By the time Dixie and Penny’s group returned from their ‘training session’, everyone had already had their own chance to try riding a horse by themselves under Emilia’s ‘care’ as well.
Of the three ‘newbies’, Crystal had the most trouble controlling her movements, though fortunately she didn’t have any mishaps that would require intervention.
With the first and most dangerous day going over so well, as well as the ‘delightful’ updates of her opponent’s situation, Emilia was naturally in a good mood as she took everyone to ‘The Fawn’ to celebrate.
Like a bunch of ants in a hot pan, the staff and the chefs rushed about to make preparations for another impromptu ‘audit’ from their boss.
The lead chef couldn’t help but grumble when his break time was abruptly canceled. “It wouldn’t be like last time when she left without saying anything, right?”
Having been already ‘schooled’ by Noelle for letting ‘riff-raff’ like Alexander get reservations, the manager couldn’t help but grind her teeth and look at the chef, hating iron for not becoming steel. “Shut up and get to work! This is not the time to whine, it’s the time to shine!”
Fortunately, since Emilia was considerate enough to arrange a shower and change of clothing for everyone, the staff had more than enough time to ‘get ready’.
By the time they got there, a large part of the VIP area had already been cleared for them, with the manager feeling like she had used up the next ten years of her negotiation skills.
Those who had never been there before wouldn’t notice, but for Dixie and Thea, it was impossible to mask their surprise.
”How come there’s barely anyone here?”
Although Dixie had never liked Theo, her dislike didn’t extend to his sister. “Since it belongs to the princess, how could they not make some space when she needs it?”
Of course, although she said so, the dark-haired girl couldn’t help but have some doubts as well. ‘Given that ‘The Fawn’ is usually quite full, it’s a bit too much to clear so much space just for the few of us, right?’
Emilia waved one of the nearby staff over with a smile, and after she had them arrange two tables together for their group, the crimson-haired girl gave her a satisfied nod. “Thank you for the help. And please tell the manager to come and meet us whenever they’re free, alright?”
The lady couldn’t help but cough awkwardly. “Y-Young miss… i-it’s me… I’m the manager.”
Emilia blinked in surprise as she looked at the lady once again. ‘Such shiny, long black hair and youthful skin… She doesn’t look over twenty-five, right? Are all the young ladies so capable these days?’
The crimson-haired girl couldn’t help but rub her cheek in embarrassment. “I’m sorry. I just didn’t expect the manager to be so young and capable.”
Seeing the gorgeous girl blush like that ‘because of her’, the young manager felt like an arrow had been shot through her heart. ‘C-Cute!’
When the younger girl’s words finally registered in her rapidly bending mind, however, the manager felt her face quickly turn red from embarrassment. “I-It’s not like I’m amazing or anything, I-I just… um…”
Emilia couldn’t help but giggle. “Oh, don’t be so shy! I could tell you made a lot of ‘special’ arrangements for us today, so I just wanted to let you know not to panic too much in the future. I’ll be here quite often, after all.”
Although it was naturally possible for her to take everyone straight to the White Deer Mansion whenever needed, Emilia naturally had her reasons for picking this place instead.
The locations Emilia frequented the most comprised the Imperial Academy, her sister’s office, and the White Deer Mansion, but none of these places were what one would consider ‘open to outsiders’, with the most easily accessible one being her sister’s office.
If someone who wasn’t already close to her wanted to catch a glimpse of the crimson-haired girl, it wouldn’t be strange for them to go starving for weeks before being able to spot her near the White Deer’s office… if they weren’t chased off for loitering in advance.
Since Emilia had no intention of attending any ‘useless’ parties that would only waste her time, she naturally couldn’t make it too difficult for people to approach her when needed. After all, with the strength of her opponents, few could be expected to meet her out in the open.
Emilia had previously considered just using Crystal’s place before, but now that she was starting to become more high-profile, the crimson-haired girl felt it would be safer to use ‘The Fawn’ instead.
Looking at her little boss smiling so beautifully, the manager couldn’t bring herself to admit that she got the position thanks to her mother’s connections, and could only nod obediently.
After excusing herself, the manager walked away feeling both elated yet forlorn.
