Blush and Heartbeat?

“Ham, ham.”

Just a moment ago, she was reluctant, but now her eyes were sparkling, and her mouth was stuffed full like a hamster’s…

A faint smile crept onto my lips.

Indeed, Young Miss was still the same Young Miss I knew, the cutest in the world.

…The thought that Young Miss was handsome before must have been an illusion.

I couldn’t help but recall the scene where Young Miss held me in one arm, and my cheeks involuntarily flushed.

No, no, I am supposed to be the protector, and I used to be male. How could I be moved by a girl’s momentary handsomeness?

I should take a bite of crepe to calm myself down first.

“Ham.”

Wow, so sweet.

“Celine…”

Hearing Young Miss’s deliberately lowered tone, I looked up and found her staring intently at the crepe in my hand.

“Celine, can I have a bite of your crepe?”

Hers was strawberry flavored, and mine was banana flavored, so it was understandable she wanted to try a different flavor.

Besides, it’s common for girls to share food. Refusing here would seem abnormal.

“No problem.”

Thinking this, I handed my crepe to Young Miss.

She stared at my crepe, hesitated for a while, then took a bite from the part that already had a gap.

…Wait, that was where I had eaten from.

Isn’t this an indirect kiss…?

My gaze fell upon Young Miss’s lips. Her cherry-red lips appeared crystal clear under the sunlight.

Perhaps she ate too eagerly, as white cream clung to her lips, a strange combination that made my heart pound and face flush.

Once I realized this, my thoughts wouldn’t stop.

No, that’s not right…

Young Miss definitely didn’t mean anything by it…

Besides, she’s still just a child… how could she have such impure thoughts like us adults…?

It must be purely a coincidence.

…To harbor inappropriate thoughts about my own master, I truly am an unqualified maid.

Just as my mind was racing, Young Miss handed the crepe back to me, then used her pink tongue to lick off the cream from the corner of her mouth.

“It’s very tasty, Celine.”

That look, unexpectedly, had a forbidden allure… My heart couldn’t help but pound even faster.

I immediately averted my gaze.

“Oh, oh… I’m glad you like it…”

That should be the end of it, right…?

Quickly eat the crepe to calm down… Hmm? Didn’t I just think that?

But to my surprise, Young Miss’s next words made me even more flustered.

“Hmm, so now it’s Celine’s turn to have a bite of mine.”

“…What?”

“Since I took a bite of Celine’s, Celine should also take a bite of mine, that’s only fair, right?”

Saying this, she held out her crepe to me.

“Uh… Young Miss…”

“Hmm? Celine, what should you call me now?”

“…Correction, Master Rod, I am merely a subordinate and shouldn’t eat food you’ve already had… Besides, with your status, it’s fine even if you eat two portions.”

Hearing this, Young Miss raised her eyes in displeasure.

“Then I ask you, who are you now?”

“Uh… Celine?”

“Correct, then who am I?”

“Master Rod?”

“What is our relationship?”

“Um… I am your assistant.”

“Exactly! So we are not master and servant right now, but detective and assistant. Our statuses should be equal… at least not that far apart! So we should exchange equally! If only I eat, won’t others think it’s strange?”

…That actually sounds quite reasonable?

“So hurry up, Celine, my arm is getting tired.”

“Oh…”

I vaguely took Young Miss’s crepe.

Since things have come to this, I can only take a bite.

I’ll find a spot that Young Miss’s lips haven’t touched… Hmm?

Turning the crepe over and over in my hands, I could hardly believe my eyes.

How come every part of it had been bitten?

Doesn’t that mean wherever I bite, it will also be…

I glanced once more at Young Miss’s cherry lips and couldn’t help but swallow.

How am I supposed to bite this?

But if I keep hesitating like this, Young Miss will inevitably feel hurt…

“What’s wrong, Celine? Don’t you like this flavor? Or are you disdainful of…”

“No! Not at all!”

To stop Young Miss from speaking further, I quickly interrupted her and took the fastest peck at the crepe in my hand, then shoved it back into Young Miss’s hand.

“Hehehe… Ailen ate it, huh…”

Young Miss seemed to mumble something, but my mind was already in such a jumble that I couldn’t pay attention.

This is just interaction between friends! This is just interaction between friends!

I tried my best to convince myself internally, while forcing a smile at Young Miss.

