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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: First Date (1)
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They would enjoy an intimate meal at a restaurant overlooking the lake. Afterward, they would move to the lake for a boat ride. Finally, they would mingle amiably at a social club before returning home.
The plan was perfect.
Every location was suitable for public display, making it ideal for them to pretend to be a happily married couple.
Aracilla had her hair half-tied in a braid, adorned with a headband made of pearls and artificial flowers. Her light purple hair looked as if spring blossoms were in full bloom.
Her chiffon dress with a square neckline added a fresh and lovely touch.
Having finished getting ready on time, she descended to the first floor. At the foot of the stairs stood Demian, impeccably dressed in his uniform.
He looked exactly like a husband waiting for his perfectly prepared wife.
"Demian."
When she called his name, his sculpted face turned up.
His thick eyebrows twitched slightly. This was because the sunlight streaming through the window on the landing illuminated Aracilla like a halo.
"You are beautiful today as well, Madam."
Demian, who had been staring at her silently, offered a picturesque smile and complimented his wife. This was just as Aracilla reached him.
"Of course. And the same goes for you, Demian."
Aracilla smiled sweetly at her husband, who stood before her. She swallowed her complaints about his skillful, blatant lies.
The new servants from the Hugo Marquisate watched the two with sparkling eyes. Their reaction was as if characters from a romance novel had appeared before them.
To them, Aracilla had always been a lovely, mischievous young lady, so seeing her as a beloved lady now was quite moving.
Words about the Vandermir couple being very affectionate would likely spread through them. That's why they subtly allowed the onlookers to gather.
In any case, when they went outside, the attention would only multiply.
"Shall we go then, Madam? I can hardly wait for our date."
"…Me too. I'm really looking forward to today."
Aracilla, who barely managed to suppress the urge to say, 'Try to be more patient,' gave a bright smile.
She carried a handbag in her right hand and a parasol in her left as she left the mansion with Demian.
She deliberately created a situation where it wouldn't seem strange for them not to walk arm-in-arm, considering her husband's aversion to physical contact.
This was also the case when they alighted from the carriage in front of the restaurant.
"Welcome, and thank you for choosing Vesta Restaurant. Your reserved table is this way."
The manager led the couple to the window seat with the best view. It was also a perfect spot to hear the piano music from inside the restaurant.
Demian courteously pulled out a chair for her. Aracilla sat down, feigning a pleasant smile.
As soon as the two appeared, those who took notice romantically interpreted their actions.
However, the conversation that transpired between them as soon as the manager briefly left was quite different.
"So you *do* have some manners?"
"What do you take me for?"
"An insufferable Knight Commander."
"The feeling is mutual. You're not exactly an agreeable mage yourself, Madam."
Yet, to an outsider, it looked as if a newlywed couple was giggling and exchanging sweet nothings.
Of course, it went without saying that the couple's picturesque appearance, like lovers from a masterpiece painting, strongly influenced such an impression.
"Demian, we still need to look like a loving couple during our meal, right?"
"Is that even a question? We must, as long as there's even one outsider present."
"The way you talk is truly irritating. Once the food arrives—"
*I'll shove it down your throat.*
Aracilla's unspoken words, which she had intended to utter with a sweet smile, remained in her mouth.
An uninvited guest had suddenly appeared at their table.
"Aracilla, I never expected to see you here."
Frederick approached with a pleasant smile. This was their first meeting since the wedding.
He stopped Demian, who was about to formally greet him, and naturally joined their table. The sequence of events was so smooth that even Aracilla forgot to ask, 'Why are you sitting down?'
"Sir Vandermir, I was too busy at the wedding to attend the reception, so this is our first chance to speak. Congratulations on your marriage."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
"Truly, to marry someone like Aracilla. You are a lucky man."
Frederick patted Demian's shoulder with a strangely forceful hand. Demian silently nodded.
"I believe so too, Your Highness."
"That's fortunate indeed. I hope that luck lasts a long time."
His tone was quite subtle for a congratulatory remark. The smile at the end of his words was also enigmatic. But Demian nodded again.
Perhaps it was because the Crown Prince before him was his wife's close friend.
"Ah, do you know how long we've been close?"
"I heard you were close since your academy days."
"That's right, our friendship goes back to our freshman year. Do you remember our first meeting, Aracilla?"
Frederick turned his body towards Aracilla and rested his chin on his hand. From Demian's perspective, he could only see Frederick's back and the back of his head.
"Of course. On the day of the entrance ceremony, you got lost and asked me for directions."
"I thought you were a senior back then because you were so composed. I was so flustered and amused when I found out you were a fellow freshman."
Frederick, laughing with his hand covering his mouth, looked very pleased. As if just recalling that memory made him happy.
The subsequent conversation revolved mostly around the two of them reminiscing. It was a topic Demian had no way of knowing about, making it impossible for him to interject.
