Chapter 64

Is this a penalty for giving Erich advice against my promise to Latte? For some reason, even though I tried to sleep, I couldn't. I felt like I would fall asleep as soon as I closed my eyes, but it seemed like Latte's curse. In the end, I couldn't sleep until the club time started and the other four arrived.

"Miss Louise, Young Master Erich. You two were here first, I see."

When Ainter entered and saw only Louise and Erich, he seemed startled, but then he saw me hiding in the corner and said with a relaxed expression. He must have thought that nothing happened because there were three of us, not just two.

Unfortunately for Ainter, there was a time when I was absent, and they were alone. However, surprisingly, nothing happened even when they were alone. It's really surprising.

'Will this be resolved before graduation?'

Before these guys graduate, the battle for Louise must end. At least, there should be a result of defeat, so they will acknowledge it and return home. If the competition continues, they might stay in the empire even after graduation. Just thinking about it is really enjoyable. It's too enjoyable.

Still, if it goes to an extension, I don't think I'll need to monitor them directly. I believe that won't happen.

"Oh, only three of you? If I had known, I would have come out and played with you."

At Lutis's bold talk about skipping class, I quietly lowered my gaze. Absolutely, there must be no second part after graduation. If the original story had a second or third part, I would definitely end it in the first part of the academy.

For the sake of my mental health, I have to do this with my life.

***

Last night, I heard that Karl suddenly went to the capital.

- The Marquis found that guy.

"Father."

- ...Yes, they found Karl.

Father is displeased with Karl for rejecting the marriage proposal, but he also likes Karl and still considers him a potential son-in-law. So, even if Father says something bad about Karl, he listens to me when I correct him. Father is really not honest.

Anyway, Karl's unexpected trip to the capital. Fortunately, he returned in the afternoon, but it bothered me that the Marquis found him personally. The Marquis, he, he... Honestly, he's someone I'm very concerned about. That's why I headed to the baking club room as soon as morning came.

'No way. It can't be.'

The image of the Marquis came to mind, and then thoughts about his age and the fact that he has elven blood ran through my head. So many thoughts in such a short time. If, if what I'm thinking is true.

'What if he's after Karl too?'

I bit my lip at this unexpected variable. I thought I was the only one. I thought only this Margareta Barentine had the right to stand by Karl. But if the Marquis gets involved?

'No, that can't be.'

I shook my head to dispel the uneasy thoughts. He has lived alone for over a hundred years. He wouldn't suddenly change his mind. It must have been a formal meeting. It must be, it has to be.

Yes, I'm just here to meet Karl, whom I haven't seen for a while. I was planning to visit today anyway, and I just happened to hear the news last night. It's not because I'm worried. If I neglect Karl too much, he might get upset. Yes, that's it.

I calmed myself down several times and arrived at the club room. After straightening my clothes, I knocked on the door carefully.

"Karl, are you here?"

But there was no response. That's strange, he should be here at this time.

'Not again?'

Has the Marquis taken him for two days in a row? That's ridiculous. How can someone use their power like that? It's despicable. I can't do that even if I want to.

I suppressed the rising frustration and opened the door. If Karl isn't here, I'll wait. Even if he's absent, he'll eventually come back to the club room. Karl would feel sorry if he knew I waited for him.

"...Karl?"

When I entered the club room, the scene was quite unexpected. Karl was there, but he was sleeping on the desk, which was different from usual. He must have been sleeping and couldn't answer.

Curious about this new sight, I quietly approached Karl. I've never seen Karl sleep before, and I didn't expect to see it like this. I thought I would only see it after we got married and lived in the same house.

'He's really handsome.'

I nodded in satisfaction as I looked at Karl's face. How beautiful would our child be? Black hair and green eyes? Or red hair and black eyes? Maybe a daughter who looks exactly like Karl, or a son who looks like me.

Either way, it doesn't matter. Black and red go well together, so anything would be beautiful. Hehe, hehehe...

'...White?'

The thought that suddenly came to mind made me bite my lip again. What kind of combination is black and white? It wouldn't match at all.

Seeing Karl sleeping peacefully, I felt a bit annoyed. I've been anxious since last night, while he's sleeping soundly. No matter how much I love Karl, I was a bit angry right now.

