Zervanie had just finished rehearsal for her upcoming concert when she ran into Felyn on her way back to the inn.
This concert was particularly important. Her Royal Highness the Princess and her honored guests would all be attending. On top of that, Adeline Claude and the delegation she led for business negotiations in the Royal Capital would also be present.
From afar, Zervanie spotted Felyn sitting on a bench, looking troubled. She quickly had the driver stop the car and got out, pretending to “coincidentally” bump into him.
She didn’t know what was bothering him, but if she could help, that would definitely earn her more favor points with Felyn!
As he looked up at Zervanie, his eyes instinctively glanced at the butterfly chain glimmering around her waist.
That thing’s pretty nice… When I hire maids in the future, I’ll make sure each of them has one!
“What are you looking at, Felyn?” Zervanie asked, sitting down beside him like it was the most natural thing in the world.
“A map. I think I’m lost again.”
She had assumed he was still worried about his Divine Affinity, but it turned out to be something as simple as getting lost? And wasn’t this the second time?
Zervanie couldn’t help but giggle. The butterfly chain shimmered in the sunlight, highlighting every beautiful aspect of her presence.
“Zervanie, you didn’t have to laugh that loudly!”
Felyn turned his back toward her, clearly not wanting to see her make fun of him.
“Are you seriously just directionally challenged?” Zervanie stood up from the bench, squatted down in front of him, and tilted her head up to look at his face—still smiling brightly.
So even Felyn had things he wasn’t good at.
“You’re no better than me when it comes to finding your way!” Felyn couldn’t help but retort after seeing her laugh so happily.
“Don’t you remember how you always took the wrong path? If I hadn’t dragged you to the right bathroom, you would’ve walked into the men’s.”
He was talking about when he used to serve as her assistant.
“Then why was it that you never got lost when you were with me? Don’t tell me… did you get lost today just to run into me on purpose?” Zervanie teased with a mischievous smile.
“Of course not! Back then I planned ahead. I knew everywhere you were going, so I’d check the route the day before. That way I memorized everything to make sure we wouldn’t both get lost.”
Felyn realized immediately after speaking that something felt off. It was like he was reminiscing with an ex-girlfriend—and it made his skin crawl.
“So that’s how it was…” Zervanie’s voice softened. A gentle warmth spread through her heart.
Every past outing, every request she’d made. Felyn had done it all with such care. He had gone above and beyond just to give her the best possible experience.
That thought filled her with a vague sense of happiness, as if Felyn still cared about her.
“What are you smiling at, Zervanie?”
Realizing she had started grinning without meaning to, Zervanie quickly covered with a laugh. “I always thought you were perfect, but now I find out you just scouted routes the day before!”
“If you think I was such a diligent worker back then, and want to pay me extra, I won’t turn it down.”
“Felyn! I’m not paying you anything!” she snapped, brushing off her clothes and sitting back down beside him—this time even closer.
She peeked at the map in his hands, subtly leaning in to breathe in his scent.
“So, Felyn, where are you headed?”
“Back to the inn. Everything was going fine until I got in the wrong carriage… I don’t even know where I am now. Is this still the Royal Capital?”
Zervanie didn’t catch his joke, but when she heard he was heading back to the inn, her icy blue eyes seemed to melt.
“I’m heading back too. Let’s go together.”
Felyn gave her a quick once-over. “I’m surprised someone as famous as Lady Zervanie doesn’t have a private car.”
She quickly waved her hand. “The car broke down! Haha… and the driver’s sick in bed. I rushed out and forgot to bring money. I was going to borrow some from someone familiar—and then I saw you!”
Seeing how cautious Felyn was, she immediately patched up her story.
“If we go back together, are you going to pay me back for the travel cost?” Felyn asked.
“Shouldn’t you be acting like a gentleman right now? I’m taking you home! You should be waiving my travel fee,” Zervanie said with a grin, clapping her hands.
Of course, she didn’t care about the fare. If Felyn had asked, she’d give him anything. This was just her teasing him.
“You can’t say that. Money should be clear between friends. I'm even being nice—didn’t charge you interest for guiding me.”
“You want interest!? Felyn, have you fallen into the money pit?”
At that, Felyn let out a long sigh.
He turned away, lowering his head. His expression dimmed significantly.
“What can I do? I used to never think about money either. Back then, I was just another carefree young noble.”
He rubbed the uneven armrest of the bench with his fingers. “Then my father passed away. My mother remarried. The grand estate was destroyed. Now all I have left is a sick little sister and a mountain of debt. I don’t want to be stingy. But…”
He didn’t finish. He just sighed again, hunching his shoulders.
“Felyn…”
Seeing him like this, Zervanie’s smile faded. Her heart tightened.
She knew Felyn’s tragic story. She also knew he had suffered far more than most people ever would.
And back then, she had made all kinds of selfish demands of him.
She gently patted his shoulder, trying to comfort him. “It’s okay, Felyn. At least you still have me by your—”
“Will you pay me interest, then?”
“W-What?!”
Hearing the sudden change in tone, Zervanie quickly turned her head. When she saw the mischievous grin on Felyn’s face, she finally understood.
He was acting this whole time!
“You tricked me?! I can’t believe you tricked me!”
Zervanie stomped her foot in frustration. “And I even felt bad for you!”
“Hahahaha!”
…
The laughter carried on for a while before fading into a gentle calm.
Felyn lay on the bench with his eyes closed, lost in thought.
Next to him, Zervanie was gently kicking her legs, excited just to be spending time with him again.
At some point, the bright sunshine was dimmed by a thin cloud. A light breeze blew past, bringing a subtle chill.
The city around them seemed to exhale, settling into a softer rhythm.
“Zervanie, here’s 1000 Crowns as thanks for helping me out last time. Use it to get home.”
Felyn broke the silence and handed her a bill worth 1000 Crowns.
She accepted it with both hands, not entirely understanding.
“No need to pay me back. I was just joking earlier,” He said with a soft smile.
“What about you, Felyn? Aren’t you going back?”
“I just remembered something I need to do. We’re not headed the same way, so you go ahead.”
It was just an excuse.
All he planned to do was return to the inn, take a shower, and sleep.
Felyn believed Zervanie had truly let go of their past, so he wasn’t particularly distant with her today.
He had come to realize over the past few days that she wasn’t a bad person at heart—but he still didn’t want to get too close.
Last time, when they’d gone shopping together, it had only been to repay the favor of her helping him out of a tight spot with the princess.
As he’d once thought, Zervanie stood beneath the spotlight, a beloved celebrity.
He was just a man who relied on others to make a living.
Their only real connection had been that contract. Now that it was over, their lives should return to parallel lines, never crossing again.
If they met again someday, he’d greet her, share a laugh—then each would go their own way.
Not coldly, but never intimately.
“But…”
Zervanie lowered her head, tightly clutching the fabric of her pants.
Her legs, once swinging happily, now hung limp in the air.
“But I…”
(End of Chapter)