Lunchtime must be the reason, as the restaurant was bustling with people. Following the guidance of the waitress, we found a suitable table and placed our orders.
Right now, everything we do together is a first as a couple. So, during the early stages of a relationship, everything is enjoyable and exciting. Well, for me, it feels like I’ll be excited until the end.
True to his reputation as the epitome of manners, Ares carving into his steak looked more elegant than most noble ladies. Just watching him focus on that alone is enough to consider today’s visit to this restaurant a success.
“What’s up?”
“Nothing.”
…I should eat my meal quickly.
While having our meal, Ares spoke.
“Are we heading back to the salon?”
“Yeah, that’s the plan.”
“Shall I accompany you?”
“Aren’t you busy?”
“No urgent matters. Besides, I was thinking we could talk to Lady Nereid about expanding the boundaries of permissible affection a bit…”
Chuckle, I almost spilled the wine I was sipping.
I’ve sensed it before, even when volunteering at the cafeteria, but this man has a subtle persistence.
Holding a wine glass, I took a moment to survey the restaurant. Amidst the bustling atmosphere, there weren’t many tables with couples like us having a meal.
Do regular couples not go on lunch dates? I felt like I should study romance novels again to understand this.
“Oh, right, Ares.”
Facing him, who responded with a questioning expression, I opened my handbag and took out the black velvet box I had obtained from the jewelry store earlier.
“This is a token of gratitude for your previous gift.”
Ares looked at the box with surprise.
“Bianca, I didn’t give you a gift expecting anything in return.”
Ares, having recovered from his surprise, calmly spoke. However, I responded just as calmly.
“I know. I just wanted to give you something and used the excuse of reciprocation. So, feel free to accept it.”
Although I spoke as if it were nothing special, I was secretly nervous, not wanting to make a big deal out of giving a simple gift.
What if our preferences don’t match? What if he doesn’t particularly like it?
As I nervously looked at Ares, he seemed hesitant to open the box right away.
“Why, Ares?”
“Do I have to open it right here?”
Huh? What is he talking about?
“It’s not necessary, but… is there a problem?”
“No, it’s not about a problem… it’s just that…”
He answered with a slightly flushed face.
“I wanted to open it when I’m alone. It feels awkward to open it in front of you.”
Hmm… I can’t quite understand this man’s psyche. Typically, wouldn’t someone be curious and want to open it right away? Also, wouldn’t it be less troublesome to change it right away if it doesn’t suit one’s taste? Well, regardless, since the recipient gets to decide, I saw no reason to interfere, so I decided to let him do as he pleased.
He fiddled with the velvet box on the table, then smiled at me.
“Thank you, Bianca.”
“You’re welcome.”
I tried to appear as cool as possible, sipping on cold water.
Sigh, pretending to be indifferent is really difficult.
After finishing our meal, we decided to walk slowly back to the salon. Now, holding hands seemed quite natural for us, as if it were a given just two days into our relationship.
Upon arriving at the salon, I glanced at Ares, then discreetly let go of his hand. He raised an eyebrow in dissatisfaction, but hey, this is a public place with other people around!
Metis greeted me with a sly smile as I entered.
“Looks like you had a meal?”
“Yeah. And…”
Following behind me, when Ares entered, Metis sent him a curious look.
“We just happened to run into each other!”
Knowing exactly what she might be thinking, I quickly offered an explanation. However, it didn’t seem very effective. She began to give me an odd smile, clearly implying some mischievous thoughts.
“Lord Stanely. Welcome.”
“Hello, Lady Metis Nereid.”
Ares greeted her somewhat sternly. Even from a distance, I could tell his expression said, ‘I have something to discuss with you.’ I wanted to escape from the scene. To my surprise, Metis seemed to sense something similar and asked Ares with a smile.
“Oh my, do you have something you’d like to say to me?”
“Yes. I heard something from Bianca earlier…”
I quickly turned my head and blurted out, “While you two talk, I’ll find a place to sit!”
Ugh! I could feel the gaze piercing through my back, but I didn’t want to turn around right now. Surely, there would be a flush on my face again!
Where did my poker face go?
I headed towards an empty sofa, feeling someone’s intense gaze on me. My warm face suddenly turned cold. It was Leia Saturanos.
Sensing that if I looked away first, I’d lose, I tightly pressed my lips together and met her gaze. She seemed a bit taken aback and averted her eyes first. Only then did I turn away, focusing on my own matters.
Ares seemed to be engaged in a lengthy conversation with Metis. Watching them lower their voices and whisper to each other made me chuckle. To an outsider, it might seem like they were discussing an incredibly important matter.
I took out a book and pretended to read. Well, I attempted to read, but I couldn’t focus at all. Honestly, I was just going through the motions.
Ugh, Ares! Stop being stubborn and come sit down already!
Finally, it seemed like the back-and-forth negotiation had come to an end as Ares and Metis approached the place where I was sitting.
