[50.5] An Indirect Kiss to Make you Swoon

As I walked to the platform where my mother was, my eyes trembled as I saw her holding the Headmaster's hands with affectionate eyes.

Light shone in through the windows, illuminating the two of them. The scene looked so picturesque as they were probably the two most beautiful people in the world.

…And they looked so happy.

I guess if anyone were to get married to the Headmaster, I'm glad it was my mother.

Although I desperately wanted them to be happy, I couldn't help but feel itchy under my skin.

I shook my head to dispel such thoughts and trudged forward, following the instructions I was given. I took a knee and held out the ring which my father took.

He paused when he noticed it wasn't his family's ring.

A brief scowl passed through his eyes but I looked at him with a pitiful look that said: I will find it! I promise!

He knew better than to make a scene, so he put aside his scowl and made a mental note to punish me later.

He placed the ring on my mother's finger, vowing to be hers and hers only until the end of his days.

Except for the ring mishap, the ceremony ended successfully.

As the guests started heading to the reception held at the palace, I tried to run away quickly to escape punishment. However, the Headmaster promptly caught me, "Reika."

I shivered at his voice and looked at him innocently, "I didn't mean to lose it!"

My mother followed behind him and let out a sigh, "You were so confident that you wouldn't lose it."

I blushed shamefully, "I-I had it in my pocket! I promise I will find it!"

The Headmaster's eyebrow twitched, "That was a family heirloom."

My eyes teared up, "I-I'm sorry…"

He released me with a sigh, "Where was the last place you had it?"

"I remember I was fiddling with it in the lobby, but when everyone was walking in, someone bumped into me. Then-"

I paused, "Wait! I think someone stole it!!"

His expression grew serious, "Who was it?"

I tried to recall, but I didn't remember getting a good look at the person, "I… I wasn't paying attention. But it was definitely a guest! They walked inside to watch the ceremony after bumping into me!!"

Chief Gonza appeared, "Don't worry, Aldrich. I will have my men search. We will find it in no time."

He gave Chief Gonza a nod and Chief Gonza quickly went to his men to order them to search.

The Headmaster turned to me with a stern expression, "Remember your duty is to ensure the reception goes smoothly. You are not to drink, understand?"

I saluted him, "Understood! This time I will make you proud!"

I don't think I could drink even if I tried.

There's clearly someone here with malicious intentions and I must find them!!!

I entered the reception, keeping a close eye on everyone.

I noticed Rebecca, Cyrus, and Zephyr standing on the far wall watching everyone in the crowd. Rebecca held an entire bottle of wine, drinking from the opening without care.

Why do they look so out of place?

Oh, no matter.

I rushed to their sides, trying to act stealthy, "Notice anything malicious?"

Rebecca muttered, "Huh? Notice anything malicious? I can't even think while your pet fox keeps running his mouth."

I glanced at Zephyr who was glaring at Hazel in the crowd. He was muttering, "I can't believe I have to endure her presence just because she's some unknown political figure! She just strutted in here like she didn't just kill my family and trick me for the last ten years!!!"

Hazel had no idea she was being talked badly about and innocently spoke to a group of men whom she knew from class.

Zephyr stood upright and shrieked, "Now she has the audacity to flirt with other men right in front of me!? I-I ought to curse her where she stands!!!"

I looked at Zephyr in disbelief.

First, you are upset that she's here, and now you are upset she's flirting with other men?

I spoke without thinking, "You still like her, huh?"

He snapped at me, "I DON'T!"

All of us: "..."

Looking at all of our faces, he repeated, "I really don't!!!"

Seeing that we still didn't believe him, he grabbed the bottle of wine from Rebecca and started gulping it down.

…He's clearly got some things to work on.

I stepped over to Cyrus and gave him a pat on his chest, "Keep a lookout for me."

Cyrus winced and held his chest.

I was so preoccupied, that I hadn't even realized I slapped the exact place of his curse mark. Without looking back, I snuck back into the crowd to investigate.

Cyrus ripped the bottle out of Zephyr's hand and downed it.

Rebecca glanced at the two with a condescending look mixed with pity, "...Let me get you both something stronger."

I traveled through the crowd, smiling and greeting everyone, all while trying to recognize the person who bumped into me. However, at the time I wasn't really paying attention so I really had no idea who had run into me. I came across Captain Lou who was glaring at me as soon as we made eye contact.

I pursed my lips in irritation.

I still don't understand why HE had to be invited.

I smirked, "Eh? You're here all alone? Didn't bring along your demon girlfriend?"

I immediately stuck a sore spot which was evident by the veins throbbing on his forehead. Captain Lou retorted, "I heard you lost your family's heirloom ring."

My eyebrow twitched.

I will never get along with this guy.

I let out a hmph and re-entered the crowd with my nose held high.

I soon found Chief Gonza who was being fawned over by Caldwell. Although Chief Gonza looked extremely aggravated by Caldwell's overly affectionate personality, he was also not pushing him away as fiercely as he had before.

Eh? Is he finally giving up on chasing away and opting for ignoring Caldwell instead?

That might actually work.

I went to him, "Have you found the ring yet?"

Chief Gonza let out a sigh, "I haven't had much luck. You?"

I shook my head, "No… And I still can't remember who it was that bumped into me."

"How troublesome…"

Chief Gonza groaned and plucked a glass of wine from a nearby servant. He subconsciously raised it to his lips and made a face.

Caldwell snickered, getting close to Gonza's face, "You're not a fan of red wine? Would you like me to drink it for you?"

Chief Gonza turned red at the suggestion, "That is unnecessary!"

He went to drink another gulp, but it was obvious he found the taste revolting as he couldn't even force himself to take the wine into his mouth. He decided to hold it instead, acting as if he would enjoy it slowly.

Caldwell laughed and grabbed it from his hands, "Don't force yourself."

"I am a grown man! I can drink-"

Caldwell downed the wine, licking his lips. He had purposely chosen to drink from the exact spot Chief Gonza had.

Chief Gonza had no idea how to react to such a shameless owl.

Caldwell leaned in to whisper in his ear, "If you'd like to savor it, there is still some residue on my lips~"

Chief Gonza's face twisted between embarrassment and murderous killing intent.

I looked between the two of them feeling awkward.

Should I…

Give them space?

I cleared my throat, "I-I'm going to keep searching."

Chief Gonza turned away from Caldwell and resorted to ignoring him, although his face was still faintly red. "I should do the same."

Caldwell immediately latched on to Gonza, "No! You can't leave me again!"

Chief Gonza threw him a nasty look, "If you're going to insist on following me around all night, at least make yourself useful! AND GET OFF!"

Caldwell lit up getting attention from Gonza, even if it was negative, "I will follow you to the ends of this Earth!!!"

Chief Gonza groaned and walked back into the crowd with Caldwell following like a puppy. I laughed at the two, feeling slightly bad for both of them.

I felt bad for Chief Gonza for being pursued so diligently, and Caldwell for being ignored so diligently.

I put this thought out of my head and returned to the party. I checked to make sure my parents were having fun before returning to my search.