Adelina was facing a problem she'd never encountered before in her entire life.
What did he mean by: "I’m not renewing the contract with you."?
Calm down, Adelina.
Her hand trembled as she held her teacup, and the tea inside had become a swirling chaos—just like her heart.
Felyn loves me.
He expressed his love humbly during the period of the contract's validity.
And as far as she could recall, she hadn’t done anything within the bounds of the contract that could have wronged him.
If she really had to nitpick, maybe it was just that she hadn't arranged his annual checkup or that overseas trip.
But that couldn’t possibly be the reason.
So why wouldn’t he renew the contract?
Adelina couldn’t understand.
In her mind, "Felyn loves me to an irredeemable degree"—
That belief had already been deeply ingrained.
Her entire line of reasoning had been flawed from the beginning.
Which was why she couldn’t draw any meaningful conclusion at the moment.
Why? Just why?
Felyn watched Adelina fall silent and felt a bit perplexed himself.
He had thought that over the past few weeks, Adelina had finally let go of the childhood trauma of being passed over.
She didn’t bring up Viloti as often anymore, and she rarely asked him to confess his guilt about the past.
Even if she hadn't completely moved on, it seemed like she had at least eased up a little.
But now—judging from the way she looked—was she seriously still thinking about renewing the contract?
Adelina was one of the more generous clients he had.
She even paid him overtime when he worked late, often adding bonuses.
But he was now at a critical juncture in his education—only by getting accepted into the Royal Island Academy to study divine arts could he escape this life.
Felyn admitted that he was making good money right now, and it wasn’t even that hard.
He didn’t have to do physical labor, and he was surrounded by beautiful girls every day.
Sure, sometimes his pride took a hit, or he got yelled at, or treated like a toy by clients,
But compared to other jobs, he couldn’t exactly call it “hard work.”
Yet Felyn knew—he wouldn’t be young forever.
He couldn’t stay in this line of work for life.
What about the debts he still owed?
What about his sister lying in the hospital bed, with her expensive monthly medical bills?
Who would take care of those when he no longer could?
So even though he earned a lot now, he didn’t dare to spend recklessly.
He had already saved up enough for six months’ worth of expenses.
He would need to gradually terminate all contracts and focus on studying.
Of course, if someone was willing to pay him and not interfere with his studies,
He’d still consider it.
But was that really possible?
“Felyn, can you tell me why?” Adelina finally broke the silence.
She still couldn’t understand why he would refuse her.
“It’s just for personal reasons,”
Felyn replied with a soft smile, a dimple forming at the corner of his lips.
“Lady Adelina, you’ve always been my role model. I hope that one day, I can be as amazing as you are. That’s why I want to devote myself to studying and aim to get into the Royal Academy. I just won’t have as much free time anymore.”
“So it’s because you want to focus on your studies… and don’t have enough time?” she asked.
“Yeah. It’s embarrassing to admit, but my current scores aren’t enough. Still, I plan to work hard. And if I make it into the Royal Academy, who knows? Maybe we’ll be classmates, Lady Adelina!”
—
Adelina abruptly set her teacup down on its saucer.
I understood!
I finally understood!
It felt like lightning had struck her brain—
All the scattered clues suddenly connected.
A smile bloomed on her lips, and her eyes were filled with nothing but Felyn.
Whenever she had free time, she would find herself thinking about him.
The road to pursuing him was full of too many obstacles.
Setting emotions aside, Just looking at family background alone, Felyn would never be accepted by the Claude family.
If her father ever found out that Felyn was making a living by selling his emotions and body, There was no way he’d let him step through the front doors of the Claude estate.
If Felyn wanted even the slightest chance to marry her, he’d have to first get into the Royal Academy, join a divine order, and gain the backing of the Church—
Only then might he earn her father’s approval.
So, Felyn wanted to get into the Royal Academy…
Because he wants to marry me?!
Now it all made perfect sense!
Felyn wanted to prove himself.
He chose to focus completely on his studies, working hard to be admitted into the academy in the royal capital.
He was doing it all for me.
A boy with no ambitions,
Willing to change for me.
Willing to study hard for me.
Willing to take real, tangible steps for my sake—
Not just saying “I love you” with his mouth.
