Daiyi sat on the sofa, watching with great interest as Viloti—flushed from head to toe—sat silently, and Felyn busied himself in the kitchen. Felyn didn’t say a word, simply focused on making dinner.

But he was moving much faster than usual. Even the tips of his ears were turning red.

Daiyi smiled contentedly at the awkward atmosphere between them. The only thing she regretted was that Viloti never actually managed to say the word Master.

She had tried several times, but ultimately couldn’t bring herself to say it. Covering her face, she quickly fled back to the sofa.

Still, maybe it was better this way. Getting what you want too easily makes it dull.

Only when you can’t get something does it become truly irresistible. Felyn would no doubt be haunted all night by the thought of Viloti whispering that word.

Just like with clothing—what you don’t fully see is always more enticing.

While Felyn kept cooking in the kitchen, only two people remained on the sofa: Viloti, hugging her knees with her head buried between them, and Daiyi, stretched out sideways.

Oh, right—poor Hermie had long been forgotten. It lay bored on the carpet, sleeping by itself.

The bond between those two was clearly growing stronger.

But as an outsider, Daiyi found herself thinking about the issue they wouldn’t be able to avoid forever.

As far as she knew, Viloti still had no idea that Felyn had approached her because of a contract.

Their entire relationship was built on a fabricated lie.

And based on what she knew about Felyn, if he truly intended to be with Viloti, he would one day have to reveal everything.

That… wouldn’t be easy.

For one, the contract likely included a clause forbidding Felyn from revealing its contents to Viloti.

And even if he did find a way to tell her—how would Viloti react, knowing Felyn had been lying to her?

In the past, Felyn clearly had no intention of getting too close to Viloti.

But now… things were different.

Sooner or later, he would have to choose between sticking to the contract and cutting things off, or coming clean and trying to start over honestly.

Either choice would come with pain.

Daiyi rubbed her temples and shook her head. No point overthinking. There would be a way—this was Felyn, after all.

Viloti still hadn’t recovered from her earlier embarrassment.

“Viloti… you don’t need to force yourself. I might’ve gone too far earlier…”

Even Daiyi began to question if she’d crossed a line. She felt like she’d turned into some kind of villain, luring a naïve girl into temptation.

“I-It’s fine… As long as it makes Felyn happy…”

“You like him that much?”

Viloti paused for a moment, then nodded with determination.

“Mhm!”

“…That’s really sweet.”

As Daiyi watched Viloti’s eyes follow Felyn’s every move, her own smile slowly faded.

So this is love…

If I weren’t chosen as the Divine Child… if I hadn’t lost my consciousness… would my life be like hers?

Waiting at home for Felyn to come back and cook dinner, whispering “Master” in his ear while watching his face turn red—

That actually sounded kind of fun.

She picked up Hermie and gently brushed its fur.

That she could even imagine such a thing surprised her.

Ever since she started her research into “the gods do not truly exist,” she had sworn to abandon all human emotions and close herself off.

But after meeting Felyn, that rational wall had slowly started to melt.

Just like all the other heiresses Felyn had dealt with, Daiyi too had come to see him as her one and only link to the world.

“Love really is something…”

She murmured again.

But feelings like that shouldn’t belong to someone like her. They were meaningless.

Once she became the Divine Child, the so-called god—that thing—would never allow her to have personal emotions.

No desires. No emotions. Only actions carried out according to some prescribed “law.”

Could something like that really be called a god?

Long ago, Daiyi had noticed something odd about the concept of divinity in this world.

If no believers remained, gods would fall into slumber.

If not a single record of their existence was left behind, they would die completely—forgotten by all.

So which came first? The god or the believer?

Were gods born of the human psyche, or did they precede it?

That was the core of Daiyi’s research.

Saying something like “gods exist only because we believe in them” was considered the ultimate blasphemy among the faithful.

Which is why she’d always kept her distance from others.

It wasn’t that she was unshakable.

She hated the alienation, the judgmental stares, the sharp voices of rejection, even insults.

But only Felyn…

Only Felyn treated the gods with little reverence. Only he didn’t scorn her research.

Felyn, like her, was… different.

If she could stay with someone like him—what would her future look like?

Watching Felyn and Viloti together made her consider this for the first time.

If the contract went on forever, would her life change?

Could she live a life like that, too?

She didn’t know the answer.

From a purely rational perspective, all such speculation was meaningless.

There was no abandoning the truth.

The Church would never let her refuse the role of Divine Child.

And the god… it wouldn’t stop just because she resisted. It would still overwrite her thoughts.

There was no point.

Whatever tiny spark had ignited in her heart—she smothered it.

She hated hope. Hope brought emotions one shouldn’t have.

And hope always led to disappointment.

Even if gods existed, the world didn’t bend to human will.

Dinner began quickly and ended just as fast.

Just like how the sun rises… and falls. How hope appears… and disappears.

After eating, Daiyi returned to her room.

Now only Felyn and Viloti were left in the modest living room.

And of course, Hermie—less important tonight than ever before.

Just as Daiyi had predicted, every time Felyn looked at Viloti’s lips, he couldn’t help but imagine the words she hadn’t finished saying earlier.

Viloti could clearly feel his gaze lingering more and more.

The genius girl’s learning instincts kicked in—she now understood that her earlier action had drawn Felyn’s attention.

So if she repeated it in the future… Felyn would react the same way.

This was the classic theory of conditioned reflex—Felyn Edition.

“Felyn.”

“Y-Yes?!”

Felyn took a sip of water. Did she somehow catch on to what I was thinking just now?

“I can help tutor you for the Royal Capital entrance exam.”

Viloti still hadn’t forgotten what Adelina said earlier that morning.

“Oh no, there’s no need to trouble yourself. I think I’ll be fine.”

“B-But…”

Viloti didn’t want Felyn spending more time with Adelina.

Just the thought of them alone together—unacceptable!

Even though she herself was now alone in Felyn’s house, if the other girls found out, they’d probably go crazy.

“Don’t worry. I’m confident I’ll pass.”

Felyn lied again.

He wasn’t confident at all. He just… didn’t want Viloti to worry.

“Really?”

“Of course. When have I ever lied to you?”

Seeing how firm he was, Viloti didn’t press the issue.

“Then what about your divine affinity score…”

Viloti was well aware of his affinity score.

She also knew that if it was -1, no academy would accept him.

“That… I have a plan for that too.”

Right as he said it, Felyn’s communication spell lit up.

【Felyn! I’m free this weekend. Want to go to the dungeon together?】

【Or maybe we can browse the dungeon-side shops Friday night? I’d like to—】

The message was suddenly retracted.

【White-Haired Diva (Former Client) has recalled a message.】

【I still haven’t bought any gear… How about you come with me Friday? I’ll cover your equipment too. That way we’ll be safer in the dungeon, right?】

(End of Chapter)