21 The New Queen(2)

Seated comfortably, we waited as our orders were placed. Yet, I bided my time, delaying the unveiling of the true purpose behind our conversation.

"I must say, this nail polish suits you quite elegantly. It's a lovely complement to your eyes."

Gently, I cradled her hand in mine, appraising the exquisite nails with a faint smile.

It was apparent that she sought my attention, openly displaying her hands on the table, her gaze akin to a puppy seeking affection. There was no need to withhold my observations.

However, if she earnestly desired my attention, I felt compelled to inquire further.

"...I am curious, though. What prompted this sudden choice of nail polish? Could it be that you hold an interest in someone?"

Should her intent truly be directed toward me, it would align perfectly with my plans. My Queen must possess unwavering loyalty, impervious even to familial influence. And what stronger bond could tether her to my cause than the entanglement of love?

Her reaction to my words was palpable, a flinch accompanied by subtle restlessness. Nonetheless, her hand remained nestled in mine.

"N-No, it's not like that... I just..."

Ah, a reaction as clear as a crystal ball, unveiling her heart's secrets.

Perfect.

"I apologize for my directness. I understand your hesitation in sharing that with me. Nonetheless, I find this change rather refreshing—it suits you well."

As she blushed and fumbled in her flustered state, time flowed seamlessly, the ambiance comfortable and unhurried as we savored our casual dinner.

"Now, then... What did you wish to discuss? I'm all ears."

A meaningful smile adorned my lips as Shiina excused herself, leaving for the restroom.

"The matter is..."

Her words drew my focus anew.

"Ever since I started adhering to your advice, things have become...easier. I want to express my gratitude..."

Once again, her nervousness surfaced, an endearing sight.

"You don't need to feel obligated to do so. I'm content knowing you understand my intentions and choose to follow my advice."

However, the nebulous nature of this connection wouldn't suffice for my purposes.

"Of course, it's not...only that... I wish to understand you better... beyond that classroom..."

Watching her on the brink of tears as she struggled to convey her feelings, I offered a reassuring pat on her shoulder.

"No need for such anxiety! I grasped the essence of your words, and I, too, desired to foster a deeper connection. But circumstances prevent me from expressing that openly—even among peers of similar age. You get what I'm saying, don't you?"

Openly courting her could yield complications, suggesting I was bothering to go and give them advice only because she was there, which would be a big blow to my reputation.

Hence, I exercised patience, allowing her to approach me on her terms.

Being patient in my pursuit of cracking the fortress guarding her heart was a well-devised strategy.

During this time, I wanted to allocate effort to uncover other pieces of information and gather additional resources, but having the Queen was undoubtedly my priority. Everything else would naturally fall into place over time.

"Yes, I understand...!"

Witnessing her radiant smile, I returned the gesture, knowing that she understood the need for discretion concerning our private meeting.

Even if she were to inadvertently share the occurrence, I held the advantage. After all, it was she who approached me—an action I could leverage if necessary.

With this interaction, I had set the wheels in motion to elevate her to the position of Queen that I required. Extracting details about Shiina's communications with Father wasn't a primary concern.

If she told him of my 'affection' for her, it was fine, too. I could use that against him and effectively gain hold over him.

My father was a cautious man, but against a 13-year-old, he is sure to drop his guard a little. I can use that to my advantage...

As Shiina returned from the restroom, our farewells were exchanged for the day. Her reluctance to conclude our meeting swiftly didn't escape me, but I believed maintaining some distance at this stage was optimal.

"...Regarding the conversation you had with Honoka-sama while I was absent... Has she perhaps developed feelings for you?"

Shiina's inquiry intrigued me, although I had prepared a fitting response for such a probing question.

While she might require more details for her report, I aimed to balance disclosure with control.

"I believe she holds a favorable opinion of me and expresses an interest in getting better acquainted. However, in terms of love, it seems premature. Our interactions outside of the classroom have been limited to this occasion, making it challenging to cultivate such deep emotions based solely on a few conversations. I can confirm she's appreciative, which pleases me since I, too, have been intrigued by her..."

Serving her this amount of information should suffice—

Before I could walk towards our car, Shiina gently tugged at my sleeve, introducing an element of confusion.

"...Ren-sama, I propose caution in dealing with that girl. You previously mentioned her initial opposition to you, suggesting it would be wise not to readily bestow trust."

Furrowing my brows,

"...That was just because she is still a bit childish-"

Once more, she interrupted.

If that was anyone but me, they'd think she was being really rude for an assistant, so I wonder why she was so stubborn.

"Ren-sama, please excuse my audacity, but you and she are of comparable age. While your resolute nature allows you to exercise discernment, others might not possess the same capacity. What if her parents manipulated her into feigning friendliness to subsequently exploit your trust? I implore you to contemplate these concerns before fully engaging. I shall also maintain vigilant observation, ready to detect any potential manipulative tactics they might employ..."

While I held reservations that her hypothesis aligned with reality, given that it was implausible for a child to flawlessly execute such an intricate act, Shiina's perspective evidently differed.

Did she see something I couldn't? It would make sense, as her senses must be much sharper than mine, even if I tried my best.

"...Understood. I will exercise caution. Your proactive thinking, Shiina, is truly appreciated."

Allowing my fingers to idly weave through a strand of her silver hair, I couldn't help but admit my fondness for its appearance...

Will you betray me, or will you stay by my side?

Time will tell, but for now, I am glad you are here.

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Author's Note:

The FL will soon make her presence known in the novel :)

Of course, it's also right to also say the main villain will make some moves as well. These chapters are all preparations!