Chapter 55
“That’s not the right way to think, Leader. That guy is definitely going to be a major menace to society.”
Glaster spoke with an uncharacteristic firmness. Sierra, growing even more uneasy, rolled her eyes.
“Come to think of it, the timing of his disappearance is way too coincidental. Don’t tell me he’s off making bomb-level fireworks for some kind of initiation rite at the new hideout?”
The two of them, whose eyes met at the same moment, began drawing defensive magic circles around the hideout as if they’d been waiting for this cue.
They were so intensely focused that I couldn’t even bring myself to stop them.
‘No, what are you setting traps for! Is this the Magic Tower?’
It was around the time when the magic circle designed to repel Edwin was nearly complete.
Knock knock.
A light rap at the door, and an unfamiliar maid appeared, holding out an invitation.
“From Genus, in celebration of Mazia’s move-in—we’d like to invite you to a tea time.”
“G-Genus?”
Sierra, who had just finished one last stroke, jumped in surprise and took the invitation.
Glaster, standing beside her, rubbed his eyes as he looked at the Genus emblem stamped on it.
“Uh, it’s real?”
Genus was a prestigious club that even the children of high nobility longed to join.
True to its long history and the distinguished alumni it had produced, the club must have been wealthy—the invitation was lavishly adorned with gold foil.
Meanwhile, seeing the two of them looking utterly dazed, a chill ran down my spine.
‘Celebrating the move-in? Since when is that a thing!’
It was obviously a hastily thrown-together tea time invitation at first glance.
Remembering how I’d been tricked at the real estate office last time, my decision came swiftly.
“I’m sorry, but a lot of our club members are absent today. Plus, it’s our first day at the new hideout, so there’s a ton to organize…”
As I politely expressed my refusal, Sierra and Glaster froze solid with a clang.
“Ro-Rodellia!”
From their expressions, it was clear they were wondering why I’d turn down such a golden opportunity.
Well, for a fledgling club like Mazia to network with Genus would be beneficial in so many ways.
But something about it just felt off.
You know, the things that look the most appetizing, the most appealing, and the most promising are always the most dangerous!
“It’s a shame, but we’ll have to decl—”
“Oh, the club president specifically asked me to pass this along. She’s prepared special desserts fitting for a celebratory tea time. She said you’d love to hear that it’s the new desserts from Winif…”
The maid’s words hadn’t even finished.
“Declining wouldn’t be proper etiquette. Where should we go?”
At my sudden about-face, Sierra and Glaster wore bewildered expressions.
But what could I do?
It’s the new desserts from Winif.
The very ones I’d missed out on right in front of my eyes.
‘Surely nothing major will happen just from one visit to their hideout.’
I grabbed the two of them, who were still rigid.
“Come on, let’s go!”
After all, the dangerous things are always the tastiest!
* * *
Back to the present.
It wasn’t until we arrived at the Genus hideout that I realized the big spender who’d snatched all the desserts right in front of me was Julia.
“I just happened to want to buy plenty. It’s like I knew I’d be seeing you today, Rodellia.”
No wonder her silhouette had screamed beauty from the start!
Looking at her face with that soft, melting smile, it was clear this was a performance she’d orchestrated, knowing today was Mazia’s first day in the new hideout.
In the end, properly hooked by Julia’s bait, I’d walked right into the original story’s den on my own two feet.
But I didn’t regret it.
‘You… you’re way too delicious!’
Before my eyes, eclairs shimmered in an array of flavors, each with a lustrous sheen.
As expected from Winif’s new desserts.
They melt right in your mouth!
Enthralled by the treats, I’d completely let my guard down about this place.
That’s when Alferen slid a peppermint tea toward me.
“Use this to cleanse your palate while you eat, Delly.”
“Ah, thanks!”
As I obediently took it from him and sipped, Aslan whispered, ‘Hik! What’s with her?’ And Julia’s eyes sparkled.
I felt oddly like I was being observed, but the atmosphere was surprisingly cozy and pleasant.
