“No. I will definitely mention Lady Crawford’s contribution. Because it’s the right thing to do.”

It was a very Dominic-like answer. Since he wanted to do it, there was no reason to refuse. Karina nodded somewhat bewilderedly.

“Um…”

A server approached the two of them.

“I apologize, but it’s time for us to close…”

Surprised by the apologetic server’s words, they looked around to find the once-crowded café now completely empty.

Through the window, they could see the sun setting, and Dominic and Karina looked at each other.

“Already?”

“Time flew by.”

The conversation had been so enjoyable that they hadn’t noticed the time passing. To the flustered Dominic, the server bowed even lower with an apologetic face.

“If you haven’t finished your conversation, should we wait longer?”

“No! No. We’ll leave now. You’ve been waiting to tell us this for a while, haven’t you?”

Karina spoke kindly to the server as she stood up. The server, who had gathered courage to approach thinking their conversation might be over, nodded with tearful eyes.

“Thank you. Our conversation is finished.”

Karina took out a gold coin from her purse and handed it to the server. It was a token of gratitude.

“Please give this to the owner who waited for us as well.”

“No! I couldn’t accept such a large amount…!”

The server tried to return the change in panic, but Karina refused to take it.

“It’s a token of appreciation. Just serve us delicious cake and tea again next time. We’ll be going now, so please close up.”

At Karina’s firm words, the server nodded and put the money in their pocket. The server’s apologetic eyes were now filled with gratitude.

* * *

“What did you just do?”

As they left the café, Dominic asked Karina about her actions.

He had trouble understanding why Karina had given the server more money than what they owed.

“Ah, that? It’s nothing. Just a token of gratitude.”

“Why express gratitude with money?”

“Brigadier General.”

“Yes?”

“Do you think it’s strange to express gratitude with money?”

Dominic said nothing. The very concept of showing ‘gratitude’ to a server was foreign to him.

“True, we are nobles, and these people are supposed to be kind to us. But isn’t it nice that they accommodated our circumstances?”

“I’m not saying it’s not appreciated.”

“Words alone have no power. The most certain way is to leave something visible.”

“So that’s why you gave money?”

“It’s what they want most, and I have more than I need. It’s also the most certain way to express feelings.”

From Dominic’s perspective, who wasn’t familiar with the concept of ‘tipping,’ her behavior might seem a bit strange. But her words were sincere.

“Just saying thank you is ultimately just words to them. Humans have a strong desire to receive confirmation.”

Karina said with a mischievous smile.

“That’s why you’re here with me like this too.”

“I don’t quite understand what you mean.”

“I mean the help you asked for. It’s an emotion that can’t be resolved with just words. That’s why your body moved first, right?”

Though she was simply seeking agreement, Karina’s words made Dominic recall something he had forgotten.

Indeed.

She was right.

Emotions that can’t be expressed in words lead to actions.

Like when he tried to kiss Olivia.

He had forgotten because the conversation was enjoyable. That today’s meeting with Karina had a clear purpose.

Dominic wanted to forget about the main purpose of the meeting that suddenly came to mind, but once the thought arose, it wouldn’t leave his head.

They walked in silence for a while.

At his sudden silence, Karina examined Dominic’s face. His expression was serious. Like someone who had encountered something very perplexing.

Karina also frowned.

“What’s wrong?”

“…Pardon?”

His response to the question was slow.

“Do you have something worrying you? Your expression suddenly became very dark.”

At Karina’s question, Dominic’s lips quivered briefly.

How could he tell her that he was thinking about having to kiss her?

But the emotions already nearly overflowing were enough to dangerously shake his composure.

“It’s not a worry. Just remembered something I need to do.”

“Something to do? Do you need to return to naval headquarters? Even though it’s the weekend?”

“No.”

“Then you need to return to your mansion.”

“Not that either.”

Several rounds of mysterious questions went back and forth. Karina looked up at Dominic in disbelief. Their eyes met.

“Then what is it? Stop just saying no.”

When he met her turquoise eyes, the thoughts filling his head suddenly spilled out.

“I was thinking about the kiss.”

“The what… What?”

“The purpose of today’s meeting. Lady Crawford and I, the kiss…”

Karina startled and covered Dominic’s mouth with her hand. Her soft finger skin touched Dominic’s lips.

