome pair. You look like fresh lovebirds!"
As we trudged toward the carriage, the coachman greeted us with a grin and some banter.
To him, we must've looked like the perfect fresh couple.
Well, with arms linked and stuck together like this, it'd be weirder if we didn't.
Regardless of my sour expression.
"No, we're..."
"How'd you know? Spot on!"
Just friends.
Not lovers. Before I could say it,
Iris cut in first.
She blocked my words and flashed a bright smile at the coachman.
"Don't we make a great pair?"
"Oh, absolutely! I've driven this carriage for over ten years, but I've never seen such a perfect match!"
"...Hah."
A hollow laugh escaped me in disbelief.
I opened my mouth to deny it, but Iris glanced up at me.
Her softly curved eyes held a chilling warning.
'Don't you dare say otherwise.'
Her gaze seemed to say.
So I shut my mouth like a mute drenched in honey.
"...How much?"
I pulled out my wallet and asked curtly.
She'd paid at the café, so I'd cover this.
She'd stubbornly refused my offer and paid anyway.
"Just this much! Since you match so well, special discount!"
The coachman beamed like he'd hit the jackpot. I paid without a word.
I didn't even have the energy to say we weren't a couple.
"Hop on!"
I sighed and climbed in first.
Then extended a hand to Iris waiting below.
"Grab on."
"Escort me, Young Master."
Iris smiled coyly and took my hand.
I pulled her up with force.
Her light body floated up and landed in my arms.
"As expected of a man—such strength."
"..."
She sat naturally beside me.
The narrow seat pressed our shoulders and thighs together seamlessly.
"We're off!"
With the coachman's shout, the carriage began to move smoothly.
Bumping vibrations came with the royal capital's scenery sliding past.
The open top brought cool wind to our faces.
But even that couldn't cool the heat in my body.
"Nice. Riding a carriage alone together like this."
She whispered, leaning her head on my shoulder.
Her hair tickled my cheek in the wind.
A faint shampoo scent filled my nose, inducing a strange dizziness.
"...Yeah."
Anyone else seeing this would think it romantic.
I just gave a soulless reply, staring at distant mountains blankly.
[Absorbing negative emotion 'Murderous Intent.']
[Absorbing negative emotion 'Rage.']
[Absorbing negative emotion 'Hatred.']
Along with the stares from passersby.
All sorts of negative emotions stabbed at me sharply.
Half envy, half jealousy in those gazes. I ignored them as best I could.
Praying only for this time to pass quickly.
"Young Master!"
"...What."
"Look over there. The fountain's so pretty, right?"
I looked where she pointed.
The fountain in the plaza's center sparkled rainbow hues in the sunlight.
"Yeah."
Honestly, the fountain didn't register.
My nerves were all on Iris beside me.
"Your reaction's so lackluster."
Iris pouted, feigning disappointment.
...Was I too half-hearted?
"It's a date. Can't you enjoy it more?"
"...I am enjoying it."
I sighed faintly, inaudibly.
Honestly, which guy wouldn't enjoy a date with a beauty?
But trying to enjoy it normally...
Her constant unexpected actions made it impossible to relax.
"Hmm... Doesn't look like it?"
She smiled playfully and leaned her head on my shoulder again.
The fragrant shampoo scent lingered at my nose.
"Does this make you enjoy it more?"
"...More burdensome."
"I like your honesty."
What was so funny? She giggled and wrapped her arms around mine.
Her warmth spread through my arm.
Clack. Clack.
The carriage wheels rolling over cobblestones echoed rhythmically.
A brief silence fell between us.
"..."
"..."
It wasn't awkward or uncomfortable.
Sometimes, such silence was needed.
Her head on my shoulder, Iris gazed at the passing scenery.
I couldn't tell what lay at the end of her gaze, but her eyes seemed wistful for some reason.
I found myself holding my breath, stealing glances at her profile.
"Hey, Young Master."
Iris broke the silence softly.
"Truth is, this is my first time on a date with someone outside like this."
"...First?"
"Yeah. I was always so busy. Had to live up to expectations, get stronger."
She continued with a deeply lonely smile.
"I never had the leisure for normal fun like others."
Her voice sank lower.
For the first time, I felt loneliness from her—always so confident and flawless.
Well, it made sense.
By her backstory, born to a declining low noble house, burdened as a genius, she'd run ever since.
The past I'd only read in text...
Overlapped with her trembling shoulders, weighing heavily on me.
"...I see."
Instead of clumsy comfort, I nodded briefly.
Just listening seemed better for her than awkward words.
"That's why today feels extra special."
Iris looked up at me.
Her eyes shone transparently in the sunlight.
"Thank you. For being with me."
Her sincere gaze...
Left me speechless.
I'd grumbled about the hassle, the burden—but I knew.
How much courage it took for her to show this side.
"...No big deal."
So I feigned indifference and looked away.
"We can do it again. Date or whatever."
"...Really?"
Iris's eyes widened round.
"Even if it's empty words, thanks. But... it's a promise?"
"...I tend to keep my word."
"Hehe. I'll remember that."
Thud.
She leaned back on my shoulder contentedly.
Her expression far more relaxed than before.
The carriage looped the capital's outskirts and reentered the bustling district as...
...the sun dipped low, dyeing the streets red.
"Shall we head back now?"
"Ah..."
I asked, looking at her.
Iris looked reluctant but nodded.
"Time flew. Regrettable, but... this is it for today?"
We got off and walked toward the academy.
The return was far calmer than the way there.
No more arm-clinging antics.
But our parallel steps were much closer than at first.
"...I had fun today."
At the dorm entrance, she stopped and looked up at me.
What to say?
Fun? Not bad?
Thoughts raced, but my answer was simple.
"...Not bad for me either."
Not great, I thought, but...
It sufficed for her.
"Glad to hear. Looking forward to next time."
She smiled shyly, bowed her head briefly.
Then tiptoed and lightly kissed my cheek.
Mwah.
The soft touch landed and lifted.
My mind went blank white.
"Good night. Evan... Young Master."
Face flushed, she waved and vanished into the dorm.
I dazedly touched my cheek.
Her warmth lingered.
'What.'
Not forehead, not handback.
Not even lips—cheek.
"Haha..."
My heart pounded.
Partly from the surprise attack, but more...
'Not bad.'
The date with her. That final kiss.
I hadn't hated it.
If anything, it left me wanting more.
A date with a beauty like that—who wouldn't like it?
"What even is this..."
I sighed deeply, gazing at the darkening sky.
"Hoo..."
Staring blankly at where she'd fled.
Breathing quietly then—
Flash!
A familiar energy from afar made me turn.
A weary-looking spirit wobbled toward me.
One of Elysia's spirits: the wind spirit Sylph.
"Spirit...?"
Why a spirit suddenly?
Puzzled, I extended my hand. Sylph landed weakly on my palm.
"...!…!"
Like someone who'd run nonstop from afar, it panted heavily.
The pitiful sight brought an ominous foreboding.
A spirit coming alone, without summoner Elysia...
Meant trouble.
After heavy panting, the spirit...
...tried desperately to convey something with its tiny mouth.
But unable to understand spirit tongue, I just watched its lip shapes.
"...!…!"
"...?"
Seeing I didn't get it, it thumped its chest in frustration.
"……!"
Then, as if struck by an idea.
It began writing on my palm.
Scratch scratch.
Wind swirled from its tiny finger, etching letters one by one.
It tickled; I flinched but held still, reading.
The moment the last letter formed...
My thrilled expression froze cold.
[Help Me]
"...Help me?"
Seeing those short, intense words...
My foggy mind cooled sharply.