The room was filled with a festive atmosphere. The office had transformed into a banquet hall, now hosting a celebration for the victors.
But joy doesn’t always travel the same between people.
In a quiet corner of the room sat two of the most beautiful and talented girls present.
And because of one particular boy, the air around them felt just a little… tense.
Adelina kept sneaking glances at Viloti.
All these years, they had hardly spoken a word to each other. This was the first time they’d ever sat down together like this.
Viloti’s figure was petite and delicate, completely different from Adelina’s more curvaceous frame.
And Adelina knew full well how dangerously attractive that soft and cuddly look could be to boys.
That “I want to protect her” instinct? It was powerful. And probably not something anyone would ever feel toward her.
After all, she was the Light of Claude—the flawless, never-failing noble lady. In most people’s eyes, she had no connection to the concept of being protected.
“Viloti, are you… saying you came to the negotiation just for Felyn?”
Adelina had obviously already heard her say it, but she couldn’t help but confirm it again.
It was like seeing a failing grade on a report card—you knew it was there, staring you in the face, but you kept checking it, hoping it might magically change.
Adelina had never failed anything before, so this feeling was entirely new to her.
“Yes.”
Viloti nodded.
Adelina swallowed hard, her throat bobbing nervously.
“I—I came for Felyn too.”
It was the first time she had admitted her feelings for Felyn, even if only vaguely.
Given the situation, she felt the need to at least compete with Viloti on equal footing.
“Oh.”
“…Oh?”
“…What does ‘oh’ mean?”
Adelina was completely thrown off. She’d braced herself to see shock or hostility on Viloti’s face.
But “oh?”
Was that it?
Do you look down on me that much, Miss Viloti?
Do you think I’m no threat to you whatsoever?
Adelina felt utterly underestimated. She’d gathered all her courage to say that line—only to be met with a flat, indifferent response.
“Viloti, don’t you have any reaction at all?” she asked directly, unable to hold it in any longer.
Adelina wasn’t one to bottle up emotions—she’d rather lay them out in the open.
“Reaction?” Viloti tilted her head, confused. “What kind of reaction?”
Didn’t you fall for Felyn a long time ago? Viloti thought. I already knew.
And it wasn’t like Adelina was the only one. Zervanie was always hovering around him too, going out of her way to appear wherever he was.
Viloti had long since grown used to the idea that Felyn would always be surrounded by pretty girls.
So Adelina’s declaration didn’t surprise her at all.
“Aren’t you angry? I spent time with Felyn the other day—and, and…”
Adelina hesitated, wondering if she should bring up the fact that they had slept in the same room.
But Viloti cut her off first.
“Felyn does what he wants. Why would I be angry?”
Adelina turned her head and stared wide-eyed at Viloti.
“Eh? B-but he was with me!”
“Oh. If Felyn wants to be with you, then he should be with you. Whatever he likes, he should do.”
“…Huh?”
“…Huh?!”
Adelina suddenly felt like she was facing someone unbeatable.
How could Viloti stay so calm?
“You’re seriously okay with that? What if—what if I marry Felyn in the future?”
She didn’t believe it. She had to see some jealousy from Viloti today.
Not because she wanted to humiliate her, but because Viloti’s indifference was just too unsettling.
It was like Adelina didn’t even count as a worthy rival in her eyes.
“Are you and Felyn getting married?”
At last, there was a reaction. Viloti’s tone shifted slightly.
“There’s a chance,” Adelina said, her voice soft. “Maybe… someday in the future, he’ll marry me.”
She clutched the hem of her skirt tightly, cheeks glowing red. Just saying the word marriage made her heart race.
For a moment, she forgot Viloti was even there.
Whenever she thought of marrying Felyn, her mind went totally blank, looping visions of the wedding day over and over.
“…Felyn won’t marry you,” Viloti said, enunciating every word clearly.
She didn’t know what was going on with Adelina all of a sudden, but from what she knew of Felyn, he didn’t have romantic feelings for her.
Maybe Adelina ranked slightly higher than herself in Felyn’s heart, but it still wasn’t love.
“Let’s say… just hypothetically. If I did marry him—what would you do?”
Adelina’s face was now burning crimson. She couldn’t bring herself to say, Felyn will definitely marry me.
So instead, she tossed out a hypothetical to deflect Viloti’s pressure.
“Then I’d move into your house.”
Adelina blinked.
Did I hear that right?
That was the second bombshell Viloti had dropped today.
Viloti, you’re this bold?! You don’t even talk much! Who knew you were like this underneath?!
“…Why would you move into my house?!”
“I’d just be staying near Felyn. Not near you.”
“Viloti! You—!”
Adelina was fuming.
“Fine. Fine. You may have beaten me once in kindergarten, but this time, I’m going to win everything back—fair and square.”
You like Felyn. I like Felyn. So let’s see who ends up with him in the end!
She stood up as if to leave, but then paused, as if remembering something important. Her body stilled, and she slowly sat back down again.
Viloti watched her quietly, knowing she was struggling with some kind of internal dilemma.
She figured Adelina was probably about to tell her to stay away from Felyn or something like that.
Viloti lowered her lashes slightly.
Even though she had confidently said Adelina wouldn’t marry Felyn, deep down she knew… who could be absolutely certain about such things?
As Viloti ran through different possibilities in her mind, Adelina finally spoke.
“Felyn likes creamy stew. He likes pudding. He likes strawberries. If you’re going to give him something, go with those. But he hates salty cheeses and red wine—don’t mess that up.”
Viloti blinked, staring into Adelina’s gray-blue eyes.
She wasn’t sure what Adelina was trying to say.
Adelina turned her head away, avoiding eye contact. “Because of… certain circumstances, I’ve spent more time around him recently. So I’ve had a chance to notice the things he likes—and doesn’t like. I’m telling you this so we’re on equal footing.”
She bit her lip and added, “Beating you will only be satisfying if we’re working with the same information.”
Viloti nodded.
And just like that, these two strange girls accepted a slightly ridiculous reality.
“…Then I know something Felyn likes, too. Want to hear it?”
Adelina, who had just stood up again, froze for a couple of seconds—then sat back down once more.
“C-Can I?”
“Mm.”
Viloti looked around, then leaned in close to whisper in Adelina’s ear.
“…Felyn likes maid outfits.”
(End of Chapter)