Pure white gauze curtains fluttered gently in the wind, with several pots of perfectly bloomed white roses on the windowsill.
A violin was placed beside the bed, with a light blue ribbon tied to the bow.
Adeline lay sprawled on the bed, her body sinking into the soft mattress, rose tea-colored hair scattered across pink sheets, gleaming softly in the sunlight.
The communication seal on the desk continuously transmitted files, sending the latest centennial celebration guidelines from the academy.
Lately, whenever she closed her eyes, she would remember what Felyn had said to her at the banquet.
She remembered the music playing at the banquet, the scents, Felyn's serious expression, gentle tone, and those eyes looking at her...
'In my heart, you're already number one in the world.'
"Ahhhhh!"
Adeline buried her head in the pillow, her white-stockinged legs with their enticing curves kicking at the bed non-stop.
Too embarrassing.
It was clearly just contract work—why did that guy have to say such things on his own!
He actually, actually said something about already being number one in his heart.
Who cares!
This time Adeline's psychology and body weren't coordinating well.
Her ears were red as if about to drip blood, her heartbeat so fast it seemed ready to burst from her chest.
"Ahhh enough enough!" She shook her head vigorously, trying to shake out all these images.
But that phrase was like a brand, impossible to dispel.
The pillow had been hugged out of shape.
"Do you like me that much?"
Adeline pouted, saying this quietly.
She had achieved great victory at the banquet.
Felyn had truly chosen her in front of Viloti.
In front of Adeline, he had once again expressed the passionate heart hidden beneath their contract.
Speaking of contracts, Adeline remembered her contract with Felyn would expire soon.
No matter—she'd just renew it then. She wanted to use this opportunity to thoroughly torment the Viloti in her heart.
"Buzz, buzz."
The communication seal's vibration startled Adeline.
"President, all information about the centennial celebration has been transmitted."
"Got it. Thank you for your hard work."
Adeline's voice returned to its gentle tone.
Lanchester Academy's centennial celebration was about to be held.
And the neighboring Saint Andros Academy's centennial celebration happened to be on the same day.
The two principals chatted and laughed during their exchange, got excited, and decided why not hold it together—how lively that would be.
The matter was settled just like that.
But it made life difficult for the teachers and student councils responsible for coordination, who had already cursed them as evil gods behind their backs.
Adeline had been busy with this for two days.
A bunch of noble young masters and ladies gathering together wasn't particularly fun anyway.
Though it was being held jointly with Saint Andros Academy where Felyn attended, Felyn's current status was still that of a commoner.
She couldn't very well spend the entire centennial celebration with him in front of so many people.
"Oh right, President, there are some new requirements. The principal says this centennial celebration should showcase the school's fair environment, so..."
Adeline's head started aching again.
Was that principal going to mess around again?
Every time he insisted on adding strange requirements that made her very busy.
Might as well have the Claude family stop funding him!
"So the principal said to encourage nobles and commoners to participate in centennial activities together."
A very troubled voice came through the seal.
"The principal also said he hopes the student council can take the lead... actively finding a commoner as a partner..."
!
Adeline's blue-gray pupils instantly dilated.
Next year she'd sponsor the principal an additional ten million crowns.
Actively finding a commoner partner—wasn't that specifically pointing to Felyn!
Wait!
Why was she so excited?
Adeline came to her senses and patted her cheeks.
"President?! Such a requirement is indeed difficult. After all, having Lady President contact a commoner... I should tell the principal to cancel this suggestion."
Hearing Adeline fall silent, the other party thought she was resistant to this matter.
"Don't! Cough cough, I mean, no need."
Adeline realized her reaction was too intense.
"Isn't this exactly an opportunity to showcase Lanchester Academy's educational philosophy? Academically, nobles and commoners should have equal opportunities anyway. Our student council should set an example too."
"Then President means..."
"Let's do as the principal suggests. But even for our student council members, we can't force them to find commoner partners—we must respect everyone's wishes. I'll revise the plan content."
After politely saying goodbye, Adeline jumped up from bed and went to her desk.
The communication seal contained long hosting guidelines and plans.
Adeline indeed saw items encouraging nobles and commoners to partner together for centennial activities.
Usually, such activities had nobles and commoners playing separately.
Now the principal probably wanted to change this situation.
