“Glub glub glub glub glub…”
This time it was Felyn’s turn to blow bubbles into his drink.
He and Zervanie sat side by side on a shaded bench. Zervanie’s eyes were fixed, focused on every smiling person walking down the street.
Felyn found this side of her interesting. He thought maybe this method could work for himself too—maybe he could learn how to make a smile as perfect as Zervanie’s.
A couple passed by in front of them. Their fingers were interlocked, their hands carrying shopping bags, their faces glowing with happy smiles.
Whenever Zervanie observed someone’s expression, she always took off her mask. She said it affected the accuracy of replicating a smile.
Felyn made a mental note. Accuracy, huh? Isn’t that just copying someone else’s expression?
Very soon, Felyn witnessed firsthand how terrifying Zervanie’s skill really was.
Just moments ago she’d been expressionless, but after a few twitches at the corner of her mouth, it was like she’d copied that couple’s smiles.
The boy’s happiness and the girl’s shyness flowed across Zervanie’s face like a slideshow—seamless.
Okay… that was kinda scary.
“Hoo~”
Once the couple walked away, Zervanie let out a long breath and visibly relaxed her shoulders.
She gently rubbed her cheeks. Mimicking people’s expressions was exhausting.
A strand of silver hair slipped down her shoulder, hanging in front of her chest.
She turned slightly and noticed Felyn’s gaze was locked on her mouth.
Seeing Felyn looking at her like that, Zervanie’s heartbeat subtly sped up.
Her eyes darted sideways, and then—a smile appeared on her face that Felyn knew all too well.
The corners of her eyes rose just slightly, and her lips curled into a precise smile—his signature smile.
The one he’d practiced for months to perfect.
“Zervanie, how’d you do that? You even stole my smile!” Felyn recognized it and was a little surprised.
Zervanie, flattered by his praise, placed both hands on the edges of the bench. Her long legs swayed lightly in the air.
“Because… because it’s your smile, Felyn. So I’ve always kept it in my heart.”
She lowered her head, and her voice grew quieter.
“These past few months, I’ve been practicing your smile in the mirror every day. Just like you were still beside me...”
“Huh? What’d you say?”
“Nothing!!” Zervanie panicked, waving her hands. Her voice was eight pitches higher than usual.
Felyn finally finished his drink.
There was still some time left before lunch.
Watching Zervanie scan every passerby like a Transformer copying a car, Felyn didn’t feel bored at all.
“Felyn, are you staying in Homhot this afternoon too?”
“Ah, I’m meeting someone.”
It was his date with Viloti.
Since Zervanie had fallen on him earlier, his clothes had picked up a faint trace of her perfume—and her shampoo.
He had to hurry and buy some new cologne to cover her scent, or Viloti might notice and get upset.
Felyn treated his time with Viloti as work, so of course he had to take it seriously.
He couldn’t afford to slack off just because the client was Viloti. That would slowly erode his professional boundaries.
“A girl?”
“Of course. I don’t do guys.”
Zervanie felt extremely conflicted inside.
On one hand, she was upset that Felyn was going to spend time with another female client.
On the other hand, she was happy he was answering her questions so openly.
In the end, happiness won out.
Summary: hearing that Felyn was going to be with another girl somehow made Zervanie happy.
...Kind of weird?
“Don’t even think about following me. I only agreed to stay with you for the morning. You should go back to work in the afternoon. Your fans are still waiting for you.”
Zervanie mumbled, “I don’t care about my fans anymore... Don’t chase me off…”
Felyn didn’t hear it.
It was already noon.
The sun was blazing with full force, like it wanted to roast all of Homhot.
Zervanie fanned herself with her hand. Fine beads of sweat had appeared on her delicate face.
The fabric shade wasn’t doing much to protect against this heat.
“So hot…”
She whispered, using her slender fingers to lift the hair stuck to the back of her neck.
Felyn couldn’t help but glance at her. A single bead of sweat trickled slowly along her pale neck, down her graceful neckline, and disappeared into the hollow of her collarbone.
She tugged at her shirt slightly, unintentionally revealing the trail of sweat glistening between her chest.
