Chapter 114
Chapter 114
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: Bakery Date and Thigh Pillow
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"Let's go."
I took Helen's hand and helped her to her feet, then left the shop with her.
Once outside, Helen and I naturally let go of each other's hands.
Her soft touch had left quite an impression.
'It's smaller than I thought.'
Helen's hand was much smaller than I'd imagined.
The soft sensation that fit perfectly in my palm surprised me even more.
The image she projected—a powerful noble lady—might have made her seem larger than life.
"Where to?"
"Ahem, just follow me."
Helen cleared her throat and put a little distance between us.
"Why is that?"
"Huh? Why what?"
"You just pulled away a bit. Does my body smell or something? I showered clean not long ago."
"Oh, well..."
Helen trailed off, mumbling.
"Is there a reason?"
"W-Well, just..."
She turned her head away.
"...It's not a smell."
"Then come closer."
I took a step toward her.
"W-Why?"
"Aren't we going to the bakery together? Most nobles heading there stick close to their partners, don't they?"
If we looked awkward despite being close, it would draw more attention.
Better to play the part of a close pair.
Since she'd invited me, we might as well do it right.
"W-Well, I mean..."
Helen fidgeted, twisting her body.
"Ah, fine."
She finally hung her head.
And so, Helen and I drew a little closer as we headed to the bakery.
It wasn't until the savory aroma of fresh bread hit my nose that I realized we'd arrived.
"Quite a crowd."
It was more than that.
The bakery wasn't just packed inside—people lined up outside, waiting to get in.
Noble ladies shielded their mouths with fans, whispering to their partners or chatting with other ladies.
"They say it's that good, right?"
"Honestly, I'm excited. Other nobles raved about it."
"I heard even Her Majesty the Empress was impressed. Said the coffee here is amazing."
Amid all the praise, excitement, and anticipation for the bakery...
"Darling, shall we try the couple's set inside?"
"Anything with you is fine."
"They say the atmosphere inside is great."
Noble couples pressed close, exchanging sweet words.
The empire had a conservative sexual culture, but this level of public affection was overlooked.
Whispered endearments with bodies touching—that much was fine.
If anything, they were lenient about such displays.
Perhaps to offset the strict suppression of deeper urges.
"..."
Helen watched the couples quietly.
"Helen."
"W-What is it? Teacher?"
"Where are you looking?"
"N-Nothing."
She pushed past the long line.
"Come on, follow me. I saved us seats."
Helen strode confidently into the bakery.
The stares of those waiting in line all turned to me.
"What's that about...?"
"Everyone's lining up."
"This isn't a joke."
They hadn't caught a glimpse of her face as she hurried ahead, so they directed their grumbles at me.
Once inside...
"Excuse me, but our shop admits customers in the order they queued."
A man who looked like staff blocked our path.
Helen straightened her shoulders and handed him a shimmering ticket.
"This is the pass given only to the bakery's VIPs. You get why I came straight in, right?"
His eyes widened at the ticket.
"Ah, you're a VIP customer. My apologies. That changes things. We provide special VIP service for pass holders. Right this way to the rooftop lounge."
He flashed a professional smile and led us deeper inside.
Helen smirked at the nobles who'd grumbled about us skipping the line.
*You lot have to wait, but I don't.*
That was her expression.
Why was I the one feeling embarrassed?
"Let's go in."
"Got it, Teacher."
We headed to the rooftop lounge, reserved for bakery VIPs.
"Fancy."
The space was a world apart from the first floor.
I'd thought the ground level was lavish enough, but the rooftop lounge sparkled even more.
Flower scents from the rooftop garden mingled with the aroma of VIPs' coffee and tea, plus that irresistible bakery smell.
Fragrances that lifted the mood wafted everywhere.
And the panoramic view of the imperial capital below.
No wonder the ladies loved it.
It hit every element of their tastes.
'The perfect date spot.'
I glanced around the lounge, filled with couples.
Beneath veiled tables, silhouettes hinted at intimate moments.
Feeding each other pastries, sipping coffee, bodies pressed close—it was striking.
'By imperial noble standards, this place is pretty open.'
