Filin was about to continue speaking when, out of nowhere, Viloti cut him off.
“It’s getting late; let’s eat.”
Before Filin could respond, several butlers wheeled in a dining cart.
The luxurious dinner of the young miss.
On the cart were all the high-end ingredients Filin had only seen in magazines.
Come to think of it, this was the first time he was having a meal with Viloti.
Viloti sat at the other end of the table, elegantly unfolding her napkin.
But Filin noticed her movements seemed a bit stiff.
The usually composed young miss now appeared to be forcing her calmness.
The room was quiet, save for the clinking of cutlery against plates.
“This is really delicious.”
Filin cut a piece of steak with his knife and fork, putting it in his mouth, savoring its melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Viloti did not respond, continuing her meal like a precise machine.
This was her first time having dinner alone with someone of the opposite sex.
Her mind was blank, unable to comprehend any words.
“Is Lord Sirafel here tonight?”
Filin asked casually.
Actually, he was incredibly nervous.
If that old geezer found out he had come to the manor and had dinner with his daughter, he would surely skin him alive.
Hearing the familiar name, a light appeared in Viloti’s eyes.
“No, he’s gone to the Royal Capital.”
Saved.
“Thank you for the meal.”
Filin wiped his mouth with his napkin, watching as the butler came to clear his dishes.
And then, nothing more.
Viloti and Filin sat at the table for a whole hour without any conversation.
Agonizing, truly agonizing.
How should he start the conversation?
Under the table, invisible to Filin, Viloti was on the verge of tearing the tablecloth.
Since childhood, it was always boys swarming around her; she never had to initiate conversations.
Usually, it was Filin who would chat with her; why wasn’t he speaking today!
Seeing Viloti’s increasingly gloomy face, Filin didn’t dare to speak up.
That murderous expression, he must carefully analyze what to say and what not to say.
Before dinner, he had given Viloti a hint, letting her admit that everything she did for him was purely out of sympathy.
But she seemed really unhappy.
What exactly should he say?
Damn it, from noon until now, he hadn’t been to the bathroom; he was about to burst.
“Um, Miss Viloti. I need to go to the restroom.”
“Thank you.”
The air froze.
Filin wondered if Viloti had misspoken, but seeing no signs of a slip, he began to wonder if “thank you” was a unique response in the Sirafael Family.
Of course, Filin couldn’t see Viloti’s ears, hidden beneath her pink hair, burning with embarrassment.
Behind Viloti’s calm exterior was a very un-calm heart.
What am I saying?!
Help!
Why did I say thank you?
Thinking Filin was about to compliment something in her house out of courtesy, she instinctively said thank you.
“By the way, Miss Viloti, your home is so beautiful. Haha, it’s really enviable.”
For the sake of his lower half, Filin had to make more conversation with Viloti and learn the language of the Sirafael Family.
He wasn’t sure if “thank you” meant agreement or disagreement.
Viloti gently shook her head, “It’s not as great as you imagine.”
“Speaking of which, I haven’t officially congratulated Miss Viloti on being admitted to the Royal Capital Academy. Unfortunately, I don’t have a presentable gift.”
Filin looked into Viloti’s eyes, offering a warm smile.
Her cold yet exquisite face reflected in Filin’s eyes.
Viloti’s fingers twitched slightly, and she lowered her head.
“Thank you, but a gift is not necessary.”
“Getting into the Royal Capital Academy is amazing; you’re going to become a real clergywoman, right? With Miss Viloti’s talent, you’ll surely achieve things beyond my imagination.”
Viloti nodded, seemingly lost in thought.
“I feel so lucky now, like being classmates with a superstar before they hit it big. I’m content with these times.”
Hearing this, Viloti inadvertently got caught up in memories of these times.
To let her have limited-edition desserts, Filin had slept outside the store the night before.
To return the scarf she left in the classroom, Filin had waited at the door for two hours in heavy rain.
To cover for her tardiness, Filin told the teacher it was his fault they were late.
Wait, why were all her memories of Filin?
Viloti tried to recall memories of others but, sadly, she didn’t have many friends and couldn’t think of anyone else besides Filin.
“After I graduate, I plan to use the money I’ve saved from working these years to open a small shop; that’s my current dream. When Miss Viloti becomes famous, if you have the time, you can come visit me. By then, maybe I’ll have several kids hahaha.”
Filin kept talking, giving Viloti no chance to interject.
By comparing his future with Viloti’s, she would realize their lifestyles would never overlap.
Though he didn’t know what Viloti was thinking.
But Filin had to eliminate all possibilities.
