By the time Felyn left Adeline’s house, it was already eleven at night.
Cooking had taken up a bit of time, and he also went ahead and tidied up her house while he was at it.
Just looking at those whip props gave him the creeps, so he simply tossed them all into the basement storage room.
He walked out of the courtyard and looked back at the small villa behind him.
Bathed in the glow of the streetlamp, the villa didn’t look much different from the other houses around.
But inside lived a young lady—Miss Adeline Claude—who had worked so hard, just because she wished the gods would let her meet someone she loved.
“Let’s hope we don’t run into each other in the royal capital, Adeline.”
He murmured the words softly, then turned around and walked away.
And after his figure completely disappeared from the villa neighborhood, a slender silhouette leapt down from a tree.
Short black-and-red hair hid in the shadows, catching a glint of white from the streetlights, her long legs strikingly enticing.
Bernice pulled a communication seal from her pocket and sent a message to Miss Daiyi.
[Felyn went home. You can rest easy now.]
She really didn’t understand what the daughter of the Truth Divine Church’s candidate for Divine Child was thinking. She was supposed to be protecting her under orders from the Church elders, but every day, she ended up playing surveillance duty for her little boyfriend.
Those two hadn’t even spent much time together. Daiyi stayed holed up in her house all day.
[Thank you, Miss Bernice]
A moment later, Daiyi replied, as if offering an explanation.
[I just didn’t want anything to happen to Felyn before my father arrived. That’s all.]
Bernice shook her head. That explanation just made things sound even more suspicious.
Still, if Miss Daiyi could get more used to being around men, that was probably a good thing.
In Bernice’s view, Daiyi was bound to become the Divine Child of the Truth Divine Church—even if she hadn’t received the elders’ full acknowledgment yet.
After all, Bernice herself had once been a candidate for the Divine Child of the Mir Divine Church, so she understood better than anyone what being the Divine Child meant.
To become someone who could command the members of an entire divine church—that was the pinnacle of power.
But the price was sharing your consciousness with the deity.
In other words, you'd become a vessel for divine possession.
So once someone became a Divine Child, they’d often undergo drastic change, influenced by the will of the god.
Bernice knew this was just like that thing, but she didn’t say it aloud. Daiyi probably understood it too.
Maybe, for Miss Daiyi, not becoming the Divine Child was the right path.
But the Truth Divine Church—one of the Three Great Divine Churches—couldn’t do without a Divine Child.
This time, Daiyi’s father was coming to the royal capital both at the emperor’s invitation and for his daughter’s sake.
And somehow, it felt like all the girls around Felyn had some reason or another to head to the royal capital.
Felyn, I’m really looking forward to this trip to the capital.
A faint smile tugged at Bernice’s lips.
Before the patrolling guards could arrive, her figure vanished into the night.
…
Monday.
Felyn didn’t go to school today. He wasn’t sure how Daiyi pulled it off, but she’d already informed Miss Sophia on his behalf—apparently, they’d be staying in the royal capital for about a week.
Felyn also happened to overhear that the Claude family’s joint delegation would be there for around the same amount of time.
While asking about the schedule, Felyn noticed a familiar name among the delegation list.
Viloti was part of it too.
It made sense. As the daughter of the Silafiel family, her presence was probably intended to soften the Royal Capital Chamber of Commerce and secure more sponsorships for the academy.
“Miss Daiyi, don’t you think you’re bringing too much stuff?”
“Don’t be so mean. Isn’t it because you wanted to see me in this outfit?”
Felyn looked at the boxes practically overflowing in the living room and sighed.
“What do you think I am, a fashion show stage crew? Are you planning to play a different role every morning?”
And since when did Daiyi have this much stuff? Didn’t she only have one suitcase when she moved in?
Ever since Bernice came along, Miss Daiyi’s finances had clearly improved a bit.
She probably went on a shopping spree while he wasn’t home.
“Mm, that should be everything.”
“We’re only staying a week… isn’t this a bit much?”
Felyn gave an awkward smile. Bringing this much luggage—no way he could carry it all.
“No choice. We’re meeting His Majesty the King, and Her Highness the Princess, then going to Miss Zervanie’s concert with the Princess. And there’ll be tons of banquets and events too. Not bringing enough would be a disgrace.”
“Going to Zervanie’s concert with the Princess?” Felyn froze at the words.
“Yup. She said so in her letter.”
Daiyi noticed the subtle twitch in Felyn’s expression—he seemed resistant.
Wait… could it be… one of them is his client?
Zervanie or the Princess?
Is Felyn’s client network really this wide? Do both of them have something to do with him?
“Miss Daiyi, the car’s here.”
A knock on the door broke Daiyi’s thoughts. It was Bernice outside.
Today, she wasn’t wearing her usual charming outfits. Instead, she wore a suit of silver-white light armor.
Her slender, doll-like figure and cold, emotionless eyes gave her a chilling beauty.
Still, both young ladies were stunning in their own right.
Today, Daiyi wore a dark blue off-shoulder puff dress, her slender neck adorned with a gem necklace, and sparkling black high heels on her feet.
Felyn glanced outside and saw the ceremonial convoy bearing the emblem of the Siveshus Empire already pulling up along the narrow street unique to the Mist District.
“We’re riding in that?”
He could feel his neighbors’ curious stares. People had started gathering outside, wondering what kind of noble was hiding inside this house.
“Let’s go, Felyn.”
Daiyi walked to the door, then suddenly turned back and reached out her hand to him.
“I should hold your arm. Don’t forget—we’re lovers.”
Realizing what she meant, Felyn quickly stepped over, letting Daiyi’s hand rest gently on his arm.
After spending so much time with her, he’d gotten used to her usual, casual wardrobe.
But seeing her in formal dress and jewelry today reminded him—Daiyi really was a super mysterious heiress from a noble lineage.
When Felyn looked into her eyes, her emerald green pupils sparkled like gems, full of noble elegance.
At the same time, over in the Donk District across Seiwa from the Mist District, things were just as lively.
Most of the students from noble families lived here. That included Adeline and Viloti.
However, their departure was nowhere near as grand as Daiyi’s. After all, this trip was just for negotiations with the Royal Capital Chamber of Commerce—not an audience with royalty.
Both girls secretly hoped to return quickly.
Because back here… was someone most important to them.
Meanwhile, inside the royal capital, behind walls made of enchanted crystal, Miss Zervanie was already preparing for her concert.
“Miss Zervanie, everything’s ready. We can begin rehearsals.”
Zervanie looked toward the front row of the stage. That was the spot she’d specially reserved for Felyn during their contract period.
Will he come this time?
She shook her head. I must be going crazy, missing Felyn this much. Why would he be here?
Overhead, the sun blazed down from its throne in the sky.
From that highest point in the world, it was easy see the many carriages from across Seiwa heading toward the royal capital, and the princess sitting by her window, staring far into the distance.
The gates of the royal capital stood wide open now.
Awaiting the fateful encounters of all these destined souls.
(End of Chapter)