[GL] I tamed the female lead

Chapter 21

Orange didn't mind so the next day I went up to Astéria at noon and stopped in front of her table. Astéria looked up to me and waited for me to talk:

"Do you want to eat together again?"

Astéria had a huge smile and quickly nodded:

"Of course!"

I smiled. Why did she seem so happy about it? While we were walking, Astéria was following me from up close, her eyes fixated on me. I could feel her pierce a hole through my body and started feeling uncomfortable. I had to say something. Anything:

"What are we eating today? Do you know?"

Astéria, who was indeed looking at me, suddenly jumped feeling my gaze:

"Today's dessert is a lemon tart or a chestnut puree."

My eyes lit up:

"I love both! How am I going to choose?

-You can have my dessert."

I tilted my head:

"Do you not like any of the two?"

Astéria thought about it for a second before answering:

"I don't like it that much. You could choose one and me the other. That way you'll be able to eat both."

I smiled:

"That's exactly what I would do with Orange. You two have a lot in common."

Astéria suddenly froze.

"Do we?

-Yes, sometimes I just feel like you are similar.

-In what way if I may ask?

-I can't put my finger on it. It's just... A feeling. But it's a huge compliment! Orange is the best person I know."

Astéria smiled:

"Then I am flattered."

Once seated, Astéria in fact handed me her dessert and this made my day. It was only a dessert but not having to choose made me so happy that I couldn't help smiling the whole day. While we were eating, Azore told Saber about our plans and she also told about it to the other girls they made friends with. I talked about the tea party idea to some other classmates and we set a date. At first we were only going to be three but having told so many people it really became a tea party and we couldn't just sit in a café being too many. Therefore I suggested to people that we go to my house, to our greenhouse. People seemed to like the idea.

I knew that Astéria didn't want to meet my friends and I knew she wouldn't come but I still felt that I needed to ask her. Because having invited so many people, I didn't want her to feel secluded. I told Orange about it beforehand and walked up to Astéria's chair:

"Could we talk for a second?"

Astéria nodded before following me to the same stairs as the first two times.

"I don't know if you heard but I am planning to host a tea party at my mansion.

-I did hear about it. People seemed very excited.

-I came to invite you too. I know you said you weren't comfortable meeting my friends yet and I don't want you to feel pressured. I understand if you say no but I just want you to know that you are invited too."

Astéria smiled:

"Thank you so much. You truly are the only one worried about my feelings. I don't think I'll be able to attend but thank you so much for thinking about me.

-It's normal. You are always welcome with us.

-I know, thank you. I hope you won't be mad if I don't come.

-Of course not. I knew that you wouldn't.

-But I would love to have tea with you one day.

-Of course. We could set a date after the tea party.

-With pleasure."

People seemed relieved that Astéria denied my invitation which made me sad. These girls weren't mean but they were scared of Astéria as everyone else was. I could understand her being a killer and had to admit that they were in the right but I still felt bad. I just hoped that Astéria didn't see how relieved they were. Orange on the other hand immediately noticed that something was wrong with me and asked what was wrong. I just smiled and said everything was fine before forcing myself to forget about it.

With Orange and Prissy we prepared for the tea party seriously. It was the first gathering we would be hosting and I wanted everything to go well. We walked around the greenhouse to find the best location inside and stopped where there was the most space and where the flowers were the most gorgeous. As we were walking inside, Orange stopped for some reason and I looked at her:

"Is everything okay?"

She was staring at a plant and I didn't know what was going on. It was a yellow flower that I never noticed. It wasn't really pretty or anything.

"What is it?"

Orange, who never addressed anyone else directly, suddenly turned to one of the gardners. The air grew cold around her and her face even distorted in a frown. I didn't know why she was so mad and for a second I didn't dare say anything.

"Get rid of this plant. I told you that your Master was allergic."

I frowned. Was I? I never saw that plant in my whole life. As I got closer to get a better look, I suddenly sneezed. Orange immediately shielded me from the flower and glared at the frozen staff.

"What are you waiting for?"

I was really surprised but couldn't say anything because I sneezed a few more times. Hearing the commotion, Prissy came up to us worried:

"Poehina, what happened? Are you okay?"

She was about to touch me when Orange slapped her hand away. I still couldn't talk, my sneezing not calming down and Orange quickly took me further away from the plant. She helped me to sit down and handed me a tissue. I finally calmed down and seeing her all worried I smiled:

"I am okay. Don't worry."

But as usual, Orange didn't believe me and continued frowning:

"Is your throat sore? Do you need water?"

I laughed with tears in my eyes because of the sneezing.

"I am completely fine. I just sneezed a few times, that's all. I didn't even know I was allergic to that plant. You are truly amazing."

She was so worried that my compliments didn't even make her blush and that was when I started worrying too. Was she that scared? I needed to calm her down:

"I am fine, Orange. Really. I don't feel anything anymore. I just sneezed three times and that's all."

She was staring at me without blinking and I had no idea what she was thinking about.

"Orange?

-Are you really okay?

-Yes! I am perfectly fine. Don't worry."

She signed before frowning again:

"I told them to get rid of that plant.

-It's not their fault. I didn't even know I was allergic. It's fine. They will know in the future. Thank you for protecting me."

I smiled but Orange didn't seem convinced. I needed to divert her attention.

"I am suddenly feeling hungry. What about you?"

Orange immediately forgot about everything else and told me to wait for her. A few minutes later she came back to the bench with a covered basket and took out a slice of brownie from it that she handed me. I immediately smiled and thanked her while eating:

"Thank you Orange! You are truly the best!"

She smiled and took out a tissue before wiping my lips. I thanked her again and we ate together.