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“Everyone, thank you for coming.”
The spell seals installed on every floor activated, and Lord Sirafel’s voice echoed through every corner of the castle.
“Thank you for attending my family’s…”
In the lobby of the first floor, Sirafel stood at the center of the crowd, delivering his welcome speech.
Filin leaned on the railing, watching the ceremony below.
Just moments ago, Adeline, blushing, stood up and said her father had called her to watch the ceremony together. Then she hurriedly lifted her skirt and scurried away.
In the end, he still didn’t manage to dig anything out.
But it didn’t matter. As long as he didn’t have any contact with Viloti, he’d be fine.
“Now, please welcome the star of tonight’s banquet, Miss Viloti Sirafel!”
The grand doors at the center of the first floor were slowly pulled open by two guards of the Sirafel family.
The moonlight-colored silk shimmered with a pearl-like glow under the lights, and the silver lace on the hem of the dress seemed like frozen moonlight.
Viloti walked in slowly under the gaze of the crowd.
Her pink hair was meticulously styled, adorned with silver butterfly hairpins. Each butterfly wing was embedded with tiny gemstones, reflecting an elegant glow under the lights.
She raised her chin slightly, her amber eyes still showing no emotion, as if the bustle of the banquet hall had nothing to do with her.
Viloti stood under the spotlight, her gaze gradually shifting toward the floor where Filin was. Her delicate face remained calm.
Filin’s heart tightened, and he instinctively took a step back, retreating into the corner.
Why did this scene feel so familiar?
Last week, on the day 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, hiding in the shadows.
Could it be that the next scene would play out exactly the same?
“Filin, I knew you’d be here.”
A familiar voice appeared.
Just like that day, the Grade Director stood beside Filin, looking helpless.
“Director? Why are you here? I was just…”
“This isn’t school. You can just call me by my name.”
The Grade Director, Sofia, wore a deep brown dress, her chestnut hair neatly tied up and secured with a sapphire-embedded silver hairpin.
Today, she wasn’t wearing her glasses, which made her look a bit different.
Sofia patted Filin’s shoulder.
“Ah, never mind. The more I try to stop you, the more recklessly you’ll fall for Viloti.”
She’d seen too many love-struck, pure-hearted boys like Filin.
Filin stood frozen, feeling like fate was playing a joke on him.
Although Sofia’s appearance wasn’t part of his plans, this little twist didn’t matter.
It’s nothing! Watch me pull this off in no time!
“No, Teacher Sofia. You were right before. I, I really don’t deserve Viloti. My family…”
Filin lowered his head, his fingers unconsciously fidgeting with his cuff. His shoulders hunched slightly, as if he wanted to shrink into a ball and hide from everyone’s gaze.
“I’m sorry…” His voice was a bit hoarse, carrying a barely noticeable tremor, “I know I’m not worthy of Miss Viloti. This suit I’m wearing is even second-hand.”
He looked up, his eyes glistening with tears, his face slightly red.
“Before, maybe I still had the right to stand by her side. But now…”
His Adam’s apple moved slightly, as if he was holding back something.
“My family has…” His voice grew softer, almost inaudible, “Even the bread today was a bit hard to chew…”
At this point, his tears finally welled up uncontrollably in his eyes. But he immediately lowered his head, roughly wiping the corners of his eyes with his sleeve.
The way he tried to maintain his composure but couldn’t quite manage it was truly heartbreaking.
“I’ll stay away from Viloti. Don’t worry, I won’t cause you any trouble. After tonight, I’ll never see her again. I just wanted to see, the person I used to love…”
The girl from earlier was shining so brightly tonight.
Sophia looked at the boy hunched before her, her heart aching.
Seeing Filin’s slightly trembling shoulders, his fingers clutching the hem of his clothes, and the tear stains that hadn’t dried at the corners of his eyes, she felt as if she was looking at her own son who hadn’t yet grown up.
“Sorry, Teacher Sophia, I shouldn’t have said these things in front of you,” he said with a smile uglier than a frown. “It’s just… you remind me of my mom. I just haven’t seen her in so long.”
Sophia felt her heart being yanked violently, her breath almost stopping.
“Call me Sophia.”
“But…”
“That’s an order from your teacher.” Sophia deliberately put on a stern face, but her eyes were gentle.
Sophia thought of Filin’s mother.
Gentle, intelligent—she must have been a good mom.
She had even sent her gifts once.
But a few years ago, offended someone unknown, and the entire family fell apart overnight.
Filin, left alone, faced massive debts and pain, struggling to hold on.
If her own son had faced such a situation, gnawing on bread as hard as stone, loving a girl only to be mocked by everyone…
Sophia dared not dwell on it.
And here she was, eavesdropping on Filin’s gossip in the office.
Even collecting love letters he’d written.
I’m really the worst!
“Teacher Sophia, just let me be alone. I just want to quietly watch her and then leave.”
He couldn’t tell Sophia he had come because Adeline invited him.
That would only complicate things.
“Filin.”
Sophia patted Filin’s shoulder, her eyes slightly red.
“Don’t worry, I may not be some powerful noble, but I’m still the Grade Director. Viloti will come to thank me in person. Just stay by my side.”
Sophia’s usually serious expression vanished, replaced by a tenderness Filin had never seen before.
“I can’t do much for you, but tonight, talk to her, say a proper goodbye, and start a new life tomorrow.”
“Ahhh???”
Filin panicked. This wasn’t how he’d imagined things going.
Sophia tightly gripped the struggling Filin, not letting him escape.
This kid, he’s so worked up.
He must really love Viloti deeply.
Then it’s even more important they meet.
Otherwise, it’d be a lifelong regret for Filin.
The ceremony ended, and Viloti gave a slight bow to the crowd.
The banquet officially began.
Chatting, drinking, dancing, laughing.
Everyone at this grand, unprecedented banquet wore happy smiles.
Except for a few.
Viloti hurried through the ritual greetings with the other nobles.
“Hello, thank you, goodbye.”
These three phrases repeated, quickly ticking off the greeting quota.
Adeline had to socialize with the approaching nobles alongside Linda.
Beneath her gentle smile hid a hint of impatience.
As for Filin, he was being dragged by Sophia, listening to her discuss a joint charity project between Saint Andrews and Lanche Academy, where Adeline was.
Tonight was unexpectedly not going smoothly.
Every one of Filin’s plans was taking an unforeseen turn.
By Sophia’s side, he couldn’t even see where Viloti and Adeline were.
The crowd grew noisy; Viloti must be approaching.
“I’ll go get some drinks for the distinguished guests.”
Filin smiled, ready to make a quick escape.
“Oh, no need.”
Sophia tugged at Filin’s sleeve, wearing a knowing expression.
Trying to run when Viloti’s coming?
How shy.
Stand still!
