Chapter 7. Field Trip on a Clear Day 6)

“You too, Seria. After everything I’ve done for you… how dare you steal my man?”

“It’s a misunderstanding… Lady Kerti…”

As Lady Kerti shouted furiously, Seria began to tear up. Ugh, I thought maybe today we’d get through without the waterworks—but here they come.

“Our lips only met by accident when I tripped… please believe me!”

Tears began falling from Seria’s eyes. Her crying act was so convincing, it was honestly kind of chilling. Every time I saw it, I had to admit—it was a masterpiece of performance.

“There was no need to make her cry. She said it was an accident…”

“Lady Kerti did go a little too far.”

As Seria began to cry, her followers immediately turned on Lady Kerti. While some of the female students had become used to Seria’s antics and felt sympathy for Kerti, Seria’s devoted followers jumped to her defense just because she was crying.

“Anyone can make a mistake… So please, Lady Kerti, try to forgive her.”

Because of Seria’s performance and the followers’ accusations, Lady Kerti was left speechless, simply standing there with her head bowed. Her body visibly trembled. Of course she’d be angry and feel wronged. She was the victim, yet Seria was acting like she was the one who had been hurt and was manipulating everyone around her… Ugh, it was infuriating.

“I’m going to borrow this.”

“Uh…”

Unable to hold back my anger any longer, I snatched a water bottle from someone nearby. It was full and heavy, which made me smile in satisfaction. Hmm, this should do.

“Seria.”

I walked straight toward her with the bottle in hand and, the moment I called her name, I splashed the water on her without a moment’s hesitation.

SPLASH.

It made a refreshingly satisfying sound. Seeing Seria soaked and dripping wet brought a smile to my face. She looked like a drenched rat as she stared at me in shock, clearly wondering what on earth I had just done. Her wide, stunned eyes were extremely satisfying to see.

“What is the meaning of this…?”

“Oh no, how awful! I accidentally spilled water on you!”

I jumped in before Seria could speak, pretending to fuss over her. I pulled out a handkerchief and began patting her clothes as if to help. Of course, with such a tiny handkerchief, it was pointless to try drying someone that wet.

I pretended to dab at her a few times, then looked at Seria—who was staring straight at me with a hardened expression—and spoke with a concerned look on my face.

“Oh no, what should I do? I was being clumsy and spilled water all over you… But you’ll understand, right, Seria? Anyone can make mistakes, after all?”

I repeated her exact words right back to her. Hearing that, Seria’s always-perfect face subtly twisted. That meant she was angry. Seeing her tightly clenched fists gave me a sense of satisfaction.

The noisy dining hall went quiet in an instant. The crowd, who had been loudly chattering just moments before, were now standing with mouths agape at the sight of soaked Seria. I slowly looked around the now silent dining room and smiled in satisfaction. Finally, a bit of peace.

“Lady Radel…”

Seria bit down on her lips. A gesture to hold back her rising anger. I watched her display open fury for the first time and held back a small smile.

“Oh my… don’t tell me you’re angry? Could it be that kind-hearted Seria is actually mad over something like this?”

I placed a hand over my mouth and feigned surprise. At my words, Seria clenched her fists tighter in frustration, then quickly glanced around her. And then, the twisted expression on her face disappeared as she forced on a gentle smile. She was clearly conscious of everyone around. Though she changed her expression quickly, the twitch at the corner of her lips betrayed her true feelings.

“Angry? Of course not.”

Her voice trembled slightly. Clutching tightly at her skirts, she was clearly struggling to contain her fury. I found it amusing, and with a bright smile, I said to her:

“Of course, right? Kind and generous Seria would never get mad over something like this!”

“…Of course not.”

I made sure to get a definite answer that left no room for her to show anger. Seria was smiling, but the look in her eyes was murderous. It was a look only I, standing this close, could catch. I let out a sigh inwardly. How could a woman known as a beautiful goddess or a heaven-sent angel wear such a terrifying expression…?

“Seria, this is when you’re supposed to get angry!”

“Ah… but…”

Lady Kerti’s boyfriend looked at me with narrowed eyes, clearly worried about Seria. Still choosing Seria over his own girlfriend—pathetic. I clicked my tongue and watched as the man approached me angrily.

“Lady Radel Karel, don’t you think you’ve gone too far?”

Ah, here it comes. He’s confronting me. I watched him approach, annoyed, and without hesitation, picked up the water container again and splashed him with it.

“Shoo, shoo. Don’t come any closer.”

“Aaagh, it’s cold!”

“Oh no, I spilled it again.”

I didn’t even bother pretending this time, just said it half-heartedly. The man shrieked at the cold splash and stumbled back. But when he tried to come at me again with a ‘What do you think you’re doing?!’, I splashed him again. The trick here is to throw in a line that makes it sound like an accident every time. Whoops, my mistake!

