Chapter 34: Tea Party
qfK614Perda is a noble.bUPRSa
R8h7oTHe was born into the Rosnova knight family.YjD7mDb
23wOHis title was that of viscount, and he was a vassal of Duke Houston.93ssa6
CQ2flPAs he belonged to an honorable knight family, Perda received strict education in basic manners.I2gbXVE
PV4Although he was expelled from his family under the name of the fiancée of Duchess Valdrova, he managed to reach the status of a great noble by becoming an archmage.fpY67Tl
AdDagEven so, Perda was far from being a sociable person.GcAgpN
B1yIn the Rosnova family, he had no opportunities for being an illegitimate child, and when he was an archmage, he rejected relationships with others.zaPu
DiEzJ‘He never touched anything that others prepared.’qDVaWu
wgYAfter having been on the verge of being poisoned several times, he stopped eating anything prepared by others.Zhrm2E
PAjMjnVEven when his body could no longer die from poison, he remained the same.Re37e
nzpInstead of strengthening human relationships, his strategy was to use them through hatred and then discard them.m65Lf3I
DNCKeg9That is why this was the first tea party in all of Perda’s life.2E27rz
10omnMOne hour before the tea party.P3b08
ihc“This is the leisure hall where, after the marriage, Perda and my lady will be able to enjoy various activities. The tea party will be held here.”G7iRhF
Bxx2Ruri first led Perda to the agreed place and explained everything step by step.N5HJxT
TvPuVn6As it was Perda’s responsibility to escort, she familiarized him with the environment beforehand.3uc
4uMPerda directed his gaze toward the terrace.wgPvF3
b4UOGl“You can see the west from here.”3gRGW
HkVXP“It is designed so that you can focus only on leisure.”C2f
NruCDefinitely, the feeling was different.QHpq
PWmUZkThe demonic lands, with their gloomy tone even under the sun, made one sink into deep thoughts, but this place only conveyed tranquility.JOPakER
IZtIt was perfect to relax while watching the sunset.wxJ
BN5vU“And the tea party will take place here.”Xks
kcV2ja0Two chairs and a table placed to enjoy the view of the terrace.2ix
gFDVOn top there were two cups of tea, a tray with preservation magic, and a variety of decorated desserts.LGw
IOztiEverything was showy and unfamiliar to him.tKsUV
EAM89“What are these sweets?”Ir2b
cpLog“Macarons, montblanc, pastries have various names. From among about 150 varieties of desserts that selected pastry chefs from the imperial family can make, I chose 20.”LxA
WXl“I see.”cchIOzu
9SAkoPerda was about to let it pass, thinking it had been a great effort, but suddenly reflected on her words.VDQvt
g2lDeqJThat she had selected them personally meant.QCJG
bcdh9“Does that mean you tasted them yourself?”QPZR9
vOIoKF“Isn’t it obvious?”cvz
iGvW“All 150?”EPi
vOGp8k4When he emphasized it, Ruri frowned.U6CX
kMvFq“I understand what you are thinking. Do you think I ate them on a whim?”xNJaIg
ytsq“Isn’t that normal?”OX3O
klLITF6Perda answered honestly.93y
DYMHcJAfter having seen her eat honey enthusiastically in Escolea, he could not deny it.5yU9
6Vi3F9hRuri frowned.PfIZk
qAEPxu“You are being disrespectful. I prepared this tea party very carefully. I tasted everything once more to make sure I had not overlooked anything and selected the best. Not everyone can endure that effort, and yet you do not understand?”Bw997hs
doYkdIt only sounded like she had eaten 300 desserts.3jeF
adc603Her expression was so impassive that anyone would have fallen for it.PLox0
8HQbwEven Perda, as distrustful as he was, would have believed that expressionless face.PmgdOCF
XGGDR9If she had not made a decisive mistake.pAymTt
lYmFEfz“You have sugar on your lips.”cXipg
