(EP-140.2) Professor #3
140 – Fairy Professor #3
Professor Stella looked at me with cold eyes.
“Theo Gospel, the trust between you and me has already been broken. Once this rumor spreads, no one will want to make deals with you in the future!”
“… You’re right.”
I sighed as if deeply reflecting on myself. But the more I did, the more Mirna became restless.
Did an arrow hit a mark on her?
“But I am a generous and benevolent person. If you get down on your knees and kiss my shoes in apology, I will consider forgiving you.”
Stella concluded her words as if she was bestowing me great kindness.
‘That’s it?’ was what I felt when I heard that I had to kneel and kiss her shoes. After all, ever since living as Theo Gospel, I had done way more humiliating acts than this.
Though, Mirna didn’t seem to like that.
“Kneel down and kiss your shoe. Aren’t you being too harsh?”
“…….”
At this point, Professor Stella raised her slender purple eyebrows.
“Lady Mirna, you have been inserting yourself in our conversation since a while ago. Is there something going on between you two?”
“That-.”
Mirna stumbled at the sudden question. She then glanced at me and said in a small, trailing voice.
“Angmar’s Secretary, Sir Theo Gospel, is my fiancé….”
She sounded unsure.
Doubting infidelity in a spouse or fiancé was a serious reason for divorce or breaking off the engagement in the church’s doctrine, and she must have known that.
It seemed that Mirna lacked confidence in whether our relationship was still intact.
At this moment, Professor Stella placed her glass onto the table with a thud.
“Fiancé? Really?”
She seemed intrigued by the dynamics between us.
The fact that I was Mirna’s fiancé was already widely spread within Ark. Seeing that Professor Stella didn’t know, it seemed that her information was behind.
Stella asked.
“A Half-fairy’s fiancé… So, how far have you two gone!?”
“How far…? What are you saying?”
“I’m talking about physical intimacy. Have you held hands? How many days have you been seeing each other?”
“… How impudent! Disgusting, Professor Stella…! Why are you asking such things…!?”
Chwareureuk-.
Mirna unfolded her fan and briskly fanned her flushed face. It was evident that she felt startled and uncomfortable.
However, Professor Stella did not step down.
“Why am I asking? Theo must have already told you everything. Didn’t you hear about the research paper I’m working on?”
“R, right….”
Mirna mumbled while fanning herself.
“You are researching a way to increase the number of fairies….”
“Yes. If a method to increase the dwindling number of Nymphs is discovered, it’s a guaranteed award for this year’s paper!”
“Nymph…?”
Mirna continued to question, unable to follow the conversation. Meanwhile, Professor Stella excitedly added an explanation.
“Unlike Elves, Nymphs have many secrets in their life cycle. Especially when it comes to mating and having children, it’s still shrouded in mystery!”
Stella’s explanation reminded me of the Nymph’s entry I had looked up in the encyclopedia.
Nymphs, a race that resembled young girls no older than elementary or middle school students, were said to be a secretive species.
Among them, the most veiled aspect was their method of reproduction.
Very little was known about how Nymphs reproduced and increased their population. It was something completely elusive.
I heard that you couldn’t artificially breed eels for similar reasons.
If such information got revealed and a way to increase the population was discovered, it would undoubtedly cause a huge shock to the academy in many ways.
Professor Stella said.
“Half-Nymphs are also fairies. So if we find out more about Theo’s behavior and sexual instincts, then we will be able to learn more about the lives of other Nymphs.”
Seureuk.
Professor Stella jumped up from her seat, excited as she talked.
“I have a proposal. Lady Mirna and Theo. If you two are really betrothed, I’d like you to help me with my research.”
In response to Professor Stella’s proposition, Mirna openly displayed her displeasure, “It feels like you’re treating us as if we’re experimental subjects.”
But Professor Stella didn’t budge.
“You revealed my secret without permission. If you want forgiveness, you have to do at least that much. Otherwise, kneel and kiss my shoes.”
“T, that’s impossible-!”
Mirna also stood up from her seat.
“The only time a man, who bears the name of the Draco Family, should kneel is before God when praying.”
“And?”
“…….”
Mirna bit her lower lip.
* * *
“Well then, I have a faculty meeting to attend. Take your time thinking it over. I’ll give you two days.”
Professor Stella left the table first. Soon, only Mirna remained in the spacious and serene second floor of the café, her face reddened with humiliation.
Mirna was feeling unease, constantly flicking open or folding the fan, and touching its edges.
She seemed to have a lot to say to me, but I felt like she couldn’t bring herself to speak, perhaps due to the atmosphere or for various reasons.
Thinking that if we continued like this, Mirna might have an unpredictable outburst, so I broke the silence and spoke up.
“I can kneel down and apologize. After all, it’s my fault for breaking the promise with Professor Stella.”
“Like I said before, no one who bears the name of the Draco Family should ever kneel to the Lady of the Belhawk’s. And-.”
Mirna hesitated, touching the folded end of the fan with her fingers. I calmly asked her, “And?”
Soon, Mirna lowered the fan on the table and brought her hands to her forehead, covering her face.
Then, hidden behind her palms, she said.
“… And this is something that happened because I doubted you, Theo Gospel. If there’s anyone at fault, it’s that Elf’s who intruded into your room without permission, but….”
As expected, Mirna was anxious about doubting me. Well, I did drive the situation towards that way.
Thump, thump, thump.
But seeing Mirna, who severely valued courtesy, shaking with her legs under the table, looking like in great mental distress, I wondered if it was a little too much.
“Miss Mirna-.”
“Theo Gospel.”
Before I could say anything, Mirna opened her mouth first.
“… I-I want to apologize to you.”
Edited by: faker
