Sophia was driving the car, occasionally glancing at the two slightly stiff figures in the backseat.
Viloti sat with her hands neatly placed on her knees, her gaze fixed straight ahead.
She had no idea what Sophia was thinking.
With her limited social experience, Viloti didn’t realize Sophia was trying to set her up with Felyn. She simply believed that, as an outstanding student, she had been asked to help tutor the academically struggling Felyn.
She had never gone out shopping alone with a boy before—or even spent time alone with any male other than Felyn.
Tonight’s trip to Holmholt felt... it felt just like a date.
A date…
Viloti shifted her neck slightly and, hidden beneath her pink hair, stole a quick glance at Felyn.
The golden afterglow of sunset spilled into the car. Felyn leaned against the window, his eyes half-closed, the light outlining his profile in a lazy, youthful aura.
The wind tousled his black hair, and the collar of his shirt hung casually open, revealing his collarbone.
The boy’s silhouette left a deep impression in the girl's heart.
"We’re here. I’ll go park the car. You two can go on ahead and stroll around," Sophia said.
Watching the two get out of the car, Sophia couldn’t suppress her auntie-like grin.
Given her terrible parking skills, she'd likely take two hours to park. They might as well have a leisurely walk.
Holmholt Commercial District.
The giant crystal tower at the center shone like a massive glow stick, pulsing with violet light.
Walking along the cobblestone road, surrounded by neon signs of various shops, Felyn felt a nostalgic pang—as if he’d returned to his old world.
The air was filled with delicious scents: barbecue, takoyaki, fruit tea, and the faint perfume from the girl beside him. It was like all the world’s sweetest smells had gathered here.
Felyn glanced back at Sophia’s car slowly pulling away, inwardly grumbling: Is there really any place to study here?
Though he didn’t know the exact reason, he could clearly sense that Sophia was trying hard to match him up with Viloti.
Honestly, Sophia was being quite kind to him. Even if nothing came of it, based on common practice, he might at least end up with a breakup fee.
Felyn didn’t blame Sophia. She just didn’t know that between him and Silafiel, there was a binding contract. If he really crossed the line, what he’d get wouldn’t be a breakup fee—it would be a funeral fee.
But why was Viloti going along with Sophia’s crazy plan?
He narrowed his eyes, studying Viloti.
Passersby couldn’t help but glance back at her.
Viloti was like the champion chosen from a sea of cherry blossoms, drawing all eyes wherever she went.
The evening breeze was a bit cool. She wore a cream-colored knitted cardigan over her pink dress, the sleeves lightly rolled up.
A slim, light-brown leather belt cinched her waist, and a deep blue butterfly brooch adorned her collar.
Could it be that after the contract ends, she really won't be able to let me go, and that’s why she's agreeing to all this? Felyn thought.
He quickly rejected that idea.
This young lady wasn’t capable of thinking that deeply—especially in matters of human relationships, where she was a total idiot.
Most likely, she was simply helping him because Sophia asked her to.
"Young man, would you like your beautiful girlfriend to try on our newest ‘Seraphina’ necklace? It would suit her temperament perfectly!"
"You’re mistaken. We’re not a couple," Felyn said.
"Ah, what a shame! You two look so perfect together..." the shop assistant sighed.
Felyn folded his arms and turned away the sales pitch, sneaking a quick glance at Viloti.
She was clutching her handbag tightly, her head slightly lowered.
The pink tips of her hair curled shyly against her shoulders, as if waiting for someone to gently brush them aside.
Her amber-colored eyes occasionally darted over to him before quickly averting.
Felyn felt a headache coming on.
Viloti’s thoughts were unreadable and frankly, he didn’t want to guess.
Otherwise, he’d end up like some love-struck fool, misinterpreting every shy glance as a declaration of love.
Getting emotionally entangled with a former client was a professional mistake. He needed to sever these feelings at the root.
While thinking this, Felyn and Viloti arrived at the café Sophia had recommended.
It was tucked away in a narrow alley, surrounded by old brick walls covered in vines, isolated from the bustle of the main street.
The café staff seemed to know about Sophia. They led the two up to a secluded corner on the top floor, offering a full view of Holmholt’s lively streets.
It was a perfect spot for a romantic date: sipping sweetened coffee, whispering tender words while enjoying the night view.
"Two house specials, and one Calomus Cake, please," Felyn said, closing the menu and handing it back.
Viloti rested her hands on the bench and swung her legs lightly.
It was her favorite cake!
Felyn still remembers what I like, she thought, heart fluttering.
What she didn’t know was that on the menu, someone had drawn a huge circle around the Calomus Cake with a note:
[I checked! Viloti loves this one. Pick it!!!]
Viloti sat by the window, watching the couples holding hands below, and couldn’t help but steal another glance at Felyn.
Her eyes fell on his hand, and her mind wandered into a fantasy of holding hands with him.
"Viloti? Are you feeling okay?"
Felyn asked when he noticed Viloti suddenly gulping down several mouthfuls of bitter coffee, her face almost blending into her hair.
"I’m fine, just thirsty," she replied flatly, while her hand under the table gripped the tablecloth tightly.
This coffee is so bitter!
Thus, their so-called tutoring session began amid a vague, undefinable atmosphere.
"So this formula here means..." Felyn explained.
Viloti was completely absorbed in her own little world, the corners of her lips involuntarily lifting into a small smile.
That normally cold demeanor, warmed by this tiny curve, looked irresistibly charming.
Gentle elven music floated through the café, mixing with the aromas of coffee and cake.
Most importantly, the familiar person she cherished was sitting right beside her. And thanks to tutoring, he wouldn’t leave anytime soon.
Viloti swung her legs again, her tone gaining a bit more liveliness.
She had noticed these past few days that Felyn seemed to be avoiding her.
But now, everything felt just like before, as if Felyn was still the one who would never leave her.
This is nice, she thought.
"Sorry to interrupt," a waitress came over apologetically. "There’s a girl downstairs asking for a customer named Felyn. Are you..."
Viloti frowned.
Girl, downstairs, looking for Felyn.
She reached into her bag and started searching for her seventh-tier sigil.
(End of Chapter)