Avoiding Death in an Otome Game

Chapter 64: Chapter - 64: The Date

”...ah right. I heard that yesterday, Princess Kajol visited you in the medical room.” As if to fight off the embarrassment, Elena suddenly changed the topic.

I clicked my tongue realizing that the topic she picked might not be very safe. I can already see a hint of suspicion in Elena’s eyes.

Actually even I do not know why Princess Kajol had suddenly visited me in the medical room yesterday, especially when there had been plenty of other injured students she could have checked on instead.

She had simply walked over to my bed, asked about my injuries, and stayed for a short conversation before leaving after telling me to be careful from now on.

It had been strange, but nothing particularly suspicious had happened during the conversation.

Unfortunately, the boy lying on the bed beside mine had apparently interpreted the situation very differently.

He had looked between Kajol and me with a grin and casually remarked that I was already ’two-timing’ Elena.

I even told Kajol that her actions are creating unnecessary misunderstanding, while she merely seemed amused by the whole thing.

That person is really weird, I do not understand what her motives are but she is clearly trying to stir misunderstanding between me and Elena.

I explained the situation to Elena ”Princess Kajol simply came to check on me after yesterday’s attack.”

Elena continued looking at me without saying anything, so I added, ”I don’t even know why she came personally. She asked about my injuries, and then she left.”

”That is all?”

”That is all.”

Elena’s expression softened slightly, although she still looked unconvinced about one particular part.

”Then why did she come to see you?

”That is something, even I do not know. Maybe, it was a gesture of concern from Noble’s faction. I heard that princess Kajol is supporting Jin in the student council election.” I told her the only safe explanation I could come up with.

Elena nodded in understanding ”that could be. After all you defeated that lizard man, everyone in the first year is almost idolizing you now.”

Saying the last part, Elena’s expressions suddenly turned serious as if she just figured out something.

She looked at me from up to down then said ”....I think you should cut your hair shorter.”

”Huh? Are they not already short?” I asked in confusion.

”No, not enough” Her words made me even more confused.

”Do you hate my hair so much?”

”No! Of course not. It is just.....” She hesitated, I can also see faint redness on her cheeks as if what she wants to say is too embarrassing for her to say.

*Could it be that... she is feeling insecure?*

”If you like them shorter, then I will cut them. But as an exchange you will have to keep yours long.”

I told her as I lifted my hand and touched her hair which caused her to freeze in surprise as she stare back at me.

”...this is not fair” It took her a second to come back to her senses as she replied.

”N-Now my turn” She suddenly shifted closer and raised her hand to touch my hair.

Her touch felt really soft as she gently caresses my hair while I do the same with her.

”I thought you do not like them like this?”

”I did not say that I don’t like them like this”

”Then?”

”Mm...Keep them like this but do not let any other girl touch them” She suddenly replied with utmost authority.

”I will not, but same to you, don’t let any other guy touch your hair like this.” I replied in the equally authoritative tone.

”I would never.” She replied with a satisfied smile.

It seems like she got pretty comfortable with the gesture as she relaxed down and continued caressing my hair without any embarrassment.

”Mylady, we are here.”

We did not even realize when the carriage had stopped, until we heard Maya’s voice.

Elena hastily pulled back her hand and I also quickly started setting my hair back to normal. Then after double checking ourselves, we got off the carriage.

”We have reached the main plaza, let’s walk around for a while” Maya said as she looked at us, but then her expressions turn into a question mark.

”Mylady, Lord Kai, why are you two looking in empty spaces?”

”N-no, I was just looking at.... that shop! Yes that shop!” Elena said as she pointed at certain candy shop.

I followed up on her words ”Y-yes, candies are nice, let’s go and get some.”

”What happened to them?” I heard Dalas’s voice from behind as he asked the question to Maya.

”I don’t know, but their cheeks were bright red” Maya replied with obviously amused tone.

....

For the next few hours, we simply enjoyed the city together. We visited several shops and walked through the marketplace, where Elena occasionally stopped to look at something interesting, and although she didn’t ask me to buy anything, I still ended up purchasing a small birthday gift whenever I noticed her lingering over something for too long.

We also visited a quiet park near the center of the capital, where we spent some time sitting beneath the evening sky and talking about ordinary things, with neither of us bringing up yesterday’s battle unless absolutely necessary.

It felt strangely peaceful.

After the attack, I had expected the entire day to remain tense, but the increased security throughout the city actually made me feel more relaxed, because there were guards everywhere and the capital was clearly being watched carefully.

*Huh?* I suddenly stopped in my track as I saw two familiar figure.

Elena also followed my line of sight and saw them ”Teacher Albert? And that woman is....”

Teacher Albert seemed to notice our gazes as he turned to our side though he did not say anything.

I took the initiative to greet him ”Good evening teacher. Thank you a lot for yesterday, and also to..” I paused as my gaze shifted to the lady...or should I say to the humanoid spirit that saved us yesterday.

Although right now she looks completely like a human and wearing a mask and a hat which also makes her look like some noble lady with peculiar features.

Especially her long silver hair makes it easy to recognize her. But I do not know what should I address her as, although she is a spirit, she acts completely like a human.

”Oh right, you are that boy from yesterday. And you were also there, right? What are names?” She said looking at Elena and me.

”I am Kai, and she is my fiancee Elena” I said.

Then she introduced herself ”my name is Clara. You can call me Miss Clara, or maybe... call me Mrs. Carson. Yes, Mrs. Carson sounds good, right hubby?”

She asked Albert who has a look of a person who is although used to her antics but still don’t know how to handle them.

”Clara, don’t make them confused.”

”What is there to be confused about? I am your wife and you are my husband, it is as simple as that.” Clara replied like it is a matter of fact.

Elena has the expression of complete amazement, hearing Clara’s words, and I was no different.

*Huh? Husband and wife? A human and a spirit? That is.... very interesting.*

”And also, what are you two doing here? Should not you be resting after all those injuries you suffered yesterday?” Clara asked.

”Actually, it is Elena’s birthday so we had some plans.” I answered honestly though I omitted the ’date’ part.

”Oh really?! What a coincidence! Today is also our wedding anniversary.” Clara said as she grabbed Albert’s arm. ”By the way, happy birthday.”

”Thank you Mrs. Carson, and also happy anniversary to both of you.” Elena replied politely.

*Wait a minute....*

*So the reason because of which Albert was not in the academy during the terrorist attack in the game is because he was on a date with her?*

After bidding bye to the couple, we went back to our carriage. As the sun began to disappear beyond the horizon, Dalas brought the carriage toward our final destination. The restaurant belonging to the Walker family soon appeared ahead.

We entered the restaurant, and were welcomed by the staff that immediately recognized me since I had already reserved a private table for the evening.

Calling it just a table would be an understatement. It was almost like a room with partitions separating it from other tables and there was enough space for ten people to sit down and eat comfortably.

The staff had prepared everything according to my instructions. When Elena entered the private dining table, she stopped immediately.

The entire inside of the partition room had been decorated in different shades of purple, from the flowers arranged around the table to the ribbons and small ornaments placed around the room since it is Elena’s favorite color.

A beautifully prepared birthday cake stood at the center of the table.

Elena looked around quietly, her black eyes reflecting the soft light of the candles. She looked at me and smiled.

”It’s beautiful.”

I pulled out the chair for her.

”Happy birthday, Elena.”

She sat down while still looking at the decorations, and a gentle smile remained on her face.

”Thank you, Kai.”

And as I took the seat opposite her, I realized that despite everything that had happened yesterday, this peaceful atmosphere was what I exactly wanted for Elena’s birthday.