CHAPTER 053
"Is it something like a friendship ring?"
"Sort of..."
Lewis answered ambiguously as if he wasn't sure himself.
"It's a friendship ring, right? If not, then it's a couple's ring?"
I laughed as I left the stall with Lewis.
"Oh!"
"What is it?"
The thing that made me stop suddenly was a dessert café.
"Look, it seems like they've introduced the new menu I've been waiting for!"
When I pointed at the poster on the wall, Lewis frowned.
"You screamed just because you noticed that?"
"I've been eagerly waiting to try the new soufflé with Bella."
"Then have it with me first."
Lewis led me straight into the café.
As I followed him, I called out.
"But it might be noisy in there for you!"
"I can tolerate that much."
With his long strides, he quickly entered the café.
Should I try it first and recommend it to Bella if it's good? It didn't seem like a bad idea.
The café was bustling with people as it was very popular.
"There's... oh, there's one seat available!"
We sat in a secluded spot, and I asked Lewis.
"Marquis, would you like to try the soufflé too?"
"Is it good?"
"I guarantee the taste. Order whatever flavor you like!"
Wait, but Lewis doesn't have a favorite, does he?
The last time I asked about his preferences, he said he didn't have any favorite foods.
"Nothing appeals to you, right?"
"Why do you think that?"
"Oh, do you have one?"
Lewis laughed softly at my surprised expression and leaned his chin on his hand.
"Guess."
"Chocolate?"
"Wrong."
"Banana?"
"Nope."
"Strawberry...?"
"You'll end up mentioning every flavor."
"Then what is it?"
"What flavor do you like?"
Instead of answering, Lewis tapped the menu and threw the question back at me.
Why the sudden question?
I looked down at the menu and then said.
"I think the plain one would be the best choice."
"Then I'll have that too."
The flavor Lewis liked was the one I chose.
"I like that."
"Really? Our tastes are the same?"
Although it felt like he was just matching my preference, Lewis didn't deny it.
After placing the order, I brought up something I wanted to ask.
"I have something I'm curious about."
"What is it?"
Lewis nodded slightly as if telling me to go ahead. His eyes looked ready to listen, but that look quickly faded.
"Your noise, Marquis. I think it might be because of your immense magic power."
"Is that what you're curious about?"
Lewis said with a hint of disappointment.
Did I ask something I shouldn't have?
I widened my eyes, and he waved his hand dismissively.
"Go ahead. What about the magic power?"
"If the noise is a side effect of having too much magic power, wouldn't your father's magic power be similar to yours?"
I knew about the relationship between magic power and noise from the original story.
But it seemed odd to think that his father also had noise. That's how I arrived at this hypothesis.
Lewis chuckled at my words as if it was absurd.
"Then my father would have been the Tower Master too. Why is he a court magician instead?"
Oh, that makes sense...
Court magicians and Tower magicians have similar abilities.
The main difference is that the power of the court magician's leader is significantly less than that of the Tower Master.
Because the Tower Master is always the one with the greatest magic power!
And Lewis's thoughts were very different from mine.
"Magic power and noise are separate. My father originally had noise, and it was inherited by me."
"So you see them as completely separate? Then what about your incredible magic power?"
"It's probably the result of a successful combination of two magicians. It turned out well."
"Oh, so that's why your magic power is so exceptional!"
"Exactly."
Lewis nodded immediately.
"But are we really talking about this here? I thought we came out to have fun."
When I turned to look at where he was staring, I saw that our ordered desserts had arrived.
"Let's stop talking about tiring things and just eat."
* * *
So that's what she was curious about? Lewis's initial excitement faded.
It seemed she didn't have any curiosity about him.
Unlike himself, who was still full of questions about her.
Lewis was still curious about her.
Questions like 'What does Selina like?' had been somewhat answered. He had figured that out while spending time with her.
He thought that once that curiosity was resolved, it would be the end of it.
But contrary to his expectations, new questions arose. Like, 'What is she doing now?'