With the tents blocking direct views, it allowed discretion for whatever went on.
*Smack, smooch.*
One tent hid a couple whose faces had merged.
The staff pretended not to notice as they passed by.
"Uh, um?"
Helen, clearly unprepared for this, stared at the other couples' affections with a flustered face.
"You okay?"
"Y-Yeah. F-Fine."
We sat at the table the staff showed us.
Another veiled spot where staff appeared only as silhouettes.
Yet the terrace offered a full view of the empire—a perfect seat.
The table sat in the center, flanked by two long, single benches facing each other.
As if inviting you to lie down.
"I-I didn't expect a place like this."
Helen sounded flustered as she sat.
"It's a nice surprise. First I've heard of it."
Compared to my illusion shop, this felt almost prudish.
'Our place is wholesome by comparison, right?'
Or not?
The staff came to take our order.
"Bring all the signature dishes. Coffee too, of course."
Gone was her apologetic tone—Helen's usual curt voice returned.
"Understood."
The staff bowed to her firm command and soon brought the main menu.
Signature canapés and Mont Blancs, cakes topped with fresh cream, croissants sliced open and stuffed with veggies and ham like sandwiches.
Plenty of breads I'd never seen.
Golden egg tarts that gleamed, brownies loaded with chocolate.
"Your espresso."
Amid the savory, sweet pastries, the jet-black coffee stood out.
A rich liquid crowned with golden crema.
'They've got reason to brag.'
Even I, who'd seen 21st-century baking and coffee, was impressed.
It felt like something from the modern era.
"Delicious."
"Really... it is."
One bite erased thoughts of the nobles' lewd antics I'd witnessed.
The nutty bread flavor.
Refined butter notes ending sweet.
Then the espresso's bitter depth to chase it.
Salty-sweet harmony with the coffee's roast.
Perfect balance.
Though coffee wasn't Helen's thing, apparently.
"Bitter."
Trying to act mature, she frowned after sipping the espresso.
She had zero tolerance for bitterness.
"Want me to take it?"
"Huh? N-No, it's fine."
Then came the kissing sound.
*Smooch.*
"..."
Helen clamped her mouth shut at the sudden noise.
"A-Ahem! This bread's amazing, right?"
*Smoooch!*
Her attempt to change the subject failed as another lewd sound followed.
Then a faint moan.
Seeing Helen's flushed face, I snapped my fingers.
[Sound Barrier activated around you and Helen.]
The suspicious noises from nearby vanished.
"You're amazing, Teacher. No incantation, just instant magic..."
"It's nothing. Helen could do it too if she tried."
"R-Really?"
"Yes. You've got the talent."
"...I see."
With silence restored, the imperial vista unfolded before us.
Far more moving without the earlier racket.
"Majestic."
"Right? You can feel the empire's greatness. And His Majesty the Emperor's glory."
Was it because the emperor symbolized the sun?
The palace roof gleamed gold, and the magic schools' buildings ended in golden banners marking imperial factions.
Those banners absorbed sunlight, sparkling gold.
We admired the view and chatted.
"How've you been?"
"Good. Got great grades this time. Might graduate next year—passed the academy threshold. Relieving stress helped."
"Glad to hear it."
"S-So I brought you along. As a thank-you... Don't get the wrong idea."
"I won't."
She was nobility at the empire's pinnacle.
No room for misconceptions.
"...Hearing you say that kinda hurts."
Helen pouted.
"But staying up all night researching? Should've told me ahead."
"You worried?"
"O-Of course! It was my thank-you invite—feels bad if you're tired because of me."
She hesitated, then patted her thigh.
"Special extension service on the thank-you. You can use my thigh. Rest your head on it if you want."
"..."
I'd refuse flat-out if I were in my right mind.
But drowsiness clouded my judgment too.
"That okay?"
"O-Obviously!"
I took the bait without thinking.
"Alright."
I scooted over to her seat.
Then rested my head on Helen's thigh.
Incredibly soft and warm.
"Just a quick nap then."
"Uh, yeah."
The last thing I saw before closing my eyes was Helen's blushing face as she looked down at me.