It was a sudden invitation to lunch, but Ian had no intention of turning it down. After all, wasn’t it an invitation from the duke’s daughter?
Considering her individual power—especially the strength of a 4-star summon—along with her noble lineage and the duke’s influence, she was not someone to be ignored.
Even if Aire herself had no ill intentions, that didn’t mean her followers wouldn’t act on her behalf, as they had in the past.
‘I hope it’s something delicious.’
Despite the formal invitation under the duke’s daughter’s name, Ian doubted it would be just a casual academy-level gathering.
Upon arriving at the women’s dormitory, Aire’s maid, who had been waiting outside, immediately escorted Ian inside.
Like Dinua’s dormitory, the layout was no different just because this was the sophomore building.
“The lady is waiting inside,” the maid informed him.
“Yes,” Ian replied.
The moment he stepped in, a distinct, unfamiliar aroma filled his senses—a scent he had never encountered in the academy’s dining hall.
In a world surrounded by demons, seafood was an exceptionally rare delicacy. Ian, who had always liked fish, couldn’t help but brighten up at the scent.
“Senior.”
“Oh, Ian!”
Aire, now dressed in an elegant gown, greeted him with a bright smile. In the short time since they had last met, she had changed into a dress that accentuated her noble grace.
She twirled in place like a ballerina, as if showing off her outfit.
‘No way… she’s a natural at this too?’
Ian found himself baffled by her peculiar yet graceful behavior, but the dance ended quickly.
“Sit down!” Aire cheerfully gestured for Ian to take a seat across from her.
The maids swiftly set the table, placing various dishes in front of them. One by one, plates of steamed and grilled fish—an incredibly rare treat inland—were served.
“This is…” Ian murmured in surprise.
“It’s a specialty from the northern regions,” Aire explained proudly. “I specifically requested it to be sent here.”
“…I’ll enjoy the meal,” Ian said, pushing aside trivial thoughts like why this was a private meal for just the two of them or why she was wearing such a formal dress.
The moment he took a bite, the rich flavor of the fish captivated him. It had been months since he last ate seafood, and the taste was nothing short of exquisite.
Focused entirely on his meal, Ian methodically cut into the fish with his fork and knife. By the time he regained awareness, he had already finished an entire fish.
“Do you like fish?” Aire asked, watching him with amusement.
Embarrassed but still craving more, Ian hesitated.
Aire chuckled and cut her own fish in half before offering him a portion.
Although he felt guilty about taking her food, his teenage body still found one fish inadequate.
“…Thank you,” he said sincerely.
“It’s nothing.”
As Ian carefully deboned the piece she had given him, he glanced at Aire. There had to be another reason she invited him—surely, she wouldn’t have gone through all this trouble just to share a rare delicacy.
“Senior, didn’t you mention this was a party?”
“—Did I ever say that?” she asked, tilting her head.
“You definitely invited me…”
“Yes! I invited you to apologize.”
“Apologize?” Ian repeated, caught off guard.
Aire set down her utensils, then lowered her head in a formal bow. Before Ian could react, she began reciting what seemed like a carefully memorized speech, her tone as rigid as if reading from a script.
“As the heiress of the Elnes family, I was reckless in my words and actions… I sincerely apologize for any concern I may have caused you.”
Though she stumbled slightly mid-sentence, Ian recognized her sincerity. Deciding to respond in kind, he adopted a noble-like demeanor.
“As the heir of the Clark family, I accept your apology.”
Internally, Ian wasn’t sure if this was the proper response. He had simply followed her lead, knowing little about noble etiquette.
However, a quick glance at Aire’s maid and the other attendants reassured him—nothing seemed out of place.
Still, if he thought about it carefully, shouldn’t a baron’s son like himself be the one apologizing to a duke’s daughter instead?
‘Well, that kind of distinction won’t matter after graduation…’
For now, though, there was an undeniable difference in status between a baron’s heir and the heiress of a ducal family—an even greater gap than that between commoners and nobles.
Yet, upon hearing Ian’s formal response, Aire smiled warmly and clapped her hands together.
“Thank you!”
“…I didn’t really do anything, though?”
“Hmm? But you accepted my apology. My father once told me that forgiving is harder than apologizing.”
She had done nothing wrong, yet she not only apologized first but also thanked him for accepting it.
She wasn’t just kind—she was practically saintly.
“Ah, Mother Aire…” Ian muttered jokingly.
“Uh, huh? What? I’m not a mother…” Aire blinked in confusion before realizing he was teasing her.
Ian smirked. “I’m joking, Senior.”
Once she caught on, Aire burst into laughter, her cheerful expression making her seem even more endearing.
Still, Ian hadn’t forgotten his curiosity.
“So, Senior, why did you really invite me?”
“Hm?” Aire tilted her head.
“I don’t think you’d go through all the trouble of sending such a fancy invitation just for an apology.”
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