CHAPTER 79…
“If You Keep This Up, I’ll Scream”
“If you keep this up, I’ll scream.”
“Tch. What kind of man screams like a girl? What, you think that’ll help?”
“At the very least, it’ll make people look at you in shame.”
Despite the rather threatening tone, the man didn’t seem to have any intention of backing off. So, Peidan completely ignored him and looked past him—straight at me.
“Leticia. Do we really need to talk with someone irrelevant between us? Why don’t we go somewhere quiet and finish this conversation—just the two of us?”
Then, as if to grab my wrist, he suddenly reached out.
I quickly avoided his hand.
“Well, I feel like I’ve already said everything I needed to. Shouldn’t you be the one to act like a gentleman and just leave?”
Peidan’s eyes instantly darkened.
He stepped fully around the man and tried to grab me, and just as I sensed what he was about to do and moved to evade—
The man who had been quietly standing between us suddenly grabbed Peidan and shouted to me.
“Quickly! Go inside the shop, my lady!”
“You bastard…! Let go of me!”
Peidan struggled to break free, but the man only tightened his hold.
I was momentarily frozen, but snapped out of it and was about to move—
“Lady Leticia!”
Right then, several male staff from the boutique rushed out—the ones summoned by the coachman.
Seeing the incoming crowd, Peidan muttered a curse and shoved the man holding him.
“Ugh…!”
The man stumbled from the force.
That bastard! He pushed someone else just to make a point!
Peidan clicked his tongue, dusted his hands, and looked at me.
“Anyway, I’ve heard your answer loud and clear, Leticia. I just hope you still feel the same after the Grand Duke throws you away.”
Like hell that’ll happen, you piece of trash!
I glared daggers at Peidan’s back as he retreated into the crowd, then hurried to the man who had fallen.
“Are you okay?”
“Ah… Y-yes, I’m fine. Are you alright, my lady?”
“Thanks to you. Really, thank you for helping me. If it weren’t for you, things could’ve gotten dangerous.”
“Oh, not at all! I’m just glad I could help!”
The man scratched his cheek awkwardly and smiled. He looked so kind—nothing like the assertive man who stood up to Peidan just moments ago.
“How can I repay you? I wish there were something I could do for you.”
“I-I didn’t do it expecting anything in return!”
“Did you happen to come to this area to shop for something? If so, maybe I can help.”
Since the Mariposa Boutique was located in the heart of the capital’s commercial district, it was likely he’d come to shop.
“No! I didn’t come to shop. I came here to see you, my lady.”
“…Me?”
My eyes narrowed slightly at those words.
Because it reminded me of the pile of letters I’d received from various nobles just this morning.
So he approached me with a purpose after all.
Unlike the others who waited for replies to their letters, this man had come in person.
Should I call him proactive or just plain rude…?
Perhaps realizing how suspicious he sounded, the man hastily tried to explain.
“Ah, wait! I-I’m not a shady person, please believe me!”
Then, as if something occurred to him, he pulled aside his jacket to reveal a vest underneath.
“H-here!”
Attached to the vest was a badge with a familiar insignia. I recognized it instantly.
An administrative official?
“I heard you’ve been appointed as the planner for the upcoming charity bazaar. I’m a civil servant from the administration office, assigned to assist and support you.”
“Oh.”
Now that he mentioned it, I remembered what Her Majesty the Empress had said yesterday.
“You’ll be assigned someone soon to help with the overall operations.”
I hadn’t expected him to show up this soon—let alone in person.
“I was told that the actual work would begin tomorrow…”
“Ah…! Y-yes, that’s right.”
The man fumbled for words, then bowed his head deeply.
“I’m so sorry. I was just excited about working with you and acted on impulse without thinking how you might feel. I truly apologize…”
I wasn’t sure why he was so thrilled about the assignment, but judging by his flustered face, he didn’t seem to have any ulterior motives.
“I suppose we can discuss this more formally tomorrow at the palace, then.”
I gave a polite nod, and the man started to turn away—until I spoke up again.
“Of course, showing up unannounced like this is a bit improper…”
He turned back toward me, eyes wide, as I smiled softly and continued.
“But it also doesn’t seem right to nitpick etiquette with someone who just saved me.”
“…Does that mean…?”
“Why don’t you come inside for a bit? I happen to have just the right tea leaves for guests.”
At that, the man’s face lit up with a beaming smile.
We moved to the reception room inside the boutique.
After the staff served the tea and left, it was just the two of us in the room.
I poured the freshly brewed tea into his cup.
As I filled mine and lifted my gaze, I met eyes with the man, who was staring at me blankly.
I tilted my head in confusion.
Among nobles, staring like that was considered poor manners.
“Is there something on my face?”
“Ah…! N-no, I’m sorry!”
He turned beet red and quickly looked down at his cup—then suddenly gulped the tea down.
I gasped.
“It’s still hot…”
As expected, he coughed harshly from the burning liquid.
“…I’m sorry. I keep making a fool of myself.”
His face was now so red, he looked like he might cry.
“No, there’s nothing to apologize for. Not to me, anyway.”
Though maybe you owe an apology to your tongue and esophagus…
I poured him a cup of cool water, which he drank gratefully.
Now that he looked a bit more composed, I saw a glimpse of an awkward young boy still growing into himself. It was kind of cute—and a little endearing.
Trying to ease his nervousness, I broke the silence.
“Well, we both know each other’s names, so shall we skip that and get to the point?”
“Y-you remember my name?”
“Of course. You’re the heir to Count Hildes, right? We’ve exchanged greetings a few times.”
When I nodded and acknowledged him, his eyes sparkled with joy.
Is it really that big of a deal?
Mikael Hildes.
The Hildes family was a prestigious noble house known for producing renowned scholars. Mikael was their heir.
Of course, I remembered his name not only because of my time in social circles, where it was important to remember the names of nobles—but also because…
Good-looking men and women tend to become the talk of the town, after all.
Mikael was definitely handsome, though he still had a youthful charm about him.
Many noblewomen and ladies had their eye on him—either as a suitor or a potential match—and I’d heard enough of their chatter to remember him.
The only thing that ever gave people pause was his glasses, but even those were considered intellectual and charming by many.
Still… was he always this shy?
I’d only ever seen him in passing, and while he wasn’t talkative, I didn’t recall him being this bashful.
