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Chapter 07
Everyone’s gaze focused on me.
Just then, the dishes we had ordered began to arrive one by one. As the warm, freshly prepared food was set before us, everyone swallowed in anticipation. Hands busily rearranged the plates on the cramped table.
Even so, only Sir Costance’s eyes remained fixed on me.
When all the food had been served, my interrupted introduction resumed.
“…My name is Vivi Ferran. I’m 25 years old.”
“Twenty-five?” Finn asked in surprise.
“Yes.”
“Twenty-five is still young, but I thought you were even younger. I thought you were the same age as me.”
Finn had mentioned he had just turned twenty.
“Isn’t she even a year older than Costance?”
“I-Is that so?”
“What kind of person would think Vivi is a year older than this old fogey?”
Elvin raised his voice, clearly shocked. I never liked discussing my age; the atmosphere was always like this whenever it came up.
“Um… I think we should eat before the food gets cold.”
“Ah, yes, we should.”
Fortunately, the conversation about my age ended there, and the meal began.
The men mostly talked about the military, while the women shared amusing incidents from the library.
“Still, it’s fascinating. I thought that all navy personnel worked only on ships.”
“That’s not entirely wrong. When you join the navy, you must serve aboard a ship for several years. We all did,” someone replied.
“Really? That must have been difficult.”
“A lot of things happen.”
As the conversation grew livelier, Sir Costance and I remained silent. In truth, his expression had darkened slightly ever since I mentioned my age. Had he also been shocked?
“Anyway, we should thank Costance today. The reason we went to the library is because rumors spread throughout headquarters. They say Costance goes there every single day.”
Manager Lance placed a hand on Costance’s shoulder.
“He always reads at the same seat,” Katrina added.
“Isn’t he terribly rigid? An operations officer has plenty to do.”
“Is that so?”
“Especially someone as capable and sharp-minded as Costance. He’s overflowing with work. This fellow must have worked nonstop for two years. Feeling sorry for him, the battalion commander granted him a precious week of leave—and he spends it reading at the library…”
“That’s why so many rumors spread in the military. Like the one claiming Costance has a secret lover hidden in that library,” Captain Elvin added.
The problem was that both of them glanced at me simultaneously before looking away. It lasted only a moment. The seniors didn’t notice, but I clearly felt it.
“No way. Most of the visitors to the library are elderly,” Katrina said.
“That’s right. And Sir Costance always keeps his eyes on his books,” Georgia added in his defense.
The men nodded but did not wipe the meaningful smiles from their faces.
“Then how about we hear Vivi’s story now? I’m very curious about what such a beautiful lady like Vivi usually does and what she likes.”
Seizing the moment, Finn directed a question at me. Sir Costance’s stern gaze softened immediately. The other men also looked at me with curiosity.
“Finn is right. I’m also curious about Vivi’s ideal type. Do you prefer older men or younger men?” Captain Elvin asked bluntly.
“Pardon? Ah, well… I actually prefer older men rather than younger ones…”
“Oh my. I feel sorry for the men under twenty-five.”
That unfortunate man under twenty-five was sitting right beside me.
Sir Costance.
I sensed his broad shoulders, usually so confident, slump slightly. Only then did I realize why his complexion had darkened earlier.
The men at the table seemed to know the truth and were thoroughly amused.
‘This is driving me crazy.’
…It seemed Sir Costance liked me.
Anyone would be a fool not to notice how obvious he was. At times like this, I resented my perceptiveness.
‘But why does Sir Costance like me?’
And since when?
“What do you think of soldiers, Vivi?”
“Between the Air Force and the Navy, which do you prefer?”
“Do you like fleets?”
Lieutenant Finn and Captain Elvin bombarded me with questions, ranging from basic to trivial. Even when I tried to dodge them, their expectant gazes left me no choice.
“I think they’re admirable.”
Though I answered honestly, I wasn’t even aware of what I was saying. In short, I wasn’t in my right mind.
Whenever Sir Costance hesitated, I flinched. When he smiled slightly, I found myself speaking longer than necessary.
This wasn’t like me. Normally, I didn’t care if someone showed interest in me.
But a certain man who had appeared a few days ago had begun to disrupt my routine.
