NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 30
It was clear that the two had reached a frustrating conclusion, but what conversation they had was beyond me.
“Professor, it seems like you’re quite hot. If it’s alright, may I use my handkerchief to wipe your sweat?”
“Thanks, but I’ll do it myself.”
Nina suddenly leaned over to wipe the sweat off my forehead with the handkerchief.
Too embarrassed to let her do it, I graciously accepted the handkerchief instead.
I had offered to wash it and return it later, but Nina insisted it was fine and took it back.
Before putting it away, I caught a sneaky glimpse of her bringing it to her nose, but I pretended not to see.
“You dropped your fork! I’ll call the waiter to get you a new one.”
“Oh, okay.”
Flustered by Nina’s actions, I ended up dropping my fork on the floor.
Rynelle quickly called over the waiter and got a clean fork, then she grabbed my hand.
Instead of just placing it on the table, she insisted on overlapping her hand over mine to pass me the fork.
“Your glass is empty! Let me refill it for you!”
“How about some wine? If you’re up for it, I can recommend a good one.”
“No, I’m good with no alcohol.”
Nina and Rynelle had grown overly friendly.
It felt burdensome having them do things I could easily manage myself.
Especially Rynelle felt like a different person entirely compared to Nina.
“Shall I step out before the meal?”
“Are you crazy?”
Retracted that statement.
Rynelle, casually throwing out a suggestive joke and letting out a laugh, was the usual Rynelle I knew.
I almost smacked my head, but with the mains finally arriving, I missed my chance.
“If you need anything, just call me.”
The dishes recommended by Rynelle were truly magnificent.
They brought out the natural flavors of the ingredients and used spices brilliantly to keep the seasoning just right.
Every dish was deeply flavorful, lingering on the palate even after being swallowed.
It was an expensive place, but it was worth every penny.
Having never felt like I’d found my life’s restaurant before, I now had one in this other world.
“How’s the food?”
“This steak is to die for!”
“I’m glad you like it.”
Now I understood why Rynelle displayed so much confidence, even belittling Nina’s homemade cooking.
She obviously knew the chef’s skill was above average.
I wanted to defend Nina’s cooking, but it was impossible.
Even though Nina showed signs of discomfort, she was still eating deliciously with her utensils and fork.
I didn’t want to admit it, but I could see it was delicious.
Rynelle confidently savored the food with a smile, assured of her victory.
“Now that we’ve finished our meal, can I get your impressions?”
“I’ll admit, the taste was so good it would have been worth dragging me out of my house!”
“Ugh! It was, um, delicious…”
“What was that?”
“It was delicious…”
“Hmm? I can’t hear you.”
Rynelle dramatically cupped her hand behind her ear, pretending not to hear Nina’s confession.
Her intention to mock was clear as day!
Shuddering with embarrassment, Nina’s face turned bright red as she eventually shouted,
“It was delicious! Way better than my homemade cooking!”
“Kya ha ha ha!”
What a cruel act.
Considering the villainess trope, it was to be expected, but it felt a bit awkward.
Rynelle, who had been pushing Nina to the breaking point with her schemes and manipulations, was now showing a childish side.
It felt weird, but honestly, I started to think this situation was okay.
Even if the original story’s majesty faded, wouldn’t it be good if Nina and Rynelle could attain happiness?
Any problems arising from Nina’s lack of growth, I could figure out how to address them anyway.
“It’s nice to see you getting along, but don’t tease each other too much.”
“We’re not friends!”
“Not friends, huh?”
Both of them answered at the same time.
Since they were using informal speech, I thought they were close, but apparently, that wasn’t the case.
I wanted to see them being friendly, but I felt disappointed.
“Sorry for the misunderstanding. I’ll handle the bill, so you two can wait outside.”
“No, there’s no need to pay.”
“Huh?”
Rynelle grabbed my wrist as I reached for my wallet.
Instead of shaking her head, she rang the bell on the table twice.
Ding ding!
As the clear chime rang out, a dapper waiter approached us.
“Miss Rynelle, did you enjoy your meal?”
“It was very satisfying. Please let the chef know his skills have improved tremendously!”
“Yes, I will.”
After a few words with the waiter as if they were familiar, Rynelle stood up.
Before I could even pay, she took me outside, leaving me confused.
With a small laugh, Rynelle began to explain,
“The owner there has been responsible for our family’s table for about ten years. Since he’s received numerous favors from the Agail family, he doesn’t charge us at all.”
“What?! So you planned on making me treat us from the start?”
“I never asked you to buy me a meal!”
“This just makes me feel like I’m accumulating more debt…”
I thought I’d clear my debt by treating her to a meal since I had no idea what kind of request Rynelle might make later.
