Chapter 20

Sir Costance alternated his gaze between her and Julia.

“Ah… well… we’re looking for an event model. For the event promotion.”

“Sir! You came at the right time. Listen to me! Vivi keeps acting stubbornly.”

At Julia’s words, Sir Costance raised an eyebrow.

“The event budget is limited, and we can’t afford to hire an expensive model. So I came up with a brilliant idea to use Vivi as the promotional model!”

She wanted to cover Julia’s mouth. Unaware, Julia continued speaking.

“But Vivi says she doesn’t want to. If Vivi becomes the promotional model, surely many boys will apply…”

Sir Costance’s face slightly hardened.

“Vivi is very popular with the boys.”

“……”

“Surely many men will come to see her.”

“Can I be the model instead?”

“Sir, you think so too, right? Vivi should be the model… huh?”

Julia and she couldn’t believe their ears. 

What did he just say…?

“I would like to be the model instead of Vivi.”

“……”

“Is that not allowed?”

Sir Costance reinforced his point. Sir Costance, who could easily grace the cover of a major model magazine, was now offering to be the model for a National Library event aimed at teenagers.

“…Why?”

It wasn’t Vivi who asked. It was Julia, who blurted it out without thinking, taken aback.

“Can’t I?”

Sir Costance asked, sounding disappointed.

“You can… you can! I mean, are you kidding? Sir! Of course, you can! Absolutely! But we can’t pay you much as a model….”

Model fee? Was there a model fee? 

When she looked at Julia, she subtly avoided her gaze.

“You don’t have to pay me.”

“What? Really, really?”

Julia was more excited by his words.

“Yes.”

“Then why on earth…”

Julia asked, and he glanced at her. It would be troublesome if their closeness became known in the library.

“I want to help the library. That’s all.”

Fortunately, he didn’t mention her.

“…Thank you so much, Sir! I don’t know how to express this gratitude… Ah, I’d like to shoot as soon as possible.”

He nodded.

“I have to be at the base until the morning tomorrow, so I can only come in the afternoon.”

“Tomorrow afternoon is fine. Then I’ll book the photo studio then! In the afternoon!”

Julia might pass out from excitement.

“Vivi, did you hear? Sir Costance will be the model.”

“I’ve been here the whole time.”

“Please book the photo studio, Vivi. I’ll handle the remaining library work, okay?”

Since she had worked in the library all morning alone, Julia offered to take care of the remaining tasks.

Even though she said so, Julia’s eyes were fixed on Sir Costance. She intended not to leave the library to keep seeing him.

“Did you come to see the books today, Sir? Let’s go to the reading room together. Vivi, you go and book the photo studio.”

“I just remembered I have something to do, so I should be going.”

“Ah…”

Julia was openly disappointed by his words.

“Then, Julia, I’ll go book the photo studio.”

“Vivi!”

She hurriedly left, afraid Julia would leave her with more library work. It was 2 o’clock now, so she could use the excuse of booking the studio to stay out until 4 o’clock. She planned to return to the library as late as possible for the annoying Julia.

* * *

After changing clothes in the break room, she left the library. It had been a long time since she went out at this hour.

“Vivi, I’ve been waiting for you.”

After walking a bit, Sir Costance approached her with a smile. She quickly surveyed her surroundings. Sir Costance was a well-known figure, so being seen with him would attract attention.

“I’ll escort you to the photo studio.”

“What? But…”

“Don’t worry. If anyone asks, just say we’re accompanying each other for work. Trust me.”

For some reason, he seemed… excited. Like a puppy going for a walk. Seeing his face, she couldn’t refuse, so she nodded.

“Thank you. I was having trouble with the lack of participants for the drawing section. If you adorn the promotional material for the drawing section, there will surely be more participants.”

“I’m really glad to be of help to you.”

“You’re not just helping me; you’re helping the library, Sir.”

At her words, he smiled slightly. That smile made her heart feel warm.

“You tied your hair.”

“Ah, it’s long. I’m planning to cut it soon.”

“I’m sure it’ll look good short too.”

“I’m just going to cut a little.”

Until a few days ago, she felt uncomfortable and burdened by him, but not anymore. The conversation with him was enjoyable.

“It’s been a while since you’ve been here.”

“I’ve been busy lately.”

“Aren’t you busy today too? You came in uniform.”

She glanced at the white uniform he was wearing. His already noticeable face became even more distinguished with the uniform. In short, he looked… even more beautiful in uniform.

“There was a briefing this morning. Although I’m on leave, I can’t completely leave the Operations Department due to the importance of the work. Only my leaving time has been slightly adjusted.”

“Being an officer must be tough.”

“It is tough. But it suits me. My father insists I discharge after being promoted to captain, but I’m planning to endure.”

“Why does he insist on your discharge?”

“He wants me to take successor lessons. Given his age, it’s understandable.”

She listened to him earnestly.

“My grandfather passed away late, so my father was in the military for a long time, but my situation is different. My father’s health isn’t what it used to be.”

“…Ah.”

“Actually, my father wanted me to take successor lessons as soon as I became an adult. But our family policy is unique.”

She recalled that the Orsi Marquisate owned a fleet development company. Therefore, serving in the navy was mandatory for the family, including the successor, he had said.

“If you’re curious about the Fleet Command, I can show you around.”

She nodded but kept her mouth shut.

Canary Fleet Command.

In fact, she had been there before. She had gone unexpectedly with her father, and the headquarters’ size was immense. Inside were the 7th Fleet, the Submarine Fleet, and so on.

“I think you suit the navy well, Sir. I hope you continue this work for a long time.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Above all, the uniform suits you well.”

“I’ll make sure to wear it often.”

He said with a reddened face.

“……”

Who would think of him as a hero? In front of her, Sir Costance was an unmistakable young man in his twenties, still showing boyish traits. Above all, he was adorable.

* * *

“Did you hear?”

After booking the photo studio and returning to the library, the news that Sir Costance would be the competition model had spread widely. Julia basked in the envy of others all at once.

“When I asked, Sir Costance immediately agreed.”

She boasted, enjoying the attention.

“Really? That’s amazing, Julia.”

“When did you become so close with Sir Costance?”

Vivi quietly worked beside them. Occasionally, the director, who came to check if she was working well, warned Julia and the seniors. But it was useless.

As time passed, Julia would open her mouth, and the seniors would perk up their ears.

“Why on earth would that great person grant your request? It doesn’t make sense.”

Some people didn’t believe Julia’s words. Webley, the most mature of the seniors, was one of them.

“There are witnesses. Right, Vivi? You saw it too, right?”

All eyes turned to her.

“……Huh? Yes.”

She answered vaguely. For now, she decided to agree with Julia.

“See? When have you seen Vivi lie?”

“Never…”

“Maybe Sir Costance likes you, Julia?”

“What?”

Vivi was surprised too.

“Why? He keeps coming to the library, and there’s the jazz café incident, and today’s event…”

“Sir Costance likes Julia? But it would make sense if he liked Vivi.”

“But they fought, didn’t they? Why would he keep coming to the library if things were awkward between them? It’s because he likes Julia!”

When would this uncomfortable conversation end? 

After a few exchanges, the opinion that Sir Costance liked Julia gained strength among them. Each time, Vivi wanted to intervene and say it wasn’t true.

“Sir Costance likes me, not Julia. He likes me…!”

But how could she say that? She held back and eventually kept her mouth shut.

“Is he going to confess soon?”

“Oh, come on, don’t be like that.”

Please, just be quiet…

“If you don’t stop chattering, I’ll send you all to the countryside!”

The director appeared at the right time and scolded them. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, the seniors and Julia returned to their places.