Crackling sound—
I swiftly turned around at the sudden noise, my eyes locking onto the source.
Perched precariously on a tree branch extending just above the terrace was the Black Wolf himself.
He looked every bit like a sneaky stray cat.
With an expression of utter bewilderment, I asked,
“…What are you doing up there?”
“I’m guarding.”
“Guarding me?”
“That’s right.”
At his matter-of-fact reply, I let out a long sigh.
Hadn’t I told him to take a break?
Why does he insist on doing unnecessary things without being asked?
“Have you been here this whole time?”
“I’ve been by your side continuously.”
Is this guy’s stealth skill improving day by day or what?
Even without using any divine power, I didn’t sense him at all.
Sure, the ballroom was chaotic and I wasn’t paying attention to my surroundings…
But still, penetrating the watch of countless royal guards is no small feat.
Are there even assassins more skilled than the Black Wolf out there?
“You don’t look very happy.”
“Eh? About what?”
“The princess kissed you. Why aren’t you thrilled?”
“Ahh…”
Of course he would have seen, having followed me around like a shadow.
I questioned myself inwardly.
‘Am I not happy?’
There’s no way that could be true.
Before being my student, Lux is a remarkable woman in her own right.
If such a beautiful woman likes me and I don’t feel joy, then something must be wrong with me.
I was simply too flustered to express it properly.
Between dealing with the nobles, getting kissed out of nowhere, and then spotting the Black Wolf—it was all too much.
Lux had already left before I could say anything anyway.
“…I’m not sure. Thinking about romance isn’t exactly familiar territory for me.”
I scratched my cheek as I answered.
In response to my vague reply, the Black Wolf tilted his head and asked,
“Could it be… Allen isn’t actually a man?”
“What?! Of course I am!”
After shouting, my head started spinning.
Why does this guy always have to say useless things to rile me up?
“Hmm…”
The cool evening breeze helped calm my frazzled nerves somewhat.
It allowed me to gather my thoughts.
Why did Lux suddenly do that?
Was she coming onto me…? Did something happen?
Or was it just because we hadn’t seen each other in a while?
All sorts of thoughts raced through my mind, but one thing was certain—I had just kissed my student.
Not just any student, but the Empire’s imperial princess no less.
Seizing a fleeting moment of clarity, I asked the Black Wolf,
“By any chance, was there anyone else around besides you?”
“Why are you asking that? You should know the answer already.”
“Just answer the question.”
“No one was there.”
“Phew…”
I let out a sigh of relief.
Of course not.
Besides the Black Wolf, there’s no one who could escape my notice.
Tonight’s incident won’t be spreading around, at least.
Still, just to be safe…
“In case I need to say this, what happened here stays between us.”
“Understood.”
While I said it out of caution, I never really thought the Black Wolf would go around telling people.
He’s not one for lies or idle chatter.
With my troubled mind now settled, maybe I should go grab some food before heading back inside.
The banquet seems to be winding down anyway.
“Now then, let’s head back inside. You should stop hiding and come eat with me. Opportunities like this don’t come around often.”
“…Alright.”
“? Is there something you want to say?”
“Hmm…”
“Do you not want to go back in?”
If he has something to say, he’ll say it directly.
If he doesn’t want to say it, he’ll keep quiet.
No need to press the issue right now.
“No, let’s go back.”
With that lingering feeling of unease, I reentered the banquet hall.
Looking around carefully, I spotted the crown prince, drawing the attention of the nobles.
Good, this means I can eat in peace.
Quietly slipping away from prying eyes, I approached the food arranged by the windowsill.
Though slightly cooled, the royal chefs’ handiwork was undeniably delicious.
“Yam-yam! Don’t just eat meat, have some vegetables too!”
“I don’t want to. The meat is enough.”
“How important nutrition is…”
“Professor?”
Mid-argument with the Black Wolf, I turned at the familiar voice behind me.
There stood Amy, wearing a dress of muted red hues adorned with gold embroidery.
Seeing my long-time student after so long, I couldn’t help but smile.
“I almost didn’t recognize you. That dress looks great on you.”
“T-thank you…”
Unfamiliar with such compliments, Amy fidgeted with her dress as I held out my plate.
“Want some? The roast beef is quite tasty.”
“I’m fine, thank you. I ate earlier.”
“Ah, so you’re here too. Makes sense, being from the Helios family.”
Being the highest-ranking duchy in the capital, attending a royal banquet is only natural.
Now that I think about it, I probably should have invited Earl too, if only for him to make an appearance.
Word is he might be promoted to colonel soon.
“N-no…”
“Hm?”
Suddenly, Amy shuffled closer, looking nervous.
She gestured quietly, prompting me to lean down despite my confusion.
Whispering softly, she said,
“Congratulations on your promotion. You’ve worked hard.”
Pulling back slightly, she smiled brightly.
“I came specifically to tell you that.”
“Uh… thank you.”
Why did she whisper?
Something felt off, causing me to awkwardly respond without realizing it.