The smooth sensation was enough to stop Dominic’s words.

“Brigadier General! What if someone hears?”

Talking about kissing without any shame when there are so many people passing by.

Why is this person so careless? Karina brought her finger to her lips, signaling him to be quiet, as Dominic had finally fallen silent.

“Shh. Quiet. Okay?”

Dominic slowly nodded as per her command. She was so surprised that her cheeks had turned pink.

“Ah. It suddenly got hot. Is it okay to make someone this flustered?”

Kiss.

Kiss.

She could say even stronger words without batting an eye.

But somehow, these words coming from Dominic’s proper mouth felt more stimulating to Karina.

But Dominic was right. This meeting had a clear purpose.

It wasn’t just about meeting for tea and chatting.

‘Who would have known we’d connect so well in conversation.’

Karina felt a bit embarrassed for having momentarily forgotten the purpose and enjoying herself.

Her ears turned even redder as she recalled her boasting about being a breeder and collector.

Karina stole a glance at Dominic. Unlike her flustered state, his expression showed no change.

Soldiers are thoroughly trained not to show emotions or waver in normal circumstances.

She had completely forgotten that even her brother, who was cheerful at home, was known for being cold-hearted outside, as she thought to herself.

‘That’s right.’

Karina touched her earlobe. Her heated ears gradually cooled under her cold fingers.

Whether they communicate well or not doesn’t matter. For Dominic, this is just practice before the real thing.

She had gotten too excited, which was unlike her. Karina blinked a couple of times.

“Let’s go.”

Not understanding Karina’s words, Dominic raised one eyebrow and asked.

“Where to?”

“Where else would we go?”

She spoke to Dominic in an unwavering voice.

“We need to practice.”

* * *

Dominic looked around. It was a dark alley he would never have thought to enter normally.

The narrow alleyways were intricately intertwined like spider webs. However, Karina walked with the confidence of someone who had been here many times.

“Lady Crawford.”

“Yes, Brigadier General?”

“This isn’t your first time here.”

“Hmm.”

A subtle answer came back. However, Dominic’s curiosity was soon satisfied by someone other than Karina.

“Lady Karina!”

A man’s voice was heard from above, and something jumped down and landed beside her.

“Jeff. Have you been well?”

“Thanks to you.”

The greeting between the two who were happy to see each other came before Dominic could block Karina’s path. With a sour expression, Dominic looked back and forth between Karina and the man before him.

“Dominic Winchester? Aren’t you the young master of the Winchester family?”

‘Jeff,’ the ponytailed man with grayish hair, looked at Dominic with widened eyes.

“Lady Karina.”

“I know. You don’t need to say it.”

Dominic coldly stared back at Jeff, who was examining him with interest.

“Ah. I apologize. It’s just such an unexpected person.”

“Is it that unexpected for me to be with Lady Karina?”

After pretending to think for a moment, Jeff quickly nodded.

“Yes.”

Dominic’s expression immediately turned hostile at the light and impudent attitude. It was Karina who stepped in to stop him.

“Stop teasing, Jeff. If you keep doing that, I’ll tell Chelsea everything.”

Jeff, who had been consistently casual, started sweating and rolling his eyes as soon as the name ‘Chelsea’ was mentioned.

“Ah. That’s a bit…”

“So stop it.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Karina chuckled at his exaggerated response that seemed intended to humor her.

“As you said, I don’t want others to see the Brigadier General and me together. You know what I mean?”

“I’ll make sure no one enters the alley. Don’t worry.”

Karina nodded at Jeff’s quick understanding without needing further explanation.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. Considering what you’ve done for me, it’s the least I can do.”

Jeff said this while clearing the way. Karina pulled on Dominic’s sleeve.

* * *

“Who exactly is this Jeff person?”

“Jeff? Ah. He’s an information broker.”

To be precise, he was also the guild master of a guild that handled dark matters, but Karina thought it unnecessary to tell that to Dominic, a naval officer, so she gave a vague answer.

“Information broker? Why do you know someone like that?”

“Why would I know him?”

Karina answered as if it was obvious. Dominic’s mouth closed at that.

But after a while, Dominic’s voice was heard again. Somehow his voice was gruff, as if something was bothering him.

“So that means you helped that Jeff person too?”