Chapter 20
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Invisible Danger?
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"How was the taste?"
"Of course! I'm even wondering if I didn't eat too much..."
Watching Arselia nod vigorously, it seemed like a good choice.
She must have had a lot of built-up stress lately. I'd ordered something a bit spicy, and she devoured it so deliciously that anyone watching would feel good too.
A person who eats well is charming enough just for that.
"You've always been slim, so it's fine even if you eat a lot, Sis."
"Heehee, thanks for saying that. All that effort managing my figure pays off."
Despite saying she was full, her stomach didn't stick out at all, so she must normally eat light portions.
"So, what about dessert?"
"Dessert...?"
"You can't call a meal complete without coffee and dessert afterward, right? I know a good place. Shall we head there next?"
"Hmm, hmm. I prepared for today, so we can't skip it."
"Weren't you already full?"
"As you said, Young Master, it's only complete once we've had dessert."
"Perfect. I'll guide you right away."
Walking down the street arm-in-arm with Arselia, there was nothing more to envy in the world.
Careful not to focus too much on the heavy yet soft sensation against my arm, we arrived at the dessert shop.
We took seats in a sunny spot, and soon a server came to take our order.
"Ready to order...? Gasp, Boss?!"
Because the original cafe had been so successful, when we went to the new branch No. 2, the server recognized me and jumped in surprise.
Of course they knew my face—I'd visited for the opening to give encouragement and handed out gold envelopes.
"Yes, thanks for your hard work. The most popular item these days, please. For drinks..."
"I'll have this..."
Arselia pondered the menu for a while before shakily making her tough choice.
Hmm, as expected, women love the sweet ones topped with cream?
"Then I'll just have black coffee with ice."
"Got it! Order received!"
"Oh, and give that friend over there one of these."
I ordered something milky for Sion, who was sitting a bit away, scanning the surroundings as bodyguard.
I'd heard cats liking milk was a stereotype, but Sion really loved it, which was intriguing.
Personal tastes differ, I guess?
"Uh... Boss, you don't need to give us so much..."
"Think of the extras as a bonus for today. It'll be busy now that I'm here."
Sure enough, as soon as we entered, customers flooded in behind us, and the cafe looked packed with no seats left.
Seeing the server tearing up with 'Boss...!', I felt a bit guilty, but with the high pay, it should be fine, right?
I'd even showered them with gold coins as tips.
Not paying while overworking them makes a bad boss, but compensating well makes a great one.
At least that's how I see it.
Arselia let out a small laugh as the server dashed off.
"This is the second branch, right?"
"The original was too crowded—even I couldn't get in anymore."
"Heehee, I haven't been able to visit lately either."
"Too busy?"
"Says the one who dumped a ton of work on me?"
"That's why I'm working alongside you. Leaders have to set an example."
"It'd be nice if the boss did more than just man the counter."
"With customers from all walks of life, hardly anyone steps up."
"Delpi, right? The girl with the blue hair."
As we chatted, our desserts arrived.
From fruit-topped tarts to must-have slice cakes and bite-sized cookies.
"Wow..."
Even Arselia, experienced with desserts, gasped and just held her fork, hesitant to dig in.
If she had a phone, she'd probably be snapping photos first.
"Ah!"
"Just looking won't let you taste it. Here, say 'ahh~'."
"..."
Arselia's face flushed red as she pouted, then quietly opened her mouth.
She squeezed her eyes shut in embarrassment, which oddly made it feel sensual.
I fed it to her with my fingers, and she took it with a soft 'nom'.
As the sweetness spread, her eyes flew open wide. She chewed, swallowed, and opened her mouth again.
"It's delicious...!"
Then she started devouring the desserts in earnest.
Her positive reactions with each bite were enjoyable to watch.
"That good?"
"...!"
With a mouthful of cake, she just nodded enthusiastically, eyes sparkling.
"Maybe I should put more effort into desserts going forward..."
I muttered while sipping the coffee that followed.
I tried a few cookies, but they were too sweet for my taste.
For Koreans, the ultimate dessert praise is 'not too sweet, so good'.
