As a villain, I really don't want to be pursued by the heroine.

At this time of year, there are vendors selling snacks everywhere.

The spicy or sweet flavors are entangled with each other, emitting a visible temptation that stops people coming and going.

Every time Nia entered this street, she would drool and be at a loss, while Alice would remain reserved and look around with a calm but sparkling gaze.

Charlotte's reaction was somewhere in between.

Although she couldn't help but feel her nose twitching and her throat trembling, she had to maintain the graceful and unmoved demeanor of a lady, forcing herself not to be attracted by the tempting delicacies.

Sadly, humans have their limits.

After resisting the temptation of grilled sausages, egg tarts, and ice cream all the way, Charlotte finally revealed her weakness in front of a merchant from the South China Sea faction.

The noodle sauce that is neither too thick nor too thin is mixed with the sweet but not greasy red bean paste, put into a mold, and baked into golden and crispy little fish.

Taiyaki.

This snack, which comes from the South China Sea, is not prepared in a special way, but it has become a favorite of many girls in the college for its simple and rustic taste and cute appearance.

Even though they were once competitors, it did not stop the ladies from the Lionheart faction from gathering here after the meeting and ordering a plate of Taiyaki.

Roy couldn't even move at this step.

Seeing Charlotte standing there, staring blankly at the Taiyaki stall in the distance like a cat obsessed with fish, Roy immediately understood.

"Would you like one?"

"Huh? What?"

"Taiyaki, that looks pretty good."

"Humph, it's just an ordinary red bean paste dessert."

Charlotte turned her head away, appearing calm.

The problem was that her feet seemed to be nailed, and even with Roy's strength, which was one bloodline level higher than hers, she couldn't move.

Roy consciously took the initiative to ask: "There must be a reason why they are so popular. How about buying one and trying it?"

Charlotte's eyes lit up, and the corners of her mouth rose, but she forced it down: "Forget it, I won't be able to eat dinner after eating this."

"Then why don't we just have one for the two of us?"

"Oh well."

The knight received the order and hurried forward to find food for his Royal Highness the Princess.

When Roy returned and served her Taiyaki, the princess's expression immediately brightened.

She instinctively wanted to open her mouth, but there were many people passing by, and even some girls from the Lionheart faction gave her teasing looks.

Charlotte had no choice but to force herself to keep her mouth shut. After she walked out of the commercial street and left the crowd, she found a bench to sit down and concentrate on enjoying the southern dessert.

Charlotte opened her cherry-like mouth slightly and took a bite. The crispy and burnt flavor and the sweet and smooth red bean paste made her look happy.

The girl still maintained the demeanor of a noble lady, but her eyebrows, which were always deliberately lowered, showing the aura of a princess, had completely relaxed, and the corners of her mouth, stained with red bean paste, also outlined a beautiful arc.

Roy suddenly thought of his two catgirls.

If Charlotte had cat ears, they would have been shaking into cute waves by now.

After finishing half of the fish in a few bites, Charlotte pretended to be serious and said, "Not bad for now..."

Not bad—this is already a very high evaluation for Her Highness the Princess.

Roy immediately became interested: "Then I'll try it too."

Charlotte swallowed hard and handed over the Taiyaki.

But Roy did not take the Taiyaki. Instead, he reached out to the edge of the girl's cherry-colored lips, wiped off the bean paste there, and put it back into her mouth under the girl's stunned gaze.

"Well, it's really good."

"Not bad, you pervert!"

Accompanied by the girl's angry roar of shame, her black silk feet wrapped in brown leather boots stepped down repeatedly, bringing Roy pain and pleasure.

Chapter 21: A Birthday Celebration Worth Looking Forward to

Feeling like he'd made a killing, Roy admitted his mistake and said, "Sorry, sorry. I won't mess around again next time!"

But the girl's reaction was beyond his expectations.

“…It’s not impossible.”

"Ugh?"

Covering her pretty face, stained red with taiyaki, Charlotte muttered resentfully, "Next time, for something like that, please tell me in advance and ask for my permission, okay?"

"Otherwise, it's bad for your heart..."

No, now it's bad for my heart, right?

Feeling Charlotte's cuteness once again and being mesmerized by those crystal clear, youthful crimson eyes, Roy felt his heart pounding.

Unconsciously, his hand fell to Charlotte's fingertips again.

He trembled slightly, but did not hesitate, nor did he refuse.

Just like before, the girl's slightly rosy fingertips passed through Roy's fingers and interlocked with his, and her delicate shoulders, which could be felt through the clothes, also leaned softly against him.

The two of them were silent for a while, watching the students coming and going, letting the sunset flow peacefully.

This time last year, Roy was still anxiously busy preparing for the ball, and then he was immediately involved in Leo Reinhardt's conspiracy and was hunted by the Evil Dragon Society. In the end, he even had to face the red-blooded fire dragon that had once started a war in the kingdom and burned the entire sky.

But looking back, what he could never forget were the memories he had with Charlotte.

Hunting together, dining together, escaping hand in hand, a dance that finally came true after all the hardships, and a sweet kiss under the sunset of the Red Keep.

