Chapter 34
Marienne froze, the round silver spoon still in her hand. Every aspect of Vaileon’s gaze — his eyes, expression, the angle of his face — all pointed toward one clear meaning.
“…Does he want me to feed him?”
She stared blankly back and forth between her own dessert and Vaileon’s face.
“Doesn’t Lord Beers have a spoon, too…?”
“I dropped it on the floor.”
“…Sorry, what?”
That couldn’t be right. When had the perfectly fine spoon that was sitting on the table fallen to the floor?
Besides, Vaileon was the very model of impeccable table manners. She had never seen him spill a bean or smear something on his lips.
There’s no way a man who doesn’t even drop peas would drop a spoon!
But sure enough, it was gone.
Marienne confirmed that the spoon which had been neatly placed in front of Vaileon moments ago had indeed vanished.
“Then I’ll ask the staff to bring you a new one.”
“It’ll melt.”
He motioned toward the ice cream. Of course, it wasn’t melting at all — it still held its perfectly rounded shape, straight from the freezer.
“Quickly, please.”
What am I supposed to do when he says that in such a sweet voice?
We’re in public! This should be illegal!
Half dazed, Marienne scooped up a spoonful of the pink ice cream. She couldn’t help glancing sideways — how could she not?
Chloise suddenly jumped to her feet as if pricked by a needle.
“I’ll go get a spoon! Oh, and maybe some water too!”
Muttering excuses nobody had asked for, Chloise hurried into the shop.
Marienne hadn’t meant to make the young lady run errands. She’d just been hesitating, wondering if doing this in broad daylight was really appropriate!
But there was no helping it now.
Vaileon was still waiting expectantly for a taste of the ice cream. Marienne slowly held out the spoon toward him.
Suddenly, everything around them seemed to freeze — people stopped moving, and under the dazzling sunlight, only Vaileon moved, gracefully, in slow motion. His impossibly handsome face drew closer to her. When he parted his lips and took the spoon into his mouth, their eyes met.
Gasp.
Marienne silently prayed that her trembling hand holding the spoon didn’t look as awkward as it felt.
And yet, all she could think was:
This is a crime! A public indecency offense! You’ll get life in prison without parole!
Vaileon, of course, had no way of knowing what was going on inside his aide’s chaotic mind.
He didn’t break eye contact even as he drew the spoon out of his mouth. The pull of his lips was stronger than she expected, and Marienne’s hand was tugged forward a few centimeters.
She quickly withdrew her hand. The spoon was spotless — not a trace of ice cream left.
Wow, he really licked that clean.
…Though perhaps “licked” wasn’t the best choice of words.
Then maybe “sucked”—
Warning. Warning.
His lips probably weren’t the only thing that touched it — maybe his tongue too…?
Marienne Didi — guilty.
Indecent thoughts detected. Sentence: death by embarrassment. Bang, bang, bang.
Okay, enough. Stop.
She lifted her head in silent repentance — just in time to see Vaileon run his tongue lightly over his lips. Something went pop in her ears, like a firecracker.
“I thought it would taste like strawberry.”
He murmured quietly.
“…It—it’s not strawberry flavor?”
She had to say something to stop her shameful imagination from running wild.
Marienne quickly took a spoonful herself. Fresh and sweet, the strawberry ice cream melted softly on her tongue.
“It’s… strawberry,” she said.
“Yes, just as I expected.”
“But…”
She trailed off — she’d just eaten from the same spoon he had used. Realization struck late, and her cheeks flamed.
Stop it, Marienne. Don’t even think the words ‘indirect kiss.’ You just used the same utensil, that’s all. Perfectly normal. Happens all the time.
“Anyway, it’s delicious! No wonder the shop’s so popular. I’m glad I came along with the young lady.”
She busied herself eating ice cream and shaved milk, determined to prove she was completely unfazed.
Eye contact with Vaileon would have to wait a bit. Thankfully, she still had food to focus on.
Then — someone approached from behind. A husky voice, tinged with a purplish smoke, whispered near her ear.
“It’s been a while, Lord Beers. I don’t think we’ve met outside the Imperial Palace before.”
Vaileon straightened immediately.
“Priest Anais. It’s good to see you.”
“I recognized you even from afar. But then I saw you lean forward — to take ice cream from this sister’s hand.”
Leslie smiled.
“For a moment, I thought my eyes deceived me.”
“Did you.”
“I hadn’t heard any rumors that Lord Beers was seeing someone lately.”
Marienne wondered how long this man planned to hover over her shoulder chattering like that. Her movements with the spoon became increasingly aggressive.
“Could it be my information network is slow?”
“It’s not that.”
“Then this sister here, who is not your romantic partner…?”
