Even Kirine, who had little interest in worldly affairs, was aware of the stark cultural differences between the Artium Empire and the Katen Kingdom.
Felt too close? she thought. Is this how all Katen people think, or is it just Viarte? The idea of intimacy after only meeting yesterday was shocking. It was so absurd, she even considered if it might be a ploy to lower her guard.
“You seem quite surprised,” Viarte noted.
“Of course I am!” Kirine exclaimed. “When did we become close? And why have you been speaking so informally?”
“As I said, I must have unconsciously spoken casually due to a sense of familiarity,” Viarte apologized.
Kirine was speechless. The overly straightforward apology left her unable even to laugh.
Are all Katen people like this? Kirine wondered. This was her first encounter with someone so…unique.
But unfortunately, that wasn’t the end.
“You’re quite slender,” Viarte observed, scanning Kirine from head to toe.
Kirine looked down at her own limbs. To her, they seemed sturdy enough. Apparently, Viarte had a different standard.
“You’re short as well,” Viarte continued.
Kirine tried to respond politely, but Viarte’s comments were becoming increasingly condescending. Even though she was taller than average, she felt dwarfed by Viarte, who towered over her like Ares.
“You’re like a flower,” Viarte said.
“A flower?” Kirine echoed, disbelief evident in her voice.
Wow, I’ve lived to see this, she thought. Being treated like a delicate greenhouse flower was absurd.
A faint laugh escaped her lips. “I’ve heard plenty of people say I’m tough as nails, but being called a flower is a first.”
“Is that so?” Viarte asked, intrigued.
“Yeah, so what kind of flower am I?” Kirine persisted.
“What?” Viarte replied, surprised.
“I’m asking what flower I look like. I hope it’s a pretty one,” Kirine said, crossing her arms.
Viarte chuckled. “Interesting. You’re certainly as amusing as I thought.”
“Is that a compliment?” Kirine asked.
“In the Katen Kingdom, it counts as flattery,” Viarte replied.
Kirine wasn’t sure if it was a good or bad thing, but she decided not to pursue it.
Just then, there was a sharp knock on the door. Before Kirine could ask who it was, the person spoke.
“It’s me,” the voice said, low and direct. Kirine recognized the voice immediately.
When Kirine told him to come in, the visitor hesitated for a moment before entering.
“What are you doing here?” Kirine asked, expecting to see Ares.
As soon as Ares saw Kirine and Viarte sitting across from each other, he frowned. Viarte shrugged nonchalantly, picking up on his questioning gaze.
“Oh, I was curious about my rival,” Viarte said.
“Seems you’re quite idle,” Ares replied.
“I’m confident I won’t lose,” Viarte retorted.
A tense silence fell over the room. Ares was the first to break it, turning to Kirine.
“Let’s go,” he said.
“Where are we going?” Kirine asked.
“We need to pick up Sasha,” Ares replied.
Kirine planned to bring Sasha home early to avoid further interruptions from Viarte. As Ares urged them to hurry, Kirine glanced at Viarte before nodding to Ares.
“Is it okay to let her follow us like that?” Kirine whispered to Ares, gesturing toward Viarte, who was trailing behind them. But Ares seemed not to care.
“Just stay quiet and keep walking,” Ares advised. “If you tell her not to follow, she’ll only be more determined.”
“You seem to know her well,” Kirine said. “You must be quite close.”
“Not really,” Ares replied. They had talked more than most people from the Katen Kingdom, but that didn’t equate to closeness.
“Then why is she proposing to you?” Kirine asked, her curiosity piqued.
“That woman has some unusual tastes,” Ares replied nonchalantly.
“What kind of unusual tastes?” Kirine asked, a sense of foreboding creeping in.
“She likes bright faces,” Ares said.
Kirine’s brow furrowed. “Why are you looking at me like that?” Ares asked.
“I was just wondering why you wouldn’t feel embarrassed saying something like that,” Kirine replied.
It was astonishing how he could say such things with a straight face. But then again, it was somewhat understandable. At least he’s good-looking, Kirine thought. It was just unfortunate that his good looks were his only redeeming quality.
“But can liking bright faces really be considered unusual?” Kirine asked.
First impressions often depended on appearance. Humans are visual creatures, so it’s natural to judge someone based on their looks.