“Our Vivi really is beautiful. When our youngest started working, word spread throughout the town. There were even more people than when the Sir came to the library. All kinds of men showed up,” Julia said proudly.
She spoke as if boasting, unlike me, who always concealed my true thoughts behind polite words.
Like a storyteller, Julia continued with enthusiasm, and the men’s expressions grew increasingly curious.
Even Sir Costance, who had remained composed the entire time, was no exception. He stopped using his fork and looked at Julia.
“It was the first time so many men came to the library.”
“…It wasn’t that much. They just came because they were curious about my face,” I interjected quietly.
“What are you talking about? The reading room was completely full. Don’t you remember that some of them were famous nobles from nearby?” Julia said.
“R-Really? It was that serious…?”
“There were all kinds—from young boys to middle-aged men with wives. At one point, it was hard to tell whether this was a library or a social gathering,” Georgia added.
“And what happened afterward?” Sir Costance asked amid the chatter.
“Pardon?”
Even Julia, who had been speaking excitedly, paused in surprise.
“Did they harm Vivi?”
“Ah, w-well… There were certainly many confessions, but Vivi rejected them all. Isn’t that right, Vivi?”
“I—I rejected them all.”
“Still, she suffered for a few days. Some men refused to give up and kept flirting even after being rejected. One even waited for her to get off work and followed her…”
Julia shook her head at the memory.
“That must have been difficult,” Manager Lance said sympathetically.
As the atmosphere grew somber, I didn’t know what to say.
“B-But it’s all in the past now. I’m fine,” I said, mustering my courage to dispel the heavy mood. I forced a smile, and Julia nodded, helping lighten the atmosphere.
“It is not something to be dismissed so easily.”
Just as the mood was recovering, Sir Costance spoke. Turning his head, he looked at me with concern.
“If anything like that happens again, please inform the police.”
“Th-Thank you for your concern.”
“You may call me as well. No—please call me.”
With those earnest words, Sir Costance instantly ruined the atmosphere I had worked so hard to restore.
Although he was right, it wasn’t something to be taken lightly—it had already been a year.
The man who had followed me daily stopped coming long ago after Julia’s warning and the librarian’s threats. Yet Sir Costance worried as if it had happened only yesterday.
“Come on, sir. Didn’t she say it’s already in the past? Besides, with you visiting the library every day, what fool would dare do such a thing?” Finn said.
“Finn’s right, Costance. By the way, Manager Lance, shall we order some drinks now?” Elvin added.
“Drinks sound good! Would the ladies care for some as well?” Lance asked.
“We’d be delighted,” came the reply.
No one refused his suggestion.
“Miss Vivi, what kind of drink do you prefer?” Finn asked.
“Something not too strong, please. I don’t drink very well.”
“Ah, then I’ll recommend something mild.”
Feeling I couldn’t refuse, I answered reluctantly. Fortunately, he chose a light drink without pressuring me.
The drinks arrived quickly.
As the alcohol warmed our throats, the conversation flowed more freely. I listened quietly, occasionally taking a sip. The bitter taste made me frown as the sharp scent of alcohol rose to my nose.
Unlike the others, who quickly emptied their glasses, mine remained nearly untouched.
Whenever I felt peckish, I nibbled on the remaining food. Contrary to my worries, the gathering was neither dull nor uncomfortable.
The conversations at the table were quite entertaining. Manager Lance and Lieutenant Finn spoke wittily, but Captain Elvin was no less impressive.
How long had we been talking?
“Really? Is that garden truly so beautiful?”
“It’s especially beautiful at night. Ah, would you like to see it? Just the two of us.”
At Manager Lance’s suggestion, Julia’s face flushed. She had liked him for some time, so there was no way she would refuse.
“Then let’s go now.”
“N-Now?”
“Is there a problem?”
“N-No! Not at all!”
At Lance’s swift initiative, Julia sprang to her feet. It was so sudden.
Not only I, but everyone at the table stared at him in surprise.
Lance casually put on his coat and, before leaving, lightly tapped Elvin and Finn on the shoulders.
I wondered what that meant.
It didn’t take long for me to find out.
“…Everyone’s gone.”
Before I knew it, only Sir Costance and I remained.
I couldn’t even remember what excuse the captain and lieutenant had used to usher the others outside.