“Phew, Bianca. Your lover’s heartfelt plea has touched my heart. Hmph.”
Metis, alternating between looking at me and Ares with a sly grin, chuckled before turning away. Ares smiled satisfactorily, and it seemed like he had won.
“What did she say?”
“I said I’ll help lady Nereid enjoy social clubs with Lord Hermes’s son.”
I was surprised and opened my mouth wide.
Auberon, the son of Lord Hermes, was Metis’s lover. Metis had always wanted to visit a social club he frequented, but that place was…
“It’s essentially a place for immortals! How can you help her with that?”
“There aren’t many things I can’t do with my name, Bianca.”
Haha, indeed, the male lead is the real deal. It seems like the ‘author’ has poured some incredible buffs into this character too.
Perhaps my expression looked a bit strange because Ares cleared his throat and continued, “Anyway, lady Nereid said she would allow holding hands as long as it’s not too close.”
“Ah…”
Should I praise myself for going through all that trouble?
People in the salon recognized Ares and approached to greet him. I gave him some space to comfortably converse with them. In the midst of it, Leia joined the group.
“Ares.”
Leia greeted him with a smile. As Ares looked at her, he responded with a cheerful voice.
“I’ve heard good news. Congratulations.”
Upon Leia’s words, everyone around Ares showed interest.
“What’s the news?”
“Oh, my, did something worth congratulating happen?”
This is getting insane. Why are you the one delivering this news?
I wanted to keep our relationship with Ares as discreet as possible. After all, we will part ways in a while! Later, when Ares finds a new partner after our breakup, people will have quite a juicy piece of gossip to talk about. How small is this social circle!
It’s not for Leia’s sake but for Ares’s sake that I’m thinking like this!
No, even if I clarify, the involved parties should announce it first. What’s with the audacity to butt in without the person involved saying anything! It’s like saying, “Be a bit more innocent.” Oh, Leia Saturanos!
I felt Ares looking at me, but I was so furious that I couldn’t manage my expression, so I turned away. I wanted to stand up and leave, but that would draw even more attention. I suppressed my boiling anger. I should refrain from entering Metis’s salon in the future.
I deliberately avoided looking in that direction and just listened to Ares calmly speaking to the people.
“Oh, yes. I’m in a relationship now.”
“Wow!”
“So, who’s the lucky person you’re dating…?”
Ares chuckled softly, probably gesturing towards me. I raised my gaze from the book, giving a polite smile and nodding slightly towards the people. They showered us with congratulations, expressing how well-suited we were for each other.
But why does that statement not bring me joy? Is it because the fact of our relationship is now known through Leia, the third party, or is it because I already know the end of this love?
People chatted around us for a while, offering congratulations and good wishes, before finally saying, “Enjoy your time,” and returning to their seats. It became quiet.
“Bianca.”
He called me with a gentle voice. I finally lifted my head, offering him a small smile.
My frustration isn’t Ares’s fault. Moreover, I didn’t want to reveal my emotions and throw a tantrum at him.
“Thank you for the blessings everyone gave.”
I said, making an effort to keep smiling.
“But you’re not feeling particularly great right now, are you?”
“Haha…”
This time, I genuinely laughed.
Just the fact that he noticed my mood could melt my frozen heart in an instant. It’s something I realized for the first time.
“It’s okay, really.”
Thanks to Ares, I truly felt better. I casually joked, “If we start this lively, it might be hard to break up later.”
I even added a chuckle, but surprisingly, Ares’ expression quickly hardened.
“Breaking up… What do you mean?”
“…Sorry. My joke went too far.”
The lingering shadows in my heart led to unnecessary words. Trying to recover from the slip of the tongue, I continued, “I wanted to say we won’t break up in the future. If it sounded unpleasant, I apologize.”
Ares sighed heavily in response, stating, “You, too, still have lingering feelings.”
Haah. Well, he might be right.
But if I talk about feeling upset because of Lea, it might seem like I’m complaining about her problems to Ares all day long. I decided to just keep my mouth shut.
Instead, to change the heavy atmosphere, I brought up a different topic.
“Anyway, Ares, May is coming soon.”
May is a season filled with endless parties for each family. Who called May the queen of seasons? It’s not the queen of seasons, but rather the queen of parties!
Ares responded to my words with a gentle tone.
“You’re going to be busy. There will be quite a few parties you have to attend.”
“It’s not just me who’s busy. Hehe.”
That person sitting right in front of me was someone who would be attending just as many parties as I would.
I asked him with a cheerful voice, “If you ever need a partner, will you call on me for help?”
“Help? Of course, I’ll be the one to assist.”
He replied with a slight furrow in his brow. His confident response warmed my heart.
Ares’s partner. How many times have I dreamed of that since falling for him?
Watching him attend parties with other ladies from time to time, I often wished silently to stand by his side at least once. But I didn’t want to cling to him by awkwardly asking to be his partner, so I kept it as a mere wish.