Adelina could feel it—Felyn was serious.
He had seriously thought about a future with her, and now, he was starting to take action.
He really loves me.
He’s even planning to marry me!
Adelina cupped her face with both hands, a little embarrassed.
“After the contract ends… do you have something you want to say to me?” she asked softly.
“Huh? Yeah, I do.”
Felyn was a bit surprised—how did she know?
After ending contracts, he usually reminded clients that once the agreement expired, there should be no further contact.
Sometimes, he’d role-play as their requested character one last time and say goodbye,
Just like he did with Viloti.
But Adelina completely misunderstood.
He wants to say something to me after the contract ends…
He’s going to confess, isn’t he?
In her mind, the scene was already playing out, consuming all her thoughts:
“Adelina, I’ve thought it over. I don’t want to use a contract as an excuse to show my love anymore. I want to end the contract… so I can tell you for real—‘I love you.’”
No.
I won't be able to stop myself anymore.
Adelina squeezed her hands between her thighs, unable to hide the smile on her lips.
Since Felyn had already made up his mind, then maybe it was time for her to consider being his girlfriend, but of course, she’d have to see how he performed!
“Lady Adelina?”
Felyn waved a hand in front of the girl sitting at the table.
She was… giggling.
“What’s going on with her?”
Does Adelina have some sort of mental condition I didn’t know about?
Now he was definitely not renewing her contract. Felyn glanced at the remaining time listed in the agreement.
Just a few months left. Soon, he’d finally be free of Adelina. He could use that extra time to study.
“Felyn, if that’s the case, I’ll head back for now,”
Adelina said as she stood, happiness radiating from her face.
This trip wasn’t a waste at all!
Just as Felyn was trying to figure out why she looked so satisfied, that damned doorbell rang for the third time tonight.
The headlights from outside streamed in, casting long shadows across the floor.
“Are you expecting someone?”
Adelina quickly stepped toward the window to check if Viloti had come back again.
If that woman really shows up here, Then I’ll just tell her out loud—Felyn is going to marry me. So give up already!
Three black cars bearing the crest of House Silafiel were parked at the entrance.
Rain beat against the dark car bodies, producing a heavy, muffled sound.
Several fully armed guards, carrying black umbrellas marked with the family’s crest, stood silently in the rain.
The light from the cars pierced the curtain of rain, reflecting coldly off the armor of the guards.
It was House Silafeil’s people.
Was Viloti in one of those cars?
Adelina was just about to rush out and give Viloti a piece of her mind, but before she could turn, she saw a figure she didn’t expect.
Lord Silafeil!?
Why is he here in person?!
“F-Felyn! People from the Silafiel family are here.”
“Really?”
Are they here to pick up Viloti? Felyn thought.
“Yes, and… Lord Silafiel himself! He’s here!”
“What?”
Damn it!
Felyn’s heart sank.
Viloti—your father is here!
He must be here to take her back!
“Felyn, quick! Is there anywhere in your house where I can hide?”
“There was... but not anymore…”
In her panic, Adelina didn’t notice the word “was.”
“He can’t see me here. If he tells my father about this, I’m doomed. Especially since you haven’t…”
Adelina had already begun thinking from Felyn’s perspective.
If Silafiel saw her here at Felyn’s place, he would definitely get suspicious.
He might even tell her father:
“Claude, your daughter was at some boy’s house. Did you know?”
And Felyn hadn’t even gotten into the Royal Academy yet.
Letting her father find out now would only make things worse.
“I’ll hide on the second floor.”
“The second floor?”
It's almost full already!
The sharp ring of the doorbell came again, and both their hearts skipped a beat.
“Adelina, there’s a storage room on the second floor. Hide in there!”
Felyn wanted to take her there himself, But it felt like the door would be kicked in any second. He didn’t dare leave it unattended.
“Got it.”
Adelina ran upstairs in a hurry, not once thinking about why Silafiel would come looking for Felyn.
Felyn watched her disappear, took a few deep breaths, and then the doorknob turned.
“Felyn, it’s been a while.”
Silafiel’s voice wasn’t loud, but it brought a chill to the room like a drop in temperature.
He stood at the doorway with a serious expression, his eyes exuded a pressure that tolerate no resistance.
(End of Chapter)