Befitting the top club from Barnard, the reception room in their hideout was downright ultra-luxurious.
Thanks to her generosity in preparing desserts even for the maids, May seemed to be treating me like I was invisible now.
By this point, Sierra and Glaster, who’d been pushed to the background, were a bit frozen in awe of Genus’s hideout grandeur.
That’s when Sierra broke the silence and spoke up.
“Th-Thank you so much for celebrating our move-in like this. I’m Sierra Breeze, the president of Mazia.”
“Yes, nice to meet you, Lady Breeze. You resemble Countess Breeze quite a bit.”
“Oh, you know my mother?”
“Of course. I hear you’ve been having quite a bit of trouble running the club.”
“Ah.”
“After all, club operations cost more money than you’d think, right?”
“Ahem.”
Recalling how she’d been caught using her dignity maintenance allowance for club expenses, leading to her pocket money being halved and nearly shutting down the club, Sierra couldn’t hide her anguished expression.
Seeing our leader properly deflated, I realized this wasn’t the time to be lost in desserts.
“If you need any help with club operations, feel free to come by anytime.”
“Really? Is that okay?”
“Of course. We’re neighboring clubs now. We should help each other out.”
Julia covered her mouth with her fan and spoke kindly.
‘Liar. You’re not the type to help anyone without something in return.’
I couldn’t even begin to fathom the reason behind this character-breaking level of kindness she kept showing.
There must be some angle where she sees a benefit.
Before I knew it, Julia and Sierra had exchanged calling cards and were laughing and chatting amiably.
On the surface, it was a perfectly splendid friendly tea time for building connections.
I handed an eclair to Glaster, who was still hovering awkwardly on the outskirts.
“Go ahead and eat. You’ll regret it if you don’t—it’s that good.”
He was so shy around strangers, so I just wanted to look out for him a little.
“Ah, thank… huh?”
Glaster, who had just reached for the eclair, grasped at thin air.
The missing eclair was now in Adrian’s hand.
I’d thought he was solely focused on marking Aslan Chester the whole time, but Adrian muttered coldly.
“So, our Delly said she had no friends, but it turns out she has a male friend.”
His gaze sweeping over Glaster was chillingly cold.
Glaster, suddenly turned into prey, whimpered and clung to Sierra.
It was like a massive lion tormenting a small critter.
“You were the one telling me to make friends.”
“Friends come in different flavors, Delly. I told you—there’s no such thing as friends between opposite sexes.”
His conviction had only solidified further after learning about me and Alferen.
Adrian pointed accusingly at Alferen with a grin.
“It was just the other day that I forgot that immutable truth and let that guy stay by our Delly’s side, nearly losing her.”
Even with the murderous finger-jab, Alferen paid it no mind.
Instead, he leaned his head on my shoulder and looked up at me.
His clear, sparkling blue eyes gazed at me plaintively.
Followed by a fragile voice.
“Ah, how scary.”
His silver eyelashes trembled delicately, stirring my protective instincts.
For him, being unfairly maligned by a friend must feel utterly unjust.
Sigh, Ren oppa has his reasons too, but still.
If he’s a friend, why is he so hell-bent on tearing him down?
I wrapped my arms around Alferen and glared at Adrian.
“…Why are you pointing fingers at someone who’s just sitting there quietly?”
“Th-That abominable jerk!”
“Abominable? That’s going too far.”
I shielded the sulky-faced Alferen from Adrian.
Adrian appealed with a wronged expression.
“Delly, he’s doing it on purpose. Normally, that guy wouldn’t flinch at words like this!”
“So you mean you’ve been bullying him like this all along? After telling me you’d reconciled!”
“Ah, no…”
Adrian’s eyes wavered, at a loss for words.
It was the moment he shot a glare at Alferen behind me, as if to say, ‘Explain yourself.’
“Hey, you! Don’t you dare open your eyes like that! With Delly taking your side, you think the world’s yours now!”
Adrian suddenly exploded in rage, his face contorting as he barked loudly.
