When I asked about the word “temporary” that had been bothering me, Richard answered in a somber tone.

“As embarrassing as it is to say as a naval officer. The number of children who lose their guardians to pirates and become alone is not small.”

He also said that even when guardians are still alive, there are many cases where the financial damage is so severe that making a living becomes immediately difficult.

“They sometimes receive help from neighbors, but when an entire village is attacked, even that becomes nearly impossible.”

For that reason, people frequently leave their children secretly at the Sea God Temple, and even if they find the guardians and punish them, it doesn’t solve the fundamental problem.

“So the Sea God Temple and the naval territory established orphanages, but since they’re only supplementary facilities, they seem to have difficulty handling cases like this, where many people are suddenly admitted.”

“I see…”

“The children who are victims of this incident will temporarily stay at the Sea God Temple’s orphanage, and most will be distributed to naval territory orphanages that have room.”

Given that this was no ordinary incident, their trauma must be severe.

It was fortunate in the midst of misfortune that there was a safe haven operated by the naval territory…

“And perhaps some will be adopted by naval families or enter as servants. …Though the number won’t be that high since the procedures are going to become more stringent.”

“Why are the procedures becoming more stringent?”

“The Viscount who orchestrated the human trafficking was a naval Colonel. He was even someone who received a medal for killing a notorious pirate captain 13 years ago.”

They say there’s no one to trust in this world. Richard gave a bitter smile, seeing my face that had lost faith in humanity.

“It’s like throwing both the territorial subjects’ trust in their lord and civilians’ trust in the navy into the mud.”

So that’s why the adoption procedures are becoming stricter. To prevent crimes against children from happening again.

“What happened to that Colonel… no, that criminal worse than a beast?”

“He’s missing. It was reported that he was kidnapped by pirates while patrolling territorial waters on a warship… We’re investigating the possibility that he might have colluded with pirates to escape.”

I hope he gets caught and pays for his crimes.

Even if he’s sentenced to death, it won’t erase the fact that the children were harmed.

“Besides that, from naval officers who were close to the criminal to nobles who used the black market, to those who were acquainted with them. All are under investigation.”

Richard said that while he’s increasing support for orphanages, fundamentally, he’s working to eradicate the root causes—pirates and criminals.

As I nodded seriously while listening to his words, I suddenly felt a bit cautious.

“By the way, is it okay to tell me about these things?”

“If you were to leak confidential information, it would be my mistake for misjudging.”

Richard, who was holding my wrist, said with a smile.

“Come to think of it, this is still a date, so I seem to have talked too much about work.”

“Isn’t it fine since this isn’t a place where other people can hear our conversation? Also, thanks to Richard holding my hand, we probably looked like a close couple.”

Indeed, several people passing by on the street had stopped and were staring at us with their mouths open.

I glared at them to say “what are you looking at” to intimidate them, then smiled awkwardly when I felt Richard’s gaze on me with a somewhat subtle expression.

“Was I acting too undignified?”

“…No. I’m a little jealous.”

“Jealous?”

When I tilted my head in confusion, Richard said with a sigh-like tone.

“I shouldn’t be saying this when I’ve been talking about work on our date, but it seems like you’re focusing more on the people on the street than on me… No, never mind. It was a childish thing to say, forget it, Callia.”

He shook his head urgently and told me to forget it. Then he pretended to have a stoic expression, but somehow the tips of his ears were red.

‘How can a man approaching 190cm in height be this cute?’

While restraining my smile that was trying to rise endlessly, I discreetly pulled over a nearby partition.

The partition, with a frame made of white birch wood, had thin, transparent lace fabric attached to it like dragonfly wings, which seemed like it would still show our silhouettes clearly from outside.

After completing this preliminary work, I took Richard’s gloved hand and rested my cheek against it.

“They say people feel more tension when things are tantalizingly visible rather than completely exposed. So this should make us look more intimate, right?”

My happiness level naturally rises. I fully appreciate the face of this peerless beauty that makes me feel satisfied just by looking at it.