This year, there were finally no rebellious princes or evil cult conspiracies, and Roy was able to leisurely enjoy the time with Charlotte, which he cherished deeply.

Thinking about it, Charlotte didn't have a good birthday last year, so I should make it up to her this year.

Roy had some self-awareness as to who nodded in agreement first, and the reason he was able to reach this point with Alice and the others was because of it.

Roy's gratitude to this girl who initially shared his feelings and was the most tolerant of him was so great that he didn't know how to express it.

"So, you don't have any other plans for next week?"

"Unfortunately, I already have an appointment."

"Huh?" Charlotte was stunned.

"We have to celebrate the birthday of a certain noble and beautiful princess. This arrangement cannot be postponed no matter what."

Charlotte finally caught her breath and pounded her fist again, feeling both angry and amused: "Sweet talk!"

"But, like I said, there's really no need to go too far."

On the one hand, she didn't want to delay her subordinates' vacation, but at this moment, Charlotte was too embarrassed to admit the reason, which she would only admit to Roy: "Don't you think the royal family's pomp is shameful?"

"Especially since I'm not the only royal family member in the Citadel, I'm the only one who made such a scene known to everyone, and made all the Lionheart people celebrate my country's birthday. It makes me look very ostentatious!"

King Lionheart's kindness is a burden to Charlotte.

Charlotte bit into her Taiyaki and glanced furtively at the boy beside her.

It's hard to say whether she likes or dislikes him. As a princess, she certainly won't slack off on her responsibilities. Every year on her birthday, she performs flawlessly, maintaining the image that a princess should have.

It was just that it was a rare opportunity for her to leave the capital, and she wanted to have a less noisy birthday.

A birthday with only him by my side.

"So..."

"So, I'm not organizing the Royal Capital National Day celebration, but your birthday, Charlotte."

Roy turned around, picked up a lock of crimson hair and kissed it tenderly and affectionately.

Especially since it was a public place, Charlotte felt completely weakened when she was called by her name.

The birthday celebration specially prepared by her beloved was like bean paste warmed by the setting sun, spreading just the right amount of sweetness in her heart.

The girl biting the Taiyaki tightly was speechless, but her eyes were filled with the tenderness of a young boy.

"No dinners, no socials, no dancing, just me... well, dancing can still be preserved."

"Sounds good."

"Right?"

Roy raised an eyebrow. "However, simply being good isn't enough for me. I still hope Her Highness the Princess can give me a higher rating."

"Hmph, that depends on how well you prepare."

Roy was about to boast and accept the test, but he saw the girl raised her hand and forcefully handed over the half-eaten Taiyaki to block his mouth.

A little cold, but still sweet.

The princess, who had taken over as host, stood up and raised her beautiful eyebrows.

The red hair sways in the wind, brightening the light pure color.

"That's what you said, huh?"

"I'll look forward to it."

The girl climbed over, her slender fingertips pointing directly at Roy's already beating chest.

"If you satisfy me on this birthday, it's not impossible to give me a small reward, okay?"

"Any reward you want."

"!"

Roy's heart was beating so fast that it almost burst out of his chest.

The girl's tone seemed casual, but upon closer inspection, her slightly weak fingertips and the shy red blush on her cheeks were unmistakable.

There was no doubt that the so-called reward was what he thought it was.

A final, ritual test given by a proud girl.

It's not about asking him to be a brave and mighty knight, nor is it about asking him to possess tremendous power, but if he can't even complete this test and fulfill this wish, then he doesn't deserve the girl's favor.

Really, even though I was planning to prepare a surprise for you, I have to work harder now.

If Roy just wanted to prepare a perfect birthday celebration before, now he wants to give the other party a celebration that goes beyond perfect.

Swallowing the Taiyaki hard, Roy held Charlotte's hand and replied with a smile: "Then you should look forward to it."

----------

Just one week passed quickly.

Charlotte is in an unusually good mood these days.

Although she often saw Roy secretly meeting with Alice, Nia, Jon Snow and others, she rarely cared about it and even condoned Alice and others' behavior that clearly exceeded the average time several times.

It doesn’t matter, I will take action sooner or later!

All the saints, elves, and ice beauties have to take the back seat. You can only be happy now. When the time comes, I will let you see who is the one who has Roy so bewitched!

Charlotte didn't even respond to Nia's provocation now. She had a completely victorious look on her face, which made the latter very angry.

but.......

The beholder is clear.

Nia felt even more jealous because she was not kept in the dark by Roy and knew how carefully he had planned in secret.

These days, they were busy going out with the boy, and it was not a tryst.

Following Roy to the center of the academic city, the Lionheart Faction's warehouse, they counted the boxes of valuable extraordinary materials that had been transported in. The elf girl hugged Roy from behind with a gloomy look, and a wave of indescribable envy filled her.

"Okay, you've put so much effort into preparing a gift for her. That's really thoughtful of you."

"Isn't it her birthday?"

"No matter what, we can't lose to that flat-chested guy on our birthdays!"

"sure."

These days, even with the blessing of the ability of [Insomnia], Roy still couldn't help yawning.

However, compared to the insignificant tiredness, his dark eyes were full of energy, sparkling with anticipation that far surpassed the former.