Leslie finally stepped forward, standing between Marienne and Vaileon. Marienne looked up from her dessert to meet Vaileon’s eyes.
Should I answer?
He gave her a silent nod.
Go ahead.
“I’m Didi, Third Aide to the Minister of State.”
She kept her eyes on the table — this guy didn’t need more personal information than that.
“Didi — is that your surname or given name?”
“My surname.”
“What a cute surname. Then your given name, fitting for it, must be… Marienne, perhaps?”
Marienne’s head snapped up. Leslie’s eyes curved in a sly smile, and people at nearby tables sighed audibly at his flirtatious tone.
“I’m Priest Leslie Anais.”
“Ah, yes. Hello.”
“Do you know how long I’ve been searching for you? In fairy tales, even Cinderella left behind a glass slipper. All I knew of you was…”
He reached a hand slowly toward her head, pretending to stroke her hair.
“…this candy-colored hair.”
Marienne jerked back and bumped into her chair’s backrest. By the time she straightened, his lips were already curled in amusement.
He was completely at ease, while she was the only one flustered — and that made her all the more irritated.
He’s always doing things that make people misunderstand, like it’s second nature to him.
“For what reason were you looking for my aide?”
Vaileon emphasized the word my distinctly.
“Oh, personal reasons.”
“Personal, you say?”
Vaileon smiled serenely.
“Would you care to tell me?”
“Lord Beers, surely you’re joking. I just said it was personal.”
“I’ll decide whether it’s personal or official after I hear it.”
His voice was calm, smooth — but unyielding.
“Will you answer?”
Marienne fiddled with her spoon to hide her surprise.
So this is how our dear Lord Beers applies pressure. No wonder things always go so smoothly in the Ministry — he’s only kind when he wants to be.
She recalled something he’d once said:
‘I’m only good to good people.’
“Well, if you insist, I suppose I have no choice. I merely wanted to ask the sister about the place where we first met — what brought her there that day.”
“In that case, I can answer for her.”
Vaileon interlaced his fingers slowly. With his composed posture, the café terrace might as well have been his office.
“My aide was there on my orders.”
“…You knew where we met?”
“It would be strange if I didn’t. I’m the one who sent her there, after all.”
Marienne tried not to react to Leslie’s sharp, probing stare.
Vaileon was doing splendidly — lying so naturally it was almost impressive.
The real problem was her. If she slipped up even a little, that cunning priest would catch it instantly.
“And what were those orders, sister?”
What a snake. Trying to turn the arrow on me now?
“Even if you ask,” Vaileon cut in smoothly, “she can’t tell you.”
“It’s classified.”
“…Ha.”
A small, dry laugh escaped Leslie.
Meanwhile, Marienne felt an uncontrollable surge of pride.
Did everyone see that? The man right in front of me — this brilliant, capable, charming man — that’s my man…!
Then she slapped herself in her imagination. Stop it, Marienne! That’s not something you can even think, let alone say!
She steadied her thoughts — and then, more quietly, declared to herself that the man before her was her favorite character and the true male lead of this era.
Leslie, apparently realizing he wouldn’t get any further, turned to Vaileon with a perfunctory farewell.
Then came Marienne’s turn.
“I look forward to seeing you again, my adorable sister.”
Leslie reached to take her hand — clearly intending to kiss the back of it. What, does he think I’m stupid enough to fall for that twice?
Marienne quickly pretended to search her pockets. Leslie’s gloved hand hung awkwardly in midair.
He clicked his tongue softly, like a snake disappointed at missing its prey, then casually picked up the cherry garnish from her dessert.
The bright red, sugar-glazed cherry that had been hers disappeared into his mouth. He chewed it slowly, looking down at her.
Was that supposed to be a threat? Like, “you’ll be crushed next”?
If so, it was absurdly theatrical.
She’d only been trying to get rid of that northern pest and had accidentally irritated Odette. It wasn’t as if she’d done anything that would offend the Crown Prince or Second Prince!
“May the grace of God be with you.”
You steal my cherry and then bless me? Seriously?
Marienne glared at him, unimpressed. Leslie, unfazed, strolled leisurely toward the bookstore across the street.
His perfectly fitted white priest’s robe clung with every step, accentuating his backside — and every woman on the street stole glances at it.
Is that what people mean by “screaming cultist with your whole body”? He doesn’t look like a servant of God at all.
Begone, lustful demon. Ptui, ptui.
“Should I buy you another one?”
Vaileon’s voice broke her thoughts.
“Huh? Buy what?”
“The dessert. The priest touched it without permission.”
She realized he meant the cherry.
“Oh, no, it’s fine! There’s still plenty left — I can’t ask for a new one over a single cherry!”
“But it might have made you uncomfortable.”
Ever considerate, this man.
Marienne just shook her head, smiling faintly.
