The clock tower appeared especially majestic in the orange light of the setting sun.
The weather vane on the spire was dyed the color of molten gold, glittering under the gradient sky.
On the lawn not far away, several students were still leisurely reading and chatting, their laughter spilling into the air along with the sunset.
"Felyn, are you heading home?"
Viloti and Felyn walked together to the campus gate, where she turned to face him.
The afterglow of the sunset fell upon Viloti, making her amber eyes appear especially bright in the twilight.
Her pink hair fluttered gently in the wind, the ends slightly curled, framing her delicate face.
"Yes, is there something?"
Viloti shook her head.
She just felt that something wasn't quite right.
Her intuition told her that Felyn might encounter danger tonight.
Maybe he would be trapped by some bad woman.
"Are you going out tonight?"
"Hm? Oh right, I do have to go out tonight for something."
"Do you absolutely have to go?"
Felyn saw Viloti's face move closer, her pink hair already touching his cheek.
"Yes... what's wrong?"
"My father is away, and there's no one at home. You could come to my house."
"Hm?"
Wait, this was like the kind of scenario where a young couple invites the other to an empty house to do... something. Why was this coming out of Viloti's mouth?
"Viloti, do you really know what you're saying? You'll make me misunderstand."
Felyn spread his hands, brushing away her hair from his cheek.
"I... I know."
She said shyly, her voice much smaller than usual.
Viloti lowered her head slightly, letting her pink hair fall to hide her reddened cheeks, as if this could conceal her embarrassment.
She just didn't want Felyn to go out.
But she didn't dare say this directly, because it was just her own baseless premonition.
If she affected Felyn's mood about going out and then nothing happened, Viloti would feel very guilty.
"You should head home quickly too. Look, your family's people are waiting for you."
Felyn could feel the murderous glares from the guards standing by the car behind Viloti.
Getting punched by one of these guys who looked like they were all muscle would probably hurt a lot.
"I understand. See you tomorrow."
Viloti obediently nodded, imprinting Felyn's figure in her mind.
Tomorrow she would check if Felyn's body had changed, like if he had any new injuries.
Felyn waved at Viloti's retreating figure and smiled at the group of guards.
Ever since Lord Silafiel had met with Felyn, he had tacitly allowed Viloti to have contact with Felyn, and Viloti's guards had naturally received this directive.
But the guards' gazes on Felyn still showed no sign of restraint.
"Felyn." Just as she was about to get in the car, Viloti suddenly turned back and said expressionlessly to Felyn while surrounded by guards: "For tomorrow's seal competition, I'll protect you properly."
The surrounding guards looked at Felyn with even more disdain.
A man who still needed the young lady's protection was just a guy living off women!
......
Donk District.
Felyn looked at Adeline's three-story villa and felt a touch of nostalgia.
He hadn't been here in quite a while—recent service sessions had all been completed at school.
Felyn stopped at a corner shop to buy several bouquets of flowers.
Seeing the smile on his face, he nodded with satisfaction.
Yes, everything was perfect.
Felyn gently knocked on Adeline's door.
He had to work seriously tonight too!
But after a while, no one came to open the door.
"Hm?"
Felyn knocked again, but there was still no response.
He walked to a nearby window and looked at the scene inside.
White smoke was clearly coming from the kitchen—the kind that appears when cooking—so someone was definitely home.
Felyn knocked on the door forcefully again, and this time there was finally a reaction from inside.
He heard hurried footsteps from within, followed by the sound of items falling.
The door finally opened, but only a crack. Adeline peeked out with half her face, her cheeks slightly red and a bead of sweat on her forehead.
"Adeline? Are you okay?"
Tonight's Adeline seemed very different.
"Felyn! You're a bit too early." There was a hint of panic in Adeline's voice. "Could you wait another half hour? I'm not ready yet."
Felyn saw that she was wearing a pink apron, her hair was somewhat disheveled, and her apron was splattered with stains of unknown origin.
This was completely different from the usually perfect Adeline.
What was she doing?
"Do you need help, Adeline?"
"No... no need! Just wait outside for a bit, it'll be ready soon."
Adeline gripped the door tightly, her voice soft and carrying a hint of pleading.
"I understand. I'll wait at the door for a while then."
Adeline let out a sigh of relief. Just as she was about to close the door, a strange smell wafted through the air.
"Oh no!"
Adeline frantically ran back to the kitchen, even forgetting to close the door.
Felyn curiously looked inside through the door crack and saw a briefcase and a thick book.
From that strange smell, he detected the aroma of food.
Was Adeline cooking?
Why was she suddenly cooking tonight?
Felyn was somewhat puzzled, but he didn't pay too much attention to it.
His clients often did things that didn't make common sense—this was probably just a way of showing trust in him.
Felyn sat on the steps waiting for Adeline. Fortunately, there were no neighbors around Adeline's villa, so he didn't need to worry about being seen and causing any bad effects for Adeline.
He idly played with the weeds by his feet.
Lately, Adeline had been treating him better and better, rarely losing her temper, and even her explosive reactions had become rare.
Maybe Adeline really had been healed by him.
"Felyn, sorry for the wait."
After a while, Adeline peeked out from behind him.
She had removed the pink apron, revealing a light blue knee-length dress with a cream-colored belt around her waist.
Her ample assets were quite alluring under the lace trim at her chest.
Adeline's hair had been neatly arranged again, her rose-tea colored long hair falling over her shoulders with slightly curled ends.
Following behind Adeline, Felyn discovered that the dining table was already set with a rich dinner, and there was an opened bottle of red wine on the table.
"Adeline, is tonight some special occasion?"
Felyn quickly thought through it—today wasn't any kind of anniversary or special day.
A subtle smile appeared at the corner of Adeline's mouth.
Today is the day I completely grasp you in my hands.
"Felyn, sit down and eat quickly."
Adeline looked somewhat guiltily at the feast on the table, pulling out a chair for Felyn as if afraid he might run away.
(End of Chapter)