When the first ray of Thursday morning sunlight pierced through the curtains into the room, Zervanie—the empire’s super popular idol singer—struggled to get out of bed.
She blinked and smoothed out her bed-flattened hair.
Her pajamas slipped off slightly, revealing her fair, smooth shoulders.
Even with frequent lack of sleep, her skin remained flawless—Zervanie really did have the natural qualities of an idol.
“Miss Zervanie, here’s your schedule for today.”
Still half-asleep, Zervanie vaguely heard Felyn’s voice.
Usually, he would come over just as she woke up—to help her get dressed, brush her hair.
“I got it.”
But there was no Felyn. It was just a voice from memory.
Zervanie responded to the maid’s greeting and slowly sat up.
The injury to her knee from yesterday had already been healed with seal magic, but it still seemed to hurt.
That pain kept reminding Zervanie—
Felyn was surrounded by girls who were all trying to take him away from her.
“You have no appointments this morning, Miss. In the afternoon and evening, you’ll be attending events...”
Zervanie stuffed the fried egg into her mouth haphazardly,
She couldn’t even taste anything.
It’d be better if Felyn could feed me.
“Let’s go to Homhot this morning. It’s been a while since I observed people.”
This was Zervanie’s secret training.
To learn how to show expressions that everyone likes, she had to watch real expressions and reactions from others.
Zervanie learned joy and laughter from others—while hiding her own sorrow and anger.
“I’ll prepare the car at once.”
The grand mansion was now empty—Zervanie was all alone.
The clinking of the knife and fork on the plate rang out clearly.
She stared at the high-quality steak on her plate, but no matter how many times she tried to cut it with the knife, it wouldn’t slice.
Probably the chef didn’t cook it properly this morning.
“Felyn, come help me...”
Zervanie whispered softly.
The only answer she received was silence.
Homhot.
As the busiest commercial district in Seiwa City’s Royal Capital region,
Even in the morning, there were many couples walking hand in hand down the streets.
“I want to blow you all up, why do all of you have those stupid smiles on your faces?”
Zervanie finally understood how Viloti must feel—
Explosions really are an art form.
She wore shorts and a sporty long-sleeved shirt, A pair of dark grey sneakers on her feet.
She still wore a hat and a face mask, with hands in her pockets, blending into the crowd.
“Are you tired from walking? Want me to carry you?”
“You’re so mean! You’re just trying to take advantage of me.”
Watching the young couple walking in front of her, Zervanie muttered to herself.
Felyn used to carry me too,
What are you two so proud about?
There was a time when Zervanie was feeling down, and she would ask Felyn to carry her piggyback at night.
She’d hug his neck and lie on his back, Only by smelling his scent could she fall asleep.
After she fell asleep, Felyn would gently put her back into bed.
Now, Zervanie still had her ups and downs.
But no one was there to carry her anymore.
She could only hug a giant teddy bear to sleep.
No. I can't think like that.
Zervanie patted her cheeks,
Trying to snap herself out of it.
If she kept this up, she really would turn into a bitter ex.
Always missing the Felyn who used to be there for her—
It’d be better to try hard now and win him back.
Even though Felyn didn’t have a place for her in his heart right now, He didn’t have anyone else in there either.
And those other girls weren’t that close to Felyn yet.
At least for now, the gap between them wasn’t huge.
Zervanie kicked a pebble on the roadside, and started thinking of ideas.
How to win a boy’s affection—
What was it again?
Probably shopping, eating together, holding hands.
Zervanie watched countless couples brush past her on the street, Imagining the scene of herself shopping with Felyn.
As she imagined it, she suddenly thought she was hallucinating.
She saw Felyn’s figure in Homhot.
Zervanie rubbed her eyes,
To make sure she wasn’t seeing things.
That was definitely Felyn, right?
What was he doing in Homhot?
Soon, someone walked up to Felyn—
And answered Zervanie’s question.
Bernice was wearing a gray-white off-shoulder long-sleeved top.
A pendant hung between her fair collarbones.
Her lower half wore a gray, body-hugging miniskirt
That outlined her hips and waist just right, swaying slightly as she walked.
Zervanie had to admit—
Bernice’s figure was amazing.
What was she dressed like that for?!
Even if you look good in that outfit,
Felyn still won’t do anything special for you!
