CHAPTER 030
"You didn't buy this gift just because we're friends, right? I can't just accept it without giving something in return."
The café I took Lewis to was one with fewer customers, though it lacked individual booths.
"What would you like? It's my treat!"
"You don't have much money, do you?"
"Such a hurtful remark..."
Granted, I couldn't compare to Lewis in wealth, but still.
"I do have some. I've received some from those people, and the Duke gives me an allowance too. Besides, I was a count's daughter, and I did save up some money."
After receiving such a generous gift, the least I could do was buy him a drink.
I ordered some appropriate drinks and desserts to show my gratitude.
Meanwhile, Lewis was fiddling with the wallet I had left on the table.
"What kind of wallet is this?"
"Isn't it cute?"
"Cute? More like amusing."
Disregarding my wallet, are we?
I felt a bit prickly but couldn't do anything about it. Even as friends, Lewis wasn't an ordinary friend... sigh.
We chatted for a bit, with Lewis responding, and then fell into silence.
I'm used to the silence with Lewis.
It's not the first time!
The quiet wasn't uncomfortable, so I zoned out, looking out the window.
After a while.
"Shall we go now?"
Having rested enough, I looked for a staff member to pay. I caught the eye of a staff member taking orders at another table.
Time to pay!
I signaled, and the staff member nodded in acknowledgment.
It was then that Lewis abruptly stood up.
"Wait a moment. I need to step out."
"Huh?"
"I'll be back soon, so wait here."
He told me not to follow and left the café.
"What?"
Where's he going...?
It all happened so quickly, leaving me bewildered.
I stared blankly in the direction Lewis had left before shifting my gaze back to the window.
Then I froze as I noticed the table. The wallet that was there just a moment ago was gone.
"My wallet."
I looked down at the table. My wallet had indeed vanished.
Why?
Because Lewis had taken it! Oh no, what am I going to do without my wallet?
Is there anything more nerve-wracking than not having money when you need to pay?
The staff member was already walking over to our table.
Oh no.
Before I could stop him, the staff member arrived.
I gave an awkward smile and said,
"Sorry, but I'll pay a little later."
Fortunately, Lewis's promise of a quick return wasn't empty, and he was back at the table soon enough.
"Marquis, if you take my wallet..."
I started to complain but noticed the paper bag in his hand.
"What's that paper bag?"
"It's for you."
What did he buy?
I accepted the paper bag from Lewis. Inside was a box.
"Oh?"
"Isn't this what you wanted earlier?"
Inside the box were the shoes I couldn't buy earlier because they didn't have my size!
"How did you get these shoes, Marquis?"
With wide eyes, I looked at Lewis, who explained,
"Those shoes are from a famous workshop. They're not exclusive to that store."
He explained that they were supplied to various shoe stores from the workshop.
"How did you know?"
"I saw the brand earlier."
"Wow... So you went to another store to find and buy them for me?"
I'm touched, Marquis! I had no idea!
Lewis chuckled at my sparkling eyes.
"How much can two pairs of shoes really cost?"
He stopped me from calling the staff member to pay.
"I already paid."
"But I said I'd pay..."
Lewis handed back my ribbon wallet and said,
"How could I let you pay, even if you insist?"
His tone made it clear he was serious.
He took my wallet to prevent me from paying? He thought of everything.
"Marquis, thank you so much for today!"
I recalled what the Duke had told me.
He had warned me to be prepared, as I was Lewis's first friend.
But if this is what he meant, it's not a bad thing at all. The tension from that day felt pointless.
Knowing Lewis had this considerate side, there was nothing to worry about.
This was better!
* * *
As expected, the days passed without incident.
The only change was that I was now helping Lewis investigate the strange occurrence on the street.
This led to us having a conversation in the Duke's mansion's reception room.
"I went back to that place yesterday, but I couldn't figure out anything."
"You couldn't sense anything back then either. Going back blindly is too vague. There's no guarantee it'll appear again."
