For Romantic Superpowers - Chapter 22 - I'll Take Your Temperature

#22. I’ll Take Your Temperature

 

The surface of the palm resting on the forehead was initially cold and damp, but gradually emanated warmth. As the warmth touched her, Lia felt her anger dissipate as if it were a lie, simply because he genuinely cared about her. Especially when he looked at her directly without averting his gaze. 

 

Between slow blinks, she caught sight of his long eyelashes. Despite being so close, she couldn’t discern what he was thinking. Even though their eyes met, it didn’t seem like he was looking at Lia.

 

“M-Mr. Perth…?”

 

More time had passed than Lia had realized with his hand on her forehead. Yet Perth showed no signs of removing his hand. When Lia cautiously called out to him, he suddenly snapped out of his reverie and slowly withdrew his hand.

 

“Oh, sorry. There’s still no fever.”

 

But oddly enough, Lia felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment. Both of them remained silent, watching the rain pour outside.

 

“You’ll catch a cold like this.”

 

“But if we don’t cross through the courtyard, it’ll be difficult to return to the dormitory. We can’t even pass through the Royal Palace gatehouse while soaked.”

 

“Then, would you like to stop by my office for a moment? I can offer you something to dry off.”

 

Lia had been to Perth’s office before, but back then, her father, Count Penelope, was with them. Now she was alone. She didn’t know what people thirsty for gossip would say if she and Perth went into the office alone.

 

“Are you concerned about gossip?”

 

As if he could read her mind, he spoke first. Lia was about to nod, but Perth interjected.

 

“Anyway, it seems like you don’t really care about gossip.”

 

His tone was sharp, unlike the softness before, as if he was displeased that Lia didn’t care about the gossip. Well, considering the recent rumors, he had every reason to be upset. The rumors implied that Perth had lingering affection for Lia.

 

“You don’t care about gossip either, Mr. Perth.”

 

After a quiet reply, Lia headed towards his office first. Perhaps Perth deliberately brought up the topic to guide Lia towards his office. Even though she knew it, she couldn’t resist the steps she had already taken.

 

Click. The sound of the door closing echoed loudly. Inside the office, it was warmer than outside.

 

“It’s clean.”

 

Perth, who had gone behind the desk, pulled out a cloth. It was a clean white cloth. Lia hadn’t thought it would be dirty from the start.

 

“Thank you.”

 

Accepting the cloth, Lia started drying herself from her hair downwards. Her clothes were soaked, so she couldn’t even sit on the chair and stand in place. Seeing her like this, Perth stopped wiping his clothes and indicated to the chair.

 

“Please, have a seat.”

 

“My clothes are wet…”

 

“It’s okay.”

 

Saying so, Perth pulled out another cloth and placed it on the chair. Then he sat down on another chair, laying the towel he was using to dry himself.

 

“Then, I’ll excuse myself.”

 

Even though Lia had only intended to quickly dry herself and leave, she had no choice but to sit across from Perth. For a while, the only sound between them was the rustle of cloth being used to dry off. Lia found it difficult to endure this silence. Not long ago, she had been the one causing direct harm. Moreover, encountering him in the yard and now being alone with him in the office made her uncomfortable.

 

“When water the garden regularly, we call upon the power of the rainmaker. We usually check to see who’s in the yard, but we must have missed it this time, I apologize.” 

 

“Why are you apologizing, Mr. Perth?”

 

“Because I manage most of the administration at the Royal Palace.”

 

It was surprising that he knew how to apologize for someone else’s mistake. It made Lia think he possessed qualities fitting for a superior.

 

“And I apologize for not understanding Lady Lia’s feelings.”

 

Another apology. But this time, it wasn’t the usual apology he had made to Lia before.

 

“I’ve been pondering… and I’ve finally concluded. It seems Lady Lia felt betrayed by me. Am I right?”

 

He was correct. It was as if he had delved into her mind and extracted the answer. Yet Lia stared at Perth without showing any affirmation or denial. He was confident in his inference. It felt like someone had directly taught him about her feelings.

 

“I, too, enjoyed the time spent with Lady Lia. Sometimes, I forgot it was just work and business, and I found myself eagerly awaiting those moments. I’ve never had a friend before, so I didn’t know what these feelings were at first.”

 

He was expressing exactly what Lia wanted to hear. Tears welled up in Lia’s eyes more and more.

 

“You must have been very hurt. I didn’t understand at all and just kept apologizing. I imagine all the time we spent together must have felt like a lie.”

 

Despite not being someone who spoke much, Perth didn’t stop talking. Lia just stared at him quietly without giving any response. She wondered how he knew, but he seemed to understand her heart very well.

 

Perhaps he had brought Lia to the office to say these words. He looked into her eyes with sincerity. Still barehanded from being wet, he reached out his hand towards her. Just before his hand touched hers, Perth hesitated for a moment.

 

Lia remembered when he had placed his hand on her forehead. He might not have realized it, but it could have been sincere. As someone who couldn’t read his heart, Lia was unsure whether she could trust him again. Having experienced it once, she became afraid of trusting him again.