plLAt those words, Ruri ran her finger over her lips.vNw
apEOANWhite powder came off her mouth.nj2
c7QShe looked at it for a moment and naturally brought it to her mouth.ciVA1
oMc“I only needed to check if there was poison. My lady would not fall to mediocre poisons, but Perda is human.”Qd8a
RwannL“I see.”4sR7X
Xgu6“You do not believe me. Are you treating me like a pig?”n8k
j7g“How could you be a pig? Your loyalty is like that of a dog, if anything.”Cszo
6CXK5Perda nodded slightly.d6Ykst
9dY“You would be a pig-dog.”6du1
LABn“Please, let me hit you at least once. I beg you.”HlExJ
JS4YztRuri showed an irritated face.8BFuki
arBPerda did not like pain, so he had no intention of accepting.wruabed
Y6Qu2gAt that moment, Ruri glanced at the sun and took a step back.N6U1Cqs
KOOSYyThe time was approaching.uPkgvx
banw“I will go bring my lady. In the meantime…”yHoW
cRyXt1Ruri gave him a threatening look.81EdVW
ZZCU“Do not touch the tray.”r0hkxi
g4x“Do not worry.”18B
RjdkfvzBecause I am not you.5Tl71
uGjdq0Ruri left the hall to bring Valdrova.toTiYIp
AHPFcAQPerda remained waiting calmly.flq
pHhD2D7‘This will be the second time I see her.’w2H
NRY4oDIn his memories, he had only clearly seen her face once.QDYuLD9
wXGlAt the engagement, he barely saw her chin, and when she lost control of her ferocity, he was too busy to pay attention.YqBE6
s6pA9S8This would be their first real conversation.xQBBaPY
xWKW‘The first time…’diE
EPY5y0A feeling of uncertainty came over him.VaX
YX2MZ‘Where should I start…?’CFt4o38
1iDk4He touched his lips.O8W
PtKtIf it were a normal meeting, it would be enough to go with the flow.3dENG
esR1But this meeting was due to Valdrova’s anxiety.PV9
uyjAnd Perda did not have an answer for that.4Xyu7I
1C7m5That is why he had consulted an expert on the matter, Zed Swallow.WNqy
0MdAN3M— That? Just pretend you don’t know anything.KEci
3K1Zed Swallow.nAfts
xLRDXUA man who, acting as a womanizer, had conquered many women.OWl64
fYoawqT— There is no need to explain it. It is enough to show it with actions. There is no need to ruin the atmosphere with heavy topics. Play dumb and lighten the mood.ExF9
KRTjPerda considered that it made sense.hBZ4ZZD
lBHsRtPerhaps he should apologize, but it was not appropriate on an occasion like this.7jho
KAYukt‘Maybe the best thing is to act as if nothing happened.’sDvH
rKQNot bringing the problem to the surface was also an option.ToEdR2m
EBa2The important thing was that Duchess Valdrova would not feel insecure.iY0
lQYkdTtPerda prepared himself mentally and waited.lI7
WQX1— My lady is entering.dm5yv
77qK0IjRuri’s voice was heard from outside.ZuG71e
LZFcBThe door opened.xLljTq
auAPerda prepared to greet.1bhkwWQ
H21FBk“Welcome—.”osnib
RCPPHe was left speechless.ch1w
3Rky4vNot even someone like Perda could avoid being unsettled.zKU
h8NRed hair and golden eyes.bzDNdU6
fBFA face so beautiful that not even a painting could capture it without offending it.uOebAj
p2Qp4WNIt was not there.ki6oVx
5upQ2jK‘A dragon knight?’kI9y
uIDAThe one who entered was a dragon knight.Mtk
CuWafVcA helmet and armor designed to awaken instinctive human fear.UZ6
4dMRLxeAlthough in Perda that fear was replaced by confusion.d4k
81OAt the same time, he felt it was familiar.bnpE
LDG9‘Now that I think about it, it was at the engagement.’sw7KiU
7XKIt was the armor he saw when he left after spilling the engagement drink.7iEwtc
PWqvMDGThat meant the one inside was Valdrova.eiT2gaK
8wrHWhy was she wearing that armor?eTQ
FMHPerda looked at Ruri behind her.qZFHg
oUZTheir gazes met.ie6
RUO08Ruri shook her head.bOipos
fdVA clear gesture of “do not ask.”A6TNonl
vknvPerda organized his thoughts and spoke politely.8XV5uXg
O5H“It is a pleasure to meet you, my queen.”b6rJj8e
