Chapter 15
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Nathan is supposed to be kind, gentle, and considerate, right? But he hasn’t spared anyone he’s met so far.
└ Only with Lumiere… That’s the weight of the male lead, I guess.
└ He has a friendly face.
A cold-blooded man who’s ruthless toward others and never lets emotions influence his judgment. The youngest Sword Master and sole heir of a duke family—a completely overpowered character…
“…Really?”
After finishing her conversation with Colin, Ara met Nathan, who simply…
“…I’m not sure if I picked the right cake.”
“It’s delicious.”
“Oh, I’m glad it suits your taste!”
At that single word, his expression lit up like a giant, happy retriever.
“…So cute!”
How did this black retriever end up being a cold-blooded man…?
After explaining the incident to Colin and finishing her treatment, Ara joined the Capernic family for tea, as planned.
By the time she arrived, Herawin had already finished several plates of cake.
Herawin said she had something to discuss with Colin and disappeared, leaving only Nathan and Ara.
Thus, the table in the deepest part of <Waterlight Gift> became a tea-time spot for two strangers meeting for the first time.
“…Should we order a few more?”
To break the awkwardness, Ara opened the menu.
Now’s the chance to get everything I wanted.
She planned to leave the bill under Colin’s name.
After ordering, the afternoon tea set arrived shortly in the server’s hands. Nathan’s eyes started to sparkle.
Did we order too much?
They had already had a snack before heading out shopping. Seeing the three-tiered tray piled with cakes, Ara slightly regretted it.
But contrary to her worry, Herawin had been right.
“If something big happens, you need to eat sweets!”
As if trying to forget the near-accident, Ara and Nathan began devouring the cakes and tea individually.
While Ara polished off the blueberry cheesecake, Nathan ate the raisin scones topped with thick clotted cream.
Ara skipped the mini cucumber sandwiches on the bottom tier and picked up the crab egg tart, while Nathan popped a small corn bread topped with salmon into his mouth.
Three colorful macarons on the second tier, along with yogurt topped with blueberry compote, vanished into their stomachs. They didn’t stop until they had melted the last piece of chocolate on the top tier.
Every dish on the table disappeared in a flash. The entire performance took place in a very short time.
“…They sure eat well.”
Ara poked at the fresh flower decoration on the top tier with her fork in slight disappointment.
Like Ara, Nathan ate as if he were a growing child lacking nutrition.
What was even more surprising was how quick and refined his movements were—never sloppy. It was as if he had been trained for this very moment.
The head patissier and staff, watching the two’s almost divine eating, wiped their noses discreetly, smiling in secret.
“The Empire’s twin wings are enjoying our cakes this much…!”
They vowed to give Nathan and Ara a round of applause when they left the shop.
Only after sipping tea to cleanse their palates did Nathan glance at Ara again.
“Your cheek has healed.”
“Yes. The viscount called a healer. Seems they were quite skilled.”
Judging by the healer’s precise movements and questions, Ara guessed the fee was probably hefty.
The treatment itself was simple but effective. The healer had touched her cheek, and a dazzling flash followed, leaving the wound perfectly smooth. Truly capable.
Watching Ara’s expression carefully, Nathan spoke gently.
“Although it’s late, I’m sorry about the count’s incident.”
“Yes… well.”
She didn’t feel much about it but let her words trail to avoid seeming odd.
After all, they aren’t really my parents, and even Arachne’s memories didn’t keep many fond memories of them.
Ara fiddled with her necklace.
It seemed to sense Nathan’s mana across the table, faintly glowing blue throughout their meal.
“A mana detector.”
Ara took it off and asked,
“You knew?”
Nathan nodded obediently.
“It seems like a basic model, but the finish is delicate. A skilled craftsman must have made it.”
“Even that…”
She had only meant to identify who had mana, but somehow it felt awkward that he had recognized the necklace first.
Hmm… did Colin check the detector too?
Recalling the treatment, Ara shook her head.
There was no reaction, so he definitely has no mana…
Seeing Ara’s serious expression, Nathan flinched and apologized.
