Chapter 113
Chapter 113
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 113
Chapter Title: Helen's Bakery Invitation
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When I opened the door, sure enough, Helen was standing there.
The Helen who had come to the shop was dressed a bit differently from usual.
Not her usual academy uniform, but a dress.
It wasn't as if she had never come in a dress before, but the one she was wearing today felt a touch more glamorous than her typical ones.
It was adorned with frills and decorations everywhere, giving off a tightly corseted vibe.
On top of that, she wore a wide-brimmed blue hat decorated with feathers to block the sunlight.
It suited her sparkling silver hair perfectly.
As I stepped out, she gave me an awkward smile.
"Ha, haha."
It was a complete contrast to the sharp expression I usually saw on Helen.
Her eyebrows always pointed like 11:10 on a clock when we first met, which was striking.
A venomous, prickly noble lady.
That was the most representative image of Helen in my mind.
"What can I do for you?"
"Uh, well, you see."
Helen hemmed and hawed for a moment before slowly speaking up.
"There's a place I want to go, and I'd like you to come with me, Teacher."
"Pardon?"
"It's a bit embarrassing to go alone as a woman."
"Why would you say that? Where is it?"
Helen's face flushed bright red.
She cleared her throat awkwardly, choosing her words.
"I heard there's a new cafe in the Artist Quarter. They say the canapes and Mont Blanc pastries there are amazing. The other ladies at the academy were bragging about it so much. But going to a place like that alone feels a little burdensome..."
"Why not go with those ladies?"
"......"
Helen clamped her lips shut.
"You don't get along?"
"N-No, it's not that! I just don't want to go with girls who brag pointlessly."
They clearly didn't get along.
She just didn't want to admit it outright.
It was understandable.
Given Helen's personality, she probably didn't get along well with others.
Even in illusions, I'd seen her look down on other students often.
She'd dismiss professors who lacked skill without a second thought.
For a Helen Silvesta like that, students chattering about dessert shops were people she'd want to keep at arm's length.
'Plenty of nobles must have annoyingly tried to get close to her for no good reason.'
The Silvesta Family was one of the most powerful houses in the empire, countable on one hand.
Even if she showed no interest, people approached her because of her family's strength.
She probably hadn't heard only good things.
Helen was hailed as a genius at the academy.
Overwhelmingly brilliant geniuses always attract jealousy.
Even if they didn't show it outright, many must have built walls because of her family and her stellar grades.
On one side, people forcing fake smiles to win her favor.
On the other, those envious of her, erecting awkward barriers.
To endure between them, Helen must have grown tougher than anyone.
'Absolute positions breed solitude, or so they say.'
Of course, Helen didn't seem like the type to approach those inferior to her warmly either.
"Anyway, it's awkward to go alone, and taking just servants feels off too, so only one person came to mind."
"Wouldn't going with Sir Veron Silvesta work?"
"H-How could I go to a place like that with family! If other students found out, they'd see me as weak."
Helen snapped loudly.
"They'd think you're close siblings, no?"
"Ah, anyway! Brother's busy with knight order duties and can't go."
"...I see."
I'd heard of the cafe in the Artist Quarter too.
A recent addition, it wasn't just about coffee—it was famous for selling pretty desserts alongside.
Not ordinary desserts either; they perfectly targeted noble ladies' aesthetic tastes, making it hugely popular.
I knew it as a place where noble ladies went together or with partners.
Suddenly, it hit me—this was totally a date spot.
"Isn't that place a date course, though?"
The thought slipped out of my mouth.
"Uh, wh-what?"
Maybe I was tired.
A thought I'd normally swallow came out unbidden.
Yesterday, I'd been dragged to the knight order, spent the whole day with Yuris, and then inputted the info I'd felt into magic circles all night.
I'd just finished that all-nighter and was about to rest when Helen showed up.
My fatigued body and mind slipped my control for a moment.
"D-Date?! N-No, it's not like that! I just don't want to fall behind on trends, so I asked you to come. Wh-What are you even talking about, Teacher? I have no idea."
"...I see. Sorry. I didn't sleep much and said something nonsense."
A brief awkward silence followed.
Helen stared at me intently and asked.
