Is this what they call body-obsessed…? (5)
T/N:Ā Huge thanks to Ana, Fye & Stephanie for sponsoring this chapter on Ko-Fi!Ā
–
The noblewomen opened and closed their mouths repeatedly, unable to speak their thoughts aloud.
āOh my, I see.ā
āMy, my, the first…ā
Even though they were keeping their mouths tightly shut, their cheeks kept spreading apart, revealing their teeth.
The noblewomen quickly exchanged glances. It was a look that said, āI have to tell somebody this newsā.
After that, the tea party went smoothly.
The two women, who tried to agitate Aristine, stayed quiet and sipped their teas, while the noblewomen discussed the latest trends in society.
Aristineās influence couldnāt be excluded in the talk about recent art trends. This was because many of the recent works were inspired by her and Tarkanās weddings.
Since someone who could be called the muse of art and culture attended the tea party, naturally, the discussions went on longer.
Aristine glanced at the time and rose from her seat. It was already past the time she expected to be done.
āAh, Princess Consort, youāre leaving already?ā
āOh dear, so much time has passed already.ā
āOh no. I wanted to talk more…ā
The noblewomen looked at Aristine with regret on their faces.
āI enjoyed talking too and I would love to stay longer but unfortunately, I have something after this.ā
āPrincess Consort is as busy as expected. Iāve heard you run several businesses.ā
āPlease tell us about your business next time. Actually, my nephew had surgery with the scalpel made by Your Highness. They say heās progressing very well.ā
āWhy, thatās good news.ā Aristineās eyes sparkled.
āI never knew it felt so nice to help someone.ā
She started the scalpel business to make money, but when she heard such words, it warmed her heart.
āThank you for coming despite your busy schedule, Princess Consort.ā
When Marchioness Issara said that, Aristine chuckled.
āI came because I wanted to. And I am not leaving early because of work so Iām feeling a little embarrassed now. You are putting me on too high of a cloud.ā
At those words, the eyes of the noblewomen.
āYouāre not leaving because of work? Then…ā
The answer to that question didnāt come from Aristine, but somewhere else.
āMy goodness, itās His Highness Tarkan!ā
A noblewoman exclaimed and everyone turned at her words.
āPardon? Why would His Highness Tarkan be…ā
Then everyone held their breath when they saw the scene outside the window.
Tarkan was getting off the white carriage that had stopped at the main buildingās entrance.
āDonāt tell me heās here to meet Your Highness?ā
Everyoneās eyes turned to Aristine again.
Aristine felt embarrassed for some reason and her cheeks grew flushed. Was it that surprising?
In the eyes of the noblewomen, she looked like a shy young woman, blushing about her sweet love with her husband.
āWe just decided to have dinner together since we were going out anyway.ā Aristine explained.
āOh, thatās wonderful.ā
āI never thought His Highness Tarkan would have such an affectionate side.ā
āSure enough, people change when they fall in love.ā
The noblewoman giggled with delight.
āWell, surely, we cannot keep His Highness Tarkan waiting.ā Marchioness Issara said, rising to her feet to see Aristine off.
After a maid came over and wrapped her shawl around her, Aristine and Marchioness Issara left the tearoom together.
As they walked together down the hallway, Marchioness Issara stole glances at Aristine.
The sight of Aristine walking straight ahead with flushed cheek reminded the Marchioness of a new bride wanting to see her husband and she couldnāt help but smile.
āIām surprised.ā
She thought that Aristine would surely pull her aside to talk now that they were alone. Since the queenās faction had been actively contacting her lately, she figured Aristine had come here to check where she stood.
However, the Aristine in front of her didnāt seem to have such inclination.
She just enjoyed the tea party, and she looked like she was cleaning going home.
In the end, Marchioness Issara spoke first. āI thought Your Highness had a purpose for coming to my tea party today.ā
The corner of Aristineās lips curved slightly.
She knew that Marchioness Issara had been glancing at her since earlier, but she remained silent.
āItās better for her to ask first, than for me to pose the question first.ā
When aiming to forge political ties, you must avoid looking desperate.
