For Romantic Superpowers - Chapter 7 - Unexpected Morning Greeting

#7. Unexpected Morning Greeting

 

After a busy day, Lia returned to her quarters and fell into a deep sleep. Although it was less comfortable than her own home, the fatigue acted like a sedative. Still, the pride of working in the palace made Lia happy. 

 

As sunlight streamed through the window, Lia woke up abruptly. The feeling of excitement upon waking up in the morning was something she hadn’t felt since childhood.

 

“I should get to work!”

 

She said to herself. It didn’t feel real yet that she was working in the palace. Lia hurriedly got ready and left the dormitory. When she entered the dining hall, everyone seemed preoccupied with getting ready for work.

 

“Hello, Lia.”

 

May, who was already having breakfast, greeted her.

 

“Hello, May.”

 

She was neatly dressed in uniform. Seeing that May wore the same emblem as Lia, it seemed they were both apprentices. Lia grabbed some bread and soup and went to sit next to May.

 

“Mind if I sit here?”

 

“It’s fine. It’s empty anyway.”

 

Compared to the breakfast at Penelope Manor, it was a simple meal, yet still delicious. Lia was excited for her first official day of work. May noticed Lia’s excitement and asked first.

 

“How do you feel about your first day?”

 

“Oh, I’m so nervous.”

 

“I was nervous on my first day too. Not excited like you, but rather tense.”

 

“When did you get used to it?”

 

“Not even three days. Our boss is quite tough, so I was busy cursing him.”

 

“Who’s your boss?”

 

Lia’s boss, Kevin, seemed formidable. Wondering if May could provide some insight, Lia lowered her voice and asked. May glanced around before whispering.

 

“My boss is Mr. Perth, the Chief Aide of the First Prince.”

 

“What? Mr. Perth?”

 

“You know Mr. Perth?”

 

“He’s the one who brought me to the palace.”

 

“Him?”

 

May’s expression revealed her mistake. She was about to start cursing Perth, but Lia’s revelation about being favored by Perth stopped her. However, Lia understood why May would curse Perth. His demeanor and tone often led to misunderstandings. Lia herself hadn’t yet concluded whether he was a good or bad person. Therefore, she became curious about Perth as a boss.

 

“So… what’s Mr. Perth like?”

 

“Well… you won’t tell anyone about this, right?”

 

“Of course not. I won’t tell anyone.”

 

May leaned in closer to Lia’s ear and whispered.

 

“No, it’s only been a little over a month since I came in. Normally, while still on probation, I’d still be considered a trainee, right? Considering it’s only been a month, one might expect some mistakes, right? But every time I make a mistake, it’s like he’s looking at me as if I were a bug! So, one time, I got really mad and asked, ‘Didn’t you make any mistakes when you were a newbie?’ And you know what he said? ‘I’ve never made a mistake since I entered the palace.’ Can you believe that? What’s even more infuriating is that he seems like the kind of person who wouldn’t make mistakes even without trying! Sometimes, I wonder if he’s not human but a machine. My heart trembles every time I need my paperwork signed off. And every time he speaks, you can feel the chill…”

 

It hadn’t been long since she joined, but it was so much like Perth. Lia found herself on the verge of laughter, quickly covering it up by stuffing bread crumbs into her mouth.

 

“Haha, seriously. Did you install listening devices here or something?”

 

Lia was puzzled by May’s sudden remark. But just as she was about to sip her soup, she found herself in another predicament. The moment she saw Perth walking straight towards her, about to enter her field of vision, she almost spat out the soup in her mouth. Thanks to her efforts to contain it, she ended up choking.

 

“Good morning, Lady Lia.”

 

However, contrary to his words, Perth remained expressionless. Lia almost burst into laughter again. So, she kept her mouth covered, pretending to choke.

 

“Are you okay?”

 

Unaware of the reason, Perth offered Lia a glass. After gulping down the water, Lia could barely respond.

 

“Yes, Mr. Perth. Good morning… but what’s going on?”

 

Surely, she didn’t need any guidance from Perth today as she was supposed to start working in the Desert Climate Plant Management Department. Besides, Perth wasn’t assigned to guide her in the first place. There was no reason for him to come looking for Lia early in the morning. 

 

May, who was sitting next to her, turned her head away, wearing a displeased expression, and greeted reluctantly. 

 

“Good morning, Mr. Aide.”

 

And with that, she made an unwelcoming greeting. It was abundantly clear that May didn’t want to run into him in the dining hall so early in the morning, even though they’d see each other at work. 

 

“Good morning, Miss May Flower. Although I believe there isn’t much time left until the start of work, would you be okay with having your meal so leisurely?”

 

At his words, May was taken aback and looked at the clock. Lia, whose quarters were near the greenhouse, could afford to have a leisurely meal, but for her, who commuted from the far end of the palace to work, time was running out.

 

“I’ll get up first!”

 

May hastily shoved the remaining food into her mouth and stood up from her seat. Suddenly, Lia found herself awkwardly left alone at the table with Perth.

 

“Have you had breakfast?”

