By 10 a.m., the breeze had already started to feel warm.
If life ever began to feel dull, the solution was simple: spend time with a beautiful girl.
With her by your side, the whole world seemed to glow.
Felyn sat with Viloti on a bench beneath the trees.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves overhead, casting dappled light onto her long, pink hair.
From where Felyn sat, he could see her pale, smooth calves peeking out from beneath her skirt. Not even a single pore in sight.
Delicious.
He meant the meat pies, of course.
Felyn finished the last piece and wiped his mouth.
“Thanks, Viloti. I think that was the best thing I’ve ever eaten. But it feels a little wrong to just take your food for free. When are you free next? I’ll treat you.”
“Anytime,” Viloti replied without hesitation.
That caught him off guard. He was starting to suspect this soft-spoken young lady might be running some sort of subtle scheme on him.
“But don’t you need to attend that trade meeting?” Felyn asked. He was still thinking about the trouble she’d mentioned earlier—about Adeline. Though he didn’t want to bring up Adeline’s name directly.
Viloti shook her head, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, revealing a small blue bunny-shaped hairclip.
“The meeting’s been postponed indefinitely. Everyone thinks the merchant guild is trying to pressure us by stalling.”
Even someone like Viloti—noble-born, privileged—couldn’t stay in the capital forever.
Once they reached the time limit, they’d be forced to leave.
The merchant guild was clearly aware of that. They were probably using the delay as leverage to drive down the price.
Viloti gently swung her feet, drawing Felyn’s eyes for a moment.
“But I think the delay is actually because of Miss Adeline,” she added after a moment of hesitation.
Since Felyn had asked, she couldn’t keep it from him.
“The head of the Royal Capital's merchant guild is Lord Noke. Her family is a rival to the Claude family. Until now, the Claude family has had a monopoly on the Empire’s military industry. But recently, the king seems to be favoring the Noke family.”
“Miss Adeline is very capable,” Viloti added carefully, without a trace of malice in her voice. “If she were to take full control of the Claude family, then the Nokes wouldn’t stand a chance. That’s why they’re trying to block her.”
Felyn nodded thoughtfully.
That explained why Adeline had seemed cold toward him lately.
These past few mornings, he’d greeted her through the common communication seal, but she’d only replied with a word or two.
Normally, she’d chat with him for quite a while.
He didn’t know the full story, but he did know how important this school festival event was to her.
For the past few weeks, Adeline had stayed up late every night preparing for it.
Now, just one step from success… and she was stuck, not because of a mistake, but because of her own circumstances.
Her pride and competitive streak must’ve been eating away at her every minute.
Tonight was supposed to be Adeline’s service time.
But ever since the trip to the capital, tonight’s contract had been canceled.
Should he go see her anyway?
Felyn considered it. He understood the importance of showing up when someone needed it most.
And if Adeline was starting to unravel because of the pressure from the Noke family… who knew if she’d take it out on him?
Just remembering how long she’d held a grudge over the Viloti incident when they were kids was enough to worry him. And this wasn’t just some childhood squabble—this was real political sabotage.
Yeah. He’d go check on her tonight.
Felyn leaned back on the bench, crossing one leg over the other. The world seemed tinged with the soft scent of cherry blossoms.
Viloti’s scent.
He glanced at her sitting beside him, posture perfectly proper, a sharp contrast to his own relaxed slouch.
“Viloti, I’ve actually always been curious about something.”
She turned slightly, her long hair falling across her shoulder, hiding the neckline of her dress.
“The Silafiel family, what kind of standing do you have in the Empire? If it’s inconvenient, you don’t have to answer.”
Felyn didn’t know much about noble affairs. This world didn’t have gossip sites or forums, so all he knew was that the Silafiel were a prestigious family, but how prestigious, he wasn’t sure.
“It’s fine, Felyn. But I honestly don’t know exactly what our standing is. Father never lets me take part in family matters. All I know is… our family’s wealth is probably the highest in Seiwa.”
“Wait, highest? You mean… you’re the richest family in the entire empire?!”
He knew the Silafiel were wealthy, but this much?
He should’ve asked for a few extra million crowns in their contract!
“Mhm, but…”
Viloti turned away, unable to meet his eyes.
Her family had inherited most of the Sorester Family. The very one Felyn’s family had once owned.
If the Sorester family hadn’t been destroyed… most of that wealth would’ve rightfully been his.
And now, here she was: the girl who had everything, while the original heir scraped by, working contract jobs to survive.
Viloti slowly brought her hand toward Felyn’s.
If I married Felyn… wouldn’t that return everything to its rightful owner?
Felyn felt her fingers gently wrap around his.
“…Viloti?”
She said nothing. Just bowed her head and stubbornly held his hand.
Felyn, still confused, didn’t pull away. He let her hand rest in his, quietly feeling her warmth.
Just like any other couple in the capital, they spent the rest of the morning sitting peacefully on a bench.
Buzz. Buzz.
The communication seal in Felyn’s pocket lit up. He opened it with his free hand.
A message from Bernice.
[Holding hands with another girl right under your girlfriend’s window? Bold move.]
Bernice?!
Spying again?!
Felyn’s eyes darted around, trying to spot her, but she was nowhere to be seen.
…
Evening.
Felyn changed into a white tracksuit, ready to head to Adeline’s residence.
Nobles didn’t stay in inns like him—they had homes here in the capital.
One thing that set the Royal Capital apart was that it never really slept.
Most residents were young, and the night was their playground.
By the time he reached Adeline’s estate, the sky had already darkened.
“…This is kind of ridiculous.”
Felyn stood silently before the manor.
This was the kind of home he used to dream about.
Fountains. Gardens. And most importantly—maids.
“Apologies, sir. This is the private residence of the Claude family. Please do not come any closer.”
A guard stepped forward. He didn’t recognize Felyn and probably assumed he was a young master from another house.
“I’m Felyn, a classmate of Miss Adeline. Could you let her know I’m here?”
“I’m sorry, Lord Felyn. Miss Adeline isn’t feeling well tonight and is resting in her bedroom. Please come back tomorrow.”
“Got it. Thanks.”
Felyn took out his communication seal and sent Adeline a few messages letting her know he was at the gate.
As he waited for a response, he leaned casually against the wall.
He didn’t notice that one of the massive curtains inside the estate had quietly parted.
A head of rosy tea-colored hair peeked through.
[Felyn?! You came to see me?!]
[Yeah. But if it’s not a good time, I can come back later.]
[No! It’s perfect! Just wait for me a moment, okay? I’m going to take a quick bath!]
The curtain fell back into place.
And inside the estate… things suddenly became very, very lively.
(End of Chapter)