"We should have caught it then!"
Feeling regretful, Lewis said,
"I have another idea."
"What is it?"
Intrigued, I listened as he explained.
"Let's cast a spell on the place where we sensed the anomaly."
"A spell in that area?"
Like a radar or something?
"Can you really do that?"
I didn't think it was possible since I knew nothing about magic.
"I already cast a spell yesterday. If something unusual appears, I'll get a signal."
"Then you don't need my help. You can handle it alone."
But Lewis shook his head.
"We need to go together. If something made the noise audible suddenly, what would happen to the original noise?"
"Um... It could stay the same or get louder."
"Exactly. If the noise gets louder, it'll be a hassle."
He looked like he found the idea bothersome.
"Then let me know when you get the signal."
Lewis could contact me through the communication device he gave me.
"Which area did you cast the spell over?"
I asked out of curiosity, and Lewis's answer was surprising.
"The entire administrative district that includes the busy street."
"Such a large area?"
Is that okay?
Lewis seemed unbothered.
"There's no one in the empire with more magical power than me. They won't even know I cast a spell."
Thank goodness Lewis is on our side. He's a scary one.
* * *
Three more days passed.
Despite Lewis's spell, there were no signs of anything unusual.
Maybe it won't show up again if it doesn't go back to that area?
It seemed like it wasn't being detected...
"What are you doing, Selina?"
Lost in thought, Bella burst into my room.
"That dress we ordered a while ago hadn't arrived, right? It's finally here!"
"The dress for the ball?"
The ball is in two days?
I hadn't been paying much attention, preoccupied with helping Lewis.
"Yes, that dress. Come take a look!"
Bella led me away.
Since we ordered it together, the dress was already familiar.
"How does it look? Does it fit well?"
"Of course!"
I gave a thumbs-up to Bella, who was trying on the dress.
That afternoon, I told Lewis about the upcoming ball.
"Marquis, the ball is in just two days!"
"I knew that."
Oh? I thought Lewis would have forgotten. I'm surprised he remembered.
"You remembered?"
"Of course. Did you forget?"
"There was something more important. I was so focused on that."
"More important?"
Lewis raised an eyebrow.
"I'm impressed you think that way."
Right? That's the kind of person I am! Feeling proud, I smiled, and Lewis said,
"But I didn't forget about the ball. I even got an invitation to escort you, so I can't forget."
"Got an invitation?"
It reminded me that the host family of the ball was a mage family.
But to say he got the invitation?
Lewis didn't elaborate, but it seemed there was something I didn't know.
Could it be that Lewis is attending just because of me?
* * *
The day of the ball arrived.
I had been to the Millard family's ball before when I lived with the count's family.
This time, I was with Lewis.
Entering with Lewis's escort, I felt more eyes on us than before.
Not just my imagination, people were really watching us curiously.
All those stares made me uncomfortable...
"What's everyone looking at?"
Noticing my discomfort, Lewis asked.
"Nothing."
The hosts, the Millard count couple, appeared after most of the guests had arrived.
After their welcoming speech, the ball officially began.
"Shall we dance?"
As people moved to the dance floor, Lewis surprisingly extended his hand to me.
"Do you know how to dance?"
"Of course!"
You seem more distant from dancing, Marquis. I kept that thought to myself.
Lewis led me to the dance floor.
I better not step on his feet.
I carefully danced, trying not to make any mistakes.
Lewis, with his signature arrogant smile, commented.
"You're good."
"Of course. It's basic."
Lewis asked,
"Who did you dance with?"
"Just many people, taking turns."
Why ask that? I didn't understand his intention.
I praised Lewis instead to change the subject.
"You're pretty good yourself, Marquis."
In the original story, Lewis only danced with Charlotte.
It was strange to think about it.
Instead of Charlotte, I'm dancing with Lewis as just a friend's cousin! Or rather, a friend now?
As I pondered, Lewis suddenly asked.
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