“Could it be you came despite being busy?”

When I asked with wide eyes, Richard, who had been watching me quietly, shook his head and raised his lips leisurely.

“Of course not. The sun is strong, so let’s go inside.”

Upon entering the tearoom, thanks to our prior reservation, a gentleman with a splendid mustache bowed deeply.

“It is an honor to welcome you to our ‘Diamant.’ Admiral Aquilus, Lady Rabius.”

There were no other customers inside yet. This was the benefit of arriving right when they opened.

And there’s a good reason why I rushed to be here at opening time.

“I am Maxim, the manager of Diamant. I will escort you to the VIP room on the second floor.”

While Maxim was guiding us to the second floor, Richard casually asked me.

“Why did you think I would be busy?”

“Oh, I heard from Louisa that around this time, most people in the navy have a lot of work preparing for the Sea God Festival.”

While answering as we climbed the stairs, I nearly tripped on the hem of my dress. Fortunately, Richard firmly caught me before I stumbled.

“Be careful.”

“Thank you.”

A tension ran up my spine at his low voice. Richard, who had offered me his arm, continued to match my pace silently afterward.

“This is the room.”

The manager indicated a circular room decorated with delicate glass craftsmanship and pale green silk wallpaper. Though it had a magnificent large window inside, it could be easily covered with curtains—a quite private room.

After glancing at the interior, I stopped the manager.

“Just a moment.”

“Yes, Lady. Perhaps this room is not to your liking…”

“Instead of this room, we’ll sit over there.”

The place I pointed to was a balcony seat that protruded outside.

As a tearoom catering primarily to nobles, the awning, railings, and partitions were visibly made of high-quality materials, but compared to the room we had just seen, it was a much simpler space.

“Would the balcony seat be acceptable? Given the nature of the location, it might become somewhat noisy once other guests begin to arrive…”

As the manager asked cautiously with his hands clasped, I took out a pouch of gold coins from my bosom.

Inside was an amount equivalent to five times the daily revenue of this place during peak season. For reference, the source of this information is Maribel, the actual owner of the Yuno Merchant Guild.

“Here, take this.”

The manager who received the pouch of gold coins opened his eyes wide at its hefty weight.

“This is payment for ensuring that no one comes to the second floor and disturbs Richard’s and my date while we’re at Diamant. Is it insufficient?”

“It’s more than enough.”

I smiled leisurely at the manager’s brightening face. It was enough to rent the entire tearoom and then some.

“Lady, with this amount, you could rent the entire Diamant for the day with plenty to spare. To ensure you enjoy your date comfortably, we won’t accept any other orders—”

“That’s enough, take this.”

I handed another pouch of gold coins to the conscientious manager.

Though not as heavy as the previous one, it was still quite substantial, making the manager look puzzled.

“Use this to pay for all the drinks and desserts ordered by customers visiting the first floor of Diamant today. If it’s not enough, send the bill to the Rabius mansion in Basium.”

What was the point of me sitting at the balcony seat?

It was to spread the word far and wide to leave Richard alone, but if the tearoom only took our orders, there would be far fewer onlookers.

So my plan was to attract plenty of people by offering free drinks and desserts, while making it clear that Richard and I were on the second floor and no one should dare approach.

“Maxim, needless to say, you must ensure that no one who should be quietly staying on the first floor tries to peek at the second floor.”

“Without question.”

Watching the manager bow with the utmost respect, I took out the heaviest final pouch of gold coins.

“Then, look up and take this as well.”

“Th-this is…?”

“Please deliver mostly Diamant’s most popular desserts to everyone affiliated with the Naval Headquarters, enough for each person to have at least one. Not just naval officers, but also cleaners and workers. Since it’s not an order that can be fulfilled in a day, just do it until next week.”

People working at the Naval Headquarters will wonder how this unexpected snack time came about. Some among them will know about today’s Diamant incident.

As news travels fast, when the Naval Headquarters staff go home and have dinner with their families, word will naturally spread throughout the southern region.

‘Whew. It was quite challenging to find a tearoom with a balcony, available for private rental, with excellent tea and desserts, that accepts bulk orders and even delivers.’

