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Chapter 17
The Empire’s social season begins in conjunction with the graduation of the Academy.
Naturally, the graduates who have just reached adulthood are the most eager to find partners.
While the official start of the social war begins with the New Year’s Grand Banquet at the imperial palace, the groundwork is laid much earlier.
One of the most notable preludes to the season is the party and boat outing held at the imperial villa by the lake.
Even if only in name, imperial law mandated that the Emperor look after the unmarried young nobles, and so this year as well, the Emperor’s villa was gladly opened for them.
“What a bright, sunny day.”
It was the perfect weather to get things done. Calliope genuinely thought so.
True to the royal family’s value of luxury, the villa was meticulously adorned.
Passing through the gorgeously decorated garden, Calliope headed straight to the lake behind the building.
Various small boats were gathered at the dock along the lake’s edge.
“Just like you said, Countess. Most of the boats are empty.”
“They’re only like this at this time. Everyone’s still feeling each other out.”
Calliope gestured toward the lawn behind them.
Groups of young people were scattered here and there, deep in conversation.
“Give it a few hours, and every boat will be packed.”
Leaving behind the desperate singles searching for connection, Calliope walked toward the dock.
A palace servant guarding the boats stepped forward and asked politely,
“We’d like to go boating.”
“Of course. This way, please.”
Soon, Calliope and Agnes were led to a boat with a purple body and golden accents.
Once they were seated under the canopy, the servant asked,
“Would you like someone to row or assist you?”
“No need. Don’t worry about us.”
“Then have a pleasant cruise.”
When he pressed a magic stone into the slot at the stern, the boat began to slowly move.
The magically powered leisure boat was a fairly new invention, but Calliope was already familiar with it.
The Verdi family also owned one, and she had even customized it to her liking—naturally, she knew her way around it.
As the boat glided smoothly across the lake, Calliope tapped the floor and frowned.
“Maybe because this model prioritizes stability, it’s harder than I thought.”
“Pardon?”
Resting her chin in one hand, Calliope pondered for a moment before clapping her hands.
“There’s some risk involved, but it can’t be helped.”
“Countess?”
“Agnes, do you like thrills?”
Agnes’s eyes suddenly sparkled with interest.
“Are you going to blow up the boat?”
“Of course not.”
What on earth is this girl thinking? Calliope shook her head firmly and warned,
“The boat’s going to shake a lot. Just in case, hold on tight to the handle.”
“It’s fine. I sometimes ride horses without holding the reins.”
Agnes beamed cheerfully. Calliope rubbed her forehead at her nonchalant attitude.
‘I really don’t know if this is a good idea.’
Still watching the smiling Agnes, Calliope raised her hand.
“Still, be careful.”
Calliope flicked her fingers lightly.
A gust of wind imbued with magic struck the boat dead-on. Rocked by the powerful wind, the boat swayed dramatically from side to side.
As if she’d been waiting for it, Agnes let out a scream—though her eyes and mouth were both smiling.
“Aaaaaah! Somebody help!”
A sound amplification spell in the air carried her scream far and wide.
Not only the lake, but even the nobles on the grassy hills nearby could hear it.
Soon, the party guests spotted the small boat swaying dangerously and the two people hanging on to the only lifeline—the boat’s handle.
“Oh my goodness…”
“What do we do? If that boat flips over—!”
Their gazes were filled with anxiety. As expected, their worst fears soon came true.
“Eeeeek!”
“Someone fell in!”
High-pitched screams erupted from all directions. One of them had finally fallen from the precariously rocking boat.
“We have to help!”
But everyone just wrung their hands anxiously—no one stepped forward. The lake was wide and deep, and if they weren’t careful, they could end up in the water too.
“I’ll fetch the guards!”
However, the accident had happened in the middle of the lake. Even if soldiers were summoned, it was likely the person would drown before rescue arrived.
“Wait, who’s that?”
Amid the panic, the nobles noticed another boat nearby—and a man aboard it.
Before they realized it, he had already shrugged off his outer garments.
Stripped of all cumbersome clothing, he dove into the lake without hesitation.
The water quickly went still.
“Ah…”
Everyone stared nervously at the lake, hoping it wouldn’t swallow him too.
And then, moments later.
The man resurfaced, gasping, holding the woman safely in his arms.
Relieved gasps broke out among the onlookers.
“She’s okay, right?”
“She was rescued quickly, so she should be fine.”
“I just hope she regains consciousness soon.”
Worried eyes focused on the situation inside the boat.
Calliope lay flat on the floor, ears perked.
“Calliope Verdi.”
“…”
She heard Lerazier’s voice, but deliberately pretended not to.
Someone else could speak on her behalf anyway.
“Oh dear~!! Our dear Countess…”
As if reading her mind, Agnes’s wailing suddenly stopped. Then her voice turned oddly meaningful.
“She said to do it properly, thoroughly, perfectly, so no one would suspect anything.”
Ha. A scoffing sound came from Lerazier next.
“Of course she did.”
Thump, thump, thump. A rhythmic vibration soon echoed nearby.
‘Just how strong is he?’
The vibrations traveled through the boat floor. Even the breeze seemed to match the rhythm, tickling her curiosity.
Eventually, unable to resist, Calliope cracked one eye open.
And then—
At the sight of an overt and shameless display of raw masculinity dominating her vision, she screamed silently.
Startled and overwhelmed, she squeezed her eyes shut again.
But it was no use.
The image of rippling muscles grew even clearer in the darkness.
Her heartbeat, which had matched Lerazier’s movements, gradually sped up.
Then, a brusque voice cut through.
“Enough already. Get up.”
‘I’d love to, okay?!’
She knew she had to open her eyes, but she wasn’t ready to process the overwhelming visual again.
Her cheeks were flushed with heat, and she was paralyzed by embarrassment.
“That’s right, she said to do it properly.”
Suddenly, Lerazier’s movements stopped.
“I didn’t think I’d actually have to do mouth-to-mouth, though.”
Mouth-to-mouth?!
Calliope’s mind snapped back instantly.
‘What the hell?!’
Her eyes flew open.
“You’re awake.”
Lerazier’s face was right in front of hers—any closer, and their lips would’ve met.
“Are you insane?”
Calliope pushed against his chest with both hands, and he backed away without resistance.
“I thought you were trying to kiss me.”
…This bastard?
“Keep talking nonsense, and I’ll—!”
As she pushed him again, Lerazier backed away more.
“Even if I wanted to kiss someone, it wouldn’t be you.”
“That’s a problem.”
“What?”
“You’re saying you want to kiss someone else while you have a perfectly good fiancé? That’s bold—cheating right to my face.”
Wait, how did the conversation take this turn? Flabbergasted, Calliope sat up.
“Excuse me? Who said anything about cheating? I was just—”
She didn’t get to finish.
Because just then, cheers erupted from the people standing at the lakeside.