“Oh dear.”

After dousing him repeatedly, the water finally ran out. Noticing the container was empty, the man smirked wickedly. I didn’t like that smug look one bit—so I just threw the whole water jug at him instead.

If there’s no water left, just throw the jug.”

“Ugh…”

“Oh my goodness.”

With a thud, the man made a pained expression. Ah, of all places—he got hit somewhere very unfortunate…

“You little…!”

After getting soaked repeatedly and then struck in a particularly sensitive spot, the man was absolutely furious. One hand covered his injured area, while the other grabbed my wrist tightly in a threatening manner.

“Ah! My wrist!”

A sharp pain shot through my wrist. What the hell—was I not even considered a woman just because I wasn’t Seria? That thought made my blood boil. I was about to use one of the self-defense moves Vivian had taught me when—

“You should treat a lady with courtesy.”

With orange hair fluttering like flames, Huan appeared at the perfect moment, delivering his line coolly as he flipped the man over. A textbook throw.

“Ugh!”

Thud!

With a loud crash, the man had violent skinship with the floor and groaned in pain. Huan looked down at him indifferently, completely subduing him. His actions may have been a bit rough, but the way he handled the situation made him look incredibly gentlemanly.

Wow, this guy’s amazing. So cool!

“You’re awesome, Huan! Well done!”

“…Shut up.”

When I praised him, Huan turned his head as if embarrassed. He was clearly trying to hide it, but judging by his bright red ears, he must’ve been flustered. I watched him fondly, then reached out without thinking and patted his head.

“Ah, sorry. It’s become a habit.”

Huan flinched and stared at me with wide, startled eyes. Whoops—thanks to Kyle, I’ve developed a weird habit. I shouldn’t be doing something like patting Huan’s head. I quickly pulled my hand back in self-reflection, but then Huan, who had been tightly pursing his lips, suddenly opened them in a hurry.

“No, you don’t have to stop—”

“Aaaagh… my arm!”

Huan’s words were cut off by the man’s scream. It seemed Huan had unintentionally pressed harder on the arm he’d pinned behind the man’s back while restraining him. Ouch, that had to hurt…

“Huan, seriously… go a little easier.”

I smiled kindly as I expressed concern for the man, but then one of the onlookers nearby muttered with a tone of disbelief.

“You say that after throwing a water bottle at him… huh!”

They may have whispered, but it was close enough for me to hear clearly. I snapped my head toward the voice, and the person quickly clamped a hand over their mouth. I mean… it was self-defense… He came at me threateningly, and I just—well…

‘Still, hitting him with the bottle might’ve been a bit much.’

Since I felt a bit sorry for the guy who got hit in a rather unfortunate spot by accident, I crouched down next to where he was lying on the floor and spoke to him with some sincerity.

“I’m sorry about the water bottle earlier. But if someone came at them that threateningly, anyone would’ve done the same thing.”

I covered my mouth with my hand and spoke as delicately as I could, trying to act all dainty, but the guy yelled out in disbelief.

“Who throws a water bottle there, seriously!”

“What?”

“…I mean, who throws a water bottle there, seriously…”

When I glared fiercely, the guy flinched and quickly corrected himself. Good, that’s better. Oh, and for the record, I learned how to glare and intimidate people like that from Dia.

I still vividly remember when I first picked it up—Alex, who’d been nearby at the time, told me I shouldn’t learn such bad habits. Of course, Dia immediately punished him for saying that, which burned the moment into my memory. Yep… Alex really goes through a lot.

“Excuse me, unnamed male student. If you come at me with a scary face like that, do I throw the water bottle in self-defense, or do I not?”

“…Y-you throw it?”

“Correct answer!”

I patted the boy’s head habitually for getting the answer right.

Ah, dammit… I really need to fix this habit. Realizing how serious it was becoming, I quickly pulled my hand back behind me.

‘Hm?’

“Because I felt a hot gaze from above, I looked up—and saw Huan glaring at me fiercely. Huh? What’s with you?

“What’s all this commotion over there!”

As I was still puzzled by Huan’s stare, a loud voice boomed from afar. When I peeked up, I saw Marquis Edwin approaching with a stern expression. As the once noisy cafeteria quickly fell into silence again, I stood up from my seat.

Ah, it’s that guy who gives me the creeps.

“Students, please return to your seats and begin your meal.”

The marquis skillfully brought the students under control. At his single command, the curious onlookers all scattered or returned to their tables. I guess it makes sense, given his high rank and fame, that students would be so obedient. Now that I think of it, wasn’t he said to be really popular in high society?

“Marquis.”

Seria hurried over to him. After exchanging a few words, the two of them left the dining hall together. Since he’s her sponsor and she’s the one being sponsored, they probably had a lot to talk about—I decided not to bother caring.

“Ah, Lady Kerti. Are you alright?”