Felyn sat on the living room sofa, staring blankly at the clock on the wall. The décor in this manor was completely different from Adeline’s small villa back in the Donk District.
Famous paintings and exquisite art pieces were placed everywhere, as if they didn’t cost a thing, taking up most of the available space.
More importantly, this place had real, live maids—something he’d never seen in Adeline’s little villa.
Still, Felyn didn’t stare at the girls in the living room. Even if they were just maids, it would’ve been rude.
He picked up his cup of black tea and took a slow sip. Just then, he heard footsteps approaching.
A moment later, Adeline peeked out from behind the wall at the corner. Her head poked out first, and a smile tugged at the corners of her lips, barely contained.
Her long hair was still damp, and beads of water glistened on her collarbones, hinting that she was likely wearing nothing but a towel behind the wall.
“Felyn, just wait a little longer, okay?”
Her idea of “a little longer” was clearly very different from Felyn’s.
Half an hour later.
The maids around them had all cleared out, and Adeline finally appeared before him.
Tonight, she wore a short black dress and a double-layered pearl necklace around her neck.
At home, she’d only put on a pair of heeled slippers, and her heels were slightly red from the hot bath she’d just taken.
The moment Felyn laid eyes on Adeline, his gaze instinctively dropped to the swell of her chest.
He quickly forced himself to look away and stood up.
“Felyn? What brings you here?”
Felyn had already prepared his excuse.
“Lately, your messages have gotten shorter. I was worried you might’ve run into trouble in the capital, or maybe you’re not feeling well. So, I just wanted to come check on you.”
Switching into concerned mode, Felyn stepped forward and looked her over carefully.
Adeline was not able to hide it even if she wanted to. Even with light makeup, she couldn’t hide how tired she looked. The lack of sleep had left the dark circles traces.
“A friend of mine had business in the capital, so I came along. I really just wanted to see you. If you're busy, I can cook you dinner and head out. I’ve had a feeling you haven’t been eating properly these days. I’m a little worried about your health.”
Adeline froze. Her fingers subconsciously clenched her skirt.
Just from the way she’d written less in her replies, Felyn had noticed something was wrong.
Just out of concern for her, he’d traveled all this way.
He knew she might not be doing well emotionally, so he’d come all this way just to see her.
“Adeline.”
“Felyn.”
He walked over to her and gently touched her hand. “Do we need to do that thing we always do?”
Adeline’s pale expression returned, and a hint of embarrassment flushed her cheeks.
“What thing? We don’t have anything we always do…”
But as soon as Felyn leaned close to whisper in her ear, her entire body tensed. A soft whimper escaped her throat without her realizing it.
Still, she didn’t stop him.
“I mean the daily comfort routine. I can let you ride me while you sleep. I can stand, run, whatever you want. I could even do a handstand while comforting you.”
“I’m not letting you do that!” Adeline lightly punched his shoulder.
In her mind, though, she couldn’t help imagining what Felyn would look like trying to comfort her while doing a handstand—and giggled softly at the image.
Seeing her mood lighten a little, Felyn quietly sighed in relief.
“I’ll go make dinner, then. Mind if I use your kitchen?”
This time, Adeline didn’t return to her room to work while Felyn cooked, like she usually did. Instead, she followed him to the dining room, sat at the table, and rested her chin on her hands as she watched his back.
She didn’t know why, but just watching Felyn from behind made her feel safe.
She’d never found the process of cooking so interesting before. The sound of vegetables being chopped in the kitchen was unexpectedly pleasant.
Adeline took a sip of the black tea Felyn had just brewed.
The flavor was far better than anything the maids had ever made.
Since arriving in the capital, Adeline hadn’t felt this relaxed even once.
She had prepared thoroughly for this negotiation. The student council members had, too.
Before leaving, she’d gone through countless contingency plans, burning the midnight oil night after night—just so everything with the Capital Commerce Guild would go smoothly.
A grand school festival required a large enough budget. As long as she could secure the sponsorship, the rest would fall into place.
But to her surprise, after arriving in the capital, the guild president, Nock, suddenly changed his friendly tone. He was either “sick” or “too busy with work” and constantly found excuses to avoid meeting her.
He clearly didn’t want to see her. That made all of Adeline’s careful preparation utterly meaningless.
At first, she had no idea why Nock was acting this way. It wasn’t until the butler reminded her that the Nock and Claudé families were currently fighting over rights in the military industry.
That’s when Adeline realized. Nock was targeting her personally.
That thought filled her with overwhelming anxiety.
If it had been a problem with the proposal, she could’ve revised it. But what could she do if the problem was her?
Just thinking that everyone’s hard work, and the entire success or failure of the school festival—rested on her shoulders was enough to rob her of sleep for days.
She had already revised the proposal countless times according to the guild’s feedback, but they always managed to find a new problem.
Everyone in the visiting delegation had their eyes on Adeline. The pressure was suffocating.
She was terrified that, because of her, all the student council’s efforts would go to waste.
Terrified that the festival wouldn’t happen at all.
Terrified that, because of her status, she wouldn’t be able to leave behind a perfect final memory with Felyn at the academy.
And worst of all. She couldn’t talk to anyone about it.
The title Light of Claudé was both praise and a shackle.
She couldn’t complain to others. She was used to bearing everything alone.
Over the past few days, she hadn’t slept more than four hours a night, constantly revising proposals and searching for someone who might persuade the guild to change its mind.
But Nock was unusually firm, even refusing to give face to the noble Claudé family.
Her father couldn’t intervene in school matters either, and lately, the king seemed to be keeping a close eye on both the Claudé and Nock families.
Everything was at a standstill.
Adeline lay her head on the table, staring at the gentle steam rising from the kitchen.
Strangely enough, despite how chaotic her thoughts had been lately, unable to sleep no matter what she tried, hearing the sounds of Felyn cooking calmed the world around her.
Lying there, she felt as if she were back in the small villa in the Donk District. Back when she and Felyn were still engaged in their contract simulation game. No pressure, no duties—only Felyn, who always looked after her.
At last, she fell asleep with her head on the table.
And she dreamed.
In that dream, there was someone—someone familiar.
She dreamt of holding that person in her arms as they kissed on their wedding day.
Dreamt of lying in a hospital bed, watching them cradle their newborn child—their child.
Dreamt of watching that person slowly grow old.
Dreamt of sitting together on the beach, hand in hand, as they watched their final sunset.
Who was that person?
In the dream, Adeline tried desperately to see their face clearly.
“Adeline, wake up. Dinner’s ready.”
Adeline opened her eyes—and saw Felyn standing before her.
“So, it really was you…”
Still half-asleep, she murmured without realizing it.
(End of Chapter)