Chapter 210: Crossroads of Love (2)

Whatever the case, the first priority was to verify the truth.

Therese, who had met the two in person, was already more than 90% convinced, but Isabella was not.

That was because, during the times she spent clinging to Sion, even Marianne had been on her best behavior.

To convince Isabella more thoroughly, they needed to capture evidence — undeniable proof that something was going on between the two.

For that purpose, the three of them had come to [Sweet Days].

A famous downtown café that Sion visited every Sunday afternoon — when outings were allowed — always accompanied by Iris.

“Every Sunday, she comes here to eat shaved ice. Well, to be exact, she buys it more for Iris than eating it herself.
I’ve tried to butt in between them a few times, but I always got politely turned away.
She’d say she already had plans,” Isabella whispered from the most secluded corner of the café.

“In other words, if we catch Marianne intruding into that private sanctuary of theirs, it would prove your claim beyond a doubt.
So let’s watch closely. Let’s see if things really have progressed between them as much as you said…”

“Hehehe… Oh, wandering lamb, do not doubt my words. In the end, it shall be proven that I was right…”

Therese also mumbled in an ominous tone, clearly getting into the mood.

By the way, all three of them were dressed identically: thick trench coats, sunglasses, and face masks.

Why such attire, you ask? Because Therese insisted on it.

She claimed that proper stakeouts must always be done in this outfit — as per the classics.

By the way, it’s currently late June. In other words, midsummer.

Also, this world doesn’t even have air conditioning.

As a result, the three of them were stewing in the heat like braised chicken.

“It’s… it’s so hot…! Can’t we at least take off our coats or something? How long do we have to wear these…”

“No!!! If we do that, the Hero might notice we’re here!! Suck it up and endure it!!”
Therese shouted firmly.

Sure, wearing trench coats and sunglasses is eye-catching enough on its own — but let’s set that aside for now.

In fact, the staff and other customers were already whispering about their suspicious presence.
They were the only ones oblivious.

Isabella wiped the sweat from her face and spoke.

“It can’t be helped. I don’t have any skill in illusion or transformation magic, so I can’t use any spells to help in this kind of situation.
Even if it’s tough, try to bear with it. Endure long enough, and your efforts will eventually be rewarded.”

“I mean… I feel like our efforts are being horribly misdirected…”

Lancia murmured with a gloomy expression.

She wasn’t even sure why she had come along in the first place. Why was she cooperating with their absurd plan?

No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t find a reason.

It just… kind of happened. She got swept up in the moment.

Of course, if these two were left unchecked, they’d surely spiral out of control, so someone did need to be the brake…

But still — did it really have to be her? Couldn’t it have been someone else?

With no answer in sight, Lancia let out a quiet sigh.

She regretted ever hearing their conversation that day. That regret now swelled inside her.

“?!”

“..! They’re here!! Everyone down!!”

Just then, Therese, who had been watching the entrance, called out in a panicked voice.

At her words, the three immediately stopped thinking and flattened themselves against the table.

Just as expected, Sion and Iris had shown up at noon to eat shaved ice at the café.

That part wasn’t unusual — it happened every week. The real issue was the unexpected third person with them.

“Welcome~ Party of three?”

“Yes! There’s three of us!”

A cheerful voice replied — from a black-haired girl with a familiar face.

When Isabella confirmed her face from afar, she finally had to admit that Therese was right.

“Oh my god, it’s true! Marianne really did tag along with them!”

“See? I told you! I told you it was real!”

Therese declared triumphantly.

Still lying flat on the table, Isabella stared at Sion’s group with betrayed eyes.

“No way… Why on earth would they bring someone like Marianne?
I’ve never been invited even once — except for that one time we ran into each other by chance on the street. But Marianne gets to come along? Why?! Is it because I lack feminine charm?! Is that it?!”

“………”

Well… if one had to say, she was lacking. Especially in the chest department.

But Therese, being a kind soul, didn’t say that out loud. Some truths are best left unknown.