Adeline felt there was no difference between commoners and nobles anyway.
Rather, there were more idiots among nobles.
But since she represented the Claude family, her every word and action was watched.
If she got too close to Felyn, people would inevitably gossip.
But now, Adeline approaching Felyn was for a greater cause, to implement the academy's educational philosophy—definitely not because she wanted to...
Obviously Felyn definitely wanted to be with her!
She was truly kind, a good boss who thought of her employees!
Adeline continued reading and saw the registration requirements for commoner students participating in activities.
Just ordinary requirements for academic excellence, plus needing at least passing grades on joint exams.
These requirements weren't high—commoner students who could enter Lanchester and Saint Andros Academies were all academically excellent.
Wait.
There seemed to be one exception.
Felyn seemed to be a fallen noble who became a commoner, right?
His grades seemed quite poor?
The Seiwa Joint Examination would be held next week.
Adeline thought about it—if she tutored him, there should still be time!
If Felyn was really too stupid, she'd have to give him intensive overnight training!
But since being attacked by that hateful pink-haired girl in the dungeon, her current private residence often had family guards checking.
If her father knew she'd had a boy stay overnight, he'd definitely be very angry.
In that case, it seemed she'd have to go to Felyn's house for overnight tutoring...
Adeline flopped onto the bed, staring at the ceiling with misty eyes.
Going to Felyn's house for tutoring...
The two of them alone in a room, under dim lamplight...
"No no no!"
She covered her burning face with a pillow, but the images in her mind became clearer.
That idiot would definitely say strange things again, definitely look at her with those gentle eyes again.
Her face grew redder.
Such a scene surely wouldn't happen, right?
...
"Teacher Sofia, I received it."
On Viloti's communication seal came Sofia's instructions about the two schools' joint centennial celebration.
"This activity encourages nobles and commoners to partner together. I thought about it and feel Student Felyn is quite good. I wonder about your willingness..."
"I'm willing."
Viloti agreed immediately without waiting for Sofia to finish.
Yesterday she'd struggled internally while walking toward Felyn's front door.
The short distance had taken Viloti a full hour.
But she'd taken too long—the Silafiel family guards, seeing the young lady hadn't returned, quickly found her and stuffed her into the car to go home.
She sat obediently in the car, expression still cold. But her slightly furrowed brow and unconsciously clenched fingers revealed her inner unwillingness.
Viloti was angry.
But she couldn't voice it because she was going to a boy's house.
Hearing the cold reply through the seal, Sofia couldn't help but smile.
"But there's a condition—Felyn needs at least passing grades on next week's joint exam, but his grades are too poor."
"I understand, teacher. I'll help him with tutoring."
"Mm, having this intention is good. But with Felyn's current grades, you'd probably need to tutor him after school too."
"But..."
But now she'd have guards following her at night.
Her father was constantly home now too—he wouldn't allow males in her house.
"Cough cough, to respond to the principal's academic fairness philosophy, teacher wouldn't be unable to help."
After saying some other things, they ended the call.
Sofia removed her glasses, smiling brilliantly.
The scent of youthful romance made her ten years younger.
Since learning Viloti actually had special feelings for Felyn, Sofia had wanted to play matchmaker.
Felyn's current attitude toward Viloti was somewhat cold, but that was just the stubbornness typical of boys this age.
As long as she got them close together, Sofia believed Felyn would definitely have a change of heart about Viloti.
When Sofia was young, she'd had an ambiguous relationship with a commoner boy.
Felyn was very similar to him.
Same class disparity, same pitifulness.
But Sofia had ultimately chosen a noble.
The marriage wasn't smooth—they divorced soon after having a child.
She often wondered how good it would have been if she'd been more resolute and chosen that boy.
If they could be together, Sofia would resolve her own regrets.
Though Sofia clearly knew their family backgrounds had huge differences, even if it worked out, the final result might not be good.
But Silafiel would definitely give Felyn a huge breakup fee.
Felyn might be heartbroken for a few years, then spend the rest of his life with huge savings.
Better than him pursuing Viloti while gnawing cold bread.
Objectively speaking, this was the best outcome for Felyn.
Besides.
Damn it, Viloti actually had feelings for Felyn—such explosive news demanded matchmaking, or she wouldn't be human!
Student Felyn, you must remember to thank me properly!
(End of Chapter)