Arthur looked at Malinda in surprise.
Then the young Medium rolled his eyes, leaned back in his chair, and said in a tone that mingled instruction with contempt-
"If you want to pretend you're falling in love for the first time, you can't have a pipe in your mouth.
If you want to act indifferent while secretly caring, you can't wear a hunting outfit.
And even now, you won't call me darling."
As he spoke, Arthur gave Malinda a knowing half-smile.
Of course Arthur knew why Malinda had asked whether he was free tomorrow.
Because-
She was inheriting a title!
Before Wintertide, Malinda would inherit Baron Kemail's title.
As it happened, that would be shortly after the South Los Swordsmanship Tournament.
Malinda had told Arthur this herself quite some time ago, and he hadn't forgotten.
As for why she had chosen to begin inheriting the title the very next day after the South Los Swordsmanship Tournament ended?
It had little to do with the South Los Swordsmanship Tournament.
It had to do with the South Los Maritime Barrier.
And the South Town Riot.
Those two matters occupied most of the Countess's attention, preventing her from noticing Malinda opening Baron Kemail's Secret Hoard.
That was Malinda's true objective!
As for that ridiculous act just now?
Tsk, trying to tease me?
Malinda, you're a hundred years too early!
Arthur conveyed that sentiment with his eyes.
Malinda was so annoyed that she took a deep drag on her pipe.
It wasn't that Arthur had guessed wrong and hurt the lady's feelings.
Rather, she was angry that her acting hadn't passed muster-she really had intended to tease Arthur, to avenge her humiliating retreat yesterday.
And the result?
She had failed.
The lady had considerable confidence in her acting skills.
By all rights, he shouldn't