When I turned around, I saw Joshua standing there and staring blankly.
“Shushu!”
“What are you doing here, my lady?”
“I came to find the chef, but I dunno where he is.”
“The chef?”
“I need some dessert.”
“If that’s all, I can help you with that.”
Joshua had shown up out of nowhere and just when I needed help! Wow, I really am lucky, huh?
“But why isn’t anyone with me today?”
“Sorry?”
“You’re always by my side, Shushu, but today no one is.”
“Ah, the other guards are watching from a distance right now. It’s my day off.”
“Ohh, I see…”
So whenever it was Joshua’s turn to guard me, he would always stay nearby, but the others weren’t like that. I’d gotten so used to having him with me.
Maybe I should ask Dad to make Joshua my full-time guard. Hmm… but would he not like that?
“Joshua.”
“No.”
Huh? I didn’t even say anything yet!
How did he know what I was going to say? Wait—Shushu, can you read minds!?
I pouted and glared at him.
“You’re not doing anything right now.”
“I am.”
“Pfft.”
“Seriously!”
He looked genuinely flustered.
Shushu, you really fooled me—acting all carefree when you’re actually busy? I feel a little betrayed.
“Hmm… okay, then just take me to the annex once I get my dessert!”
“…Understood.”
Fine, I’ll let it slide. I’ve got plans too so I wasn’t going to hold him hostage all day.
Soon, we arrived at a metal door where Joshua brought out the dessert chef. Thanks to him, I easily got a box full of treats that looked sugary just from glancing at them.
He said he would have the rest sent to the tea room in the annex, so I’ll gather the others and meet them there.
“This passage will take you to the annex.”
“Wow!”
I clutched the dessert box as we stepped onto a skybridge connecting the buildings. The sides were glass, so the view was amazing.
Thank goodness the floor wasn’t glass too. If it had been, I probably wouldn’t have been able to cross on my own.
We were halfway across, and I was glancing around as I followed behind Joshua when—
“Huh?”
I stopped and pressed up against the right-side window. In the distance, I saw someone moving quickly behind a building.
I knew immediately who it was—only one person dressed entirely in black from head to toe.
“Young lady?”
“It’s Jaius.”
I had good eyesight, so I could see him clearly even from far away. He was holding something and swinging it—probably a sword.
A handsome face, pheromone control, and sword skills too? Isn’t that a bit unfair?
“Aren’t you coming?”
“I wanna go down there.”
“Pardon?”
“I gotta go over there.”
Joshua sounded completely confused but that’s fine, he didn’t need to understand. I was just going where I wanted!
“I know how to get down, so you don’t have to come! Just take this to the annex tea room for me!”
I tossed all the dessert box into his arms and scurried back the way we came.
As I got closer to where Jaius was, I softened my steps. I’m just around the corner now so I had to be quiet.
I flattened myself against the wall and peeked around it. He was swinging a sword earlier, but now he was just standing still.
I was jealous. We were around the same age—okay, maybe he’s just a little older—but he was already training in swordsmanship.
I want to learn too. I’ll ask Daddy. I can’t control my pheromones very well yet, so at least if I learn to fight, I can protect myself.
“Huh?”
I’d only zoned out for a moment, but when I snapped back to reality, Jaius had vanished.
Where did he go so fast?
“What are you doing here?”
“KYAAA!”
I jumped and dropped to the ground, startled. I hadn’t sensed anyone behind me which made it even scarier.
I felt someone kneel down beside me. I didn’t even need to look, it was obviously Jaius.
Keeping one hand on the ground, I pressed the other to my chest and looked up at him.
“Hey! You scared me!”
“…”
He didn’t respond. He just blinked slowly like always. Right, that’s how he is…
“What are you doing here?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
He motioned to the sword sheath at his side with a slight tilt of his head.
Ugh. That’s not what I meant and you know it. I was asking why you were here alone.
Do you need things spelled out for you?
“Why are you here by yourself?”
“No reason to show anyone this side of me.”
“Ah… I see… fair point, I guess…”
I knew he was a boring guy but I didn’t expect such a serious answer. Maybe I shouldn’t have asked. I should’ve just dragged him to the tea room without saying a word.