Staring blankly, Amy grinned mischievously.
“It must be because we haven’t seen each other in so long… I just wanted to play a prank.”
“Lux does it too, why are you all so keen on pranks lately?”
“…Lux?”
At the sudden chill in her tone, I instinctively took a step back.
What did I do wrong?
I couldn’t figure it out no matter how much I thought about it.
“Lux? You met her? When?”
“W-well, just a little while ago. We ran into each other on the terrace when I was taking a break.”
“…Hmm~”
Her expression was unusually serious upon seeing her after so long.
Now she’s lost in thought without saying a word.
What’s going on today?
“Where’s Ariana? Did she come with you?”
Attempting to change the subject, I pretended to look around for Ariana.
Whether this effort mattered or not, Amy replied with a sullen expression.
“She’s at the mansion.”
“The Helios mansion? Why isn’t she back home yet?”
“Don’t know. Probably training or something.”
True, given how things ended with Duke Calias, it makes sense she’d want to stay put.
Scratching my cheek, I said,
“Still, shouldn’t she be troubling them?”
“They’ve been together since they were kids, so it’s fine.”
“If it’s fine with her, then…”
Though I wonder what the staff thinks about it.
Maintaining her sullen demeanor, Amy looked around before asking,
“Who were you talking to just now?”
“Huh? Well obviously…”
Before I could answer, I glanced behind me out of habit.
The Black Wolf had vanished without a trace.
Damn it, where did he go?
Leaving me no choice but to awkwardly alter my response.
“Ah, it was just some noble I met for the first time.”
“For someone you just met, you seemed rather close…”
“Hearts just clicked, you know. Want some cake?”
“I’m fine, really.”
“Got it… why so irritated?”
The girl seems to have developed hysteria during our brief separation.
Purposefully adopting a dejected expression, I ate the cake.
Coincidentally, it was delightfully sweet and quite enjoyable.
Maybe I should learn to make it sometime?
As I indulged in the cake’s sweetness, Amy spoke up.
“Professor?”
“Yes?”
“Um… what’s your schedule starting tomorrow?”
“Schedule? Hmm… I’ll likely be staying in the capital for a while.”
With my promotion to brigadier general comes various matters to attend to.
I need to check out the mansion granted by the emperor, verify my salary…
Ah yes, there’s supposed to be staff too.
Definitely going to be busy for a while.
“T-then… um…”
“Hm? What was that?”
“D-do you want to visit our mansion?!”
She startled me.
Fortunately, the banquet hall’s ambient noise prevented drawing attention.
Checking quickly, I saw Amy with her head bowed, her ears noticeably flushed.
So difficult for her to invite me over?
True, it’s not easy for students to approach their professors casually.
“Sure, I’ll come. Got some business to attend to there too.”
“R-really?”
“Probably… though it might take a while since I have things to handle…”
No idea when exactly I’ll be able to go.
Can’t help it though, considering this is my first time properly receiving benefits like this.
However, despite my uncertainty, Amy brightly nodded with enthusiasm.
“Please do come!”
“Alright, I’ll definitely visit so don’t worry.”
No idea what’s gotten into these kids during my absence.
Surely Ariana isn’t acting up too?
“…I missed you.”
That ominous feeling was short-lived.
Seeing Amy cautiously looking up at me like this made me think—what’s the harm in indulging a cute student’s antics?
…Probably nothing.
“Idiot.”
Though I thought I heard the Black Wolf’s voice somewhere, I decided to ignore it.
***
After the banquet concluded, Allen and the Black Wolf headed toward the Robert family mansion.
They were still awaiting administrative processing despite having been granted a new residence.
“Zzzz…”
Mentally exhausted from the evening’s events, Allen promptly fell asleep upon lying down.
And naturally, the one to silently enter his bedroom was none other than the Black Wolf.
With stealth skills bordering on divine, she silently approached Allen’s bedside.
“Kiss…”
The Black Wolf’s mind replayed the scene of Allen and Lux’s kiss.
Could that act be so special that it prompted the usually composed princess to act so boldly?
She knows intellectually.
An exchange of affection between a man and a woman.
Yet it didn’t resonate with her.
Books embellished the significance of kissing with flowery language, but she failed to grasp it.
Just physical contact between body parts, right?
However, witnessing Allen’s reaction earlier sparked curiosity within her.
Just how special is it?
Deciding to find out tonight, the Black Wolf leaned in.
Watching Allen sleep was nothing new.
But tonight felt different.
Perhaps it’s an emotional matter.
Uncharacteristically hesitating for an extended period, the Black Wolf finally closed the distance.
Smack.
Soft, warm, moist…
A strange sensation and indescribable emotion washed over her.
More precious happiness than even the richest steak.
The feeling was addictive, like a drug, making her unable to pull away.
“Mm…”
At the prolonged contact, Allen scrunched his face and shifted.
Startled, the Black Wolf immediately withdrew.
Thump… Thump…
Feeling her heart race violently, the Black Wolf realized.
This act is far more dangerous than what’s written in books.
