Pulling Allie out through the bright main entrance of the restaurant, Greg did not slow his pace, heading straight into a dim, secluded side alley nearby.
The moment they entered the alley, Greg immediately released Allie's wrist.
Almost simultaneously, the tough expression he had forced onto his face melted away like ice under the sun.
He turned around, facing Allie—whose expression had reverted to her usual emotionless coldness as she looked at him—and pressed his hands together:
“Forgive me just this once, Allie! There really is a reason for this! You wouldn't want to see me drop to my knees and beg you, right?”
“Huh?”
Allie raised an eyebrow, then bent slightly, lifting a corner of her gorgeous gown with one hand.
The gesture made Greg look away instinctively, but the corner of his eye still caught a fleeting glimpse of her absolute territory, along with...
Swish—
A soft sound echoed.
Allie drew a sheathed longsword from beneath her skirt.
Only after doing all this did she raise her head again, looking at Greg with her calm, unruffled blue eyes, her voice stating coldly:
“Even though last time, Young Master, you pitifully borrowed three gold coins from my private savings...”
She paused, her gaze sweeping over Greg.
“Yet in the blink of an eye, you're dressed up all fine and dandy, Young Master, surrounded by more than one pretty girl, splashing money around at a place like the Golden Crucible. You certainly seem to be enjoying life.”
As she spoke, the air in the alley seemed to turn colder and thicker, heavy with the pressure radiating from her body.
Greg: “...”
Here it comes!
The textbook accusations of "I work hard to earn money to support the family while you're out living it up"!
Even if the roles and actual circumstances were subtly misaligned...
If it were a few minutes ago in the restaurant under everyone's watchful eyes, facing Allie in this state would have made Greg's scalp go numb.
But now, in this empty alley in a one-on-one situation, he suddenly felt that... the situation might not be completely hopeless.
In almost any situation, most girls don't remain purely rational.
Even more so when they're angry, aggrieved, or jealous.
What they usually want isn't a logically airtight truth, but an attitude, an explanation—something that caters to their emotions and makes them feel valued and favored.
What's more... Allie still had the trait of an 'idiot maid'!
Although her combat power was terrifying, in other aspects...
Hehehe, watch me spin a lie on the spot!
Countless thoughts flashed through Greg's mind in an instant, and his eyes grew firm and earnest once more.
Taking a deep breath, his Oscar-level acting skills kicked into high gear once again:
“That's not it! Allie, listen to me! When I borrowed money from you last time, I was truly penniless! That money saved me from a dire spot, and I'll remember it forever!”
He first acknowledged Allie's contribution, then shifted the topic:
“As for the money I have on me now, it's actually the reward I got after completing a difficult mission!”
He leaned in slightly and lowered his voice:
“And... Allie, the reason I treated them to a meal this time was actually all for you!”
“For me?”
Allie indeed showed a puzzled expression, the coldness in her blue eyes melting away just a fraction, and her hand resting on the hilt loosened slightly.
She clearly hadn't expected to hear that answer.
“That's right! Exactly for you!”
Greg nodded emphatically, his expression growing even more sincere as he began weaving a story mixed with truth and lies:
“I... have actually always wanted to find an opportunity to treat you to a proper feast, to thank you for taking care of me all this time, and to let you experience a place like the Golden Crucible... But!”
He appropriately displayed a hint of distress and uncertainty:
“I didn't know if a girl like you would like the dishes or atmosphere there, or rather... what kind of arrangement would count as perfect. I was afraid that if I brought you straight there and something didn't suit your taste, blowing the whole thing, it would disappoint you even more!”
His tone turned helpless:
“So I came up with a plan! I used returning a favor as an excuse to invite them to the Golden Crucible, but in reality... this was a rehearsal! A real-combat exercise carried out just so I could bring you here perfectly in the future!”
Greg spoke more and more smoothly, sounding as if he even believed it himself:
“I wanted to use this rehearsal to observe what dishes they like, what services satisfy them, and what details need attention... Once I figure everything out and gain experience, I can avoid all the landmines next time I bring you, giving you the most perfect, most unforgettable dining experience! All my lavish spending, all my enjoyment, was solely to make you happy, Allie!”
The expression on Allie's face wobbled visibly as Greg spoke with such earnest conviction.
Cracks appeared in that icy armor, a glint of hesitation, confusion, and... an almost imperceptible touch of emotion flickering in her light blue eyes.
She parted her lips slightly as if wanting to say something, but ultimately just turned her head away and mumbled softly:
“Impossible... You're definitely lying to me. Young Master, you like lying the most.”
Although her words said so, her tone had softened immensely—to a degree she herself might not even have realized.
Seeing this, Greg immediately pressed his advantage, adopting an expression of deep grief and indignation:
“Allie! How could you think of me like that?! Search your conscience! Could a guy like me, who has no special talents other than being handsome, really trick a peerlessly great maid like you who is smart, beautiful, superb in swordsmanship, and perceptive of human hearts?! Where would I get that kind of ability and IQ?!”
Upon hearing this, Allie nodded firmly almost without thinking, speaking with absolute seriousness:
“Mm, you can't.”
Greg: “...”
Although his goal was achieved, this unhesitating affirmation left his mood feeling somewhat complicated for a moment, unsure whether to be happy or sad.
Forcing down the subtle sense of frustration in his heart, he plastered a smile back onto his face and struck while the iron was hot:
“See! You admitted yourself that I can't fool you! Then what I said must definitely be true! Now you finally understand my painstaking efforts, right? Everything I did was all for you!”
Allie went quiet for a few seconds, her fingers completely releasing the sword hilt.
Her head was still turned away, avoiding Greg's gaze, but the tips of her ears seemed slightly flushed.
In a voice even softer than before, laced with a hint of complaint and perhaps a touch of awkward embarrassed annoyance, she murmured:
“Something like this... wouldn't it have been fine to just tell me directly? Going in such a huge circle... and bringing other girls... Idiot Young Master.”
Though her tone still sounded like she was pouting, anyone could hear that the icy killing intent and heavy pressure had vanished completely.
The crisis seemed temporarily averted.
However, in the shadows outside the alley at this moment—
Wendy, who was eavesdropping on the conversation while trying her best to block others from entering the alley, knit her brows slightly with a solemn look.
Because she had finally found a place to belong after much difficulty, only for the Vice Bishop of that haven to look like she was about to get played by a scumbag.
So she was hesitating over whether to go over and expose the scumbag's tricks.
Rate on N.U.
