Chapter 77: Meeting Seraphina
"Are you not taking this theatrical performance a bit too far?" Eren asked dryly, looking down with an exasperated sigh at the exceptionally elegant, blue-haired beauty currently clinging to his arm like a devoted lover.
They strolled together down the bustling main street of the royal capital; they looked for all the world like a picture-perfect, fairytale couple.
Aria Reedings offered him a radiant, blindingly sweet smile, tilting her head with innocent grace. "Whatever do you mean, darling? What could be wrong with a lady openly displaying her affection for her handsome fiancé in public?"
Translation: She is actively running an aggressive propaganda campaign to establish the unbreakable engagement in the eyes of the high nobility.
She was dressed in a high-fashion gown paired with a stylish brimmed hat that framed her delicate features with absolute perfection. She looked so absurdly gorgeous that half the citizens strolling past were practically walking into lampposts while staring at them. Eren genuinely began to wonder if Reinhardt had suffered brain damage in his past—because throwing a girl like this away for an unattainable heroine flag was an unprecedented level of stupidness.
"Well, thanks to your little ’affectionate display’ with your sword during our previous meeting, Emma was in such a raging frenzy it took me four whole days just to get her to speak to me normally again."
Aria let out a soft, melodic giggle, leaning her head against his shoulder for a brief second. "You are very welcome, Eren."
’Ah, wonderful. My annoyance only fuels her entertainment parameters,’ he noted for future reference as they continued navigating through the staring crowds.
After a few minutes of walking, Aria guided him into a restaurant building that looked like it required a multi-billion-dollar net worth to glance at the front entrance. The moment they stepped through the polished glass doors, the head waiter recognized Reeding’s daughter and Volsver’s son instantly, bowing so low his forehead nearly brushed the velvet carpet.
With a high-level escort, the staff escorted them to an exclusive, highly private dining room.
Aria took charge, ordering high-tier delicacies for both of them before Eren could even open the menu to inspect the options. Once her instructions finished, the waiter offered a final bow and retreated from the private room, leaving them in absolute silence.
Aria rested her chin on her laced fingers, looking across the table at him. A soft, remarkably genuine smile replaced the usual cunning gleam in her eyes.
"Mina informed me about the incident in the Student Council yesterday."
Eren raised a single eyebrow, swirling the ice in his water glass. "Did she?"
Aria’s smile widened, a faint, lovely blush rising on her cheeks as she looked into his blue eyes. "Did you truly stand right in front of my brother and Reinhardt and declare that I am yours... and that you have zero intention of ever letting me go?"
Eren calmly took a sip of his water, setting the crystal glass down onto the table without a single trace of hesitation.
"Reinhardt was actively testing my patience limits with his pathetic, delusional posturing. And besides... regardless of whether our arrangement originated as a contractual tactical alliance, I am officially your fiancé. Protecting what is mine is a simple responsibility."
Aria gave him a delighted laugh, her eyes shimmering as she looked at him with renewed fascination. "I suppose I finally understand why those three capable ladies decided to share you so willingly."
"I’ll take that as a compliment. However... let us cut straight to the core agenda today. You didn’t parade me through the highest-visibility district in the capital and secure an ultra-exclusive, soundproof dining suite just to flirt over water."
"As expected of my sharp fiancé. You really are a genius... which explains why she insisted on meeting you in person today without a single moment of delay."
"She?" Eren echoed, his usually unshakeable composure fracturing. "Who is—"
Before he could finish his sentence, the wooden doors of the private dining suite clicked open, and a breathtaking figure stepped casually into the room with absolute, unquestionable dominance. She was clad in a flawless, white custom-tailored suit that accentuated every long, regal curve of her body, her face partially covered under the brim of her elegant, wide-brimmed hat.
Even with her features partially covered, Eren didn’t need a tactical HUD to identify her. His entire soul recognized her instantly.
The primary author who gave him courage to defy his suffering. The absolute peak of power in this world. The woman whose story had carried him through some of his darkest years in his past life.
"Welcome, Your Highness," Aria greeted, rising slightly to offer a graceful, respectful nod.
Meanwhile, Eren sat completely frozen in his chair, a cold drop of sweat slowly rolling down the back of his neck.
’By all the gods...’
His mind, which is usually a fountain of endless, deadpan sarcasm, was currently suffering an absolute, total system meltdown. It was the surreal feeling of a die-hard fan suddenly standing face-to-face with the supreme idol they had devoted their entire existence to.
Seraphina gracefully pulled out the velvet chair directly across from him and took her seat with absolute, effortless majesty.
As she lifted her head slightly, revealing her striking silver hair and piercing, blood-red eyes, Eren’s own heart echoed so loudly in his ears that Aria’s cheerful background dialogue was completely muted into static noise.
The silver-haired, goddess-like beauty turned her gaze onto Eren, her blood-red eyes narrowing slightly into two stunning slits.
"Is this the individual you secured an engagement with, Aria?" Seraphina asked, her voice smooth yet cold enough to freeze an ocean. "And... the one who provided that information?"
Eren immediately slapped both palms against his cheeks, forcing his runaway heart rate back into control.
’Pull it together, Eric. You are sitting directly across from the literal beacon of inspiration that got you through your miserable past life. Do not faint like a flustered fanboy in front of her.’
Clearing his throat, Eren met her piercing eyes directly, offering a perfect noble bow from his seat. "Eren Volsver, son of Duke Alfric Volsver. It is an absolute honor to finally grace your presence, Your Highness."
Seraphina stared at him in quiet, unblinking silence. To anyone else, she looked the picture of serene, royal politeness, but Eren could see the polite disgust beneath her eyes. To her, he was likely still just another scheming man trying to play with her.
Crossing one leg over the other, Seraphina leaned back into the chair, displaying the supreme posture of absolute royalty.
"Let us skip the empty pleasantries."
"I prefer efficiency. So tell me, Eren Volsver... how exactly did you acquire knowledge regarding the mole I eliminated a few days ago? And more importantly... how could you possibly know that a second, far more covert operative is currently active within my mother’s personal wing?"
Eren offered her a serene smile, interlacing his fingers atop the table.
"If Your Highness is asking me that, then I presume you have already taken my advice and conducted a silent analysis on the daily tea served to the Empress?"