Chapter 30
30. Will You Take an Interest in Me?
What was that just now?
Shanelica, sitting in her study doing her usual translation work, found herself lost in thought.
Yesterday, while looking at Derwin’s dagger, Shanelica had suddenly felt dizzy and had to take a rest. Even Derwin didn’t know the reason.
“Even if the dagger doesn’t suit you, just looking at it shouldn’t have any effect,” Derwin said worriedly.
Shanelica told him that the dizziness was probably unrelated to the dagger. But in truth, she had strongly sensed something — a distinctly foreign energy that only his dagger possessed, unlike the dagger she had been gifted before.
Could it be because I’m a dragon that I’m sensitive to this?
She hadn’t heard anything about this from Chel. She wanted to ask someone, anyone, but besides the dragon partner who had lost their memory, there was no one else around — so she kept her curiosity to herself.
“Lunchtime, Shanel!”
Stern knocked and entered Shanelica’s study. When he first came to the palace, they only ate lunch together once or twice a week, but recently Stern had been coming almost every day.
“It’s already this time?”
“Yeah. I’m hungry.”
“What shall we eat today?”
Shanelica enjoyed having lunch with Stern. It was a different feeling than having dinner with Derwin.
At the Cartel mansion, she ate delicious and high-quality food, but with Stern, they always tried new dishes. Sometimes they suited her taste, sometimes not, but trying various foods was fun for the curious Shanelica.
“I’ll be busy this afternoon. Let’s eat at the palace’s central dining hall today.”
“Ah, can I go there too?”
The palace central dining hall was where the palace staff ate. Shanelica had never been there before. It was a place only accessible to higher ranks, and when she didn’t eat with Stern, she usually ate with other knights at the Kaisel Knights’ building.
“I’m the captain of the knights. We can just go in together. No reason I can’t.”
“Wow, then why haven’t you gone before?”
“I’ve been there often. I wanted to go somewhere new today, but my schedule’s tight, so no choice.”
“I like that! Since you’re busy, let’s go quickly!”
With a light heart, Shanelica stood up from her seat.
Palace Central Dining Hall
The entire first floor was a massive dining hall. Judging by the number of people inside, there must have been over a hundred. Shanelica’s eyes widened.
“There are so many people.”
“It’s all the palace staff.”
“But they’re all high-ranking, right? Not like me, a translator.”
“That’s true.”
“If all these high-ranking people eat lunch together, wouldn’t something happen in the palace during that time?”
Stern burst out laughing at Shanelica’s cute question.
“Everyone has their own lunch time. The dining hall is always open.”
“Huh? But you and I have the same lunch time?”
“Shanel doesn’t have a fixed lunch time. She just matches her time to mine.”
Oh, that’s how it is.
Shanelica understood. Come to think of it, she didn’t have a fixed lunch time. She naturally ate whenever Stern or Bain invited her to eat.
“There are three menus. Just pick one.”
Standing at the ordering counter, Stern whispered this to her. Everything looked delicious, and after much thought, Shanelica chose the fish steak.
“This place feels more like a banquet hall than a dining hall.”
“That’s probably because so many high-ranking people come here.”
While waiting for their food, Shanelica sat and looked around the dining hall. From the beautiful ceiling paintings on the high ceiling to the red carpet on the floor, it felt like people could break into dance here any moment without it being strange.
“Don’t you miss your parents? Is living alone okay?”
It was a sudden question. Now that she thought about it, Stern had vouched for her identity but never once asked about her past or background.
“They’d be upset seeing such a beautiful daughter struggling far away.”
Seeing Stern’s worried expression, Shanelica gave an answer she had prepared earlier.
“My parents aren’t here now. You don’t have to worry.”
“Oh… sorry.”
“No, it’s okay.”
It was a lie. She had no parents.
As a dragon, she was sure she had none. Originally a god, she had been punished and reincarnated as a dragon. The absence of an eggshell mark was clear evidence of this theory. It was a bit bitter — no matter the punishment, they hadn’t even given her decent parents.
“So, are you going to settle here now? No plans to return home?”
“Hm, I don’t think I’ll stay long. I’ll stay a while, then move elsewhere.”
Shanelica spoke casually. That was half true, although the earlier answer was a lie. But Stern’s expression darkened noticeably at her words.