I give credit to Maribel, my information provider.

“Oh, and please send one set to Lady Maribel Yuno at the Yuno mansion, in addition to the Naval Headquarters.”

After completing my additional order, I nodded to the manager who was holding armfuls of gold pouches, indicating that my business was finished.

“I’ll leave it to you, Maxim.”

“…I will do my utmost to serve the finest desserts.”

The manager who answered with a tone full of determination walked away modestly yet solemnly.

‘Money really does make things convenient.’

On our first date, there happened to be some brave lady who put on a spectacular show by slapping me with sherbet and pulling my hair.

But there’s no guarantee that such a talented individual will appear at the right place and right time.

Satisfied, I smiled and met the eyes of Richard, who seemed somewhat surprised by the money parade that had unfolded without prior notice.

“Callia. Isn’t this too much expenditure for my sake?”

“For ‘our’ sake. And you know, I’ve always wanted to do something like this.”

An adult who grew up watching K-dramas where wealthy male leads rent entire amusement parks or luxury restaurants for the female leads has now fulfilled that fantasy through transmigration.

Of course, it’s also because this amount is barely a fraction of my wealth, so I spent freely.

Seeing me sparkle with joy, Richard eventually let out a small laugh.

“If that’s the case. I’ll make sure to tell the navy that it was a gift from you.”

“Please don’t do that. I’m someone who needs bad rumors to spread rather than good ones.”

It would be best if the navy interpreted the meaning of the desserts as something like ‘Eat this and stay away from Richard.’

“You’re someone who is impossible to hate or dislike. You’re taking a difficult path.”

“…That’s just what you think, Richard.”

In my previous life, it was actually hard to find people who genuinely liked me.

Still, I had to try not to let my lips curl up too much from the unexpected compliment from someone I cared about.

“Oh, by the way. Have there been any dangerous incidents lately?”

“Nothing particularly dangerous. May I ask why you’re asking such a question?”

As he tilted his head and asked, I was about to tell him about the blackmailer who had been giving me headaches recently, but I hesitated.

During a time when the navy was swamped with work, was it right to burden him with worries about a lunatic who had done nothing but spout nonsense so far?

“Well… Of course, dealing with pirates as usual is dangerous enough, but I thought security might be more concerning ahead of a major event like the Sea God Festival.”

After speaking indirectly, I carefully added.

“I’m not part of the navy, but I’m still in a cooperative relationship with Richard. If there’s anything I can help with, please let me know.”

Somehow, the blue eyes beneath his black hair seemed deeper than usual due to the shade of the awning. It was like looking at a transparent but unfathomably deep oceanic trench.

But soon he smiled gently and took my hand.

“Thank you for your concern, Callia.”

From his gentle but firm voice, I guessed he would draw a line. Grateful, but not something a civilian should worry about.

However, after the manager had brought a trolley with tea sets and desserts, set them on the table, and left.

Richard lightly wrapped his hand around my wrist and said.

“Actually, recently, a human trafficking ring led by a viscount was caught in the southwestern outskirts. They had been kidnapping orphans and civilian children for years, brainwashing them, and selling them as slaves in illegal underground auction houses.”

Having expected only suspicious letters or gifts, I gaped at hearing about a heinous crime far worse than I had imagined.

“Slavery? Isn’t that strictly illegal in the Empire?”

“That’s right. But there seem to be those who have some nostalgia for a system abolished hundreds of years ago, believing they can buy and sell humans.”

“They’re garbage… What happened to the imprisoned children?”

“Those whose identities were confirmed were returned to their families, but those who were orphans before being kidnapped or who couldn’t remember their parents are being temporarily cared for at the Sea God Temple. We’re still tracking down children who have already been sold.”

While I was living carefree, innocent children somewhere in the south were suffering terrible fates.

I’ve never considered myself particularly altruistic, but I do understand how overwhelming it is to be alone at a young age without anyone to fully rely on.

“Richard. What does it mean that they’re being ‘temporarily’ cared for at the Sea God Temple?”