She just popped into his mind from time to time.
"Wow, this looks delicious!"
Selina said, her face lighting up as she picked up the knife and fork.
On her hand was the ring they had matched earlier.
'She called that a friendship ring.'
She had mentioned it was the first time she matched a friendship ring with anyone. Lewis was her first.
'It's a friendship ring. If not, then it's a couple's ring?'
But why didn't it make him happy? He should have been pleased since she emphasized he was special to her.
Before he could delve deeper into his thoughts, Selina asked.
"Do you think Bella will like it? She was curious about it."
"It might be too mild for her. She likes more stimulating flavors."
"Hmm, should I prepare a spicy sauce then?"
They had a light conversation while eating the soufflé together.
The soufflé melted in his mouth. It was supposed to have that texture, so he didn't think much of it. It didn't leave a strong impression.
"Is it good?"
"Yes. I might end up eating it all. You should have some too!"
"Then we'll just order another one."
She looked happy.
Seeing her enjoy the food made the soufflé taste a bit better, even to him.
Of course, it was probably just his mood.
Anyway, it was a peculiar experience.
* * *
Going out with Lewis was enjoyable.
We ate delicious food and did a lot of sightseeing. I was just busy declining his offers to buy me things!
"This is the first time we've gone out like this just for fun, Marquis. It's fun."
"Then let's do it again. Just the two of us."
Lewis responded quickly and added a few seconds later.
"We could even go somewhere far."
"For a day trip?"
We had already gone on two-day trips to faraway places with Lewis.
Once to his hometown and once to my father's hometown.
Thinking back, neither of those trips was solely for fun. They were to uncover the secret of the noise!
"Shall we?"
So I gave a favorable response.
"Next time, let's go out just for fun! No investigations, just for enjoyment."
"Great."
"Shall we take Bella and Michael with us next time too?"
Lewis's previously bright expression turned cold instantly.
"Leave them out. Just the two of us."
He really didn't like that idea. No need to be so serious about it!
"Alright. Just the two of us then! Satisfied?"
At that moment, someone caught my eye.
"Marquis, hold on."
"What is it?"
"There's the Crown Prince."
It was Philip. He was talking to someone in front of a shop.
Lewis turned to look where I pointed and said.
"The Crown Prince doesn't stay in the palace all the time."
"True. Last time we ran into each other on the street, and he gave me a flower."
Lewis squinted his eyes at that.
"You remember the flower he gave you more than the one I gave you?"
"What?!"
There's no need to be jealous about that, really.
After all, he was with Charlotte, so it was possible to meet him by chance.
The main characters can randomly meet on the street anytime.
So it's unusual to see the Crown Prince on the street without Charlotte!
"Is he meeting someone?"
"Can you focus on me? Stop looking at the Crown Prince."
Ugh. He's being really persistent today.
In the end, I turned away from where the Crown Prince was.
"Shall we continue on our way then?"
I spent more time with Lewis. Before I knew it, the sky had darkened.
"It's time to head back."
Time had flown by.
The festival was almost over. I felt a bit sad as I looked around.
There was something different from what I had seen yesterday. The stalls lining the street were now lit up.
"Oh, right."
During multi-day holidays, shops usually stayed open late on the last day.
It was a sign of a night to remember.
One place caught my eye.
"They have fruit wine!"
The special promotion banner highlighted various fruit wines like blueberry and grapefruit.
"Marquis, do you like fruit wine?"
How about having a drink together?
Lewis smiled broadly at my suggestion.
"Sounds good."
They sold it in special containers for takeout, but we decided to drink inside the shop since there were seats available.
"It's my first time drinking in a place like this."
Lewis remarked as if it was a novel experience.
"I've had these a lot before, and fortunately, they're drinkable."
I recalled my past festival experiences fondly.
"Not enough to get drunk?"
"Of course not. It's basically a soft drink."
If you get drunk from this, you're an alcohol lightweight! But a little while later, I started to realize.
Oh, I am an alcohol lightweight.
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