Chapter 117
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 117
Chapter Title: Lunch with Friends
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I have to endure.
"That's all for today."
As the liberal arts class ended, cadets from the Knight Department—everyone except her—gathered with their respective groups.
There was no one from her department coming her way anyway, so Chloe packed her things and quickly slipped out of the lecture hall.
'Finally over...!'
The time Chloe looked forward to most at the academy was starting now! Lunchtime.
Not out of gluttony for food, but purely because spending time with her friends was so enjoyable.
If the waves of life could flow forever making such pleasant sounds, she'd have no regrets.
"Hehe~"
Her footsteps quickened toward the meeting spot to see her friends during lunchtime.
Perhaps because her heart felt lighter thanks to her big brother, thinking of her friends' faces brought an especially wide smile to her today.
Her two closest friends were complete opposites, each with their own distinct flavors and colors.
They possessed things she lacked, so even a brief time together always taught her something new.
One had not just a striking appearance, but amethyst eyes that evoked jewels, especially beautiful.
Her attitude of boldly displaying the facial scar that Chloe herself couldn't bear to show, and her resilient spirit unbound by others' gazes, were admirable and enviable.
Unlike her cynical aura that rarely showed emotion, conversations revealed a considerate side in her sharp words—a reversal that hit home a beat late, lingering deliciously. Truly captivating in a scary way.
The other had a cute, small-animal-like look, with vibrant green eyes like fresh plants—her sturdy energy was her greatest charm.
Unlike Chloe, she approached others without hesitation, her sociable nature shining in practical classes with passion that left everyone in awe, proving her adventurer dreams were no empty words through action.
Despite her emotions and energy bursting outward strongly,
her uncanny sense and braking ability in key moments kept her perfectly in check—completely opposite to Chloe, who sometimes crossed lines in excitement. She desperately wanted to learn even a little of that.
"...!"
As she headed to the meeting spot, she spotted the two waiting for her. She quickened her pace.
"Sorry to keep you waiting? I rushed out as fast as I could..."
"We just got here too~"
Seria's lively voice naturally brought a smile to her face.
"What should we do for lunch?"
At Rike's cue, they first moved away from the spot toward the academy's central area, convenient for heading to the cafeteria, a café, or the library.
...
Today, both the Swordsmanship Department and Knight Department had indoor classes packed in, so they barely moved their bodies.
Thanks to that, they decided on a light café lunch. Without anyone suggesting it, they naturally headed to their usual spot.
A bit of a walk from the academy, the three settled into the quiet café with few people, ordering to their tastes before sitting.
Chloe loved this time when sunlight streamed in thick beams across the empty table.
"Chloe~"
"Yes?"
As usual, Seria pierced the quiet atmosphere, opening the conversation.
"Did you see us after class while we were heading out?"
"Aw, if you'd called me comfortably, I'd have stopped by for a bit..."
She mentally retraced today's classes, wondering if there'd been a lecture hall near the Swordsmanship Department.
"It wasn't close enough to call out. We just spotted Chloe from far~ away."
At Seria's exaggerated gestures, Chloe fiddled with her ash-gray hair.
"W-what? That's kinda embarrassing..."
She reaffirmed: even alone, she had to mind her behavior. She might think she's solo, but others could be watching.
Pour~
As tea and light snacks filled the table, Rike first reached for the black tea, half-filling her cup and mixing in milk for a milky tea.
Seria and Chloe had similar tastes, ordering cool, sweet drinks that needed no prep—just sip through a straw.
"Huu~ Now I feel alive. Studying fried my brain; I needed something sweet."
Seria slurped her chocolate smoothie with a sigh, earning an incredulous look from Rike. Seria dodged her gaze, slipping away like a snake over a fence in silence.
"Today was all sitting, so it must've been tough for Seria, who loves active classes."
From recently—it had become habit to keep the polite speech but drop the '-nim' after names, per Rike's advice.
Unlike at first, calling them by name felt closer, which Chloe loved.
Starting with big brother, casually addressing friends by name felt like real proof of her growing social skills.
"Right~? Chloe gets me! Rike, up the warm compliments a bit—"
The chat flowed casually, centered on Seria's topics.
