{Chapter 60} Anna, You Don’t Want Our Relationship to Be Exposed This Early, Do You?
"That was close, so close..."
Louise's passionate demeanor earlier, along with that unmistakably suggestive gesture, seemed like she was about to initiate an intimate moment right there in the office.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, it was already noon, and some knights returning for their shift knocked on the door, interrupting Louise's actions and allowing Anna to narrowly escape.
After formally listening to the knights' work reports, the office returned to a two-person space, but the earlier atmosphere had completely dissipated.
However, the confession that had already been made wouldn't change.
"Senpai, let's go eat together?"
Louise naturally linked arms with Anna, now acting like a noble lady, which left Anna feeling somewhat flustered.
Though both were clad in armor, their movements were graceful, as if two noble ladies had donned armor for a date.
Naturally, such a pair attracted quite a few glances.
Although they had gone out in armor together before, this time it drew even more attention.
"This feels so strange... ugh..."
After officially establishing their relationship, Anna, who appeared more dominant in terms of height, felt unusually shy.
Louise, on the other hand, was completely at ease, greeting passersby with natural grace.
"Anna Senpai, let's go eat at the place where Atala works, shall we?"
On the way, Louise mischievously suggested this idea.
"This... this isn't appropriate, is it?" Anna replied, both amused and exasperated. "What if we run into Helga..."
Ever since arriving in the town and discovering that Atala worked at the Imperial-style restaurant after dining there once, Helga had been frequenting the place.
Although she had no significant influence in this town, Helga was still the daughter of a prominent noble family.
Despite her claims of wanting to be self-reliant, her savings were more than enough to dine at the Imperial-style restaurant multiple times.
"That's exactly the point," Louise said, unfazed by the possibility of encountering Helga.
"Louise... Lou..." Anna immediately put on a pleading expression. "Don't do this..."
Why does this feel like some cheap nighttime drama about a cheating heroine...
"Hmph, if we let that Bartham girl know about our relationship, your plan to be unfaithful will fall apart, won't it?"
Clearly, Louise was still bothered by Anna's earlier indecisiveness.
But even as she said this, she turned in a different direction, moving further away from the Imperial-style restaurant.
"Lou Lou...?"
"Although I'm not thrilled about it, I can't help it when you make such an irresistible face," Louise replied without looking at Anna.
"You're just too cunning, Senpai."
"Is that so..."
Though Anna still wore a pitiful expression, she inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
This time, however, they ended up at a seafood restaurant.
Although the Kingdom of Rianved was a coastal nation, the town located on the border between the kingdom and the empire was far from the coast, essentially an inland town.
Transporting seafood here while keeping it fresh required significant effort.
It was said that the Adventurers' Guild even had specialized quests for mages to transport seafood, offering substantial rewards.
The high transportation costs and long distances meant that this restaurant was considered a high-end establishment, affordable only to the wealthy in this town.
Silently praying that they wouldn't run into Helga, Anna and Louise entered the restaurant together.
"Hello... Lady Knights." The attractive waitress seemed slightly surprised to see two knights who appeared very close entering the restaurant at noon, but she quickly adopted a professional demeanor.
"I reserved a couple's seat here yesterday," Louise said, maintaining a graceful smile that gave her the air of a noble lady, even in full armor.
"Yesterday... Ah! Are you Miss Latimir?"
"Yes, here's my card."
After a brief exchange between Louise and the waitress, which left Anna utterly confused, the waitress led them to a private room... decorated in a rather romantic style.
Pink decor, heart-shaped balloons, and various coral and shell ornaments shaped like hearts adorned the room.
There was even an embedded fish tank containing several fish Anna didn't recognize, which looked as if they were wearing white gowns.
Both Louise and Anna hung their armor on the two armor stands in the spacious room and took their seats.
"Lou, you reserved this place yesterday?" Anna asked, relieved that Louise hadn't tried anything while she was removing her armor, and voicing the biggest question she had since earlier.
"Originally, I planned to confess to you here," Louise said, resting her chin on her hands and smiling happily.
"But Anna Senpai was just so... easy to tease earlier that I couldn't help but confess on the spot. Now I kind of regret it, confessing in such a place."
"Easy to tease? That's not fair..." Anna protested softly.
"But I think this is fine too. From now on, every year on this day, we'll reserve a private room like this and enjoy a space just for the two of us..." As she spoke, Louise slowly walked over to Anna and, like a child acting cute and clingy, nestled into her embrace.
Then, with a swift motion, Louise turned and straddled Anna's lap, facing her directly.
"Lou, the waitress is here..." Feeling Louise's slightly heavy breathing, Anna whispered a reminder.
Hearing Anna's words, Louise seemed to snap out of it and quickly got off Anna, turning to look at the door.
There, a young, inexperienced waitress stood holding a menu in one hand and the door handle in the other, having opened the door slightly.
She was now frozen in an awkward position, unsure whether to enter or retreat.
"Ahem, please come in."
Louise quickly returned to her seat, though she seemed slightly displeased.
However, she promptly composed herself, knowing she couldn't take her frustration out on the poor waitress.
"Um... here are the menus for the two ladies..."
The waitress gently placed the menus on the table and then hurriedly retreated from the room.
"Once the two ladies have decided on your order... just ring the bell on the table... and I'll come in..."
"Until then, please take your time choosing..."
This waitress... is she being a little too "considerate"?
Anna sighed, instinctively glancing at Louise.
...Why isn't she looking at the menu but still staring at me?