“Everyone, thank you for coming.”
The spell inscriptions installed on each floor activated, and Lady Silafiel’s voice echoed throughout every corner of the castle.
“Thank you all for attending the...”
In the grand hall on the first floor, Silafiel stood in the center of the crowd, delivering her welcome speech.
Felyn leaned against the railing, watching the ceremony below.
Just moments ago, Adelina had stood up with a flushed face, saying that her father had asked her to go watch the ceremony with him, and then she quickly lifted her skirt and slipped away.
In the end, he hadn’t managed to get anything out of her.
But that was fine too. As long as he didn’t come into contact with Viloti, everything would be fine.
“And now, please welcome the guest of honor for tonight’s banquet—Miss Viloti Silafiel!”
The tightly shut doors at the center of the hall were slowly pulled open by two Silafiel family guards.
The moon-white silk shimmered with a pearlescent glow under the lights, and the silver lace on the hem looked like solidified moonlight.
Viloti stepped inside slowly under everyone’s gaze.
Her long pink hair was meticulously styled and adorned with silver butterfly hairpieces. Each delicate wing was inlaid with tiny gemstones that reflected an elegant light under the chandelier.
She held her chin slightly raised, her amber eyes unreadable, as if the noise and festivity of the entire banquet hall had nothing to do with her.
Standing under the spotlight, Viloti’s gaze gradually drifted toward the floor where Felyn stood. Her delicate face remained calm.
Felyn tensed up, instinctively taking a step back into the shadows of the corner.
Why did this scene feel so familiar?
That day last week, when he said goodbye to Viloti, she had also slowly looked up at him from below.
And back then, he had also taken a step back and hidden in the darkness.
Don’t tell me what happens next will also be exactly the same?
“Felyn, I knew you’d be here.”
A familiar voice appeared.
Just like that day, the head teacher stood by Felyn’s side, looking exasperated.
“Teacher? Why are you here, I was just...”
“This isn’t school. Just call me by name.”
Sofia, the grade teacher, wore a long deep brown gown. Her chestnut hair was neatly pinned up with a silver hairpin set with a sapphire.
She wasn’t wearing her glasses tonight, giving her a slightly different look.
Sofia patted Felyn on the shoulder.
“Sigh, forget it. The more people try to stop you, the more determined you are to like Viloti.”
She’d seen too many love-crazed, pure-hearted boys like Felyn.
Felyn stood frozen. It felt like fate was playing a prank on him.
Although Sofia’s appearance hadn’t been part of his calculations, this minor deviation was no big deal.
It didn’t matter! Just watch me strike quickly!
“No, Miss Sofia. You were right before. I—I really am not good enough for Viloti. My family...”
Felyn lowered his head, fingers unconsciously rubbing at his sleeve. His shoulders curled slightly, as if trying to shrink himself into a ball to avoid everyone’s gaze.
“I’m sorry...” His voice was hoarse, carrying a barely detectable tremble. “I know I’m not good enough for Miss Viloti. Even this suit I’m wearing... it’s second-hand.”
He raised his head, eyes glistening with tears, his face slightly flushed.
“The old me... maybe still had the right to stand beside her. But now...”
His adam’s apple bobbed as if he were holding something back.
“My family has already...” His voice grew softer and softer, nearly inaudible. “Even today’s bread was so hard it was barely edible...”
By then, his tears had finally welled up beyond control. But he quickly lowered his head and rubbed at the corners of his eyes with his sleeve.
Trying so hard to stay dignified, yet failing—that expression made one’s heart ache.
“I’ll stay away from Miss Viloti. Don’t worry. I won’t cause you any trouble. After tonight, I won’t see her again. I just wanted to see how dazzling the girl I used to like would be tonight.”
Sofia looked at the hunched boy in front of her, her heart tightening.
She saw his faintly trembling shoulders. She saw the fingers clenched into his coat. She saw the still-wet trail of tears on his cheeks. For a moment, she seemed to see her own son who hadn’t grown up yet.
“I’m sorry, Miss Sofia. I shouldn’t have said all that to you.” He forced a smile uglier than crying. “It’s just... you reminded me of my mom. And I haven’t seen her in a long time.”
Sofia felt a sharp pain in her chest. Her breath almost caught.
“Call me Sofia.”
“But...”
“That’s a teacher’s order.” Sofia put on a stern face, though her eyes remained gentle.
Sofia thought of Felyn’s mother.
Gentle, intelligent. She must’ve been a wonderful woman.
And she had even sent Sofia a gift once.
But a few years ago, for reasons unknown, her entire family had been destroyed overnight.
Felyn was left alone, buried under immense debt and grief, somehow holding on.
If her own son ever went through something like that—gnawing on bread as hard as stone, loving a girl while everyone laughed at him—
She didn’t even want to imagine it.
And she had been eavesdropping on Felyn’s gossip in her office?
Even collecting love letters Felyn had written?
I’m such a terrible person.
“Sofia, let me be alone. I just want to watch her quietly and then leave.”
He couldn’t tell Sofia that he was invited by Adelina.
That would only make things more complicated.
“Felyn.”
Sofia patted his shoulder again, her eyes slightly red at the corners.
“Don’t worry. I may not be a high-ranking noble, but I am the grade teacher. Viloti will be coming to thank me personally. You just stay by my side.”
The usual sternness on Sofia’s face vanished, replaced by a softness Felyn had never seen before.
“I can’t do much for you. Just talk to her tonight. Say goodbye properly. Tomorrow, start a new chapter.”
“Ah—ahhh—what?!”
Felyn panicked. This wasn’t how the story was supposed to go!
Sofia grabbed hold of the struggling Felyn and wouldn’t let him leave.
This child—he was so agitated.
It only meant he truly loved Viloti deeply.
All the more reason they had to see each other.
Otherwise, it would be a lifelong regret for him.
The ceremony ended. Viloti gave a graceful bow to the crowd.
The banquet officially began.
Chatter, wine, dancing, laughter.
Everyone at this grand banquet wore a joyful smile.
Everyone, except a few.
Viloti was now speeding up her polite greetings with the other nobles.
“Hello. Thank you. Goodbye.”
These three lines repeated endlessly. Soon, she would be done with the formalities.
Adelina, forced to chat with nobles alongside Linda, wore a warm smile that barely masked her growing impatience.
Meanwhile, Felyn was being held by the collar by Sofia, listening to her talk about how St. Andros and Lanche Academy wanted to start a joint charity project.
Tonight was turning out unexpectedly poorly.
Every part of Felyn’s plan had gone sideways.
Staying by Sofia’s side, he couldn’t even catch a glimpse of Viloti or Adelina.
The crowd around them grew louder. He didn’t even have to look—Viloti had arrived.
“I’ll go get some drinks for everyone.”
Felyn smiled slightly, ready to sneak away.
“No need.”
Sofia grabbed his sleeve, wearing a knowing expression.
Trying to run the moment Viloti showed up?
So shy.
Stand still and behave!
(End of Chapter)