“Let’s hear your explanation.”
The Sophia standing before him now was a far cry from the one at the banquet.
Those glasses of hers seemed like a seal, returning her to a state of stern authority.
Beams of light illuminated the dust swirling in the air, lending the office a cinematic atmosphere.
“You’ve been late five times this month. Was it because of Viloti again this time?”
Sophia let out a sigh.
She had hoped that Felyn would finally put an end to that twisted relationship during the banquet.
But now it seemed like nothing had changed.
Even though they had talked for so long out on that balcony.
What on earth did they talk about?
“I was delayed by something this morning.”
“What was it?”
Sophia leaned back in her chair, crossed her legs, her gaze sharp.
“Let me guess—you made breakfast for some girl?”
She guessed right, but got the wrong girl.
“Felyn, I have to say this.”
Sophia removed her glasses.
Felyn’s behavior at the banquet the night before had left her feeling heartache for him.
“You and Viloti… there’s no future there. If you keep sinking deeper, the only one who’s going to get hurt is you.”
Sophia leaned in a little closer to Felyn, her voice gentler now.
“It’s not that you’re not a good person. It’s just that someone like Viloti would probably be interested in boys from a similar background. Her family would definitely want her to be with someone of equal standing.”
“Besides, think about it—Viloti doesn’t even acknowledge you. She’s never once come to you, never spoken to you first.”
At school, Viloti’s attitude toward Felyn was always the same in every version of every rumor.
Cold. Unapproachable.
Sophia felt Felyn’s efforts were entirely not worth it.
“She doesn’t have any feelings for you. You’ve been one-sidedly pining after her. Do you understand that?”
Sophia didn’t really want to be so blunt since it was harsh.
But Felyn had no one else looking out for him now. He needed an adult to point him in the right direction.
Before Felyn could reply, Sophia saw Viloti through the window.
Her pink hair bloomed like cherry blossoms, the ends softly curled.
Tall and slender, dressed neatly in her academy uniform—she looked like she had stepped right off a promotional poster.
Only that ever-cold expression kept people at a distance.
Viloti had already been admitted to the Royal Capital Academy, but since the term at St. Andros wasn’t over yet, she still had to attend classes.
She was the school’s darling now—getting into the Royal Capital Academy ahead of time was prime material for their PR campaigns.
“You stay here and think about what I said. I’ll come ask you later.”
Sophia opened the door. She wasn’t about to be foolish enough to give Felyn and Viloti any more chances to be alone together.
It was best if they didn’t see each other at all.
“Viloti, is there something you need?”
Sophia approached Viloti with the smile she reserved for excellent students.
She assumed Viloti had come to see her, but seeing Felyn already in the office, didn’t want to go in.
“Teacher Sophia.”
Viloti gave her a bow, her soft pink hair swaying with the motion.
Her amber eyes were as calm and cool as ever.
“I’m waiting for Felyn.”
Sophia froze for a moment, then smiled again.
“Oh? Waiting for someone?”
So there was another girl with the same name as that little punk Felyn.
If Felyn heard this, he’d definitely get carried away and think Viloti was waiting for him.
“It’s already noon. Have you had lunch?”
Viloti shook her head, then glanced at the office door.
“I’ll have lunch with Felyn once he comes out.”
“Viloti, I don’t think the Felyn you’re talking about is the same one in my office. The one in there is just a boy with the same name.”
“It’s him.”
The young lady in front of her remained as expressionless as ever. She didn’t seem to be joking.
Sophia stood frozen. Those three words completely short-circuited her brain.
Viloti. Waiting. Felyn. Lunch.
Why did that feel like such a massive shock?
What on earth did they talk about that night?
Could it be?
No way!
Sophia suddenly raised her head and pulled Viloti aside.
“Viloti, tell me the truth. I’ll help you—whatever it is.”
She glanced back to make sure the office door remained closed, then leaned in to whisper, “Did Felyn get something on you? Is he threatening you?”
It wouldn’t be the first time something like that happened.
People who can’t have what they want sometimes do crazy things.
If Felyn had lost his mind and was using some dirt on Viloti to blackmail her into being his girlfriend or something—unthinkable!
“No, Teacher.”
Viloti tilted her head slightly, as if confused by the question.
Sophia felt a bit of relief.
At least Felyn hadn’t done anything illegal.
“I wanted to have lunch with him.”
Sophia’s heart jumped again.
She didn’t understand anymore.
What was happening?
Did she drink too much last night and still not sober up?
Viloti—the icy beauty that no number of suitors could win a word from.
Was now saying she was waiting to eat lunch with Felyn.
Could it be… had Felyn’s persistence finally touched her heart?
No way!
“I’ll go call him.”
Sophia opened the office door—then promptly shut it behind her.
“Teacher?”
Felyn looked at her, puzzled by her odd behavior.
Sophia knew it clearly—if Felyn found out about this, he’d be grinning from ear to ear.
That heart of his, possibly dimmed a bit before, would light right back up like dust wiped clean off a table.
She didn’t want to see Felyn fall so deeply in love that he’d spend everything on Viloti, only to end up freezing on the streets.
“Felyn, listen to me. If one day Viloti invited you to lunch, what would you do?”
“Mise Viloti would never invite me to lunch.”
“I said if.”
“Of course I wouldn’t go. Teacher, I really don’t have anything to do with Miss Viloti anymore.”
Sophia looked into Felyn’s earnest, pure eyes, and felt the scale in her heart shift again.
She couldn’t keep him cooped up in this office forever.
And she couldn’t let Viloti wait outside forever either.
“Viloti wants to have lunch with you. She’s right outside.”
“She’s inviting me to lunch?”
Sophia watched Felyn closely, worried he’d go nuts with joy any second.
Thankfully, he didn’t.
Felyn opened the door, saw Viloti, and didn’t wear his usual smile.
“What is it?”
Viloti’s eyes flickered with an unfamiliar emotion when she saw him.
“Lunch.”
“What about lunch?”
Viloti made a gesture with both hands, mimicking a lunchbox.
Felyn got it.
All their previous lunches—he had brought them to her.
Silafiel paid for the ingredients, and he did the cooking.
After Viloti’s contract ended, she’d been away from school, and later grounded by Silafiel until today.
So this young lady still didn’t realize he wasn’t going to bring her lunch anymore.
“I didn’t bring your lunch.”
Felyn shrugged.
“Go eat at the school cafeteria.”
Viloti’s lashes froze mid-air, forgetting to blink.
Matching her expression exactly—was Sophia, who had her whole body pressed against the door, eavesdropping.
(End of Chapter)