“I want you to stay here longer.”
Hearing words and an expression unlike Stern’s usual, Shanelica burst out laughing.
“Pfft, what is this? Are you interested in me?”
“If I said yes? Would you take an interest in me?”
Huh?
The laughter that had filled her face suddenly faltered. The smile faded. Stern’s crimson eyes were serious, unlike his usual playful self.
“Don’t joke around.”
Though she forced a smile, Stern’s expression was no joke. Shanelica felt awkward.
What is this situation? What should I do?
“I’m not joking. I’d be hurt.”
“Uh…”
“What about your feelings, Shanel?”
“Well, I’m not planning to stay long in this country…”
“If you want, I can follow you anywhere. So, what do you think? Be honest.”
Shanelica felt heat rise in her face. Such a blunt confession!
“I… haven’t thought about that…”
She scrambled to say something plausible.
No one just suddenly does this!
“Really? Then will you start thinking about it now?”
Stern smiled broadly. Shanelica felt her head spin.
Before she could regain her senses, the restaurant staff brought their food.
“I’ll cut it for you.”
Stern skillfully began cutting her fish steak. He also cut the accompanying vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
“You don’t have to do that…”
“Try it.”
Before she knew it, a fork with a piece of steak was pushed into her mouth.
“I’ll eat.”
“Eat it.”
His eyes looked earnest, so Shanelica finally opened her mouth. The warm small piece of steak melted softly on her tongue.
“Here, have some more.”
“Really, it’s okay.”
“I’m doing this because I want your attention. Don’t you like it?”
Ugh, asking if I dislike it with that face is unfair.
From the moment she met him, Shanelica knew Stern was incredibly handsome. Though her type leaned more toward Derwin, looking at Stern was still a pleasure. Plus, his uniquely captivating aura was another charm point.
But right now, she felt burdened by the attention from others nearby. Since entering the dining hall, she’d felt sharp gazes directed at her.
“More importantly, there are many people here… and you’re famous, Captain. Shouldn’t you be careful?”
Shanelica spoke, conscious of the surrounding stares. Earlier, it was just gazes, but now they felt piercing. She even felt as if every woman here was glaring at her alone.
She knew he was popular, but this much?
Shanelica might just be a public enemy. Looking at Stern closely feeding her and laughing like this, it was understandable.
“Others don’t matter to me.”
But Stern showed no signs of stopping his overly kind behavior.
“Captain, isn’t this too sudden?”
If there had been any kind of sign, she might understand, but the sharp gazes felt a bit unfair.
“Sudden?”
But Stern seemed surprised. As if it shouldn’t be sudden.
“I thought I’d already made a pretty good impression just by trying to eat lunch with you every day…”
“Ah…”
“I guess my efforts weren’t enough. So now, I’ll do it so you can’t miss it. And…”
Stern glanced sideways as he said something surprising.
“I think I have to do it like this now.”
Shanelica’s eyes followed his glance. At the end was a familiar black-haired man — Derwin.
“……”
There sat Princess Lydia and Derwin, eating together.
Why are they eating together in such a public place? There are no outsiders around.
Derwin had said he only escorted Princess Lydia when there were outsiders. For some reason, Shanelica’s mood sank slightly.
“Shanel?”
“Ah.”
She was talking with the captain. Shanelica pulled herself together and thought over their conversation again.
So the sudden behavior from the captain was because of…
“Could it be you misunderstood the relationship between me and the princess’s escort?”
Shanelica had to come to this conclusion. Otherwise, he wouldn’t suddenly act so anxious. That was the right answer, since Stern’s expression darkened as he said,
“They were together late on a holiday… How could I not think something?”
“We’re not like that. We said it all before.”
Shanelica spoke firmly.
Yes, it was not like that.
Being the fiancée in the Cartel mansion was comfortable for Shanelica herself. Derwin cared for and looked after her, but it wasn’t love between a man and a woman. What Derwin felt was pity and a sense of responsibility.
“Really not?”
“No.”
“Good, then.”
Stern looked relieved, but Shanelica felt like she was sitting on a bed of nails.
Not only because of Stern’s behavior, but because she felt Derwin sitting far away was probably listening to their conversation. Though it was impossible to hear at that distance, she felt uneasy as if she had done something wrong.
