Chapter 115: Entire Breadth of His Literary Skills (1)

Louise's eyes locked onto the court official, and time seemed to grind to a halt. The official's startled expression slowly turned into a smile, and he lifted a finger to his lips as if to say, "Quiet." Then he pointed towards Ian.

'Does he mean not to tell the President?'

Or perhaps-

'He means he's going to keep it a secret.'

Or maybe it was just her hopeful thinking.

'No. It could mean that he's going to leave quietly now to write it down.'

That was a disaster-level scenario. Louise's first impression in history would be enormous.

Kissing.

The young official would probably use the entire breadth of his literary skills to portray the scene as vividly as he could.

"...Well."

While Louise's mind was swirling about the appearance court official, a languid voice murmured against her lips.

"What am I missing?"

He pulled away and leaned his forehead over Louise's shoulder. His hand, which seemed like it would never let her go, finally loosened its grip.

"...Huh?"

Ian heaved a sigh.

"Well, I am a man of humility, and I don't expect to be good from the start."

"Hoo, that's a good attitude."

"Right?"

"Yes, for the crown prince who receives everyone's attention."

"I don't want everyone's attention. I just."

His sigh became heavier.

" ....I thought I should be able to kiss you well enough so that I don't lose your attention."

"My attention...?"

"Yes. I hoped that I could at least satisfy you."

He wrapped his arms around Louise's waist again.

"Now I realize that my kisses are too terrible to hold your attention."

He called that terrible? No, how could he say that! The male lead is good at anything he does, even for the first time!

"Of course, since I'm still new to this I have to be a bit more motivated."

"A-ah no, President, it's not bad at all-"

He was doing great. She could probably turn into cotton candy from her shoulders to her legs and simply melt.

"It's alright, you don't have to console me. I have the will to improve."

"If you improve from here, then that will be even more dangerous..."

Louise muttered to herself, and Ian looked down at her.

"Hmm?"

"Nothing!"

"Anyway, if there's anything I can improve on, please tell me. There's no one else to let me know."

"Y-you don't need to improve at all. You're doing great."

Louise answered him awkwardly, touching his arm that was around her waist.

This was beyond mortifying. It was especially mortifying to compliment someone else on their kissing skills too.

"Are you sure you're alright?"

Louise nodded vigorously, but he still looked doubtful.

"That can't be true."

His brow gently wrinkled, and he leaned so that their foreheads were touching together.

"I could tell with my own eyes that you were thinking of something else entirely."

"I-I-! "

Louise hastily tried to think of an excuse. Perhaps it was better not to tell him that they were caught by the court official, and the court official would let go of it quietly.

" ...I-I just didn't know what to do."

"You mean you were uncomfortable?"

There was concern etched on his features, and Louise quickly shook her head.

"In a good way! I mean, it was so good that I didn't know what to do..."

"While I'm happy that that's what you were thinking about, I'm not really sure what to do from here."

Louise suddenly felt guilty, as Ian seemed genuinely troubled.

"I'm sorry I didn't focus on kissing."

"...Now that's worse."

"But I'll do better next time! So if there's anything I need to improve on, please let me know!"

"You're going to improve from here?"

He shook his head gently, dropping his forehead. Something scary must have crossed his mind.

"I disagree."

"Why? Didn't you like it?"

"The problem is that you're so good. My patience is strong, of course. But sometimes..."

"Sometimes it doesn't hold."

"Yes. Like the time I kissed your forehead when I wasn't your lover."

"And the time you gulped after seeing my back."

"That was an instance of strong patience."

"...!"

What the hell is this guy! If that was patience, then what was he like when he didn't have it?

Ian let out a short chuckle as Louise fixed him with an incredulous stare.

"Anyway."

He changed the subject in a calmer tone.

"I'll try my best."

Louise found that wholly unnecessary, but for some reason she didn't want to stop his efforts.

'Does that mean I'm becoming a pervert like he is...'

Now the pervert has to pay taxes to the pervert. What should she do about this shameful state of ruin?

"You're...you're thinking about something else."

"Ah, no!"

Louise quickly denied it, but Ian didn't look like he believed her.

"What are we supposed to do with this bubbly brain of yours? Is there no way to tie up your thoughts like tying up your body?"

"Y-you pervert!"

"It's okay. I won't do it anyone else..."

"Of course you won't! And you won't do it to me either!"

"..."

"B-besides, you can't tie other people's thoughts in the first place."

"Is that so?"

He had a look of disappointment as he pressed his lips against her head.

" ...That's too bad."

When he said that, she felt like she was being bound up by evil spirits.