7yAwYOThen, her hands came together delicately, and the dragon-shaped helmet nodded slightly.PAFtA
p6WHer movements resembled those of a clumsy noble debutante.DPGhGl
HeasClang, clang.Wxn
k8G8She walked stiffly across the carpet and sat in front of Perda.q9bc3
n2ppvCreeeak—rkV3
eUedThe chair creaked.ff15ntD
NdxDespite the weight of the armor, it did not break.OHL
PG3igq‘As if nothing…’gGzU0BY
s1HZvPerda recalled Zed’s advice and spoke.w73x
nf9“I am very glad that you proposed this meeting.”dbR
5AOzpA nod.km0tx
kXgsOnly that as a response.s20k
A5dA0An awkward silence took over the place.fCohe
Ew7q8IEverything seemed to have stopped.k9ZHM
NFLLgeCold sweat, heavy breathing.DRyJeaq
V6yPerda spoke again.7MZZjJ
k0m“It is armor worthy of the power of a dragon.”iiM0
dP8A nod.PdJ
o7oiShe responded again only with a slight movement of her head.jv5x
QrJM“How have you been all this time?”oE9I
aLBrDn“……”RU0kP
fKYv7GpHe brought up a topic that could not be avoided if he wanted to converse.jMcWAP
ARnValdrova made a circle with her thumb and index finger.8wxTkbA
TcCBTt“Then you have been well. I am glad.”7gN
ryFRCxA nod.RHaKT
ZmqT2Perda felt like he was going to die.FBN7
O1zHe wanted to sigh to release the tension, but he did not even dare.eiu
XI0V2His chest burned with nerves, but it felt like a sealed pot, suffocating.ZAP8l
eF3Meanwhile, Ruri poured tea into the cups, perfectly fulfilling her role as background.LXV9
KCdAt least he had to moisten his dry throat.FhJY97Y
5oElwPerda took the cup.IdbV9h
KCAcMeN‘Now that I think about it, does that helmet have an opening for drinking?’tsxpJ
porHe glanced sideways to see how she would do it.YTxvp
lI3XMValdrova remained seated in silence, her gaze lowered.crv
6vwDH“Can you eat or drink with that armor on?”xaSFA8
PWcSl“……”DWCsN
tr347MhShe touched her helmet, brushing it, and tapped near the lips.D3FImIl
kwvWp7NThen she raised her head, as if she had just realized something.SkqUts
o0eIt seemed she had not even thought about it.yorc9P
mNvPnga“Wouldn’t it be better if you took it off?”z16Trl1
fdlNo, no!0ff5jG8
HltGShe shook her head strongly.JEpM3
Rc65NHer determination not to show her face under any circumstances could be felt.gBA
VRLcUGQEven Perda, who was trying to act normal, began to feel overwhelmed by that uncomfortable atmosphere.qC95nta
T3K‘She proposed the tea party and doesn’t eat or drink…’Wjicat0
EqakIf at least they talked, it would be less awkward, but not even that.rgVBGF1
aMTL‘She is definitely upset.’witpr
qeJcjValdrova had made Perda think that he was tiring her.Npc
xLlfNAnd even so, he was joking as if nothing had happened.kk0lq1T
0piiIt was truly pathetic.GqNN3SQ
ViDyJxgSo he decided to apologize.BXCHeA
D4i64“I am sorry.”jO8a
N2vClang!QNjfc
KwSMjValdrova’s armor trembled.PXYF7
JWI“I dared to cause concern to Your Grace, and even so I have been joking like this. It was a miserable thought. I should have apologized first…”6Zx4a73
0tOR7— …bHwsmA
qUPF“You may criticize me if you wish. I was the one at fault, so whatever you say—”NK6h
y8R5nW0“N-no, that’s not it!”erNkrwN
xnwHWfsPerda was startled.ucgLiz
VbcjUgThe voice echoed inside the helmet.TRP
FF39zr6The contrast in tone was already noticeable, but what truly surprised him was something else.LkK0
mkOwei3The voice itself.u9K
khbOIFrom inside the helmet came a deep voice, like that of a warrior.cDntNsL
r67q“It’s just…”rvht
QCSxFIValdrova also seemed surprised by her own voice and covered the mouth part of the helmet.wpl2N
tK9GQj“It’s just… I… don’t speak… it’s not because I’m angry, nor because Perda did something wrong.”mYGEx
KUT3qwThe head of the terrifying dragon knight fidgeted shyly with her fingers.bDv43
