[29.5] Behaving like a Proper Lady

Felix and I stood off to the side of a table placed under a gazebo overlooking the lake. Our heads were bowed as Cyrus sat down with his arms crossed, smiling with arrogance. He spoke calmly, "So you two want me to help you study? The day before the test?"

Felix spoke with a charming smile, "Prince Cyrus… You really are the best one in the class. If anyone can help us, it's you."

I nodded quickly, "That's right! You are so smart! One of the best!"

He raised an eyebrow, "I am, am I?"

Felix elbowed me and I stepped forward batting my eyes, "Oh yes, truly the best. Your grades and knowledge are so impressive. I really admire that about you."

"O-Oh?"

I stepped closer to him, bending over so our faces were close. I reached out slowly and held his hand, "I would be very appreciative if you can help me."

His arrogant expression dissolved into one of embarrassment as he leaned away from my face. His cheeks turned pink as he averted his eyes, "I-I guess I can help you… Since you're such a charity case."

I gave his hand a squeeze before releasing it and jumping in happiness, "He said yes!"

Cyrus pulled his hand to his chest, blushing then cleared his throat and returned back to his indifferent expression. He motioned to the table, "Both of you sit down. Let's start."

The more we studied, the more I felt like I was losing my mind.

I groaned and pushed the book away, "No more! I can't do it anymore."

Cyrus calmly raised the cup of tea to his lips before placing it down, "It's only been a few hours. Why are you acting so dramatic?"

I pursed my lips, "Because I am a normal human being who is not capable of intense focus for long hours."

Caldwell poured a cup of tea and handed it to me, "Try this, Young Miss. It will help you focus."

I grabbed it and gulped it down. I let out a sigh, "Ah! So delicious."

Cyrus clicked his tongue in disapproval.

I frowned, "What?"

He glanced up at me, "You seriously lack manners."

I crossed my arms, "I do not."

He smirked, "You do. You barely behave like a proper lady."

"And how should a proper lady act?"

"For example, you aren't supposed to gulp down tea and make slurping noises. You are supposed to sip on it."

"True! But I can still act like a proper lady! I just choose not to."

He propped his arm up and smiled, "Oh?"

I nodded quickly and held up the cup of tea to my lips. I held out my pinky finger as I took a small sip and grinned, "See?"

The cup fell from my grip, dropping to my lap. I jumped up in a hurry, "OW! Hot! Hot!"

Cyrus stood up with a look of concern, "Are you okay-"

"Hot hot hot!" I pulled my dress up, "Did it burn me?!"

After confirming that my legs weren't burned too badly and were only a little pink, I heard a shrill cry from Cyrus.

"W-What are you doing?!"

I looked up to see him staring at me with a look of shock and embarrassment while hiding a guilty conscious. It was clear that he did not want to avert his eyes, but knew he should.

A slow grin crossed my face, "Oho~ Is the mighty and indifferent Prince Cyrus trying to look up my dress?"

His eyes snapped up to look at mine as his face turned bright red, "I-I was not!"

I leaned over the table and grabbed his tie, pulling him closer to me. I batted my eyes, "If you wanted to look, you ought to ask first."

"I-I don't want to look! I don't!"

I laughed, "It's okay if you do. I only ask you to show me a little something in return."

Cyrus's eyes trembled as he stared back into mine, "S-Shameless!"

Caldwell averted his eyes as Felix buried his nose in the book to ignore our blatant flirting.