After polishing off the salad and cream cheese canapés ordered as meal substitutes, Seria stared at her with sparkling green eyes.
"...Is there something on my face?"
"Chloe~ Can I ask something I'm curious about?"
From big brother's sudden talk today, she'd braced for more unexpected stories.
Deep breath before hearing the question—Rike let out a small sigh, as if knowing what Seria would say.
"We said we saw you from afar earlier, right?"
"Y-yeah..."
"You were with the practical combat instructor then."
"Ah... Eek!!"
Thinking back, it made sense.
In her rush to relay the script in her head before forgetting, she'd gone straight to big brother with other department cadets watching.
That's when they must've seen her.
"Y-you didn't get scolded by the instructor or anything, right?"
"Scolding a cadet during break? He's not the type... And it didn't look like that."
Rike broke the silence while refilling her black tea and milk, stirring with a teaspoon, correcting Seria.
"Just in case... Can't think of other reasons."
Unable to argue further, Seria deflated. Chloe pondered deeply.
Still, this wasn't a topic to bring up now.
"I wasn't scolded, but... sorry! It's not just about me, so... When the time comes that I can share, you'll be the first to know!"
Seria blinked in slight surprise, then grinned, accepting instantly.
"Mm... Got it! Hearing you say clearly now's not the time actually puts my mind at ease. I'll wait!"
"Thank you..."
Not prying further despite curiosity—even as a joke—was Seria's strength and tact as a friend.
"Ahh~ Beyond that, I'm deeply moved right now! Chloe, who couldn't even enter a dessert shop alone at first, speaking so straightforwardly. You've grown!"
Clutching her eyes in mock tears, Seria pulled Chloe's gray locks to wipe fake tears.
"Yeah. Keeping a secret because it's not just yours—very knightly. Cool."
Rike's soft laugh and sincere praise left Chloe frozen, no reaction possible.
Something fluffy welled up, tears threatening; she chugged her cold drink to hold them back.
Growth.
Hearing acknowledgment from others on what she'd lacked endlessly nearly broke her tear ducts again.
"S-such kind words... Thank you so much for understanding..."
No tears fell, but her trembling voice gave her away. The sharp duo noticed but smoothly shifted the mood as usual.
Meeting these two at the academy was truly fortunate. Chloe etched the thought deep in her heart once more today.
"Huu—"
After dinner and a long chat with Chloe, the full moon hung high.
Finishing her bath, Eclair entered the study and rolled her stiff neck.
The past few days, buried in work, felt like a disaster.
Tasks needing full attention had piled up at once, keeping her mind in chaos.
She'd become Knight Order Captain based on martial prowess and achievements, yet now paperwork fights outnumbered sword practice—leaving her feeling empty, futile.
Still, pushing through meant calm ahead.
She'd consulted on imperial rewards for Roman, issued personnel evaluations as Silver Wing Knight Order Captain, finalized with the vice-captain.
From knights' supplies and pay contracts, countless minor tasks assaulted nonstop, but she'd wrapped them up and kept her dinner promise with Chloe.
-I told big brother I'd have dinner with sis tonight—
She'd chuckled, anticipation rising.
Chloe, terrified of men, calling Roman "big brother"? Amusing, heartwarming growth.
I wonder. Would Roman visit knowing she's at the mansion?
Seeing his face would suffice... No, absolutely not.
Since discovering the pleasure of relieving lust, stress or spare stamina instinctively turned her thoughts to Roman.
Before knowing this world, she'd have muddled through cluelessly, but now it was different.
'No matter how urgent, not in the study. Even if we meet today, just talk...!'
With Chloe here, any hanky-panky would be outrageous indecency.
With time freeing up soon, she'd restrain herself tonight.
...
...
Unable to focus on her book from waiting, she set it aside and stood.
'...He's here.'
Soon, she'd see Roman after so long. Her heart pounded wildly.
Quick check in the study mirror, then casually crossed her legs in the chair, feigning normalcy.
The faint presence climbing outside was so quiet and cautious, no one but a focused her would notice in the mansion.
Knock! Knock!
A soft rap on the window.
Seeing Roman with a wine bottle, Eclair schooled her expression, rising unhurriedly.
Click—!
The window lock released; with night breeze, Roman entered the study.