“I’ll carry your bag.”
Felyn very naturally
Took Bernice’s shoulder bag from her—
Just like a couple.
Zervanie began screaming inside her mind.
What was with that smile on Felyn’s face?!
Wasn’t he always smiling at me like that?
Why was he making that face at Bernice?!
Felyn, get a grip—
That’s Bernice, not me!
Zervanie quietly followed behind them at a close distance,
Listening in on their conversation.
“Bernice, is there anything you’d like to buy?”
“Actually, there’s nothing I really want.”
If there’s nothing she wants to buy,
Then go home already!
Stop spending time with Felyn!
Zervanie was turning into an even worse kind of bitter ex—
Her jealousy twisted her thoughts.
Bernice’s gaze landed on a jewelry store display window.
“This one looks pretty nice. Let’s go try it.”
Seeing the two of them walk side by side into the store,
Zervanie hid behind a pillar, Biting her lip as she watched Felyn take the earring from the display
And place it in Bernice’s palm.
“Let me put it on for you.”
Felyn didn’t even give Bernice a chance to refuse.
He had already reached out to brush aside her short black-red highlighted hair.
He gently held her earlobe—
And smoothly put the earring on for her.
At that moment, the sunlight couldn’t shine between them anymore.
The shadows fell completely on Zervanie.
That close?!
“Does it look good?”
Bernice turned her head to ask.
The crystals on her ear twinkled as she moved.
“Yeah... it looks really good on you.”
“What’s with that face? Don’t tell me you’re falling for me, Senior Felyn?”
Zervanie was grinding her teeth.
Damn it!!!
Why was a scene this romantic and flirty
Playing out in front of me?!
“Bernice, you really do look beautiful today,” Felyn took back control of the conversation, and made his move first, “It’s only natural that I’d be a little moved.”
Bernice hadn’t expected such a direct counterattack.
Her eyes widened in surprise,
Lips—coated in light lipstick—slightly parted,
But no sound came out—
Just a soft little “Eh?”
Seeing a blush bloom clearly across Bernice’s face, Zervanie was about to slam her head against the wall.
“That earring looks wonderful on you, miss. Your boyfriend can’t take his eyes off you!”
Felyn thought he heard someone scream behind him,
But he didn’t really care.
“Haha, I’m not her boyfriend yet, But I’m happy to hear that.”
As expected of Felyn—
With one sentence, he made both girls’ hearts flutter.
“Miss clerk, I’ll pay.”
“I can buy it myself. Senior Felyn, you really don’t have to—”
Felyn held Bernice’s wrist, showing a sheepish smile.
“Just treat it as a gift from me. I didn’t do anything in the last match.”
“But…”
The understanding clerk had already handed the bill to Felyn.
Bernice had no choice but to let it go.
“Then I’ll treat you to dessert later. Is there a good dessert shop in Homhot?”
Bernice wasn’t the kind of girl who liked to spend a man’s money.
With Felyn’s recommendation,
The two of them—no, wait, three of them
Walked into a well-known dessert shop in Homhot.
Felyn pulled out a chair for Bernice and thoughtfully asked what she liked.
"This shop's little cakes are really good. I sometimes come here just to buy them."
Felyn pushed the cake in front of Bernice and handed her a small fork.
Bernice took a bite, and her eyes opened slightly in surprise.
She then began cutting the cake with extreme precision. Every piece was nearly identical in size.
Zervanie sat not far behind them, in a corner seat next to a large green potted plant.
"I-It’s just eating cake together, that’s all! It’s not like they’re sharing the same piece or anything! No big deal!"
Just as Zervanie was trying to comfort herself, she saw a small bit of cream left unintentionally on the corner of Bernice’s mouth.
Zervanie’s heart skipped a beat.
No, not that scene. Please, I’m begging you...
"Bernice, you’ve got cream on the corner of your mouth."
Zervanie heard Felyn’s voice, and her vision almost went blurry.
Bernice picked up a napkin and gently wiped, “Is it gone now?”
Zervanie bit her lip tightly, her fingernails digging into her palms.
Don’t help her wipe it. Don’t help her wipe it. Don’t help her wipe it!
You’re the powerful Miss Bernice from the tournament—surely you can wipe off a little cream by yourself!
"It’s still there. Let me help you."
Disaster!!
(End of Chapter)