After who knows how long, Filin woke up in bed.
Staring at the unfamiliar ceiling above, Filin couldn’t help but feel annoyed by this all-too-familiar sensation.
Did I get transported to another world again?
The room’s decor was elegant and lavish.
The pale golden wallpaper was adorned with intricate patterns, shimmering softly under the glow of the crystal chandelier.
White lace curtains hung in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, swaying gently in the breeze and carrying the scent of roses from the garden.
Hearing the sound of the door handle turning, Filin pretended to close his eyes.
“Miss Viloti, Lord Sirafel is quite upset. You just used a seventh-tier Spell Seal on the eldest daughter of the Claude family. If you don’t have a proper explanation…”
“I was saving someone.”
“But Miss Viloti…”
“I’m sorry, I’d like to be alone right now, okay?”
With his eyes closed, Filin could only guess what had happened based on their conversation.
If he wasn’t still in a daze, the sequence of events went something like this:
He and Adeline were adventuring in the Underground City.
Then Viloti used a city-leveling seventh-tier Spell Seal on Adeline.
Adeline’s guards showed up just in time to save her, but Filin, having no protection, was kidnapped by Viloti and brought here.
Insane.
Filin realized he had underestimated this world.
He couldn’t think of any reason Viloti would attack Adeline.
Could this be some kind of power struggle between noble families?
But he hadn’t heard of any bad blood between the two houses.
“Fortunately, there were no casualties in the Claude family, Miss Viloti. You can’t act so recklessly next time!”
The older voice gradually faded away.
With his eyes closed, Filin only heard the sound of footsteps.
Sometimes sound is strange—just by the rhythm and tone, you can tell what kind of beauty is approaching.
Viloti came to Filin’s bedside and stood there quietly.
Her pink hair cascaded softly over her shoulders, and her amber eyes lingered on Filin’s face.
She was wearing a light-colored dress, looking like a princess straight out of a fairy tale.
Viloti stood there motionless for a full five minutes before a hint of nervousness finally appeared in her eyes.
She slowly reached out her hand, moving it closer to Filin’s face.
Her hair brushed against Filin’s chest, allowing him to catch a whiff of her fragrance.
Her jeweled hand stopped about three centimeters from Filin’s face, close enough to feel his breath.
A faint blush appeared on Viloti’s pale neck as she withdrew her hand and covered it.
“Ugh, my head hurts.”
Filin let out a couple of exaggerated groans, signaling to Viloti that he was about to wake up.
“Where am I?”
Filin blinked, looking at the person standing by his bed.
The setting sun was perfectly blocked by Viloti’s figure, creating a soft halo behind her.
She stood there, bathed in a golden light, even the tips of her hair tinted with a warm orange hue.
“My home. You’ve been kidnapped.”
I know, ‘you’ kidnapped me.
“So, you kidnapped me to…”
Viloti tilted her head slightly as she looked at Filin.
“You were kidnapped by Adeline. I saved you.”
Filin was stunned.
He suspected his life was like accidentally hitting the “next episode” button twice while binge-watching a show—skipping a significant chunk of the plot in between.
“Adeline… kidnapped me?”
Though it did kinda feel that way.
“I happened to be in the Underground City today and saw Adeline surrounded by guards. Then I saw you with her.”
Viloti took a deep breath and spoke softly.
“I saw your forced smile and knew you’d been kidnapped.”
My ‘forced smile’?
No way!
Filin felt his professionalism was being challenged.
There was no way his expression could be described as a “forced smile”!
Filin had spent countless nights practicing the most natural expression in front of a mirror. Even in his sleep or while sleepwalking, he could maintain the most sincere smile.
How on earth did Viloti notice from so far away?
“Well, I suppose…”
“Can I ask why you think I’m forcing a smile?”
Viloti raised her eyebrows, as if she had just heard something utterly unbelievable.
“That kind of smile you only give to me. What’s so strange about that? Adeline must have forced you to do it.”
Oh no.
This is dangerous talk.
Am I some kind of doll to her?
Filin spread his hands on the bed, refusing to entertain any possibilities.
Tired. So tired.
“Adeline has a lot of guards, right? How did you… rescue me?”
“I used a seventh-tier Spell Seal, which can instantly blur the consciousness of those around me without causing any harm.”
A seventh-tier Spell Seal—something so rare you couldn’t buy it even with ten million crowns.
Just used it like it was nothing. Typical of a young lady.
“Miss Viloti, I’m really grateful that you saved me.”
Filin lifted the blanket and realized he was now wearing silk pajamas.
“Thank you. I’m fine now, so I won’t disturb you any longer.”
He sneaked a glance at Viloti, afraid she might make some terrifying expression.
“Understood.”
Viloti nodded, her face expressionless.
“Your clothes got dirty when I rescued you. As compensation, I’ll have a set custom-made for you.”
Before Filin could refuse, Viloti clapped her hands, summoning the butler outside.
“Miss, we’ll start right away.”
Filin didn’t want to have any financial entanglements with Viloti and was about to refuse again.
But when he saw several maids walking in through the door, his heart nearly skipped a beat.
He couldn’t think about anything else.
Maids! Real maids in maid outfits!
Living until now was worth it just for this.
Imagining these cute maids blushing shyly while having to measure his body was…
Amazing!
“Why not use male servants?”
Viloti’s icy words shattered Filin’s fantasy.
“Apologies, Miss. I’ll change them right away.”
The light in Filin’s eyes went out. He gave up resistance and turned into a stone statue.
“Excuse us.”
Several elderly men took off their pajamas and started measuring his body with soft tapes.
Filin sighed, then suddenly realized something was off.
Why hadn’t Viloti left yet?
Even though he was facing away from her, he could still smell the fragrance of her hair conditioner.
Viloti stood there, hands in front of her, clutching her skirt.
She had forgotten to leave!
She was so focused on keeping the maids away from Filin that she completely forgot she should leave too.
What should she do? Leaving now would just make it obvious she was embarrassed.
If she just stood here quietly, no one would notice, right?
Viloti forced herself to keep watching Filin’s body, not realizing her breathing was getting faster.
Her gaze unconsciously lingered on Filin’s back.
The boy’s slender yet firm silhouette was particularly striking under the light.
Viloti felt her face getting hotter. She pressed her hand against her cheek, trying to cool down.
“Miss, the measurements are done. It’ll be ready in an hour.”
“Y-yes, understood.”
The male servants bowed respectfully, left a set of casual clothes, and closed the door behind them.
“Um, Miss Viloti. I’m really grateful for everything you’ve done. You don’t need to compensate me.”
“Huh?”
Viloti turned around, a slight look of surprise on her face.
“Miss Viloti, you’re compensating me, right? You think I’ve suffered a lot of criticism and lived a miserable life because I pursued you, so you’re helping me, right?”
Filin put on the casual clothes, his fingers tracing the gold embroidery on the cuffs.
The twilight grew darker, the last red hue of the sunset slowly fading.
Outside the window, the rose garden was enveloped in dusk, the petals covered in fine dewdrops, like silent tears.
“Miss Viloti, you’re really kind. I’m so thankful for everything you’ve done for me.”
Is that it?
Viloti asked herself in her heart.
She couldn’t explain the reason for her actions.
