Time passed quickly.
In the blink of an eye, it was already Saturday.
Too much had happened in the past few days.
Adelina had finally finished negotiations with the guild, and the result exceeded expectations by 1.5 times—setting a new record for the highest sponsorship amount in history.
As Zervanie’s concert approached, the atmosphere across the Capital District reached a fever pitch. Brilliant and wealthy youths from all over the world began forming spontaneous parades in the streets, preparing for the night’s grand celebration.
Zervanie herself hadn’t had a moment’s rest—she’d been rehearsing intensely day after day.
But whenever she rehearsed, her gaze would always drift to the center of the front row.
Before their contract ended, Felyn had always sat there—watching her perform.
The royal palace was also in a state of constant motion. Nobles awaiting knighthood had their ceremonies suspended by the Church, which caused far too many ripple effects. For days now, the royals had been holding meetings late into the night.
“Your Highness, please take a break…”
A maid knelt outside the door, clearly worried about the princess’s condition.
Ever since Princess Dorothy received the full report on the assassination attempt, she had locked herself in her room and hadn’t come out.
Naturally, this was seen as proof of her deep concern for the empire and its people. Rumors spread among the guards and servants—“Her Highness must be devising a way to save the Siveshus Empire from its crisis!”
Their respect for her deepened, casting a reverent air over her quiet chamber.
But just a wall away, Dorothy's room was a complete mess.
Her slightly frizzy pastel-pink hair made it clear—she hadn’t been sleeping well at all.
If a maid had entered to tidy the room, she would’ve discovered the princess’s desk covered in papers.
But they would’ve been disappointed—she wasn’t drafting strategies to save the empire.
She was planning how to torture Nock as thoroughly as possible.
“Nock… how dare you hurt my Felyn…”
Though there was no direct evidence tying the Nock family to the assassination, Dorothy’s instincts told her that Nock absolutely knew something.
If she could just get her hands on her, toss her into the dungeons and properly interrogate her, she was sure she’d spill everything—like who ordered the attack on Felyn.
“Whoever hurt my Felyn… must die…”
Purple magic began to swirl through the air, making Dorothy’s hair float around her.
“How dare you… Felyn is mine… Every last one of you will pay for what you’ve done to him…”
Outside, it was noon. Zervanie’s fans had already taken over the streets.
They eagerly awaited tonight’s concert, hoping to see the sweet, charming, and energetic Zervanie take the stage.
If this level of adoration could last ten years, it wouldn’t be impossible for Zervanie to ascend into divinity.
The Goddess of Song.
Even within the palace, Dorothy could faintly hear the noise from the streets.
She got up and pushed open the window, looking out over the crowd below.
“At least I’ll get to relax a little tonight at Miss Zervanie’s concert…”
The princess sat down in her chair, hugging the plush toy Felyn had given her.
“If only Felyn were going to be there too…”
Someone else was also staring out over the parade-filled streets—Adelina.
She stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows of a temporarily rented office, watching the crowds swell below.
Inside the office, the mood was electric.
Representatives from Lanchester Academy and Saint Andros Academy had just heard Adelina, the respected student council president, announce that the guild had agreed to sponsor them with 1.5 times the original offer. The room had erupted in celebration.
Everyone knew they were making history—this was going to be the grandest school festival Saiwa had ever seen.
And most of them believed it was all thanks to Adelina.
Without the persistence and effort of the "Light of Claude," the guild never would’ve agreed to such a generous sponsorship.
Adelina returned to her seat, quietly watching her classmates celebrate.
In her heart, she credited it all to Felyn.
If not for the attack on the two of them, Nock never would’ve relented.
If Felyn hadn’t protected her… she wouldn’t even be here right now.
Ever since Adelina realized her feelings, she found herself wanting to be near Felyn more and more.
If only he were here right now…
“You’re all free to enjoy Miss Zervanie’s concert tonight. This afternoon is open time—have fun exploring the Capital!”
Adelina, in truth, had no intention of going to the concert.
Zervanie? That wicked woman’s concert? No thanks!
And Felyn’s not going anyway… If he were going, then maybe… just maybe I’d consider it…
Felyn…
Even just thinking about his name made Adelina’s heart race.
She pressed a hand to her chest, eyes softening as the noise around her blurred into the background.
What she saw in her mind was Felyn, holding her in his arms.
Felyn probably likes me now, too… right?
He’d liked her for so long—and now, she liked him too.
And thanks to that attack, her father had finally acknowledged Felyn’s bravery.
A wedding’s just a matter of time now…
Hehehehehehehehehe…
Adelina was already picturing herself and Felyn walking down the aisle, hand in hand, inside a beautiful chapel.
“Adelina, why are you smiling like that?”
Linda, the student council president of Saint Andros Academy—and Adelina’s close friend—walked over.
Seeing Adelina’s lovestruck grin, Linda knew something was up.
“Adelina, don’t tell me… you and that boy…”
Despite being utterly clueless about love, Linda was surprisingly sharp at picking up changes in her friend.
“Ahem—Felyn? No, of course not! Nothing happened between us!”
“…I didn’t even say his name yet. And now you’ve confessed.”
Linda crossed her arms and shook her head.
Adelina's in love? No saving her now.
Though Linda was even more of a hopeless romantic herself, Felyn wasn’t around to tease her this time.
“Can I be your bridesmaid?” she whispered slyly in Adelina’s ear.
“Linda!”
A flush spread from Adelina’s ears down her neck. She lightly smacked Linda’s shoulder.
Linda laughed and dodged to the side—revealing someone behind her.
A striking figure in pink.
Miss Viloti Silafiel.
She was part of the delegation too, here for the same negotiations.
As the heiress of the richest family in the empire, Viloti had said very little during the talks.
Most of the guild representatives had approached her instead, trying to win favor.
Her presence alone had smoothed the entire process.
And yet…
Viloti now sat quietly in a corner, staring blankly out the window, as if none of this had anything to do with her.
Adelina blinked as she spotted her.
Linda followed her gaze.
“Miss Viloti? I’ve tried starting a conversation with her a few times, but she doesn’t seem interested in talking.”
“That’s right,” Adelina nodded. “Most of the delegation are nobles—they know the rules. After a few failed attempts, they gave up on bothering the ‘ice queen.’”
As Adelina’s childhood rival, and current romantic competitor. Viloti should’ve been her sworn enemy.
But Adelina didn’t hold any hostility toward her.
In fact, back when she was attacked, she had asked Felyn to seek out Viloti, not Zervanie.
As long as Viloti didn’t try to steal Felyn, Adelina had no problem with her.
“Viloti, may I sit here?”
Adelina walked over and gestured to the seat beside her.
Viloti looked up at the student council president and gave the faintest nod.
Seeing she wasn’t rejected, Adelina decided Viloti wasn’t that hard to get along with after all.
“Is something wrong?”
Adelina sat beside her, studying this cold yet undeniably adorable girl.
She’s definitely a strong rival…
“I just wanted to thank you, Miss Viloti. It’s thanks to you being here in the Capital that everything went so smoothly.”
Viloti gave a small shake of her head.
If it weren’t for Felyn, I never would’ve shown up to such a crowded event…
“I came for Felyn,” she said truthfully, not hiding anything from Adelina.
Adelina’s smile froze.
Viloti! How dare you say Felyn’s name in front of me?! In front of me?! You're not even trying to hide your intentions!
(End of Chapter)