"Hmm?"
"Whoa?!"
I immediately pulled Alicia into my arms.
Then I raised my senses to the max and traced the direction I felt her gaze. I thought she might have some impure intentions.
'Found it.'
I sharpened my eyes and glared at the direction, and I saw a dark shadow in the distance flinching as if startled.
I couldn't see her face because it was covered by the curtains, but judging by her clumsy response, she didn't seem to be a dangerous person. But I still wonder.
Of course, the imperial guards who protect the royal family are always on alert inside and outside this restaurant, and no one would harm the princess of the empire unless they were crazy...
There's always the "what if." In this situation where subversive forces are already running wild.
"Oh, surprise. Master, why are you suddenly like that?"
Alicia blinked in surprise at my sudden behavior and asked. I let her go and slowly looked around.
The nobles who were enjoying a walk around the fountain started to glance in my direction, but I didn't feel any blatant stares like before.
"No, it's nothing. I just felt some suspicious stares. More importantly, please be more careful with your speech outside."
"Uh-huh-huh... I understand, Lord Wolfgang. But aren't you being too sensitive? With just a glance."
Yes, maybe I'm overreacting. I guess I just need to maintain a moderate level of tension.
At Alicia's rebuke, I gave an awkward smile and lightened the mood.
"Well, that's true. It's my first time meeting the princess in such a public place, so I guess I'm a little nervous without realizing it. Haha…"
I came here to enjoy a date, so if I acted any more excitedly, it would just make the air heavier.
However, Alicia suddenly smiled meaningfully and started blushing, perhaps because she took my actions in a slightly different way.
"Hehe… You don't like other people's eyes on me for no reason? I really like that kind of possessiveness. But please just endure it for a little bit."
"Yes?"
Right away, Alicia leaned her upper body against me and stood on tiptoe. Then she put both hands on her mouth and whispered softly in my ear.
"Don't worry, I'll be yours for life."
I stood there blankly for a moment, unable to say anything at the very small, but sweet and sticky whisper that made me feel like I was going to melt.
Next to me, Alicia shook her head back and forth with a face as red as a ripe tomato.
Even though they already knew each other's feelings, hearing a confession in front of so many people felt very different.
"Oh my…! Look at the princess's expression. What on earth did they talk about? It's so romantic!"
"There have been rumors recently that the two of you are dating, and it really is… I hate the world…"
"Since you're the commander of the Black Lion Knights, that's probably why the princess has such a taste. There's a reason you haven't dated in a while. It's just that there hasn't been a man strong enough to catch your eye."
"As for your appearance… If you look handsome even with that huge scar, you could call it a wild charm. But you're a little too big."
Meanwhile, a crowd of people had gathered around the fountain and started to chatter while watching us.
In fact, if you think about it, it was only natural that the people around you would pay attention to us.
It may be that this is the only place where the upper class, including the nobles, visit.
"Compared to the princess, the status of the man... Isn't the Count Schwarz a family with a few problems?"
"Hmm, but it's not that his origins are so humble, so it's hard to find fault with him to that extent. Rather, His Majesty would rather welcome someone with outstanding individual ability than an influential relative."
"That's right. The current situation has been so chaotic that he would probably prefer to reduce variables. Plus, since he's the disciple of the general, the union of the two might be a kind of message His Majesty is sending to the military."
"You guys, be careful with your words. If you provoke the feelings of the Black Lion Knight Commander, you never know what might happen. Don't you remember what happened to the children of the Marquis Medici?"
'They really talk their minds.'
I wrapped my arms around Alicia's shoulders and let the chatter around me out of one ear.
Alicia, who had never accepted a man's advances until she was almost twenty.
Considering that the young ladies of so-called prestigious families get engaged in their early to mid-teens, get married as soon as they become adults, and have children, this was a somewhat unusual case.
Since she was not subject to political marriages, there was no pressure from anyone, but many people were still very interested in the princess's love life.