āAs I said, I thought it would be nice to attend a comfortable gathering.ā
āWhat did you think of the tea party?ā
āThe tea was delicious. I think it would go wonderfully with the cakes my pĆ¢tissier makes.ā
At those enigmatic words, Marchioness Issara broke out in a smile, āSince Your Highness says that, I wonder how it must taste together.ā
āYou will know once you have them together. How it tastes.ā
The eyes of the aged Marchioness Issara and Aristine met in midair.
The mansionās door opened.
Tarkan stood there under the late afternoon sun while the garden in the background lent its vibrant scent of peak autumn.
Seeing how he waited without entering the lobby, Marchioness Issara smiled.
Because she could read that he wasnāt interested in discussing political affiliation and merely wished to pick up his wife quickly.
āYour Highness Tarkan.ā
āMarchioness Issara.ā
Tarkan gave the Marchioness a nod, then gently wrapped his arm around Aristineās shoulders.
Aristineās eyes widened. āWhy is your hand so cold?ā
āItās cold?ā Tarkan replied with a start and pulled back his hand from her shoulder.
Aristine grabbed that hand and blew on it with her warm breath.
Tarkanās eyes twitched.
Marchioness Issara looked at Tarkanās face, went āOh myā, and covered her mouth.
ćI am his first.ć
The confident words of the Princess Consort echoed in her mind.
āIndeed.ā She nodded inwardly.
āOf course, youāre cold when you keep exposing yourself like this in the fall.ā
Aristine said, looking at Tarkanās half-exposed chest. She didnāt just look, her eyes stayed on it for a while.
Tarkan did not miss that. He confidently puffed up his chest.
āLetās go. You must be hungry.ā
āNo, I ate so much cake… Ah, Marchioness Issara, thank you for the wonderful tea party.ā Only then did Aristine remember that there was someone else.
āThank you so much as well, for coming. I hope you both have a nice date.ā
Date.
At that word, a light flash through Tarkanās golden eyes.
āMarchioness Issara…sheās a good person.ā
After she bid them farewell, the two of them climbed into the carriage.
Marchioness Issara smiled faintly as she watched the carriage pull away.
āHow unexpected. I thought they would naturally want to rope us in.ā
The queenās faction was approaching her by offering to help with her grandsonās illness and Aristine must know about that too.
However, Aristine didnāt seem eager to win her over. At the same time, Aristine gave room to the idea of them joining hands.
There must be a reason why she was so relaxed.
āPretty good. The young princess, I mean.ā
Marchioness Issara turned back to the tearoom where the other noblewomen were waiting.
She knew they would be delighted once she told them how the Princess Consort warmed His Highness Tarkanās cold hand and how His Highness was looking at his wife.
- Honey, I’m Going on Strike – Chapter 62 - December 29, 2025
- Honey, I’m Going on Strike – Chapter 56 – 61 - December 21, 2025
- Honey, I’m Going on Strike – Chapters 50 – 55 - December 7, 2025
Aaaa~ the doki-doki š„°.
Must be nice for you Tarkan.
And he was instantly judging Marchioness Issara as a nice person just because one word, a “date”.
Don’t forget how he proudly presenting his bulky chest when Aris staring him hard. Lol.
Talking about how similar a male peacock ways to seduce a female peacock.
The progress in which Tarkan used to feel embarrassed with Aristine blatant eyes on his exposed chest is just… wow. Go Tarkan, we’re all rooting for you hahah.
Thanks for the translation miss Ruby..
Its really amazing to have this triplet chapter..
Marchioness is a good person… Just because said nice date… Good job good job šš
Have a nice date then my sweet, wonderful couple
” āI came because I wanted to. And I am not leaving early because of work so Iām feeling a little embarrassed now. You are putting me on too high of a cloud.ā
At those words, the eyes of the noblewomen.”
I think that’s something missing in the last phrase. Thank you as usual Miss Ruby š¤ā¤ļø
I wonder when she’s gonna mention the first love bit or when he finds out about her vouching for his chastity. I’m dying to see it š
I love how Aris just openly gawks at Tarkan’s chest and how Tarkan now tries to use his chest to seduce his wife ahaha