EOJAK“I-it’s just that I can’t talk with Perda… that’s why I… couldn’t respond…”20S
alBd“Ah.”WskfGhj
gnVoW2fThen Perda remembered something.PL3
AaVWhat Ruri had told him at the engagement.BAnMm
y2240bU‘Social phobia.’EnWc0M
Mav0People were difficult for her.3xisa
ngMOf course.vl6ZCKo
PrHrCwHe knew that, and even so had thought she was upset.Np12ru
557rkAHe had been so focused on himself that he had forgotten that about her.s5c
M0KEz“I am sorry. I was careless. Forgive me.”O8Rj
Pxf“No… I am the one who is sorry… I called you and then stayed silent…”q80v94
wKJMLG“No, it was me…”HGe
JrxhuThey apologized to each other until the conversation abruptly stopped.Car7tfD
g6QbIn that heavy atmosphere, Perda did not dare to speak.nmO0cG
MsuJHe even thought about looking for some spell to break the silence.uhu
PpaB“Ehm…”UJr5hC
nBTbDValdrova, with difficulty, resumed the conversation.ZMDW
A6yPBk“I… put on this armor…”1JE
iHaPerda waited for her to finish.wqAB
FSGm“Ruri… said that my expression shows a lot.”M9l
6qxrdSPerda tilted his head.klATE
lXd848q“You mean that your expressions show?”AEkg8
hj9rRgM“If I am in human form… they say everything shows on my face. Then… when I see Perda, I don’t know what expression I am making…”UWEA4l
RaVP8She hesitated, but finished the sentence.Ju90BAE
2tVLj2N“That’s why I put it on.”4l5aV8
pAgRThe ending slipped out and she covered her mouth with both hands.DjAnxVQ
c4i“It’s… very foolish… right?”L1B
Y46N3LTThe warrior’s voice trembled with fragility.WWcd8
KP6fHer behavior made it clear.EshtjwV
LOCWd7GHow difficult it was for her to hide her emotions.dPnnA
2iLi‘Truly…’VQX3d
06xNot being able to hide it meant purity.xcX2T8a
nTQThat is why, even if she covered herself with armor or used a heavy voice, she could not hide what she felt in her heart.J890p
Utiqz‘She is beautiful.’h38PTEn
jw3hAThat is why she was beautiful.lDZuKwi
yKmsO0Perda responded.u7HMf
jBoA“It is not. I also… even now… am trembling.”UpX
EVg2mmyValdrova raised her head and looked at him.K2i
KFRHe could feel her gaze scanning him.OB7
1mi“That is a lie.”R7NQ
NFNb9S0Valdrova said.qLx99
ike“Huh?”WlT
PJT“If that were true, you wouldn’t seem so calm… I stutter and all that… but Perda seems fine.”gpHz
7WbhEa“It is because I want to make a good impression. I am pretending not to tremble.”7hlXW
m0Os“Is that so?”oW8OnO
ZjOHShe reacted as if she did not understand.aRAt
nroValdrova had shown her embarrassment, so now it was Perda’s turn.Y2aQ4
J045“Lately I have not seen you because I was also afraid.”dG32NL
STV“Afraid of what?”PQxKu
USID7“My mana contains darkness.”JtR0
sPDJT“Darkness…?”EsK
3x53XpW“Yes. My mana contains darkness. That is why I was worried that that darkness might harm you. And because of that…”QD5q1NP
WbbcPerda looked at her again.MXDl
9SikBHis blue eyes shone like sapphires.5m1
wC5“I did not have the courage to see you.”uvN
tC3AGrG“……”Nh1T2
IMqisoyThere was no response.QLOuZE3
hW9SValdrova fidgeted with her fingers, clenching and unclenching her fist repeatedly.9rftlaD
NY0ZAs if trying to contain something growing inside her.gRbn8
lwmO8HV“Perda…”tkjysJ
MrvBXAnd then, with a restrained voice.2k0T
KbQ“Were you worried about me?”5GC8Z
kZoQ4C“Yes. Was that presumptuous of me?”8njT7
7qs“No… that… makes me a little happy…”v8QMcf
Mws3wwsThen he saw it.vYlBQdc
w5mSpaAll that behavior was that of a delicate girl.Bf2c3
3uY“Does that make you happy?”a99apSF
KsFhfLFThe intimidating helmet nodded slightly.KCeUHg
B6QoLa“Until now, I never thought that someone would worry about me… aside from Ruri. People think I am strong. And I am. But… Perda, you fear that I might get hurt, right? That’s why… somehow, that makes me happy.”pP33c
