Just as the atmosphere between Felyn and Adelina had grown subtly intimate, in the next box over, Dorothy politely addressed the other members of the capital’s delegation, saying she was heading to Miss Daiyi’s box to chat about some private girl talk and would return shortly.
The guards followed behind her at a respectful distance, not sticking too close.
Freed from the ever-watchful eyes of her attendants, Dorothy visibly relaxed.
And in front of Daiyi, the future Divine Child of the Church of Truth, Dorothy didn’t feel the need to put on a front.
She always had the sense that Daiyi didn’t care much for worldly affairs. Any attempt at pretense felt meaningless in her presence.
As soon as they stepped out of the box, the deafening cheers from inside the venue made Dorothy even more aware of the concert’s energy.
On stage, Zervanie was bouncing around, singing an upbeat song, while the crowd below waved their sky-blue glowsticks in perfect rhythm.
Dorothy leaned against the railing, barely tall enough to see over it.
“Miss Daiyi, do you have time after the concert?”
“I do. Why, is something wrong?”
“I’d like to hold a small gathering afterward,” Dorothy said, standing on tiptoe to get a better view. “Just something simple with you, Miss Adelina, Miss Zervanie, and Miss Viloti. If I want to build some real influence for myself, I should start building connections with them now, right?”
Daiyi nodded in quiet agreement.
If Dorothy could gain the support of the Claude and Silafiel family, her influence within the palace would grow significantly.
As the empire’s princess, Dorothy had never shown much interest in politics—until recently. In just the past week, she'd become noticeably more ambitious.
Daiyi wasn’t sure what had sparked that change.
“Oh, and…” Dorothy added casually, “Let’s also invite the one who protected Miss Adelina during that attack in the capital. I believe his name was Mr. Felyn?”
“Hmm? Why him?”
“I heard his story from Miss Adelina earlier, and I think he has potential. Maybe even enough to become a Hero someday. I’d like to meet him.”
Using a noble-sounding excuse to mask her true intention, Dorothy pretended it was just about connections.
But all that “building relationships” was secondary.
What she really wanted… was to appear in public alongside Felyn—and maybe, just maybe, get a little closer to the girls around him too.
Dorothy sent a few messages via communication seal, explaining the plan for the little afterparty.
Then she followed Miss Daiyi into the private box.
Just before stepping inside, she thought she heard Zervanie’s voice suddenly spike in volume on stage.
Turning around, she looked, but no one else seemed surprised.
Was it just my imagination?
Shaking her head, Dorothy stepped into the box behind Daiyi.
Inside, only Bernice was present.
“I’ll step out and give you some privacy.”
Still playing the role of the injured girl, Bernice gave Dorothy a polite nod before heading toward the door.
She cast a quick glance at the wardrobe in the lounge area, then shut the door behind her.
Now, only Dorothy and Daiyi remained in the room.
Dorothy settled into the sofa and enjoyed Zervanie’s performance for a moment before leaning toward Daiyi to begin a private conversation.
“Miss Daiyi, I got in touch with Eitani again today.”
As the Demon Lord’s daughter, Eitani was a key piece in the princess’s long-term plan.
“She’s still deep inside the dungeon. Apparently, she tried sneaking up to the surface recently and got scolded by her father.”
Dorothy chuckled. “Isn’t that funny? A Demon Lord scolding his daughter—makes him seem almost human.”
Her ribbon-tied lace stockings swayed slightly in the air as she continued.
“I’ve been chatting with her more lately. Turns out, she’s a little… tsundere.”
Dorothy did her best impression of Eitani’s tone: “Wh-Why would I care about you humans?! I’ve just been stuck underground too long and figured I might as well look around your world! It’s not like I like it or anything!”
Hearing that, Daiyi suddenly thought—maybe Felyn would like this Demon Lord’s daughter.
In so many novels, wasn’t there always a scene where the tsundere girl gets lovingly “educated” by the protagonist?
If so, there’d be no better man for the job than Felyn.
“This Miss Eitani… She’s not blonde, is she? Or… small and petite?” Daiyi asked with knowing eyes.
She’d read plenty of stories—she knew the type.
Dorothy shook her head. “I’ve never actually seen her, so I don’t know what she looks like. But she did say she has horns on her head—kind of like a ram’s.”
As the two chatted, the wardrobe in the lounge creaked slightly open.
Felyn, hiding inside, had clearly overheard Dorothy still clinging to this idea of finding someone to “conquer” the Demon Lord’s daughter.
They really think someone can just go “tame” her? Isn’t that a bit too ambitious?
If they piss her off, she might just tell her dad to destroy the whole city! That’s way too risky!
“F-Felyn… D-Don’t you think it’s a little hot in here?”
Adelina’s voice broke into Felyn’s thoughts.
He looked down.
In such a tiny space, their bodies were almost pressed together.
Her gray-blue eyes were hazy and moist, her parted lips released warm, sweet breaths.
Strands of her rose-tea hair clung to her slightly sweaty cheeks and forehead, only adding to her allure.
Just minutes ago, Felyn had barely calmed her down. He’d told her that Daiyi and Dorothy were coming.
Bernice’s original plan was to have Daiyi open the door and discover Felyn and Adelina in a compromising position.
But once she saw Dorothy was with her, she gave up on the idea.
A little love drama between acquaintances was fine—but dragging a princess into it?
That might be going too far.
Of course, Bernice didn’t know that Dorothy wasn’t exactly a bystander either.
The moment they heard Dorothy was on her way, Felyn and Adelina both panicked.
Felyn panicked because he didn’t want Dorothy and Adelina to meet.
Adelina panicked because she was still reeling from Felyn’s whispered confession: “I want to belong only to you.”
She knew what she looked like right now—one glance from anyone would be enough to tell what had just happened.
And she wasn’t ready for anyone to see her like that. Not yet.
Until Felyn received his noble title or was acknowledged by his father, keeping their relationship private was the best way to protect him.
So while Felyn was wracking his brain, trying to figure out how to hide without offending her. Adelina made the decision for them.
She hid.
And Felyn followed her into the wardrobe.
Back to the present—
Dorothy was now wandering around the room, stretching her legs and glancing casually about.
Inside the wardrobe, Felyn and Adelina held their breath, nervously tracking her every footstep.
But luck was not on their side tonight.
Dorothy was walking right toward them.
Felyn’s heart pounded. He could feel Adelina’s body tense beside him.
“Don’t worry, Adelina,” he whispered, reaching out to comfort her—
Only for Adelina to press herself tightly against him, her breath hot against his neck.
And just then, Felyn realized his hand had landed on something soft and warm.
Instinctively, he gave it a gentle squeeze.
“F-Felyn… don’t… don’t squeeze…”
Due to their cramped position, his hand had ended up on Adelina’s generous chest.
Her body trembled, cheeks burning scarlet. She forced out the words in a flustered murmur.
She didn’t dare look at him—only clutched at his shirt in a panic.
She wanted to pull away—but with Dorothy’s footsteps so close, she couldn’t move.
“I didn’t mean to…” Felyn whispered back, flustered.
But the slight shiver that ran through Adelina’s body made his hand reflexively tighten just a bit.
A soft, stifled sound escaped her lips.
“Y-You idiot… don’t… don’t move around like that…”
Her voice trembled, soft with restrained frustration, but sweeter than anything else he’d heard all night.
(End of Chapter)