Anyway, time to get up. I couldn’t just sit on the ground forever.
I looked up at him, expecting he’d offer me a hand.
…But he didn’t. He just stood there looking down at me.
Wow. Has no one taught this boy how to treat a lady? Guess I’ll have to.
“Hand.”
“…”
“Hurry.”
At my urging, Jaius finally offered his hand. When I took it, he tilted his head in confusion.
You really don’t get it?
“Dummy.”
“…”
“It means ‘help me up,’ obviously.”
Only after I explained it did he finally pull me to my feet.
Sigh… I teach you one thing, and you can’t even figure out the rest? You’re supposed to be smart!
Whatever. Since we’re holding hands already, I’ll take him to the annex with me.
As I turned to go, he suddenly pulled my hand, making me stumble slightly.
I turned around to look at him and he just blinked again, like nothing happened.
“Why’d you pull me? Aren’t you coming?”
“Where to?”
“You’ll see when we get there.”
I took a step forward again and this time, he didn’t resist. He silently followed.
***
We arrived at the tea room and I told Jaius to wait there while I went to gather the others.
But then a problem hit me.
“…Where do I even go?”
I’d completely forgotten—I had never been to the annex before.
Judging by the box of treats already set up on the tea room table, Joshua had come by and left. I have to figure this out myself.
Which meant… I had only one option.
“…Jaius, come out here.”
The only one I could ask for help right now was Jaius since he was staying in the annex. I had no way of calling for Joshua.
“I want to invite Shirea and the other heirs to come share these with us. Do you know where their rooms are?”
“Why?”
“Because it’s more fun to eat yummy things together!”
…
Jaius didn’t seem all that into the idea.
Wait… don’t tell me…
You want to eat them all by yourself?! Are you that into sweets? Come on! You’re rich!
“Were you planning to eat them all alone?”
“…”
“Answer me.”
“…”
Sigh. You’re so hard to talk to. Fine. I won’t ask anymore.
“…Let’s go.”
Instead of answering, Jaius finally muttered and started walking.
Yeah, yeah. I get it. I understand the desire to hoard sweets.
But a future heir should know how to share good things with others!
“Let’s start with Shirea.”
***
We walked in silence and soon arrived at a door.
Good. Her room wasn’t far and at least I wouldn’t get lost without Jaius.
Knock knock.
No response. Huh?
“Shirea!”
I called out just in case and immediately, a loud crashing came from behind the door.
Within thirty seconds, it swung open to reveal a neatly dressed Shirea… except for one strand of hair sticking straight up at the crown of her head.
That single imperfection on her otherwise elegant face was oddly cute. I decided not to mention it.
“Hi!”
“…Oh, hi.”
She looked happy to see me… but also like she was hiding something. When I peeked past her shoulder, she quickly stepped out and closed the door behind her.
Hmm… I really wanted to see what her room looked like.
“So, what brings you here?”
“Oh! I brought some delicious treats! Let’s all eat together!”
“…With him?”
Her eyes shifted toward Jaius. Unlike when she looked at me, her face had gone cold.
“Everyone else too!”
“…”
“You don’t want to?”
“…I don’t hate it that much.”
Not that much? So, just a little?
Why though? Is she like Jaius and just doesn’t want to share?
Wait… is there something going on between these two?
They do live in the annex. Maybe they’ve met before.
“I’ll go get the others.”
“Oh? Yeah, thanks.”
Jaius turned and walked off in the direction we came. I guess the other rooms are that way.
Huh. So he’s not totally oblivious after all.
“Sen, why were you with him?”
“Huh? Oh, we ran into each other just out front.”
“By chance?”
“Um…”
Was it? I mean, I spotted him by chance, but then I went over to him. So… not really?
“That snake planned it, didn’t he?”
“Huh? No, that’s not it—”
“No need to cover for him.”
I just paused to think but she was already convinced.
“It’s really not like that…”
“I knew I should’ve dealt with that snake yesterday!”
No matter how much I denied it, she wasn’t listening.
I had a feeling nothing would get through until I helped them clear up whatever bad blood they had.