“Young… Master Rod’s is also very delicious.”

But for some reason, Young Miss kept staring at my face.

“Celine, you have cream on your face.”

“Ah…”

I probably got it on my face because I ate too quickly just now.

“I’ll wipe it right away…”

But just as I pulled out my handkerchief, ready to wipe away the cream, a soft touch came to my face.

In my line of sight, a slender, fair finger brushed across my cheek, wiped off the cream, and then smoothly slipped into Young Miss’s mouth.

“Hmm, delicious.”

“…!”

I couldn’t count how many times my heart had pounded today, but this time was undoubtedly the most intense. My heart felt like it was going to leap directly out of my chest, and my face was only a burning sensation. If I had a mirror, I would definitely see my face redder than an apple right now!

My mind went blank, and I could only freeze in place.

Is this kind of behavior common among women too?

I wanted to observe Young Miss’s expression, but she averted her face at that moment, so I couldn’t see her.

“Ce… Celine, um, Brother… Oh no, Claude is leaving, let’s hurry and catch up!”

Suddenly, Young Miss pointed to Young Master Claude in the distance; he seemed to have rested enough and was preparing to leave.

Speaking of which, we still had a mission…

This immediately extinguished the heat I felt earlier, and my heart quickly returned to calm.

“…Let’s go.”

It was almost sunset when Young Master Claude finally met his date.

They were talking and laughing, and at an opportune moment, Young Master Claude presented the gift box he had prepared to the other person, finally giving off a bit of a dating vibe…

But from a distance…

Isn’t that Prince Edwin!? Although he was dressed very casually and his hair was dyed a different color, his face was still the same!

“???”

Even Young Miss’s eyes widened, her face full of question marks.

…Do we have to consider the possibility that Young Master Claude has a problematic XP system?

We were so surprised that we completely forgot to hide.

And so… Edwin noticed us.

…Which is why these outfits are too conspicuous.

We could see that after exchanging a few words, they both walked towards us.

“Master Rod, don’t space out, they’ve noticed us! Wake up!”

I tried to call Young Miss’s soul back.

“…Not good, run!”

“Why run?”

Young Master Claude’s voice sounded from behind us.

Wow… When did he get behind us?

It seems calling Young Miss back took too much time.

“And I ask, why are you two dressed like this?”

It seems we were recognized…

Well, the disguise was too crude after all.

“Uh… We… just came out to play…”

“Oh?”

Young Master Claude raised an eyebrow, clearly not believing us.

Then, he looked at me.

“Ailen, you tell me.”

At this point, trying to gloss over it probably wouldn’t do any good anyway.

So I decided to tell the truth.

“Because Young Miss was concerned about your recent whereabouts, she decided to follow you to see if you… had any romantic issues.”

Saying this, I glanced at the Second Prince beside him.

“Ailen! Why did you tell him everything!”

I apologize, Young Miss, I don’t think we could have hidden it, so it’s better to be honest.

“So that’s how it is…”

Understanding the whole story, Young Master Claude chuckled and reached out to rub his sister’s head vigorously.

“You worried for nothing. I was just out to give Master Edwin a gift.”

As if to cooperate with Young Master Claude, Prince Edwin showed his wrist, on which was a bracelet engraved with beautiful patterns.

“Isn’t it the academy’s summer vacation these past few days? I’ve been playing with Master Edwin a lot, and he gave me a gift before, so I thought I’d return the favor this time.”

“Then why did you leave so early today?”

“Can’t I go out and have some fun? I’ve been so tired from handling official duties lately.”

“…”

It seemed Young Miss was convinced.

…Actually, I should have thought of it earlier.

How could a male lead in an otome game have a lover before the main story of the game even begins? At most, it could only be an engagement without much affection.

Hmm… Although it’s a bit late to say it, Young Master Claude is also one of the male leads.

If Prince Edwin Wilhelm is the typical sunny, light-hearted male lead, then Young Master Claude is the delicate, beautiful male lead… And in terms of the game’s plot, because his background is rather tragic, he’s more likely to win the player’s favor.

…So there’s probably no need to worry about sparks of love flying between Young Master Claude and Prince Edwin Wilhelm.

Hmm, probably not, right?

In any case, just like that, Young Master Claude’s rumored scandal came to an end.