As the final school bell rang, Felyn packed up the books on his desk.
He had actually spent the entire day studying diligently.
Tonight was Adelina’s service time, and he still needed to catch a ride over.
He wondered what the young lady would have him do tonight.
To be honest, he was getting a bit tired of the same old confessions every night.
But since Adelina was the client, all he had to do was take the money and do the job.
Slinging his bag over his shoulder, Felyn was just about to leave when his communication sigil lit up.
“Felyn, no need to come over tonight. I’m heading to your school anyway.”
Adelina’s message made Felyn raise an eyebrow.
She wanted the session to happen at school?
He sat back down and began to think seriously about how to handle her at school.
Surely, she wouldn’t want to expose their arrangement in public. Best to keep a bit of distance and talk to her in private later.
At the very least, she probably wouldn’t do anything outrageous at school.
Which meant he could slack off a little today.
“Felyn, aren’t you leaving yet?”
Viloti stood outside the window, staring at him.
Crap, I forgot about her.
“Viloti, I’ve still got something to take care of. You can head home first. We’re not even going the same way.”
Viloti acted as though she didn’t hear him and stayed where she was.
Felyn always used to walk her to the gate. So naturally, she should do the same for him.
“I’m not in a hurry.”
But I am.
Felyn could already picture Adelina in her carriage, speeding toward the school.
If the two of them ran into each other here, he’d be dead meat.
“Viloti, if you go home too late, your father will worry. You really don’t have to wait for me.”
“Are you waiting for Bernice? Want to stare at her breast again?”
“I’m not! And I wasn’t staring at her breast either!”
Felyn was speechless. How could she say something like that with such a straight face?
“Then I’m not waiting for you.”
“Then what are you standing there for?”
Viloti blinked, tilting her head slightly.
“I’m enjoying the view.”
Felyn felt like Viloti had truly mastered the essence of being a clingy puppy: shamelessly spouting ridiculous excuses.
A few girls ran by in the corridor behind Viloti.
“Lady Adelina’s here! Do you want to go see her?”
“Really? Where is she?”
“She just walked through the gate. She looks stunning today!”
Damn it. Adelina was already here.
Felyn looked up at Viloti, who quickly turned her head away like she hadn’t noticed him staring.
This girl really planned to stick around until the end.
He should’ve just pretended to leave earlier, walked her out, then snuck back.
But now it was too late—if he left, Adelina waiting at the school gate would definitely see him.
And if she saw him with Viloti, she might just drag him home for a “thorough education.”
“Felyn, want to have lunch together tomorrow?”
“No, we said today would be the last time.”
“If we’re eating together tomorrow, I’ll have to head home early to prepare.”
Felyn looked at Viloti. Her face was still blank, bathed in the warm light of the setting sun—beautiful as ever.
Was she threatening me?
“If we’re having lunch tomorrow, I’ll leave now.” She must be threatening me like that, right?
Damn it, Viloti had evolved faster than expected.
Did she really think Felyn was the type to fall for that?
“…Fine! We’ll have lunch together tomorrow. But seriously, that’ll be the last time. If people see us together too much, it won’t look good for either of us.”
I just want to admire her feet while I eat. That’s it. Definitely not being threatened or anything.
“Mm-hmm!”
A victorious smile curled at Viloti’s lips as she clasped her hands behind her back and tiptoed away.
Felyn was going to have lunch with her again tomorrow.
How nice.
She planned to try making lunch for him too—just like how he used to bring food for her every day.
Once he couldn’t live without her lunchboxes anymore, he’d come back to her willingly.
Viloti was in a rather good mood. Humming a little tune, she made her way downstairs.
At the corner, she saw a familiar head of tea rose-colored hair.
“Miss Viloti, it’s been a while.”
Adelina hadn’t expected to run into her here. She nodded politely at Viloti.
“Adelina.” Viloti returned the gesture, suddenly wondering—could Felyn be waiting for Adelina?
No way.
At her own graduation banquet, Viloti had discovered that Adelina actually had a crush on Felyn.
Adelina might have strong feelings for him, but Felyn didn’t seem to return them.
“Are you here to see Felyn?”
Adelina was caught off guard by the question—her heart skipped a beat.
“I’m here to help with preparations for the joint school celebration between our academies. And yes, I’m also here to see Felyn—he’s my assistant.”
“Assistant?”
“Yup. The schools are exchanging volunteers to facilitate coordination. And as luck would have it, Felyn’s mine.”
As she said this, Adelina lifted her chin slightly, a bit smug.
Viloti, now that you see how close Felyn and I are, you must be upset, right?
I’ve stolen the boy who used to like you.
“Oh.” Viloti nodded without much reaction.
“…Don’t you have anything to say?”
Adelina had been hoping to see a jealous look on Viloti’s face.
“About what?”
There was no envy in Viloti’s eyes—only pity. She pitied this girl who had stooped so low just to get close to Felyn. A girl in love, acting so pathetically.
“Never mind. I’ll go find Felyn now. Goodbye, Miss Viloti.”
Adelina was a little annoyed. The scene she’d imagined hadn’t happened, and the way Viloti looked at her felt… off.
Standing at the corner, she fixed her hair for the sixth time.
For some reason, she was nervous…
After confirming her appearance was perfect, Adelina took a deep breath and opened the door to Felyn’s classroom.
Felyn was the only one there, and she spotted him immediately.
“Felyn, sorry for showing up without telling you.”
She stepped into the classroom, her eyes curiously scanning the room.
So this was where Felyn spent most of his time?
Worried that her decision this morning to make him a volunteer might’ve upset him, Adelina lowered her head slightly, hands clenched tightly behind her back.
“To think Lady Adelina would give me such a surprise! I never thought I’d see you here at school.”
Thankfully, Felyn didn’t seem angry.
“About what happened this morning—it was my fault for not thinking things through,” Adelina said as she gently rocked on her feet. She pursed her lips, her neck slightly flushed.
From kindergarten until now, Adelina had never made a mistake.
And she had certainly never apologized.
This was her first time in ten years.
“I realize I overstepped a bit. How about this—you’ll be my assistant only during the terms of our contract. Outside of that, you don’t have to come. But you’ll still get the same pay and benefits.”
Basically, he’d be getting paid twice for the same job. But Adelina didn’t care about the money.
She just wanted to give Felyn an excuse to continue expressing his feelings through the contract.
“I apologize for my actions. And if you’re upset, I’ll grant you one request—anything you want.”
As she said this, her lashes fluttered rapidly. Even if his request was a little outrageous… It was fine.
The evening sun streamed between them, bathing Adelina’s face in a soft golden light.
That glow gave her delicate features a dreamlike halo—as if the heavens had adorned her with the gentlest makeup.
Her gray-blue eyes shimmered with a hint of moisture, like misted-over jewels, unable to meet Felyn’s gaze.
In the quiet classroom, Adelina could hear her own heartbeat growing louder.
She clutched tightly at the hem of her skirt, waiting for the boy’s response.
Felyn stared at Adelina, who looked like she was confessing her love.
His mouth practically hung open.
So this is what it feels like… to shamelessly accept favors?
(End of Chapter)