While Isabella was burning with jealousy, the three people at the entrance were shown to a separate table and took their seats.

Each of them ordered what they wanted from the menu. Iris, as always, chose strawberry shaved ice; Sion ordered coffee; and Marianne got a fluffy cheesecake.

Shortly after, the food was served—and then, a sight unfolded that was almost too embarrassing to witness.

“Here you go, Hero~ Say ahhh~ Aaaah♥”

Chomp.

The fork held by Marianne, with a piece of cake on it, landed straight into Sion’s mouth. With heart-shaped eyes, Marianne gazed lovingly at Sion as she ate the cake.

Feeding each other? And not just that, offering the first bite right after the food arrives?

This level of public affection went beyond just dating—it was firmly in lovey-dovey couple territory. It was such a rare sight that even other customers in the café were sneaking glances and whispering about it.

Naturally, the three members of the tailing squad were among them.

“A-Aaah?! Did she really just say ‘aaah’?! She’s doing the ‘say ahh’ thing out in public like it’s nothing?!
That thieving little cat! How dare she, acting like that when she doesn’t even know her place…!!!”

“W-Wait! Calm down, Princess! If you lose it now, we’ll get caught!”

Rancia desperately held back Isabella, who was about to leap to her feet in fury.

After a moment, Isabella barely managed to suppress her rage and bit her lip hard before asking Therese,

“What the hell happened? Marianne never cared about anything but 2D guys—so why is she suddenly head over heels for my sister?! What the hell happened in the last few days?!”

“I don’t know either. I tried poking around a few times, but she never gave me a straight answer.
If I had to guess, maybe it’s because the Hero protected her during that recent attack by the Arrogant Legion Commander? That girl does love that whole classic knight-in-shining-armor narrative.”

Every girl dreams of a prince riding in on a white horse to save her in a moment of crisis. Marianne was no different—she shared that dream like many other girls.

Even if the reality was a bit different, that was Therese’s best guess.

“Ugh, I’m so jealous, so jealous, soooo jealous…! I want to share food with big sis too while saying ‘aaah’! I want to do the whole lips-touching, tongue-sharing thing too!!

Why her?! Why is it only her?!”

Isabella bit down on her collar, struggling to hold back the torrent of jealousy rising within her. Flames of hatred flared above her head.

Meanwhile, Therese, who had been observing Sion’s area, noticed something else worth mentioning. She tapped Isabella’s shoulder and pointed to the seat right next to Sion.

“Wait a sec. Looks like we’re not the only ones who find this disgusting.

Look there. Sion’s childhood friend and attendant is sitting right beside them, pouting and sneakily watching them.”

Just as she said, right beside the two, Exia sat with her chin in her hand, sulking as she side-eyed the couple’s affectionate display.

She definitely wasn’t in a good mood. Despite having her favorite strawberry shaved ice in front of her, she hadn’t even touched it.

Then again, who could enjoy their food with a couple doing cringeworthy lovebird stuff right next to them?

“…..!”

And the moment Therese saw that expression, an idea popped into her head like a stroke of genius.

She gestured for the other two to come close and whispered:

“That girl, her name’s Iris, right? What’s her relationship with the Hero?”

“Huh? What do you mean by that?”

“I mean it literally. I heard a rumor they share a room—and even a bed. Is that true?”

“Oh… yeah, I guess so…”

Isabella recalled the time she snuck into Sion’s room two months ago. Back then, Iris had hogged not just her own blanket, but even the one meant for Sion, rolling herself up in it like a cocoon.

She hadn’t dared to sneak in again after that disastrous experience, but she assumed they were still sharing the same bed now.

“But why are you asking?”

“So it’s true. But why does it matter? Is that a problem?”

“No, it’s just… when I saw her face just now, my love-comedy-sensor lit up like crazy.

What if we use her as a pawn to separate Marianne from the Hero?”

“What?! Seriously?! How?!”

Isabella shouted in an excited voice.

Therese made a ‘shhh’ gesture to quiet her down, then continued.

“Hehehe… Listen closely. Here’s the plan…”