Chapter 235: Aria and Grace (2)

Jake looked between the two women, growing increasingly worried.

For some reason, he had a feeling their private conversation would have something to do with their relationship with him.

Grace noticed his suspicious expression.

She immediately pouted cutely, crossing her arms beneath her ample chest as she looked at him with feigned indignation.

"What? You don't trust me?"

Jake's mouth twitched.

"I didn't say anything..."

"Then why are you looking at us like we're about to do something terrible?"

"Well…"

Jake hesitated.

Grace puffed out her cheeks even more, looking thoroughly displeased.

"Hmph! And here I thought you trusted me."

"Alright, alright." Jake raised both hands in surrender. "I trust you, okay?"

"Really?"

"Really."

Grace's pout instantly disappeared, replaced by a satisfied smile.

"Good! Then go on ahead. We'll catch up with you later."

Jake stared at her for a moment before sighing helplessly.

"Fine. I'll leave you two to it."

He turned and followed the attendant, who had been waiting impatiently nearby.

However, just as Jake passed Aria, he suddenly reached out and gave her rear a light, playful slap.

"...!"

Aria's body stiffened instantly.

Her usually composed expression remained unchanged, but her eyes widened ever so slightly as she turned to look at Jake's retreating figure.

"Jake…"

Unfortunately, Jake had already continued walking as if nothing had happened.

"Come on, lead the way. Don't keep Madam Vivian waiting."

The attendant hurriedly nodded and led him down the corridor without realizing his goddess's butt had just been slapped.

Grace, who had witnessed the entire scene, could only smile wryly.

'Honestly, this silly man…'

She understood exactly what Jake had been trying to do.

He might have agreed to let them talk privately, but that little gesture was clearly his way of reminding her that Aria wasn't just some ordinary woman to him.

She was his woman, too.

Grace shook her head in amusement.

Then she glanced at Aria, whose cheeks had gained the faintest hint of pink despite her best efforts to maintain her usual composure.

Grace's smile grew a little more mischievous.

"Well, Aria… it seems someone really doesn't want me picking on you."

Aria tilted her head slightly in confusion.

"Picking on me? Do you want to spar?"

"…Huh?"

Grace's smile froze as she stared at Aria, momentarily confused by her conclusion.

"If you wish to spar, I can make the necessary arrangements. However, I should warn you that I'm only in the Common Class, so there's really no point in sparring with me."

Grace stared at her.

"Wait. What?"

She had only been teasing Aria a little! How had the conversation suddenly turned into a fighting match?!

"No, no! That's not what I meant!" Grace quickly waved her hands. "I wasn't talking about that kind of picking on!"

Aria blinked.

"Then… what kind of picking on were you referring to?"

Grace opened her mouth.

Then she closed it.

Good grief! How am I supposed to explain this to someone who takes everything so literally?!

She glanced at Aria's perfectly serious expression and couldn't help but wonder whether the girl was genuinely this innocent or simply messing with her.

Unfortunately, judging by those clear, unwavering eyes, Aria seemed to be genuinely confused.

Grace let out a long sigh.

"…Never mind. Let's just say I was joking."

"Understood."

Aria nodded obediently.

Then, as if remembering something, she straightened her posture and gave Grace a slight bow, her movements graceful and precise, just like a perfect maid.

"Then, Lady Grace, please follow me."

Grace sighed at Aria's overly formal demeanor.

"Alright, alright. You can drop the formalities, you know."

Aria paused and turned to look at her.

"Drop the formalities?"

"Yes. Just call me Grace. There's no need to keep calling me 'Lady Grace' every time you speak to me. It makes me feel old!"

Grace puffed out her cheeks slightly.

"I'm only in my twenties, you know!"

Aria blinked and slowly nodded.

"Understood… Grace."

Hearing that, Grace smiled brightly and moved closer to Aria.

"Come on, let's get going and not waste any more time."

Aria nodded and was about to lead the way when—

Smack!

Her body stiffened slightly as she felt a sudden smack on her rear.

She slowly turned her head, only to find Grace looking at her own palm with a thoughtful, almost serious expression.

"Hmm… No wonder Jake likes it. It's so plump and bouncy."

"..."

_

_

_

Meanwhile, Jake had absolutely no idea what was going on between the two women of his.

By the time he arrived at Vivian's office, he had already pushed those concerns to the back of his mind.

"Here we are, sir," the attendant said, stopping in front of a beautifully decorated wooden door.

Jake nodded.

"Alright. You can go now."

"Yes, sir!"

The attendant bowed before quickly departing, leaving Jake standing alone in front of the office.

He glanced at the closed door and raised an eyebrow.

'Now then… what exactly happened this time?'

The attendant had rushed to fetch him, claiming that Vivian was in trouble.

Yet, judging by how casually Aria had behaved earlier, the situation didn't seem particularly urgent.

Jake sighed and raised his hand to knock.

Knock!

Knock!

"Madam Vivian, it's me. I'm coming in."

Just as Jake reached for the doorknob and gently pushed the door open, it suddenly swung inward from the other side.

"O-Oh?"

Jake hadn't expected someone to open it for him so abruptly, not to mention such a strong force!

Caught off guard, he instinctively shifted his weight forward, only to find that the door had opened much faster than he anticipated.

His balance immediately went awry.

"W-Whoa?!"

He stumbled forward, desperately trying to regain his footing, but it was already too late because-

Boing!

His face landed squarely against a pair of surprisingly soft, generous breasts.

For a brief moment, Jake's mind went completely blank as he felt that amazing soft flesh surrounding his cheek.

"…Huh?"

A strange yet pleasant fragrance filled his nostrils, carrying the crisp, refreshing scent of a winter breeze drifting through a snow-covered forest.

It was cool and clean, with a faint, delicate sweetness that reminded him of freshly fallen snow and the stillness of a winter morning.

The scent seemed to carry a soothing chill, refreshing his senses in a way that was strangely comforting.

Combined with the heavenly softness pressing against his cheeks, the unexpected sensation left Jake momentarily unable to react.

Then, he slowly raised his head, only for his expression to freeze.

Standing before him was none other than... Lord Blauer.

The tall beautiful woman showed no sign of surprise or embarrassment as her striking blue eyes gazed down at him, their icy depths as calm and unreadable as ever.

"..."