Recently, my existence has suddenly become a hot topic.
Those who should have noticed it must have noticed it, but it's a different story to show off your relationship so publicly.
After all, today's date might cause a bigger stir than expected.
"Oh...! Let's go eat now. I've been standing around for too long."
"What? Are you embarrassed now? When did you say I was nervous and criticize me?"
"I, I don't know!"
As soon as people started to gather and the place started to become noisy, Alicia hurriedly walked forward, feeling burdened.
The crowd of nobles who had been chattering away, forgetting their dignity as they watched the princess's procession, split in two as if it were a lie.
I realized Alicia's influence once again and quietly stayed by her side and entered the restaurant.
"Her Highness, and Lord Wolfgang. We sincerely welcome you to our Sallion Restaurant. We will do our best to serve you without any negligence."
"Haha, thank you."
The manager quickly jumped out from the entrance and bowed deeply to usher us in.
Immediately after, all the employees, including the chef, jumped out and bowed at a right angle to Alicia and greeted her.
"Welcome! Her Highness!" "It's nice to see you. Everyone, please raise your heads."
It was a bit noisy, but it was a natural step for them.
—Woongsungwooongsung…
The inside was more like a party hall with a stage for the band and dancers in the front rather than a typical restaurant.
On top of that, it was very crowded because it was the weekend.
Alicia must have chosen this place on purpose because she wanted to show off our relationship.
"This is the seat for you two."
Our table was the best of the bunch. It was a place where the stage was right in front of us, but where we could create a cozy atmosphere together.
Alicia seemed determined and put in effort for today's date. It was almost my first time coming to a place like this, so I was slowly getting excited.
Soon, the food started to come out slowly according to the standard etiquette of the empire.
I enjoyed my meal leisurely while chatting with Alicia. Usually, the portions in these places are small, but when the knights visited, they would adjust the portions accordingly, so I was able to have a pleasant time.
"How is it? It's a little plain, but the atmosphere is good enough, isn't it okay?"
I thought it was much better than the chef in the mansion, and quite impressive for a restaurant. However, it seems plain by Alicia's standards.
I can clearly see the manager who was serving me gasping in surprise, and I can't help but laugh.
"That's definitely true. The quality of the alcohol and food is also better than expected. You can tell that you put a lot of effort into it."
"Uh-huh... Of course! Who are you spending time with? How dare you disappoint me. Well, anyway..."
However, Alicia, who was enjoying her meal, suddenly started to hesitate and blush.
"Why are you suddenly like that?" "W-Wait a minute."
While I was wondering if she was drunk on the wine that didn't have a high alcohol content,
Alicia carefully placed a piece of sauté on her fork and put it in the corner of my mouth.
"Ah, ah~"
Then, as she closed her eyes tightly and made a soft voice as if she was comforting a child, I couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Phew...! What are you doing... Keuheuph...!"
"Why, why! Just say ah and eat it! What's so hard about that?"
Should I consider that a kind of aegyo?
It was a little funny, but it was so adorable that I decided to obediently go along with her actions.
"Ah, I understand. I'll eat it. Hmm, it's delicious."
"You did well. It's really good."
"It tastes really special because it's from the princess."
"Woohoohoo... How cute...!"
The sight of the large man receiving food from someone else like a child filled the eyes of those who were glancing at our table with unconcealed shock.
'What, why. What do you want me to do?'
As that gaze grew shy and faintly radiated its energy towards the surroundings, everyone flinched and turned their heads.
—Clang!
And then, at that moment.
Suddenly, a loud crash of glass was heard from the table where a blonde woman with a veil covering her face was sitting.
"Oh! Are you okay, sir?"
"Oh, I'm okay. Where is the bathroom here...? I suddenly feel uneasy..."
"Go outside and go straight to the right, and you'll see a white building. If you turn left inside the white building..."
The woman stared at me for a long time before suddenly getting up and running outside.
Oh, did my actions seem that bizarre? I feel a little hurt.
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