The evening sky was crystal clear, like a captivating painting.
Silver Moon Valley was bustling tonight with nobles from all over Seiwa, both great and small.
Crystal chandeliers illuminated the entire hall as musicians tuned their instruments, preparing for tonight's banquet.
The air was filled with the aroma of champagne and pastries, along with the subtle fragrance of perfume from the noble ladies.
This banquet was destined to be Seiwa's grandest social occasion of the year.
But for some people, this might be an unforgettable night.
"Adeline, it's been so long."
Adeline wore a deep blue velvet gown with silver subtle patterns embroidered on the hem.
The lace design at the chest showcased feminine advantages to perfection, achieving absolute balance between sensuality and elegance.
Her rose tea-colored hair was carefully pinned up, with a few soft strands hanging by her ears, making her delicate face even more enchanting.
After briefly saying goodbye to her family, Adeline had just come to a corner preparing to pull out her communication seal when she heard someone greeting her from behind.
"Linda, you came tonight too."
Adeline took Linda's hand and smiled gently.
Saint Andros Academy and Lanchester Academy often had joint activities.
The two student council presidents met frequently because of this and gradually became good friends.
"You really helped me out last time, thanks to you letting me handle the dungeon joint hunting assignments."
"I'd say you helped me out that time—you handled such a troublesome task for me."
Linda covered her mouth, looked around, and wore a gossipy expression.
"Adeline, was there someone you liked on that list?"
"How could that be? Linda, you're really joking."
"Aw, I thought there'd be some gossip about a noble young lady falling for a commoner."
"You've been reading too many knight novels, haven't you?"
Adeline gently tapped Linda's head, her expression appearing completely calm.
Linda didn't notice Adeline fiercely pinching her own arm, forcing herself to maintain a gentle smile.
What a joke!
She was just caring about Felyn because he'd done so much for her—saying she li-li-li-li-liked him!
He was the one who liked me!
He dumped Viloti for my sake. I just felt sorry for him.
“Adeline looks really beautiful tonight. Are you really not dressed up for some man?"
Linda hugged Adeline tightly, nuzzling her face with her head.
"Linda?! There's absolutely nothing like that." Adeline tried to push Linda away but had little effect.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to stay with you tonight, Adeline. I want to bask in your radiance and get noticed by lots of boys too."
"Eh, but..."
No!
Adeline roared internally.
Why did she have to stick with me tonight of all nights?
She had formulated a whole series of plans!
Like letting Viloti "accidentally" see Felyn feeding her cake.
Letting Viloti "accidentally" see Felyn polishing her shoes.
Letting Viloti "accidentally" see Felyn braiding her hair.
Letting Viloti "accidentally" see Felyn kissing her...
"Adeline, what's wrong? Why is your face so red?" Linda leaned in, her nose almost touching Adeline's face.
"Eh? Is it?"
Oh no!
Why am I blushing just from thinking about these things?
Adeline took a light sip of fruit tea to calm herself down.
If viewed purely from others' perspectives, being courted by Viloti's unwanted simp wasn't anything to be proud of.
But for Adeline, she absolutely had to accomplish this in front of Viloti.
Making Felyn—who had voted for Viloti as a child—regret it was Adeline's long-standing obsession.
If this was a performance, Viloti was just one element in their game.
Her thoughts and feelings were irrelevant.
Of course, if she could see Viloti's face show the same regret and despair, that would be perfect.
After all, she'd been inexplicably attacked by that pink-haired girl and confined by her father for three days.
"Adeline is so popular. Unlike me, no boys are willing to even look at me. Tonight even you don't want to be with me, Adeline... am I unwanted?"
Linda collapsed onto Adeline, nuzzling the soft chest with her head while pretending to cry dramatically.
"Alright, alright, I'll stay with you then."
Adeline sighed. She really had no way to deal with such a clingy person.
Hopefully after walking around a bit, some boy would take a fancy to her and she'd quickly leave.
"Hehe, Lady Adeline is the best."
!
Hearing these familiar words, Adeline suddenly thought of Felyn.
He often said things like that too.
Though she'd asked him to come to the banquet today, she couldn't be with him because of family reasons.
She could only have him secretly come over when she found an opportunity, making it seem like she was ashamed of him.
Adeline pulled Linda's head out of her chest and looked at the crowd around them.
Would Felyn feel inferior and sad coming to such a banquet?
Maybe he'd even be humiliated by nobles he'd had conflicts with before about his current fallen state.
They'd pin him to the ground shouting "Why can someone like you enter the venue? Get out immediately!"
I'm really inhuman, making Felyn come to such a place just to satisfy my private desires.
There was no choice. I will agree to one of Felyn's requests then.
Secret love really was humble and difficult work. Good thing he had a crush on me.
But he might request things like kisses, hugs, or lifting me up. If he got bold and requested those excessive things...
Adeline's face fell into redness again, and Linda could see steam rising from her head.
"Adeline?? Are you really okay??" Linda asked hurriedly.
Also seeing Adeline's reaction was Felyn, who'd been observing them from the third floor.
Mission successful!
Felyn was in great spirits, finishing his twelfth chicken leg of the evening.
To deal with the biggest crisis in his professional career, he'd stayed up all night writing a thesis.
"Interpersonal Crisis Prediction and Response Strategy Research in Silver Moon Valley" — Based on Behavioral Pattern Analysis of Viloti and Adeline.
From the first second he'd stepped into Silver Moon Valley today, he'd begun executing his plan.
Linda and Adeline meeting was a coincidence?
How naive.
According to intelligence, student council president Linda had recently been dumped by her ex-boyfriend and lacked confidence. As long as she appeared at the venue, there was a probability she'd see other young couples being lovey-dovey and break down.
In the first-floor venue, Linda had four acquaintances including Adeline.
Felyn only needed to get ahead of her and chat up the other three girls. Seeing this would make Linda break down even more, leaving her only to seek out Adeline.
Though the original owner was the eldest son of a major family, he was too much of a shut-in for almost anyone to have seen him, so there was no risk of exposure.
Everything was within Felyn's calculations.
Felyn returned to the corner by the window and picked up his wine glass.
But speaking of which, how annoying.
Gardens, maids, castle—even this sunset seemed to be Silver Moon Valley's decoration.
The Silafiel family was so wealthy they'd booked the entire castle.
Before he'd transmigrated, his pocket money could probably have afforded booking Silver Moon Valley for a month without any pressure, right?
Why didn't he transmigrate earlier? Even enjoying it for one day would have been good.
[Felyn, where are you?]
Felyn received Adeline's message and was startled. He went to the railing and leaned out to see Linda already chatting and laughing with a noble young master.
Damn, wasn't that guy Adeline's cousin?
Had Adeline already gone this far to implement her plan?
(End of Chapter)