"Your dark circles are heavy. Didn't sleep last night?"
"Yes, I pulled an all-nighter on work."
I couldn't bring myself to say why.
"Ah......."
Disappointment shadowed her face the moment she heard.
Only then did I clearly see the effort Helen had put into dressing up to come here.
Just as she hadn't properly seen my tired face, I hadn't noticed her preparations until now.
The glamorous dress she'd never wear normally, the wide-brimmed hat, the handbag in her hand, and makeup that seemed more pronounced than usual.
A genius student who'd devoted her life to self-improvement, now visibly striving to keep up with ladies' trends.
"...I'll get ready right away."
"Y-You sure you're okay?"
"It's fine. I pulled all-nighters plenty during magic school studies."
"...Okay. I'll wait."
"Come inside. I can't keep a guest waiting outside."
"Got it."
Helen followed me in.
"Th-This is the first time coming in like this. Usually it's for other reasons."
She followed with an awkward expression.
"I'll be quick, so have a seat for a bit."
"Ah, okay."
Helen sat in the waiting room where I usually seated guests, fidgeting anxiously, unsure where to look.
First, I should wash up.
'Tired, but gotta make the effort.'
No matter the reason, sending back someone who'd dressed up that much to see me felt rude.
Even beyond customer and shopkeeper, as people, it wasn't right.
I'd even shared my body with Helen.
Whatever the reason or process, I knew better than anyone that it wasn't something to brush off lightly.
'Maybe that's why she dressed up like that too.'
So I couldn't just let her leave like this.
Shhhhh.
I sorted my thoughts under the hot water.
What to do next.
After washing, I put on the Cyranda Silver glasses Helen had gifted me.
Then, wearing the most expensive navy suit I owned—one that matched the high-class glasses and suited the bakery she mentioned—I stood before her.
"All done?"
Helen, waiting in the lounge, looked at me as the door opened.
"Wow......."
Her mouth fell open as if speechless.
"Is something wrong?"
"N-No. It's f-fine."
"...Your speech pattern changed again."
"Ah, sorry. I was just flustered."
Gulp.
I heard someone swallowing saliva somewhere.
Surely not Helen?
Seeing Max emerge in a sharp suit and glasses, Helen unconsciously swallowed hard.
She hadn't even imagined he'd appear so stunning before her.
The glasses highlighted the dark circles under his eyes, adding a decadent allure.
Like a genius professor exhausted from all-night research.
That look hit Helen fatally.
Her breath caught; she stared blankly at him for a moment.
She only realized her mouth was watering belatedly.
His appearance matched her tastes so perfectly that her mind went hazy.
Helen had needed tremendous resolve to come here.
The first time she shared her body with Max.
Not in an illusion, but in reality.
Back home, she'd thought endlessly.
Self-reproach for succumbing to pleasure, the good sensations from that day, overwhelming shame at how flushed she'd been.
Pondering why she'd done it, yet feeling good enough to want to try again.
Even wanting illusions, she'd end up masturbating alone, recalling that time with Max.
She wanted to see him soon, but there was no occasion.
Going for an illusion like before felt embarrassing.
-Have you been to the new bakery, Lady Silvesta?
Then a perfect opportunity arose.
Talk of a bakery trending among the ladies.
Many had gone, some with partners.
It was so hard to get into without a reservation—you had to line up forever.
-Sister, they say this place is amazing. Go with your academy friends. The ladies love it.
Veron had handed Helen a ticket to skip the line at the bakery.
A golden chance to visit, and she didn't want to miss it.
'If I let this pass, I might never go.'
So Helen hurried.
With the no-wait ticket in hand, she headed straight for Max.
Her heart raced so much she came early morning, realizing only upon arriving at his shop.
The weary, hollow-eyed Max.
His question if it wasn't a date.
His invitation inside.
The sound of him washing, then emerging impeccably suited and spectacled.
Helen couldn't tear her eyes from Max.
"Shall we go?"
Watching Max's elegant hand and smile, perfectly mimicking noble etiquette, Helen felt her face burn.
"Y-Yes."
She addressed him politely without thinking.
As if meeting a dance partner at a ball.
Blushing, she took his hand, and they left the shop together.
The weather was beautifully clear.