"Let's talk about what's going on."
Sofia in front of him was completely different from her appearance at the banquet.
Those glasses were like her seal, making her stern again.
Light beams illuminated dust particles dancing around, giving the office a cinematic quality.
"Late five times this month, and this time it's because of Viloti again?"
Sofia sighed.
She had hoped that at the banquet, Felyn could completely say goodbye to this unhealthy relationship.
But now it seemed there was no improvement whatsoever.
They'd clearly talked for so long on that balcony.
What on earth had they discussed!
"This time I was delayed by something this morning."
"What matter?"
Sofia leaned back in her chair, crossed her legs, her expression serious.
"Let me guess—making breakfast for some girl?"
Correct guess, but teacher, you probably guessed the wrong girl.
"Felyn, I'm not criticizing you."
Sofia removed her glasses.
Last night at the banquet, Felyn's performance in front of Sofia had made her feel very sorry for him.
"You and Viloti really have no future. If you continue to be obsessed, only you will get hurt in the end."
Sofia moved closer to Felyn, her voice becoming much gentler.
"Teacher isn't saying you're not a good person, it's just that Viloti probably likes boys from similar family backgrounds. Her family would definitely want someone of equal social standing."
"And look, Viloti completely ignores you. She's never actively sought you out, never initiated a single word with you."
At school, Viloti's attitude toward Felyn was the same in all versions of stories and rumors.
The same coldness.
Sofia felt Felyn's dedication was completely unworthy.
"She has no feelings for you at all. You've been one-sidedly liking someone. Can you understand that?"
Sofia didn't want to be so blunt since it was hurtful.
But Felyn had no one to care for him now and needed an elder to point him in the right direction.
Before Felyn could answer, Sofia saw Viloti's figure outside the window.
Pink hair brilliant as cherry blossoms, with slightly curled ends.
Her slender figure in neat academy uniform could easily be used on recruitment posters.
Only that cold expression always made people keep their distance.
Now that Viloti had been accepted to the Royal Capital academy, but Saint Andros Academy courses weren't finished, she still needed to attend classes.
She was now the school's treasure—early admission to the Royal Capital Academy was important promotional material for the school.
"Just sit here and reflect on what I said. I'll ask you about it later."
Sofia pushed open the door. She wouldn't be foolish enough to give Felyn and Viloti opportunities for private contact again.
It would be best if they never met.
"Miss Viloti, is there something you need?"
Sofia approached Viloti, her face showing the smile reserved for good students.
Viloti must want to find her but didn't want to enter seeing Felyn in the office.
"Teacher Sofia."
Viloti curtsied to Sofia, her pale pink hair swaying gently with her movement.
Those amber eyes still held their usual coldness.
"I'm waiting for Felyn."
Sofia was stunned for a moment, then resumed her smile.
"Oh, oh, waiting for someone."
There was actually a girl with the same name as that brat Felyn.
If Felyn heard this, he'd definitely be self-absorbed thinking Viloti was waiting for him.
"It's already noon—have you eaten?"
Viloti shook her head, then glanced at the office.
"After Felyn comes out of the office, I'll go eat with him."
"Miss Viloti, there's no student named Felyn in my office, just a boy with the same name inside."
"That's him."
The young lady's expression remained that same cold look, not seeming to joke.
Sofia stood in place. Those three short words short-circuited her brain.
Viloti, waiting, Felyn, eating.
Why did this have such an enormous impact?
What had they talked about that night?
Could it be?
It couldn't be!
Sofia suddenly looked up and pulled Viloti aside.
"Viloti, tell teacher. Teacher will support you."
Sofia glanced back to ensure the office door hadn't opened, then continued in a low voice: "Did Felyn get some leverage over you?"
Such things had happened before.
People who loved without reciprocation always did crazy things.
If Felyn had gone mad and was using some leverage against Viloti to threaten her into being his girlfriend or something, that would be terrible!
"No, teacher."
Viloti tilted her head slightly, seeming confused by Sofia's words.
Sofia's anxious heart relaxed somewhat.
Good thing Felyn hadn't done anything illegal.
"I'm the one who wants to eat with Felyn."
Sofia's heart rose again.
She couldn't understand.
What was happening?
Had she drunk too much last night and still not sobered up?
Viloti—ice queen beauty with countless suitors who couldn't get a single response.
Today she was actually waiting for Felyn to eat together.
Could she really have been moved by Felyn's devotion?
No way!
"I'll call him."
Sofia pushed open the door and closed it tightly.
"Teacher?"
Felyn turned to look at Sofia's strange behavior, equally puzzled.
Sofia clearly knew that if Felyn learned this news, his mouth would stretch to the back of his head in joy.
A heart that might have been dimming would probably be like dust on the table being blown away after learning this news.
Sofia didn't want to see Felyn, fallen in love, spend all his savings on Viloti and freeze to death on the streets.
"Felyn, listen to me. If someday Viloti invited you to eat, what would you do?"
"Viloti wouldn't invite me to eat."
"I mean hypothetically."
"Of course I wouldn't go. Teacher, I really won't have any entanglements with Viloti now."
Looking at Felyn's sincere, pure eyes, the scales in Sofia's heart began tilting again.
She couldn't keep Felyn in this office for the rest of his life.
She also couldn't let Viloti keep waiting outside.
"Viloti is calling you to eat. She's right outside."
"Calling me to eat?"
Sofia carefully observed Felyn, afraid he'd go crazy with joy and jump up the next second.
Fortunately, he didn't.
Felyn pushed open the door, saw Viloti, and didn't show his usual smile.
"What is it?"
Seeing Felyn's figure, a strange emotion flashed in Viloti's eyes.
"Eating."
"What eating?"
Viloti used both hands to gesture the shape of a lunchbox.
Felyn understood.
All previous lunches had been brought by him for Viloti.
Silafiel paid for ingredients, he cooked by hand.
After Viloti's contract expired, she had matters keeping her from school, then was grounded by Silafiel until attending school today.
So this young lady still didn't know he really wouldn't bring her meals anymore.
"I didn't bring your food."
Felyn spread his hands.
"Go eat at the school cafeteria yourself."
Viloti's eyelashes froze in the air, forgetting to blink.
Showing the same expression was Sofia, whose entire body was pressed against the door eavesdropping.
(End of Chapter)