Although talking with the little beauty was like having a wonderful revelation, she couldn’t help but feel like she had cheated her gorgeous boss. ‘I-It’s not like I didn’t do well in college, o-or that I lied in my resume or anything, b-but…’
Shaking her head, the young manager could only swear in her heart that she would work harder to be ‘deserving’ of such praise and acknowledgment.
Of course, Emilia had already put the matter aside as she happily started making suggestions on what they should order.
Although the subtle changes in the manager’s mood couldn’t escape Crystal’s eyes, that didn’t mean she would ruin her girlfriend’s mood for such little things. As far as she was concerned, Emilia’s optimism was part of her charm, and unless the other party harbored ill-will, there was no need to interfere too much.
Unfortunately, Crystal realized too late that Penny had managed to squeeze into the seat on Emilia’s left in the brief moment she had been distracted, while Dixie took her right.
The heroine could only roll her eyes in exasperation as she slid into the next vacant spot. ‘Hey… if this little tyke could be this competitive in her studies, she wouldn’t be at the bottom of class C!’
Fortunately, except for Penny, none of them were childish enough to fight over seating positions, and focused more on what they wanted for dinner.
The one who was the most shocked out of the bunch by the speed and quality of service at ‘The Fawn’ was naturally Thea, but once she recalled how Emilia was the little princess of the White Deer Corporation, she realized that it wasn’t so strange, after all.
The twintailed girl couldn’t help but sigh. “Ahh… how fortunate would it be if that useless sis-con brother of mine was more handsome?”
Not only would she be able to brag about having a sister-in-law who could win beauty pageants around the world, but with how nice Emilia was, it wouldn’t be a dream to live like a little princess herself either!
Even though it wasn’t quite the same as meeting a knight in shining armor, wasn’t that a dream come true on its own as well?
While all the ‘knights’ stared at the oblivious girl with a dark look, Emilia couldn’t help but giggle at Thea’s dreamy expression. “I’m sure he would be both delighted and devastated to hear you think so.”
Thea blinked, still not realizing that had it not been for Emilia’s presence, she might have been on the receiving end of more than just a few kicks to her butt. “Eh?? Why would he be delighted?”
The crimson-haired girl gave her a teasing smile. “Because you think of him so much?”
Had it been anyone else that Emilia was talking about, Thea might have been embarrassed, but considering the ‘subject matter’, she could only reel back in horror. “Ewww… no no no! Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like that sis-con pervert at all! I just thought how wonderful it would be to have you as my sister-in-law, but he’s way too hopeless to be able to—!”
Thea’s mouth clamped shut. ‘Oh fuck… not only am I actively reducing the already abysmally low chances of Emilia ever becoming my sister-in-law, but isn’t saying stuff like this just asking for a beating?!’
Naturally, the twintailed girl was well aware that, unlike herself, almost everyone around the crimson-haired beauty could be considered more bent than a mosquito coil.
Forget about giving an ‘assist’, it wouldn’t be strange for one of these girls to chop her up and add another dish to the table instead!
Fortunately, Emilia didn’t seem to mind her words too much. “Although your brother doesn’t look like the most handsome boy I’ve seen, I wouldn’t call him disgusting. Of course, his attitude isn’t very attractive to most girls, but hey, who knows, he could be someone’s perfect prince, right?”
Although Thea had one thousand and one retorts in her mind, she wisely decided to keep silent and nodded obediently. “R-Right.”
Once Emilia’s attention shifted to teaching Hazel how to handle the oysters she had ordered, Thea turned to Penny after feeling her nudge.
”Let’s have a ‘talk’ later, alright?”
Thea gulped, and just as she was about to nod, she couldn’t help but be dumbfounded by the ponytailed girl’s cheerful smile.
”By the way… Although our benevolent princess is too kind to care, the next time you suggest a boy to her… Well, as the commander, I can’t keep everyone in the dark, you know?”
As for what the ‘knights’ would do? How could poor little Penny be able to control that?
Looking at the petite girl’s cheerful smile, Thea couldn’t help but scream in terror in her heart, though no sound came out of her mouth. ‘A-A devil! Commander is a devil!!’
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