 

“I don’t eat breakfast.”

 

Lia felt embarrassed by the blunt rejection. She still had about half of her meal left. If it wasn’t for a meal, it seemed he had come to see her for some reason.

 

“Do you have something to tell me?”

 

“Please take your time with your meal. I have something to discuss with you.”

 

With that, Perth pulled out a chair opposite Lia and sat down. Unintentionally, Lia found herself showcasing her eating to Perth. Despite trying not to eat too hastily, Lia kept twirling her spoon without stopping.

 

“You seem to be coughing a lot. You seemed to be coughing earlier too.”

 

Perth refilled Lia’s empty glass of water. While accepting it quietly, Lia didn’t withdraw her suspicious gaze. It was evident that something unpleasant was about to happen.

 

“I’m curious, so I coughed. Can you tell me what’s going on first?”

 

When Lia spoke honestly, Perth shrugged. It was a gesture that seemed to imply it wasn’t anything significant.

 

“Prince Alfonse wants to see you.”

 

“Me…? This morning?”

 

Suddenly, her appetite disappeared. Lia put down the spoon she was holding and looked at Perth. The excitement she had felt for her first day of work had greatly diminished. She hadn’t expected the meeting once a week to come so quickly.

 

“Prince Alfonse has a busy schedule starting in the morning. Today, in particular, he’s exceptionally busy. Nevertheless, he insists on meeting you.”

 

If he’s that busy, then shouldn’t he be working? Lia swallowed her words and hastily got up from her seat. If it were someone other than Perth waiting for her, the conversation would be different. It wasn’t a leisurely breakfast time. She didn’t want to upset the royal family’s feelings.

 

“Then I’ll eat breakfast next time. Let’s go quickly.”

 

“Wise decision, Lady Lia.”

 

Rarely, Perth praised Lia and followed behind her.

 

* * *

 

The reason Perth personally came to the dining hall was that the meeting place was not the prince’s office but the garden near the dormitory. In the elaborately decorated garden, there was a place with a fountain and a tea table. Naturally, the prince was sitting there with his legs crossed. His jawline, as he gently looked around, was perfect. Yet, the two people who were the subjects of his gaze might not have thought so.

 

“Good morning, Lady Penelope. You are stunningly beautiful even in the morning!”

 

“… Thank you, Your Highness.”

 

“You don’t have to be so formal. Just call me Alfonse comfortably.”

 

What did he have for breakfast to be acting like this from the morning? Lia had to struggle to contain the turmoil in her stomach caused by Alfonse’s cheesy remarks. Then, she glanced briefly at Perth. Pretending not to know anything, he guided Lia to sit opposite Alfonse and poured warm tea into their cups. The tea smelled good, but it offered no comfort whatsoever.

 

“Please, enjoy.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

With an entirely uncomfortable attitude, Lia cautiously lifted the cup of tea containing tea. Before drinking, she examined the expressions of the prince and Perth. What did they want, bestowing kindness like this? 

 

Looking at Perth’s indifferent expression and Alfonse’s smiling face, Lia felt like she wouldn’t be able to taste the tea at all. She felt the urge to shout to get straight to the point. However, the two poker faces didn’t show any signs of breaking. Alfonse also recommended snacks after the tea.

 

“You might not find this too bitter if you try it.”

 

Perhaps it was poisoned. Lia, who hadn’t completely let go of her guard against Alfonse, hesitated even though she saw the spread of sweets that she would have devoured in an instant if it were at home. She didn’t expect the once-a-week meetings Perth mentioned to come so quickly, especially on her first official day of work.

 

“Aren’t you going to eat?”

 

A strange pressure was felt. It seemed as if Lia’s actions of not eating despite being told to eat were incomprehensible. Who wouldn’t follow when the prince speaks? Lia slowly reached for the snacks.

 

“It’s delicious… uh, yes.”

 

“I specifically asked the chef for this. It’s a cookie infused with vitality.”

 

A cookie infused with abilities! Lia almost dropped the cookie she was eating. Cookies made by an abled person were so expensive that even nobles couldn’t easily come across them. Especially a cookie with effects other than enhancing taste was even rarer. Sometimes, it served as a diplomatic weapon for Psychedelia. 

 

Although it was called a vitality-infused cookie, she didn’t know what effects it would have. It could be poison or medicine. She was afraid to put the remaining cookie in her mouth.

 

“It only has the effects mentioned, there’s nothing harmful in it, so feel free to eat.”

 

Perth added a word from the side. The color drained from Lia’s face.

 

“Oh, no, that’s not… I mean, I didn’t think of that at all…”

 

“It’s okay, my lady. It’s natural to be suspicious of food from strangers. It’s a wise attitude. But as Perth said, there isn’t anything in this cookie. How about I try it first?”

 

After finishing his sentence, Alfonse picked up the cookie and put it in his mouth without hesitation. After chewing a few times, he suddenly widened his eyes and stopped chewing.

 

“This is…!”

 

Seeing his expression, Lia fell into contemplation.

 

“Why, why are you reacting like that!?”