Filin’s voice was soft, as if he was painting a picture.
Hearing these words, Viloti’s cold and exquisite mask finally cracked a little.
“So, I’m too selfish. It’s quite laughable for someone like me to want to get close to Miss Viloti.”
Viloti bit her lip and slightly turned her head away.
How cunning.
It’s so cunning to say this now.
If he knew it was like this, why did he approach me in the first place?
What on earth is wrong with me?
Seeing Filin and Adeline chatting and laughing together, I instinctively wanted to blow them up, and I really couldn’t help but do it.
Hearing Filin describe how he would disappear from my world in the future, why does my heart feel so heavy?
Three years ago, the Sirafael Family wasn’t as glorious as it is now.
The fall of the Solst Family, known as the “Seiva Light,” shocked the aristocratic circle and allowed new nobles like Sirafael to see an opportunity.
To seize the vast market and resources left by the fall of the Solst Family, the Sirafael Family and other nobles engaged in a fierce competition.
The ruthless competition also affected Viloti.
Other families’ young ladies spread rumors at school, saying Viloti was an arrogant lady who looked down on others.
They even bribed Viloti’s friends to trick her into a party specifically targeting her.
After attending that hostile party, Viloti didn’t leave her house for six months.
She could still see the disdainful eyes of those people at the party whenever she closed her eyes, and she was afraid that going out would still lead to gossip behind her back.
It was Filin. Filin’s arrival made Viloti like a newborn kitten, peeking out little by little to look at the world.
In him, Viloti could feel a sense of security.
He was like the sun; no matter what happened, he would always appear on time the next day.
Eventually, the Sirafael Family emerged victorious in the hyena-like competition and became a major family that couldn’t be ignored in Seiva within a year.
Those who humiliated her at the party disappeared silently in Seiva.
Filin’s arrival also shifted everyone’s attention to him, and people started to sympathize with her.
Everything began to slowly improve, and maybe she was good enough now.
But the sun would never rise again.
“Miss Viloti, the clothes are ready.”
“Okay.”
The housekeeper carried a bag and placed it on the bedside table.
“Miss Viloti, it’s getting late, so I won’t disturb you further. Thank you for doing so much for me today.”
Filin bowed and thanked her, feeling a bit nervous.
He was afraid Viloti was thinking about something strange.
And, horrifyingly, Filin was right.
Hearing Filin was about to leave, countless possibilities flashed through Viloti’s mind. What if Filin got kidnapped by some other bad woman as soon as he stepped out the door?
The outside world is so dangerous; it’s better to keep him in the manor.
He wouldn’t have to worry about food or drink, and he’d be taken care of every day, staying in the manor until he grows old.
I can’t stop the sun from setting, but I can totally keep this small, down-and-out noble in the manor for his entire life.
No, what am I thinking?
Viloti pinched her own arm, pulling herself out of her fantasy.
“Never mind.”
A thousand thoughts condensed into three light words.
Night fell.
Filin walked on his way home, the street lamps casting warm light.
He took a deep breath, as if relieved of some heavy burden.
He wasn’t sure if his message got through, but his gut told him that if he didn’t leave now, he might never leave that manor.
Filin took back his somewhat worn-out clothes, figuring he could still wear them after washing.
The clothes Viloti gave him were neatly placed in a bag he held in his left hand.
Filin rummaged through his pocket, taking out the Spell Seal, wanting to see if he had any unread customer messages.
“Huh?”
Opening the Spell Seal, he found Adeline’s messages flooding in like exploding confetti.
Filin gulped and started typing to Adeline.
“Lady Adeline, I’m fine. I’m on my way home now. Are you hurt? ❤”
Less than five seconds after sending it, while he was still thinking about what to say next, Adeline sent a message.
【I’m so glad.】
【I was really worried about you.】
That message was deleted the moment it was sent.
【I’m just a little worried about you too, since it’s because of me that you got involved.】
【I’m not hurt; Uncle Claretiel saved me. Just now, my dad grounded me, so I’m stuck at home.】
The Sirafael Family’s young lady flung a seventh-level Spell Seal at the Claude Family’s young lady.
Presumably, both families’ parents are now overwhelmed.
Adeline being grounded is reasonable; who knows what the Sirafael Family was thinking.
No one would expect such a bizarre reason.
Filin scratched his head; he had caused a conflict between two major families.
Apparently, men are trouble too.
【How’s the dress selection going? At the banquet, I’m definitely going to show that Viloti a lesson!】
【Don’t worry, Lady Adeline, I won’t let you down.】