“Wanna get some ice cream?” Zervanie asked.
Felyn looked at the price, 100 crowns, “So expensive!”
“I'm paying,” Zervanie whined softly like a little animal and handed Felyn a ten-crown bill, “Wait, I also go with you.”
Zervanie didn’t want to miss what might be her last moment with Felyn.
She stood up, but after sitting so long, she felt dizzy, and stumbled forward.
Felyn reflexively reached out and caught her by the waist.
His fingers landed on damp warmth.
Through the slightly damp fabric, his palm could clearly feel the softness of her waist.
“Ah~”
Zervanie had never been touched by anyone other than Felyn. Her body was incredibly sensitive.
She felt his fingertips sink slightly into the plush flesh of her waist.
Instinctively, she let out a soft moan.
It was… very suggestive.
No, extremely suggestive.
Felyn’s mouth twitched.
She was a singer—her voice was naturally beautiful.
And when that kind of sound came out of her throat, it was absurdly seductive.
Incredible. Words failed.
“Felyn, I didn’t mean to!” Zervanie stammered.
She immediately looked up to check Felyn’s expression, terrified he’d think she was a loose woman.
Her cheeks were bright red. Her eyes flickered nervously, afraid Felyn would misunderstand.
How could I make that sound?! This was so embarrassing!
“Y-yeah, yeah, I got it.”
Zervanie noticed Felyn had looked away.
Wait—was he… was he shy?
So he likes that kind of sound?
“Your face looks kinda weird. I hope you’re not thinking of moaning again just to get my attention.”
Felyn stared at her increasingly glazed-over eyes and knew she was wandering off in the wrong direction again.
“I would never!” Zervanie stomped her foot in protest.
Once they were seated in the ice cream shop, Felyn finally felt relief from the heat.
Blue walls were decorated with ice cream models—it looked like a fairy tale land.
The air was thick with the scent of milk and fruit. It was almost too sweet.
Seeing that the shop was mostly full of couples, Zervanie quietly edged closer to Felyn.
If people mistook them for a couple—she’d actually be thrilled.
Their ice cream came quickly.
“Zervanie, it’s about time. Let’s head back once we finish this.”
“Mm...”
Zervanie wondered if there was a way to make the ice cream last forever.
“So, which client are you seeing this afternoon?”
Yep. She still cared.
Zervanie didn’t bite into her ice cream until it was nearly dripping onto the table.
“Confidential.”
“What are you going to do with her?”
“Confidential.”
“Are you going to... kiss?”
“No! You were my client too, weren’t you? When did I ever harass you?”
Zervanie hid her face behind the ice cream, her cheeks glowing red as she whispered, “I wouldn’t mind if you did. I wouldn’t blame you…”
“No thanks. Your fans would kill me.”
Zervanie clenched her fists on her lap, her ears now tinged red.
“Your ice cream’s melting. You're not eating it?”
Felyn knocked on the table to remind her.
Zervanie nibbled at her ice cream at a painfully slow pace, sneaking glances at Felyn’s face.
There wasn’t much time left. Was it really going to end like this?
In a moment of desperation, a bold idea crossed her mind.
This might be the last chance.
“Felyn… can I give you my autograph?”
“Don’t need it.”
Zervanie gritted her teeth.
“Fifty autographs. I’ll sign fifty for you.”
Her nose twitched nervously. Her voice carried a final, pleading tone.
“Consider it my apology—for all the things I’ve done to hurt you.”
Felyn didn’t reply.
A single Zervanie autograph could sell for tens of thousands of crowns.
Mail it to that princess and it might even double.
At that rate, one signature could pay for a maid.
Just one name could hire a maid.
He was one step closer to his dream of owning a maid estate.
And after she compensated him—
She probably wouldn’t pester him again.
Then he’d finally be free.
“Fifty is a bit much.”
After all, writing that many would be exhausting.
Felyn wasn’t the kind of person who’d prioritize money over Zervanie’s health.
“Forty-nine is fine. Don’t overdo it.”
One maid less wouldn’t matter.
Forty-nine was plenty.
(End of Chapter)