No matter how much Karl is mine, I can wait for him to come to me, but I can't help feeling anxious when he goes around everywhere.

'Mine?'

My gaze shifted to Karl's lips. Mine, the one who goes around everywhere. Then... wouldn't he need his owner's mark?

As if possessed, I leaned towards Karl's face, but I quickly pulled back when I came to my senses. No, I can't waste my first time like this. What's the point of a first time if Karl won't remember it?

Embarrassed, I turned and used a fan to cool my face. No matter how anxious I was, no, I wasn't anxious at all. Even if I feel sorry for neglecting Karl, I almost rushed into things.

"Margareta? When did you come?"

And then Karl's voice was heard after a while.

Phew, that was close...

***

The dream of sleep I couldn't achieve last night was fulfilled as soon as I arrived at the club room. When I opened my eyes again, I saw Margareta looking very flustered.

'If I had woken up, it would have been a disaster.'

Actually, I had been awake for a while. I wasn't sure until I heard the door open, but I woke up when Margareta came close due to the presence. I tried to sit up and greet her, but my instinct stopped me.

It wasn't just that she was coming closer; Margareta's breath was on my face. I didn't know the situation because my eyes were closed, but I knew one thing. If I opened my eyes, it would lead to an awkward situation where I wouldn't be able to meet Margareta for a while.

So, as soon as I felt Margareta move away, I opened my eyes and got up. Fortunately, I avoided the terribly awkward situation that my instinct warned me about.

"Ah, Karl. You're awake?"

Margareta greeted me calmly, but her face was as red as her hair. Well, she was trying to pretend she didn't notice, but what if the person involved still acts like that?

"I'm sorry, Margareta. I greeted you while sleeping."

"It's okay. I came suddenly, after all."

She covered her mouth with a fan and smiled, but I could feel her desperate attempt to change the topic. Poor thing. If I had woken up earlier, I would have seen Margareta crying and running away.

Even though I didn't see what Margareta was trying to do with my eyes closed, I could guess. If I hadn't noticed, I would be a fool. I'm not Erich.

"Thank you for saying that."

"Hehe, you're welcome."

I smiled bitterly at Margareta's smile. I wondered if I had the right to call Erich a fool. I might be worse than Erich.

"Ah, I've been keeping you standing. Please sit down. Would you like some tea?"

I remembered that I hadn't offered her a seat. We were both so distracted that we had been standing. When I finally offered, Margareta slightly shook her head and refused.

"I'm fine. I'm more worried about you, Karl. You look very tired."

"It's not that. My body just feels heavy."

"That's what being tired means."

Margareta tilted her head and scanned the club room before speaking again.

"If you're tired, go to the vice president's room. There's a place to lie down there."

I knew that because I had been in and out of the vice president's room during the fair preparation. The sofa there was big enough for one person to lie down.

"I can't do that. I can't impose on Margareta."

"If you say so. I don't consider it an imposition, so you can come."

She smiled and said it firmly, as if she wouldn't accept a refusal. I could have easily dismissed her by asking, "But Margareta, what did you do while I was sleeping?" but...

'It's a bit uncomfortable.'

The club room is only a place to sleep on a desk. Trying to rest by sleeping only made me more tired. It would be strange to have a sleeping space in a room for baking.

But lying in the dormitory all day feels too much like a salaryman, and it pricks my conscience. Moreover, if I'm in the dormitory and something happens at the academy, I would have to come back, which is inconvenient.

"Then, can I impose on you?"

"Of course."

It felt like I was becoming a freeloader, but that's what happened.

While I was physically tired in the club room, I was mentally exhausted in the vice president's room.

"Oh, Karl. You can keep sleeping."

"I'm fine. I've had enough."

When I was told to lie down on the sofa, I did, but Margareta sat at her desk and started working. An adult sleeping soundly while a young lady works right next to him? Even someone with a worn-out heart would feel the pain.

So, I jumped up in shock, and Margareta silently looked at me and pressured me to lie back down. Thanks to that, I really did sleep. The tiredness was gone, but my heart ached. What expression would the Iron Blood Duke make if he heard this news?

"If you're tired, come anytime. I'm fine."

Unfortunately, I'm not fine.