SPLAT!

  Zeff is forced to spit out the massive chunk of bread Vichel shoved into his mouth, just to avoid choking to death. He gasps for breath while Vichel still looks furious.

  “Still dare to call my taste childish?!”

  “Why can’t you ever accept the facts told to you?”

  “That’s not a fact! You just run your mouth without thinking about how the other person feels!”

  Their quarrel immediately draws the attention of the surrounding visitors.

  Zeff, already holding back his emotions, lets out a sarcastic remark,

  “That’s why it’s important to grow up first before you get older.”

  Vichel grows even more furious,

  “You call yourself grown-up? Ridiculous! An adult is someone who already has children, you know!”

  Zeff snaps back, equally angry, “What kind of logic is that? You think I couldn’t do it?”

  “Of course you couldn’t, with that stuck-up attitude of yours!”

  “Haaa?!”

  Zeff is on the verge of losing his temper again, when Tseryo’s hand taps his shoulder from behind.

  “That’s far enough if you don’t want to lose control.”

  Both Vichel and Zeff are startled in unison.

  “Jacelin? Tseryo?”

  “What are you two doing here?”

  “This is a public place, anyone can come.” Who else would answer Zeff with that kind of sarcasm if not Tseryo?

  Zeff grows even more annoyed, reminded that Vichel once said the very same thing to him.

  “They really are like siblings!”

  Jacelin steps closer with a guilty look on her face.

  “Zeff, Vichel, I’m sorry I secretly watched over your date because I was worried.”

  Zeff looks puzzled.

  “Why worried? We didn’t do anything bad.”

  Tseryo cuts in immediately. “True, nothing bad. You were only about to practice making a child just to prove who’s more mature. Absolutely ridiculous.”

  Zeff and Vichel fall silent, embarrassed as the memory of their quarrel flashes back in their minds.

  Tseryo lets out a sigh, still wanting to give them advice.

  “If you’re this awkward on your first date, you should’ve asked for tips from someone experienced.”

  Suddenly, he extends his right hand toward Jacelin.

  “Lady Lurca, how about we become their direct mentors?”

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  Jacelin’s face turns a mix of surprise and blush. “Y-you mean… we’re going on a date too?”

  “Only to serve as a live example. Don’t worry, Lady Lurca.”

  Tseryo’s charming smile makes it hard for Jacelin to refuse. She takes his offered hand, and the two of them walk hand in hand in front of Zeff and Vichel.

  “You two juniors, watch closely and learn.”

  Tseryo and Jacelin take the lead, walking like a real couple. Zeff and Vichel are left behind, still staring blankly in disbelief. With a straight face, Zeff offers his arm, and without a word, Vichel hooks hers around it. Expressionless, they start walking after Tseryo and Jacelin.

  While walking hand in hand with Jacelin, Tseryo observes the atmosphere around them.

  “Carrion City stays alive even at night. The cool air, the beautiful starry sky, and it feels even more perfect because right now, I’m holding the arm of a graceful lady.” He finishes his poetic line with a warm gaze and smile directed at Jacelin.

  A strike full of romance that makes every woman’s heart race, including Jacelin. The girl immediately turns her head to hide her blushing face.

  “I can’t believe you’re saying all that to me.”

  Tseryo feels amused. “We’re setting an example, Lady Lurca. It has to be done wholeheartedly.”

  Tseryo slightly turns his face back. “Learn to say sweet words when you’re on a date, Zeff Lou Roan.”

  But Zeff grumbles irritably behind him, “Why should I learn from him?”

  Meanwhile, Vichel is amazed. “Wow, Tseryo seems experienced when it comes to dating.”

  “You want me to talk like him?”

  “Don’t. It doesn’t suit you. I might throw up.”

  Zeff starts teasing instead. “Oh, moonlight…”

  “Shut up!”

  “Hey!” Zeff calls out from behind. “How far are we marching in this carnival?”

  “We’re going to that ride, Mr. Impatient.”

  Tseryo points to the giant ferris wheel at the center of the amusement park.

  “A favorite ride for couples on a date.”

  The two couples take separate cabins on the Ferris wheel so each can have privacy with their partner. Jacelin and Tseryo sit facing each other. The Ferris wheel begins to turn slowly, adorned with sparkling lights.

  Jacelin gazes out in awe, watching the night view of the city center as the Ferris wheel cabin rises higher.

  “The view is amazing from up here. The lights shining in the dark night are mesmerizing.”

  Tseryo watches Jacelin’s radiant face.

  “That’s what makes this ride special. The lady is captivated by the beauty of the night, and the gentleman is captivated by the charm of the lady’s happiness.”

  Once again, poetic words make Jacelin’s heart race. She tries to steady her thoughts and reminds herself that they’re only on a pretend date.

  “As for experience, it seems Young Master Lavrel has gone on plenty of dates,” Jacelin says, finding a topic to shift the mood.

  “Of course,” Tseryo answers without hesitation. “During my four years at Verlyn Academy, I’ve dated several women.”

  “But I’ve never heard of you having a lover.”

  “The women I date don’t have to end up as my lover.”

  Jacelin’s expression starts to turn cynical at his answer. “So, only for momentary fun?”

  “To learn, Lady Lurca.”

  “What could you possibly learn from dating women?”

  Tseryo falls silent for a moment before speaking, his eyes fixed directly on Jacelin, his mind working to form the right words so as not to cause further misunderstanding with this girl.

  “Lady Lurca, let me clarify first. The dates I’ve had were only like this—walking together, shopping, eating, talking. I did it to learn and to gather information about what makes a woman happy.”

  “If you’re wondering why—As the heir of Duke Lavrel, one day I will face a political marriage. Whoever becomes my wife, I have a duty to make her happy.”

  Tseryo says this without breaking his gaze from Jacelin, showing his seriousness as the Duke’s successor.

  Jacelin is the first to look away, blinking a few times in a way that naturally shows her nervousness at holding Tseryo’s gaze for too long.

  His explanation once again makes her feel uneasy, realizing she has misunderstood him yet again.

  “I didn’t expect you to have planned your future so far ahead. Forgive my attitude.”

  Tseryo responds with a smile and simply keeps his eyes on Jacelin, as if waiting for her to say more. Jacelin understands that gesture.

  “I think it’s very impressive that you still consider the happiness of the woman who will be matched with you. She will surely be a lucky one. Not many nobles care about their partner’s happiness.” Jacelin finishes her words with a faint smile.

  Tseryo answers with a warm gaze.

  “I’m relieved to hear Lady Lurca call the woman who will be matched with me a lucky one, and not a nightmare anymore.”

  “Huh?”

  Those words carry another meaning that startles Jacelin.

  Tseryo turns back to check the Ferris wheel cabin where Zeff and Vichel are.

  “Oh, truly an unexpected result.”

  Curious, Jacelin leans over to look as well.

  It turns out Zeff and Vichel have both fallen asleep while the Ferris wheel turns. They sit on the same seat, their heads resting against each other as they sleep.

  “They don’t look like a couple at all.”