“Oh, sorry. I stared too intently…”
“You recognized the detector at a glance? Does everyone do that?”
Nathan scratched his head and explained.
“Sensitive people can detect detectors. Most can’t, though…”
“I see…”
“Still, I recommend keeping one for self-defense. You can’t trace its location back to a secure place otherwise.”
Indeed, with the bright blue glow of the necklace in plain view, it was impossible to hide.
Thinking it best to conceal it, Ara tucked the necklace inside her clothes.
“…!”
Nathan flinched, cleared his throat, then turned away briefly, eyes shut tightly. After a moment, he spoke again.
“…Miss Edmon.”
“Yes?”
“Are you getting along with your guardian?”
“Yes, well…”
Aside from being scammed somewhere, there were no major problems. The mana detector remained calm, so there was no real threat.
Still, Ara wasn’t the type to say she was fine without reservation.
“Other than being a bit… forceful, yes, we’re fine.”
“…!”
Ara referred to her education, but Nathan, unaware of her nuance, visibly stiffened.
His mind mixed her words with all the rumors he’d heard.
I just experienced that judging someone based on rumor alone isn’t right…
Yet he couldn’t stop his uneasy thoughts.
Nathan had seen more harsh realities than most, being in the knight order. Naturally, his imagination turned toward worry.
Even though Ara wasn’t particularly close with Arachne, if anything happened to her, he’d feel considerable guilt.
Struggling to speak, Nathan finally said,
“I hesitate to say this, but I feel I must.”
“…Yes?”
“Be careful with the viscount, Miss.”
At those words, Ara put down her fork, her golden eyes flickering.
Nathan, realizing he might have made a mistake, couldn’t stop himself from speaking.
“Of course, I know it would be rude to speak ill of your guardian.”
“……”
“I just… feel concerned.”
His voice grew quieter with each word.
I shouldn’t even be saying this…
Regardless of what rumors the third prince had told him, Nathan hadn’t taken them to heart.
He reproached himself again for speaking.
Ultimately, he had to bear the responsibility for his own words. He bowed his head as if he had committed a grave sin.
“I apologize.”
“……”
“You chose him yourself, so I should have considered your feelings. I’m sorry again.”
“…Ah.”
“Since these words came from me, you may respond however you wish, and I will accept it.”
“No, that’s fine.”
“Excuse me?”
As Nathan raised his head, he caught Ara’s expression—her gaze was steady, no longer wavering.
Something felt… strange.
Her face was usually expressionless, but it seemed her lips were slightly upturned.
“What makes you feel that way?”
“Excuse me?”
Nathan repeated, dumbfounded, like a parrot.
“I want to hear why Lord Capernic thinks that.”
Ara was firm.
She wouldn’t back down until she heard the reason. Nathan spoke again.
“Y-You might think it’s because of rumors, but that’s not the only reason.”
“……”
“It may sound like bragging, but I’m currently part of the Imperial Knight Order… and I’ve been told I have a good sense for people. I know it may sound odd, baseless intuition, but…”
“……”
“I sense a chill from the viscount. Surely he’s smiling, but it’s not quite a smile. His inside and outside seem different…”
Even asking for the reason was hasty and rude. Nathan was now feeling more than embarrassed—he felt pain.
Will he get angry? Of course he will… I shouldn’t have…
But he was worried.
Unlike the royal guard, the Imperial Knight Order focuses on maintaining public security. Nathan, attentive to his surroundings, naturally worried about Ara.
With the third prince’s and Lumiere’s words, and seeing Ara today, he felt she was likely a good person.
Nobles-targeted crimes had increased recently, and rumors circulated about the viscount associating with ruffians.
Rumors weren’t always trustworthy, but the knights had a duty to investigate any reported suspicions.
Investigations within the order found no concrete evidence, but doubts remained.
Ah, she’s smiling.
Contrary to Nathan’s worry, Ara now clearly smiled.
A contradictory image—the hall was noisy with others’ chatter, but between the partitions, they were alone. Time seemed to slow for Nathan.
“Lord Capernic,” Ara said brightly, hands clasped together as she leaned forward.
“That’s exactly what I wanted to say.”
