What do two people think about when they kiss?
Viloti had fantasized about it while reading romance novels.
But fantasies couldn't compare to even one ten-thousandth of reality.
Viloti's heart was beating so fast it felt like it would leap from her chest.
So Felyn's lips were this soft.
So he had such a wonderful scent.
So... so this is what kissing feels like.
The intimate collision was also a communion of souls.
Viloti had never felt so close to Felyn before.
Felyn's mind went completely blank.
Viloti's lips trembled slightly, touching his gently, carefully, anxiously.
He caught her faint fragrance, felt her cool tears, and sensed her rapid heartbeat.
Time became blurred in this moment, as if the world contained only their breathing.
Then...
Then came Adeline's scream, her voice nearly piercing through the rain curtain.
"Ahhhhhhh! Viloti, what are you doing!"
Before Adeline could recover from her panic, Viloti had already left Felyn's embrace.
But she didn't flee.
She gazed intently at Felyn's face, her breathing eyes sparkling with happiness, as if trying to permanently etch this moment into her memory.
I kissed Felyn.
From now on, I want to understand the real Felyn.
Even if he rejects me, even if he distances himself from me, I'm still willing.
"Felyn, see you tomorrow."
After saying this, Viloti lowered her head, her pink hair covering her burning cheeks.
As she passed by Felyn, only the sound of her footsteps going downstairs could be heard.
Felyn unconsciously touched his own lips, feeling a trace of coolness on his fingertips.
Looking down, he saw the faint cherry color left by Viloti's lipstick.
He had actually been forcibly kissed by that cold, socially anxious Viloti.
Before Felyn could react, Adeline suddenly rushed over.
Tears welled in the corners of her eyes as she hurriedly pulled out a handkerchief.
"No, no, how could you be defiled by that wicked woman Viloti!"
Adeline's voice carried a trembling sob as the handkerchief wiped back and forth across Felyn's mouth.
Her movements were vigorous, as if trying to erase every trace Viloti had left behind.
"Lady Adeline?! Easy, easy, you're going to rub my lips raw!"
Felyn was backed into a corner by Adeline, forced to endure it.
He couldn't understand why Adeline's reaction was so intense.
"Miss, wiping with a handkerchief won't remove it."
Bernice spoke with her doll-like tone and expression again.
This comment made Adeline even more distraught. She turned to look at Bernice pleadingly, "Then what should I do?"
"Simple. Just kiss him once yourself."
"Bernice! Don't give her crazy ideas! Adeline, she's just talking nonsense, don't take it seriously!"
But Bernice's words had already taken root in Adeline's mind.
Her gaze fixed on Felyn's lips.
If I just cover up that wicked woman's mark, wouldn't that be fine?
Then Felyn's lips would only have my mark, right?
"Lady Adeline?!"
Felyn saw that Adeline had already closed her eyes, and he sensed trouble brewing.
Was he really going to have his first kiss stolen by both the Silafiel and Claude family young ladies?
He'd never be able to live in Seiwa after that!
Besides, Bernice and Daiyi were still here!
If being forcibly kissed by Viloti could be explained away, being forcibly kissed by Adeline couldn't!
Felyn quickly covered Adeline's mouth with his hand, the girl's moist lips tickling his palm.
He leaned close to Adeline's ear, her earlobe's faint fragrance swirling around his nose.
Felyn spoke softly in a quieter voice, "Lady Adeline, it's okay. Although you didn't get my first kiss, you have my heart. My heart has always belonged to you."
Given the emergency situation, consider these words, voluntary overtime on his part.
In Felyn's view, Adeline just wanted to save face. She didn't want her employee falling into Viloti's arms, that's all.
Her earlier confused talk about wanting him was the same—just words to spite Viloti.
Adeline's ear tips instantly flushed red. She opened her eyes to see Felyn's gentle smile.
"Really... really?"
Adeline asked quietly for confirmation, waves surging in her heart.
Felyn nodded gently, his hand still covering her mouth tenderly, afraid she might still rush forward.
Kissing Felyn's hand also counts as kissing him, right...
And besides, what had Felyn just said is correct.
Bernice and Daiyi were like audience members at a theater. The two of them stood there witnessing everything.
Tonight was supposed to feature the two of them as protagonists, so how had they become the audience?
Daiyi had even made a brief guest appearance.
"Are you two really a couple?" Bernice's mechanical voice asked. "It does seem fitting."
"Even when Viloti forcibly kissed Felyn in front of you, you're not angry?"
Daiyi suddenly remembered there was still this question!
Normally one should be very angry, like Adeline was.
"I just like men who keep harems, is that wrong?" Daiyi said coyly.
Bernice turned her head to look at this young lady.
She and Daiyi had barely met a few times.
As someone also selected as a Divine Child candidate for the church, Bernice could understand this young lady's situation.
Honestly, should Divine Child candidates really be here?
Bernice and Daiyi's circumstances were very similar. She could understand that Daiyi also longed to live a normal life, and Felyn was the person who could bring her that normal life.
"I'll tell your father that we need more time to determine whether you two are really a couple."
"Huh?"
"You should thank me properly, young lady. Enjoy this time well."
—
Viloti stood at the street corner holding an umbrella.
Night rain pattered softly on the umbrella surface, making gentle tapping sounds.
She saw Adeline emerge from Felyn's room and breathed a sigh of relief.
Across the street, Adeline also held an umbrella, standing in the glow of a streetlamp.
Thanks to Daiyi proactively telling Adeline she was Felyn's sister, this young lady didn't gain another rival.
The two girls faced each other across the street, rain weaving a curtain between them.
The lamplight stretched their shadows long, like two unyielding warriors' silhouettes.
Viloti had already decided how to interact with Felyn going forward. She would make Felyn understand her true feelings, make Felyn willing to stay by her side.
And Adeline had made up her mind as well. After Felyn's joint examination ended, she would confess to him properly. She wouldn't let Viloti continue entangling Felyn.
We'll see about that.
The two girls stared at each other without speaking, but the same thought arose simultaneously in both their hearts.
(End of Chapter)