But seeing me smiling with curved eyes, Richard complained.

“…So bringing the partition was still the result of being conscious of other people. More importantly, it’s dangerous, so please let go of my hand, Callia.”

Ah, I can’t stand it.

He’s exceeding the cuteness limit.

I kissed the back of his black-gloved hand that kept twitching.

“I don’t want to.”

I playfully continued to give bird kisses all over his large hand, Richard let out a groan.

He tried to pull his hand away slightly, but I held it firmly, and he couldn’t apply more force, probably worried that his glove might come off.

Eventually, he rubbed his face with his free hand and made a suffering sound.

“It’s not easy getting used to you becoming so fearless.”

“Richard is a brave naval officer, right? Try to get used to it.”

“……”

His blue eyes narrowed at my clearly teasing tone.

And somehow his sculpture-like face seemed to be getting closer.

“If that’s the case.”

His lips briefly landed on the tip of my nose, both cheeks, and forehead.

“I’ll try.”

My green eyes, wide saucers, were reflected in his clear blue eyes.

From a distance of less than half a span, he playfully asked.

“Or is this still far from enough?”

“…W-well.”

“If you don’t answer me, I’m going to make my own judgment.”

His voice, which had been light, deepened in an instant.

While saying he would judge on his own, the man who met my gaze seeking permission soon curved his eyes.

“It’s fortunate that you reserved the entire second floor.”

Our breaths mingled chaotically. The thought that I couldn’t gauge whether it was cool or hot gradually blurred.

Between the friction of our lips came a sound completely different from bird kisses.

“Callia. When kissing, you should breathe through your nose.”

What’s the point of just having an affectionate voice!

I glared at him with tears in my eyes from lack of breath and protested, Richard stared at me silently he would pierce through me.

“Why, why are you looking at me like that?”

“…No, it’s nothing. Shall we take a break?”

The man, who closed his eyes tightly and opened them again, sat down and took out a handkerchief from his pocket to hand to me.

“I went too far. I apologize.”

Seeing his face sincerely apologetic, he had come to his senses belatedly, I felt embarrassed instead.

“It’s because I’m clumsy, so you don’t need to apologize.”

“No. It was because of my lack of experience that I made you uncomfortable.”

“…The more we talk about it, the more embarrassed I get, so let’s stop discussing this topic.”

“Understood. Next time, I’ll try not to make you uncomfortable.”

Because he said he would try with such a serious face, I had to blush despite my efforts to change the subject.

“Ah, it’s hot… They said the tea here has such a good aroma.”

I fanned myself and drank the cold black tea; I felt the heat subside a little.

But then I caught Richard looking at me with an amused expression.

“…Instead of staring like that, why don’t you taste the dessert the manager was bragging about?”

When I pushed the flat crystal glass toward him, he took the dainty dessert spoon, scooped up some cold apricot jelly, and held it out to me.

“Here, Callia.”

“……”

“Wouldn’t this make us look more intimate?”

His face, gesturing toward the street outside the partition while saying that, was unbearably annoying.

“I think we’ve already exceeded our daily quota of intimacy just now, so Richard should eat it.”

“If that’s the case.”

Retreating gracefully, he obediently put the jelly in his own mouth and swallowed it, then smiled and said.

“Having already tasted something sweeter, this isn’t very sweet.”

“What? Wasn’t that the first dessert you’ve eaten?”

” The actual dessert, yes.”

Richard, who replied nonchalantly, stared at me without further explanation.

Finally understanding his meaning, my face turned bright red and I could only open and close my mouth.

After enjoying my appearance, he laughed and pretended to be affectionate.

“Come on, Callia. You should eat too. If your lips remain empty, I might get greedy again.”

I glared at his smug face in disbelief.

‘Is this what they mean by giving a yard and taking a mile….’

I had intended to tease him a bit because his reactions were cute, but ended up being completely counterattacked.

I gulped down the black tea he had already poured into the cup and diligently ate the dessert.

But I couldn’t taste the flavor very well either.