My knightess in shining armor had come.

Okay, Penelope didn't wear armor, of course, but she was indeed shining. Fully embracing her obsidian-like black hair and eyes, the heiress of Bourbon wore a confident dark gown—like a starry night sky—with diamonds for stars and no apparent shoulders, teasing her spotless skin underneath the overcoat.

She was dazzling.

''What is the meaning of this, Lady Bourbon?''

While I was turning into a simp for our beautiful lady, the situation escalated rapidly. Blaire's followers, except for one, gradually backed away, seemingly in fear as the stand-off between the two attracted nearby people.

Unfazed, Penelope's grip on Blaire's hand tightened further, evoking painful groans from the latter.

''You...!''

I couldn't help but swallow a dry gulp. That pitiful woman's fingers seemed like it was about to be crushed. More than anything, my attention was wholly on Penelope's slender hand.

No, but seriously, what if that thing choked me...?

Wait, no, what am I thinking about?!

I quickly activated my emergency recovery mode, fanning my face a bit before approaching Penelope. As I gently tapped her arm and shook my head with pleading eyes, she finally let go of the opponent.

''Let's not escalate it further,'' I whispered.

''...Alright.''

By now, Blaire, who had trouble calming herself down, was glaring at us, showing blatant hostility and even emitting mana—a breach of etiquette.

I wouldn't blame her. That hand needed immediate medical attention if she wanted a full recovery, and considering that she had been overwhelmed by a lady whose rank was technically lower than hers, she must be feeling humiliated.

Not even royals would want to make enemies of the Bourbons, however.

Nevertheless, Penelope perhaps felt a need to nail her thoughts down further. She briskly approached Blaire and put a hand on her shoulder.

''The salt trail in the north. Don't make me do something drastic.'' She said softly. ''You know who owns that land. I can shut it down in a minute.''

''Y-You... what do you want?''

''If you dare touch my woman ever again... it won't end peacefully.''

U-Ugh...!

I was falling hard. This was fatal, I tell you.

I initially only wanted to date for a while, but now, I was even considering birthing a child for Penelope if she wanted it. No, but I wouldn't be able to be there for the child, so I shouldn't.

How sad.

In the end, we left an utterly defeated and confused Blaire and went our way. I suggested a trip around the hall. This way, we could eventually pick up Kiara after completing the trip and still make it look coincidental, too.

With mellowed eyes, Penelope readily agreed. I knew she would agree to many things as long as I hugged her arm like this. What a gullible yet adorable pervert.

''I was actually trying to find you, Lady Penelope,'' I said, chuckling.

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Penelope flinched. As if jealous, she flicked my forehead gently before starting to fix my hair.

''Yet you refused my courtship.'' She grumbled, a faint red hue emerging on her cheeks.

''Oh... I mean, it was difficult to refuse Her Highness's offer, you know?'' I replied apologetically. ''If you still fancy going with someone like me... I could find a way to be with you next time.''

''...Okay.''

I thought I did an excellent job with my words, so my smile was full of composure, but it seemed I had underestimated this pervert.

''Still, don't think I won't notice your infatuation with the princess.'' She added, her face returning to its emotionless, cold state.

Panicked, I could only cling to her more and try not to explode myself, ''Um... you see, with Her Highness—''

''It's fine.''

''Huh...?''

''I know my contract. I am not entitled to your heart. I am not dating you, unlike her.''

Her words sounded distant, yet somewhere within them, I could hear a pounce of regret. Before I could respond, Penelope had already pulled me into a hug.

''I'm sorry, Lady Cecilia.''

''Oh, no, you don't have to... you don't need to apologize. We can hug whenever.''

After all, I wouldn't refuse a person in need of affection—

''I think you are misunderstanding something.''

''...?''

''I apologize—to you, to the princess—for what I am about to do now. I may not have your heart... but I am entitled to your body.''

''Ah...!''

All of a sudden, I was lifted into the air, clinging to Penelope's neck in a proper, textbook princess carry. She then lightly walked toward one of the 'resting' lounges.

Even I knew what they were. Everybody knew. These were for couples to flirt, sometimes rest, but mainly make out in.

A place for rendezvous.

As soon as I was put down, the door behind Penelope shut closed, and I found myself cornered into a wall. The lady who was entitled to my body still maintained her ever-so-cold demeanor, yet through her slightly ragged breathing, I could tell she was shaken.

Her hands reached forward, holding my waist in a delicate embrace.

''You're too thin.''

Embarrassingly, I wasn't able to cover it up this time as she had already felt my rib bones sticking out a little. Blushing, I momentarily grabbed her arms.

''Do you... hate it?'' I mustered.

I didn't get an answer for a while.

Then, she gently, very gently untangled her hands and touched my face. Seeing hers, which was also burning, closing in, I knew I had a choice to make.

''...Just don't ruin my makeup.''

In half a heartbeat, my lips were stolen.

This was the first time Penelope and I kissed. How should I say it... her kiss had a very different flavor compared to Rachael's. It was more subdued, with less intensity, yet through the way she kept it engaged, nudging her tender, hot petals against mine, there was no lack of intimacy.

Lore-wise, this was supposed to be her first kiss. How was she so good...?

''...!''

I didn't know what had gotten into Penelope. The usually shy pervert who only dared to caress my thighs was now boldly fondling my chest, her nimble hands turning my heavy melons into a mess. Like a child who had just discovered something they like, Penelope pounced on me with aggression, as if she was... mad about something.

As time passed by, the old deadly habit of mine emerged. My legs were giving out.

I wasn't sure if this trait was mine or Cecilia's, but if I received a stimulus for an extended period of time, my whole body would just... melt. Eventually, I had to push Penelope away, gasping for air as I leaned into her arms.

''Hah... hah...''

''...''

''Her Highness and then you... are all noble ladies so persistent with their kisses like this?''

''Don't speak of the princess.''

With a slip of my mouth, I was once again kissed, this time truly being pinned against the wall. My wrists were, and her right leg had somehow slipped between mine.

It was a bit dangerous.

I felt my mind drifting as if I was floating on the clouds. I didn't think much of anything, just, trying to get the most—enjoy this kiss we shared.

It wasn't until a faint ringing of the church's bell outside flowed in that I snapped out of it. Somehow, we were on the track to truly reproduce in this room.

I hurriedly stopped the naughty hands that were trying to take off my clothes.

''W-Wait. My little sister is waiting.'' I pleaded. ''Besides... the location isn't ideal.''

Penelope frowned. Considering that her eager reproduce organ was bursting with vigor down there, I suppose she was frustrated. Still.

''Please. I'll let you do whatever you want later... but in my room, okay?''

''...Fine. Remember the promise.''

''Mhm. Now... sit down a bit to calm yourself. I'll fix my makeup in the meantime.''

Fortunately, Penelope had exceptional self-control. If she were any other lady of her kind, then I would have been ravished over and over the whole evening. Once it started, hardly anyone could stop, and with that level of intensity, the ones involved wouldn't be able to hide it unless thoroughly prepared.

Still... despite almost destroying my reputation in high society by debuting with a massive sex scandal, I felt almost regretful.

Well, this could be one of our memorable moments to remember, too.

A little rendezvous... quite romantic.