rSAXShe placed a hand over her chest, trying to calm her emotions.jWw
RZNfgl8“What Perda gave me that time…”4tBR
ysVxBNThat day when she suffered from a ferocity she could not control,zKgoz4t
n7bSlTP“What I felt… was something I had never felt before.”4wWCOcE
CqknAValdrova recalled that moment with a voice full of emotion.sglKl
AIf“Something warm and soft running through me… I think if someone hugged me, it would feel like that. Something like that can’t hurt me, right?”fjJI
mk2M“I-is that so…?”ZA93K
Wzgk“Yes.”wliiEag
rKlYlZHHer hands moved restlessly again.SZAo
chTsaMHer legs intertwined nervously.1RZLasP
l1rDespite her solemn tone, her gestures were clearly those of a young woman.uYkz
oil0LkN“Just being like this… already makes me very happy. This moment where I am in front of you, Perda… makes me very happy… so much that…”CM6e1
oW3P8IValdrova’s voice suddenly cut off.D9koVOv
N408hDP“Ah.”Eaza
OHRjsAs if she had become aware of something she had not noticed.pFNJ3Uj
ZA1K“Are you alright?”hpi4
UvQbp“I-I’m sorry, but… can I… stand up…?”QfJ3gOm
hr3Quj5“Huh?”lzHfL
Ps0fUlt“I-it’s just… I… if I stay like this… I think I’m going to… scream… and that would be a bother… I-I’m sorr…”sni0m
7p50Valdrova trembled, not knowing what to do, and then—s3sa
MvGtrN“I’m sorryyy!”7Jzr
yI7pShe apologized and immediately jumped from the terrace.E9srfD
wbwVqERPerda and Ruri looked down in silence.ursdyw
JsZvAt a glance, the height was abysmal.GAglOm
bVua5HXBut neither of them thought that Valdrova could be harmed.EduS
0P7cwZRuri, who had remained like mere background, spoke.155E
t8TQ“Well, with this we can consider the tea party a success.”7JLo76H
4MIShe took a dessert from the tray and brought it to her mouth.lmzFz
QTHTzqPerda observed the place where she had fallen and reflected on her words.tnufH9G
l97ayp‘Yes.’Zk96u6e
J56Mk3aAnd then he understood.vwfw
BCxnb‘Valdrova is a woman that simple.’cYhNvN9
lTIZUBjA pure woman, incapable even of properly looking at her fiancé’s face.85q
GEfc9And even so, carrying that burden, she had forced herself to act like a queen.BQ7FCE
iq3C‘But the world is not so forgiving.’yH8yc
puXMbThat he also knew.phgKv
qUXEEven that simple happiness was too much for her, as if the world tried to crush her.XVqZ
DYPawThe beasts that lunged, the corruption of the empire, her past, everything pressed on her without rest.b2ju
OOgE‘I made a promise.’WB9OxT
Ced9To protect what she loves, and to make real what she had always desired.DGCo
Bvz8WHThat the name of Valdrova would cease to be synonymous with fear and become one of joy.gF8yvlB
S4s25For that, what Perda needed was determination.wQF9zC
tXArVf7‘Sometimes, with resolve.’Kce
CnOEWErIf necessary, with cruelty.A9Owp
DenvCThe fear of hurting her could no longer make him hesitate.WgXlJw
Uwz4His sense of duty became fuel and ignited his extinguished heart once more.o8uc2Ts
0Z5p***Pef
EozjThe next day, Perda called Zed and told him his plan.GEy5
xmEAfter hearing it, Zed asked.7wyl1h
1axuYT“Are you in your right mind?”btRuMt
Pz7ZUrIt was quite a rude question, but surprisingly it was the most moderate thing he could say after thinking it through.msY
nfi7QrfThat was how absurd Perda’s plan was.LQIA9
ByZX“You’re saying you’re going to rob the empire’s warehouse?”9Bu
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Haimiya_cutie.
Body IntegrationIt’s just soo wholesome.
Haimiya_cutie.
Body IntegrationHuh Mc gonna rob empire’s wear house sounds interesting
Haimiya_cutie.
Body IntegrationWhat a wholesome tea party finally she speaks to him directly also its my first time seeing Mc nervous well its looks like the tea party was a success.
Elite Phantom
MortalPeak romance