Chapter 29: Drunk (part 1)

The principal’s mischief didn’t end even in the restaurant. 

Food and drinks appeared as soon as they sat down, even without ordering anything.

Meanwhile, the principal’s drink was alc0hol—Akamedi, aged 20 years. 

‘Why are you drinking with cadets?’ 

Stella was taken aback. It was possible that this might be the restaurant’s basic menu, but that didn’t mean that if the principal hadn’t come, she wouldn’t have had a great drink with Ian. 

Stella realized what it meant to be ungraceful as a woman ages.

That sly fox, who crossed her legs and slightly turned her body to reveal her toned figure, sipped alcohol, scattering pheromones in Ian’s direction. 

‘Tsk.’ She bit her tongue involuntarily, realizing that she too had crossed her legs and arms. 

‘…Why am I doing this?’

She didn’t have any romantic relationship with Ian. They were just ordinary friends, rivals at best. Why was she reacting so strongly to another woman flirting with him? Even she couldn’t figure out why.

As Stella remained on edge, the principal’s flirtatious act continued.

“Why, do you want to try it?”

“I’m a little curious.”

“Would you like to have a sip?” the principal said, offering Ian the glass she had been drinking from.

Ian accepted it, seemingly unsure of what to do. He had probably never had a drink like this before, and the way he mimicked the principal made him seem so innocent.

“Oh.”

“…?”

However, when Stella saw Ian turn the glass and place his mouth on the exact spot where the principal’s lips had touched, she couldn’t help but sigh. 

Was he stupid? Or just oblivious? There was lipstick on the glass. Why was he drinking from the same spot, completely unaware of it?

Ian, unaware of her thoughts, handed the cup to her and spoke clumsily.

“Why? Do you want to try some too?”

“No, it’s not that…”

But even as she said this, she found herself glancing at the principal, feeling frustrated.

After getting permission from the principal, Ian handed the glass of wine to her. Stella took the glass with no real intention of drinking but more to refuse. Yet, she found herself staring at the champagne bubbling inside.

‘…She drank from here.’

The faint trace of the principal’s lipstick was still visible, but Ian’s lips had also touched that same spot. If she could ignore the principal’s lipstick, it was practically like k!ssing Ian.

Stella slowly turned the glass and kissed the very spot Ian had.

Even as the champagne slid down her throat, she didn’t feel any pleasure. The only thing she felt was the glass that had touched Ian’s lips and the weight of his gaze on her.

“…It tastes awful.”

“Really?”

Handing the glass back to the principal, Stella realized what she had done and gave a small, awkward laugh. Feeling her face flush, she quickly turned her attention to the salad in front of her, silently eating it.

Time passed, and Ian stood up for a moment.

“I’m going to the bathroom for a bit.”

As soon as he left, an awkward silence settled over the table. 

Well, if the principal had any conscience, she wouldn’t have been the first to speak.

“Principal.”

“Yes? What is it?”

‘Fine, so be it.’ Stella decided to speak first. She would expose the principal’s ugly, vulgar side. 

“Principal… why aren’t you married yet?”

“Ahahaha, there’s no one who can keep up with me at my age,” the principal laughed.

Like Noah, the principal was incredibly talented, having summoned a 4-star summon after being admitted through recommendation. Many nobles had courted her, but no one had ever truly loved her.

Even though she didn’t expect a fairytale prince on a white horse, she still wanted true love, so she delayed marriage, using the ongoing war with demons as an excuse.

She became the head of a prestigious marquise and the principal of an honorable academy, but perhaps because of that, she never met anyone who loved her genuinely.

“So, are you aiming for someone ten years younger than you now?”

“Uh, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You came in such an obvious outfit. You can’t claim ignorance.”

Stella, who had grown up as a commoner, easily saw through the principal’s poorly concealed excuses, which mixed both aristocratic and commoner tones.

When women are young, they dream of princes on white horses. But as they age and build their own lives, they start preferring young, brave men over fairytale princes. 

Princes? The confidence that they could have them anytime they wanted often twisted their tastes in bizarre ways.

With Ian’s handsome appearance, his background as a baron, and his ability to summon a 3-star summon, he was just the type of boy who fit the principal’s fantasy.

But regardless of that…

“People should find someone who matches their own circumstances.”

“—Am I not good enough?” the principal asked.

“No, there’s nothing wrong with you, Principal. However…”

Ian was simply too special. He possessed knowledge of leveling up that no one else knew. He had willingly handed over his heirloom to Noah and had even summoned a 3-star summon. It was unbelievable to think that was just a coincidence.

There was a bigger issue, though.

“The age gap is too big.”

“…Haven’t you heard the saying that age doesn’t matter in love?”

“Do you love Ian?” Stella asked.

The principal fell silent. Those weren’t the kinds of words that should be said at a school dining table. Knowing this, Stella sipped the fresh fruit juice in front of her, watching the principal’s reaction.

“You’re just lonely right now, Principal. You’ve been alone for too long, and it’s clouding your judgment.”

“… …”

The principal didn’t respond, only sipping her drink quietly. The long years of solitude had taken their toll.

“If you’re feeling lonely, just tell me. I can introduce you to plenty of nobles who would be interested.”

“…Thank you.”

With that, Catherine downed the champagne she had been holding and ordered two more from the waiter.

Two? Before Stella could register the strangeness of it, Ian returned from the bathroom, wiping his hands with a handkerchief. 

Catherine quickly grabbed one of the champagnes and slid her chair closer to Ian’s side. Leaning in so close she was practically clinging to him, she handed Ian the glass of champagne and began to talk.

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