Instead of trying to avoid being awkwardly left out, he leaned back and quietly observed Frederick and Aracilla.
When he heard about their friendship from his wife, he thought they were just casual friends, but seeing them now, their bond seemed deeper than he had imagined.
'This is not good at all.'
With the man who intruded on the newlyweds being the Crown Prince, people's curiosity was growing.
If the situation continued where the wife only conversed with another man, leaving her husband aside, bad rumors would surely spread.
"Oh, I'm sorry."
Fortunately, Aracilla wasn't oblivious. Realizing that Demian had been quiet for a while, she immediately changed the subject.
"These are stories Demian wouldn't know, so it must be boring. I've talked too long."
"It's quite alright. I was thoroughly engrossed in watching my wife's chattering lips."
Just as Aracilla paused at the sudden remark, Frederick opened his mouth with a laugh.
"That's troubling, Sir. If you weren't paying attention to your wife, you should apologize, not try to gloss it over with such words."
"My apologies, Your Highness. As a newlywed, I find myself lost in thought whenever I look at my wife."
Demian deliberately said this to overturn the dynamic the Crown Prince had established.
What needed to be displayed here was their relationship as a couple, not the Crown Prince's friendship with Aracilla.
"I imagine this symptom will last a lifetime. My wife will always be beautiful."
"You, too, are always so objective."
Aracilla genuinely laughed, her eyes curving. Demian, amused by her brazen reaction, also let out a genuine smile.
In an instant, Frederick was the one left out.
The smile vanished from his lips. At the same time, the ordered dishes began to arrive. The timing was impeccable.
"By the way, Frederick. Are you planning to eat with us too?"
Aracilla belatedly became aware that Frederick wasn't leaving and asked.
It was a meal intended to showcase their marital bond, and having a friend join them unexpectedly wasn't entirely welcome.
"It might be uncomfortable, so perhaps it's better if we eat separately?"
"No, when else would we get to share a meal like this? I'm happy to run into a couple of friends. If it's not an imposition, I'd like to dine with you."
Frederick smiled gently and turned his head to look at Demian. He seemed to be smiling, but his eyes held a distinct difference.
"Would that be alright, Sir?"
"Yes."
Frederick's eyebrows twitched at the concise reply, but his smile remained unbroken.
In the end, his ordered meal was also served at the couple's table. Unlike the two who ordered steak, Frederick chose mainly seafood.
"Aracilla, you like shrimp, don't you? Try this."
Frederick readily placed a grilled shrimp with sauce on Aracilla's plate. Then he added, looking at Demian,
"Aracilla's favorite seafood is shrimp, lobster, things like that. Sir, you should remember that and take care of her next time."
"..."
Demian wiped his lips with a napkin, deliberately not answering.
A male acquaintance acting like he knows a wife better than her husband, right in front of the husband?
He was certain it was a clear provocation. One that a mere friend would never make.
'Surely these two aren't more than friends?'
He clenched and unclenched his fist under the table. The prenuptial agreement naturally included a clause against infidelity.
However, if the other party was the Crown Prince, it would be difficult to raise an objection easily.
'If they were to become *that* kind of relationship during the marriage…'
It was then, as Demian's face darkened at the worst-case scenario.
"Frederick."
Aracilla quietly spoke.
"What's with this sudden creepiness?"
"...Huh?"
"Why are you doing things you don't usually do? Are you sick? Or do you need a favor from me?"
Her remark instantly shattered the atmosphere that had been growing sharp.
Both Frederick and Demian were dumbfounded.
However, Aracilla continued seriously, unconcerned.
"I'm sorry, but I can't accept bribes. I am an incorruptible mage who will become the next Magic Tower Master."
She moved the shrimp back to Frederick's plate. It was a little disappointing, but she had no choice. Instead, she tasted a bit of the sauce on the tip of her fork.
Hmm… Should I take it back?
"No, Aracilla. I just gave it to you because you like shrimp."
Frederick explained, waving his hands with a flustered expression. Aracilla then put down her fork and hardened her expression.
"Frederick, I'm truly disappointed in you."
"...Huh?"
At her unexpected words, Frederick's heart sank. His crimson eyes flickered wildly.
"Why, why disappointed...?"
"I like meat more. Did you forget?"
"..."
"You need to eat meat to feel full."
That's why Aracilla always ate meat for dinner on days she had to work late. Because the energy to pull an all-nighter came from feeling full.
Demian, who alternated glances between the speechless Crown Prince and his utterly serious wife, couldn't hold back his laughter.
"Demian, why are you laughing? This is a very important matter."
"I didn't laugh… *chuckle*."
He buried his face in his hands, his shoulders shaking slightly.
He simply couldn't stop laughing at Aracilla, who had instantly made both men look foolish.
Seriously, what an infuriating woman.