But it turned out I ended up getting treated instead.
As I sighed deeply, Rynelle casually walked over and whispered softly.
“How about it? If you become my husband, you could enjoy delicious meals like today every day?”
“Wha…?”
“Aren’t you tempted?”
Here came the second wave of temptation.
After the comfy retirement life was presented, this was the offer of satisfying my appetite.
Surely, if I could eat this food every day, it’d be blissful.
Yet, the second temptation didn’t hit hard due to the girl interrupting our conversation.
“Professor! I know I’m not there yet, but I promise I’ll work hard to serve you even tastier dishes!”
“Uh, I’ll be rooting for you.”
Nina’s cooking skills were rapidly improving.
Even if she didn’t have any latent talent, she had enough skills to become a great cook.
Considering that she would someday receive an offer from the Chancellor to open a restaurant, Rynelle’s temptation didn’t feel as alluring.
Although the operation of temptation fell through due to Nina’s interruption, Rynelle seemed utterly unfazed.
If anything, she had the look of a predator waiting for Nina to meddle.
“You say you’ll serve even tastier dishes? That’s quite the funny joke. You think you can beat a chef who’s satisfied the Duke’s picky tastes for ten years?”
“Right now, there’s no way I could win, but if I work hard, I will one day!”
“Then prove it’s not just hot air.”
“How do I prove that?”
“Well, obviously you should go home right now and practice cooking.”
“Ah…!”
“You said you’d work hard, right?”
Nina, who had shown confidence, was starting to waver.
Her glances and hesitations revealed she didn’t want to leave me.
But if she suggested staying, it would only prove she was bluffing, leading Nina to take a step back, lowering her head.
Still, it seemed she had something important to say, so she took a deep breath.
“Professor! I-I hope it’s okay if I come visit you every day? I want you to judge the taste of my cooking!”
“If that’s your reason, you can come anytime.”
“Thank you! I’ll be heading back now.”
“Alright, be careful on your way back.”
Upon granting her permission to visit, Nina’s expression brightened as she genuinely smiled.
With promises of seeing me tomorrow, she disappeared into the crowd.
Once Nina was gone, Rynelle casually slipped her arm under mine, linking our arms together.
“Now that the obstacle’s gone, shall we start our date properly?”
“It’s not a date.”
To sum it up, neither Rynelle nor I had the chance to properly explore the streets.
As we wandered around, unexpected rain began to pour.
With the rain coming down hard like a deluge, we were left with no choice but to dash home.
After running hard, we arrived soaked to the bone.
It was awkward to dry off with a towel now.
“Professor, I’m sorry, but may I use the shower?”
“Sure, go ahead first.”
“Thank you!”
As Rynelle stepped inside, she stripped off her top and skirt in a flash.
Her smooth skin, contoured body, and alluring black lingerie were all too visible.
I let out a big sigh at the sight.
“Go shower and change!”
“Is there a problem if I strip here?”
“What kind of woman undresses in front of someone else’s front door?”
“What’s wrong with it? After all, Professor, you have no interest in a kid like me, right?”
With a sly smile, Rynelle boldly puffed out her chest.
Since her wet hair clung to her chest, it revealed her figure completely, making the meaning of wearing lingerie pointless.
Internally, I was taken aback, but I tried hard to keep my expression neutral, pointing towards the shower.
“Get your clothes and go in. Otherwise, you’ll have to shower in the rain.”
“Tch! Fine.”
Rynelle began to gather the clothes she had thrown on the floor.
As she bent down to pick up her skirt, her shapely peachy backside swayed, wet with rain-soaked underwear.
I completely lost track of the next line in my mental anthem as I prepared to sing the national anthem again.
But Rynelle just started shaking her rear.
Is this girl for real?
My patience began to wear thin, and I seriously considered using contraception magic at that moment.
That’s when I realized Rynelle’s shadow was flickering.
Suddenly, from her shadow, the familiar figure of a shadow knight emerged.
“Why did you just show up without a word?”
“I sincerely apologize, milady. However, there is urgent news I need to convey.”
“If it’s nothing significant, you better be ready. I’m not lenient.”
“Yes.”
“What’s the news?”
“…The Agail Duchess has met with a disaster and has perished.”
At the shadow knight’s announcement, a bolt of lightning struck down.
Thunder rumbled loudly in succession, plunging us into darkness.
Everything around was engulfed in shadows, rendering us blind.
In the heavy silence, as everyone held their breath, another bolt of lightning flashed.
And in that fleeting moment, I caught a glimpse of Rynelle’s face twisted into a grin like a broken doll.