 

Likewise, Perth refrained from reaching out further, perhaps sensing her hesitance. He glanced at her subtly to see if he had said the right thing. She seemed confused. More time passed in silence. Lia forced herself to speak, feeling she couldn’t stay like this forever.

 

“I’m going to be really, really hurt now if I’m tricked into believing you again.” 

 

“I mean it.”

 

“But how can I trust when there’s no evidence?”

 

“How can you prove when there’s no evidence?”

 

Even amidst this exchange, Perth didn’t flinch or falter. Lia gave him a sharp look, causing him to close his mouth.

 

“Fine then. Promise me this. Make sure the second person is someone I truly like.”

 

“I’ve always tried to cater to Lady Lia’s preferences as much as possible.”

 

“And please, ensure we don’t have to meet separately like with Prince Alfonse.”

 

“But that doesn’t comply with the conditions set by the Count.”

 

“Well, I hope it’s not someone I have to take time out of my day to meet, whether it’s in passing or in my path, because I need to work hard to prove my capabilities.”

 

Though she swallowed the last part, Perth seemed to have already understood.

 

“…Understood. Then, will you forgive me?”

 

“Am I the person who decides whether to forgive you, Mr. Perth?”

 

“You’re someone who could easily do so. It’s harder than I thought to be resented by Lady Lia.”

 

Perth let out a wry smile. Somehow, that smile seemed genuine.

 

“The rain must have stopped by now. Put this on. I’ll escort you back to the dormitory.”

 

“No, it’s fine.”

 

“I’m not fine. Please help me recover some points with Lady Lia, even if it’s just a little.”

 

He draped the cloak he had prepared over her shoulders. Suddenly, Perth was wearing his white gloves again. As they rose from their seats, Lia felt dizzy. It was only now that she realized she had been standing in wet clothes for a long time.

 

“You should change your clothes too, Mr. Perth. You might catch a cold if you stay in wet clothes.”

 

“Are you worrying about me as a friend now?”

 

“It’s natural as someone in the same boat.”

 

Oddly, Perth seemed a bit more at ease after his sincere apology.

 

“Are you taking after Prince Alfonse?”

 

“You are speaking too harshly.”

 

He seemed taken aback by her blunt response. He had become Lia’s friend for the sake of Alfonse, endured hearing unfavorable rumors, and even apologized despite his pride. Yet, he found it amusing to dislike someone.

 

“Who introduced me to such a person?”

 

Now, after a month had passed, Alfonse had been excluded as a candidate. But he was unaware of both his inclusion and exclusion. Everything revolved around this person before him, Perth Versier.

 

“It was for the sake of an efficient first meeting.”

 

Though no apology was received, the atmosphere between them seemed to return to its previous state. They exchanged meaningless banter on their way back to the dormitory. Lia’s body was still very cold, but her heart had warmed up. Did Perth know that what she desired most was simply spending time with him? He probably didn’t. Unless he delved into her heart.

 

* * * 

 

Trustworthy informants had been planted throughout the palace long ago. Thanks to them, it was easy to keep track of Lia’s movements. They proved useful even when he went to apologize to her. Although it was unpleasant to frequently make eye contact with the quick-witted Kevin. Now, it was time for the final move. All he needed to do was observe Lia’s movements after she finished her work in the greenhouse. 

 

Her actions were reported to Perth almost in real time, even while she was moving within the greenhouse. He knew she would be suspicious if she found out, but there was no other way. He kept convincing himself it was unavoidable. Every day, he would go to apologize, timing it to Lia’s meal and rest times.

 

It didn’t matter what rumors spread; it was all part of the plan. The day of reckoning. He purposely didn’t reveal himself in front of Lia. If the person who came every day didn’t show up, it would surely arouse suspicion. Moreover, he already knew that Lia wasn’t avoiding him out of genuine dislike. With her being so preoccupied, there was only one place she could go.

 

“Did you water the yard?”

 

Perth deliberately sought out the caretaker of the yard and inquired pointedly. The caretaker, who usually tended to garden maintenance, could summon rain on days designated for watering. Today was one such day for watering the yard. However, the sudden interrogation from his superior left the caretaker perplexed.

 

“Oh, I was planning to do it after lunch.”

 

“I’m talking about after dinner.”

 

“After dinner? But why…”

 

Before he could ask why, he shut his mouth at Perth’s stern expression. Instead of explaining, Perth raised a finger.

 

“It’s after working hours, so you’ll receive overtime pay.”

 

“Yes, I’ll do it after dinner then.”

 

“I’ll make sure there’s no one in the yard, so please have dinner and proceed immediately afterward.”

 

Though he couldn’t discern the reason behind it, it seemed to be an important matter for work. The caretaker nodded without hesitation. There was no use opposing Perth, who managed the budget.

 

“Understood, Mr. Perth.”

 

Preparations were flawless. Perth turned away, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. If anyone had seen, it would have been a smirk worthy of disdain. He continued to check the time while dealing with the piled-up work in his office. It was best to resolve any lingering concerns. Strangely, the thought of meeting her gaze again made him eagerly anticipate the evening.