At least the 'ahh~ ahh' made it worthwhile.
Suddenly feeling eyes on me, I turned to meet Sion's gaze.
"-"
I could read her lip movements.
I waved lightly, signaling her to handle it discreetly.
"Mmm! This is really good! Young Master, try one too!"
"Sure? I'll eat if you feed me, Sis."
"Eek... Okay. Here, ahh-"
While being fed treats by Sis, I thought to myself.
We needed to hurry up forming the security team.
'For now, Sion's here, so we're good short-term...'
I spotted Sion, who'd finished her drink, stepping out and subduing some lurking thugs.
She looked delicate, easy to underestimate, but Sion was my exclusive maid, butler, secretary, and bodyguard.
To keep Arselia from noticing the brutes flying around outside, I wiped the cream from her lips with my thumb.
"Ah, I could've wiped it myself..."
"Can't leave it like that."
"Ack! Why'd you eat it?!"
Crash! Bang! Clatter!
"Ugh... What kind of strength...?"
"She looks so scrawny..."
"Boss, shouldn't we retreat today?"
The thugs rolling on the ground groaned and glanced warily.
They were men who prided themselves on strength, but blushing in shame at failing against one woman.
"Do you... know who we are?"
The apparent leader spat blood-mixed saliva and growled lowly.
It might've scared ordinary folk, but unfortunately, the woman before them was anything but.
Sion closed in silently, jabbing the jaws of the still-standing men, dropping them.
They lunged to resist, but couldn't even graze her clothes before thudding to the ground.
Sion dusted her hands and placed her right foot on the knee of a crawling thug.
"Aaaargh!!!"
A sickening crack echoed from his knee as he screamed.
"Shut your mouth, or you'll be crawling everywhere starting tomorrow."
"Khk, hngh...!"
Tears streaming, he clamped his mouth shut, terrified of losing the leg entirely.
"Who you are doesn't matter to me."
She pressed harder on his knee, making him writhe in muffled agony.
"Don't overstep. Be grateful my master doesn't enjoy bloodshed, and leave quietly."
Sion growled, locking eyes with the snot-and-tear-streaked man.
"Got it?"
He nodded frantically in terror. Sion released him and lifted her foot.
"Hnggh..."
"Boss!"
"Don't!"
"But...!"
"We're retreating... This was never our fight..."
Supported by his men while eyeing Sion warily, the leader staggered away.
"We'll be going now... Sorry for the intrusion."
"If you don't want this again, pick your jobs carefully for a while."
As they shuffled out of the alley, only groans echoed behind.
"Hoo..."
Sion stepped into the sunlight from the dark alley and exhaled.
Her cat ears twitched atop her head, but no talk of 'revenge' or 'payback' reached them.
Seemed they had enough sense to know better. Sion returned to the cafe.
She checked her reflection in the glass door first—no blood or dust.
The overwhelming power gap meant everything stayed pristine.
"Welcome back?"
"Yeah, Sion? Where'd you go?"
"Just stepped out for some fresh air—felt stuffy."
"Good work. Want a bite of this?"
"If you're offering, I'll gladly take it."
"Ah, I was saving that..."
"We agreed to go shopping for clothes after this, right, Sis? Remember?"
"...One macaron's fine!"
Sion's lips curved faintly as she accepted the small macaron.
To protect this peaceful daily life, she would do anything—even stain her hands with blood.
If it repaid the master who saved her as a child, cold and fading in a back alley, then endlessly so.
"What're you thinking so deeply about?"
A soft hand patted her head. Looking up, Julian gazed at her worriedly.
"Nothing much."
"Really? Your face looks stiff for 'nothing'."
She thought she'd hidden it well, but how did he know?
Over ten years together, it made sense.
"...Actually, my underwear hasn't been fitting lately. Especially the chest part."
Not wanting to worry him more, she deflected with her usual white lie.
Julian choked, coughing. Sion smiled.
"You...!"
"M-Maybe we can pick some out together this time..."
Arselia, ears red, looked like a perfectly matched pair with him.
"We can match the Executive Director's too. Shall we go now?"
Sion laughed heartily at the teasing pair.