The afternoon sunlight spread across the wooden floor, creeping through the gaps until it landed on Hermi’s fluffy head. A soft, contented purring came from its throat as it slept, blending gently with the sound of the wind outside the living room window.

Perhaps it had been disturbed by the sound of pages flipping in the distance. With a soft grunt, Hermi woke from its nap, scratched its neck with a hind leg, and lazily sprawled on the floor, gazing at the two people seated by the dining table.

The table was covered with an assortment of books and notes. Felyn, dressed in a plain black loungewear set, sat opposite Daiyi, who wore a pale blue floral nightrobe. Both were absorbed in their own thoughts.

Steam curled up from the teapot at the side, drifting through the room with the warm afternoon breeze.

Felyn set down his pen and rubbed his sore neck.

“Studying is so hard…”

To prepare for the upcoming exams, Felyn had dedicated this quiet, uninterrupted Sunday afternoon to focused studying. For some reason, Daiyi—who usually stayed holed up in her room—had decided to drag a pile of books to the table as well.

“I’m giving the books some sun,” she had said.

Felyn rested his face on one hand and looked at the young lady across from him, who had dozed off mid-study. Her hand still clutched a pen tightly, while the other remained in the middle of flipping a page.

A few strands of black hair had slipped onto her notebook, softening her features.

Her head tilted slightly forward, and the golden sunlight reached eagerly for her cheek, coating it in a warm, radiant glow.

Her breathing had become light and steady. With her deep green eyes closed, she seemed even more delicate and serene, carrying a soft, girlish charm.

Felyn rubbed his tired eyes and rested his head on the table, planning to take a quick nap as well.

It had been a while since Daiyi moved in with him. Over time, Felyn had grown used to having her around the house.

Sometimes, he even forgot that their relationship was bound by a contract.

After all, all he really needed to do was take care of her daily life. Nothing more. And truthfully, she was incredibly easy to care for—never picky with food, always eating whatever he made, and finishing every last bite.

That was a rare quality. When he used to cook for Zervanie, that young lady wouldn’t touch half the things he made.

[Felyn, are you busy?]

Just as he was about to drift off, a vibration from his Communication Seal startled him.

It was a message from Zervanie.

[Was just about to take a nap.]

[Oh, then I won’t bother you. Sleep well!]

Across Saiwa, in the Dunk District—

Inside a room with its curtains drawn tight, Zervanie lay on her stomach on the bed, legs swaying in the air.

She clutched the Communication Seal tightly in both hands, waiting for Felyn’s reply.

Normally, this was when Felyn would say something like, “It’s fine. If there’s something you want to talk about, just say it.”

[Alright.]

But to her surprise, Felyn didn’t probe at all. He just followed her words and left it at that.

“Felyn! Aren’t you the least bit curious about me…”

Zervanie pouted, her legs falling still.

She had thought that after their trip to the dungeon, things between her and Felyn might improve a little.

Even just a little would’ve been enough.

But now it seemed… there was no change at all!

Felyn didn’t even want to talk to her!

Unbelievable!

Though disappointment filled her heart, Zervanie still replied with a cute, smiling emoji:

[(*￣︶￣)]

“I’ll just wait until Felyn wakes up to message him again…”

Hugging a plush doll, Zervanie rolled back and forth on her bed.

She wore only a short nightdress, nothing underneath. The hem barely covered the tops of her thighs.

“Felyn… when will you finally understand me…”

The room was full of the girl’s unspoken longing.

Buzz. Buzz.

The Communication Seal by her pillow began to vibrate. Zervanie rolled across the bed and quickly checked the message.

[Zervanie, aren’t you attending the event today?]

It was Felyn! He messaged me first!

She immediately sat up on the bed, a bright smile dancing in her eyes.

[Hehe, it’s a rest day today! Did you get a good rest yesterday, Felyn? I slept all the way until noon!]

The light in her room grew warmer as Zervanie hummed a cheerful tune. Her body swayed side to side, and her hair swept rhythmically across the bedsheets.

[Ah, yeah. I got some good rest yesterday.]

[Weren’t you going to nap just now? Can’t sleep? Did I bother you? (○T_T○)]

[Yeah, as an apology, please send me a signed photo of yourself.]

What’s so great about a signed photo?!

Why don’t I just give you myself instead, Felyn?!

Zervanie giggled at her own thoughts as she stared at the Communication Seal, imagining the day she could say that to him in person.

Meanwhile, Felyn leaned back in his chair, absentmindedly staring at the glowing seal.

It was a good time for a nap, but he just couldn’t fall asleep. He was never really used to midday rests anyway.

Mostly because he never had the time for it.

[Zervanie, thanks for looking after me yesterday.]

To his surprise, Zervanie had been unexpectedly reliable. She didn’t make any unreasonable demands and supported him silently from behind.

The enhancement seals she used were expensive and hard to come by.

Judging by how many she burned through, Felyn had definitely taken a huge favor from her yesterday.

He then saw her reply pop up immediately with a cheerful "no problem" emoji.

[Felyn, are you attending the student council festival meeting?]

At last, Zervanie asked what she had really wanted to say.

[Yeah, Adelina messaged me about it this morning.]

[That’s great! I was worried I’d feel awkward without someone I know in the office. But if you’re there, I’ll feel way more relaxed.]

[Stop talking nonsense. You’re hardly the shy type. I just hope the office doesn’t get overrun by your fan club.]

[Hehe, see you tomorrow! (≧▽≦)/]

[See you tomorrow.]

A voice interrupted him.

“Chatting with another girl again?”

Felyn looked up from the seal screen to see Daiyi, who was smoothing out her hair with a calm expression.

A faint blush colored her cheeks. Her deep green eyes blinked sleepily under long lashes, gradually regaining their usual clarity.

Felyn set the Communication Seal aside and stretched.

“Are you jealous?” he asked teasingly.

“Mmhmm. Don’t boys like it when girls get jealous? Makes my love for you stand out more.”

“Don’t emphasize things that don’t even exist,” Felyn shot back.

Then, as if by reflex, his gaze drifted down toward Daiyi’s chest.

Also lacking in existence.

Daiyi noticed. She lowered her head to look at her own chest, then lightly pressed her lips together.

It seemed like she wanted to say something in protest, but her lips simply opened and closed without sound.

Her arms crossed in front of her chest—the last stand of her pride. Her deep green eyes glared daggers at Felyn.

“I-I didn’t mean it like that. It’s cute the way it is.”

Felyn watched a faint pink blush slowly creep across her pale skin and realized he may have gone too far.

“I’m so sorry for being this adorable, Mr. Felyn.”

Seeing that she still hadn’t forgiven him, Felyn resorted to his ultimate move.

“How about I make Karulisir-style grilled fish for dinner tonight?” The dish was such a hassle that preparing it took at least an hour.

Daiyi’s eyes widened slightly, and she bit her lower lip.

“Two fish.”

“Deal.”

She let out a small hum. The thought of her favorite dish being served that evening visibly brightened her mood.

“But wait… I thought you had a client meeting tonight?”

The memory struck her all of a sudden.

“Yeah, the Saturday session got moved to Sunday.”

“Do you still have time, then? If not, we can have grilled fish another day.”

“I’ve got time. The appointment’s late tonight—it won’t interfere.”

Felyn flipped through the planner beside him. The scheduled service for Princess Dorothy had been pushed back to Monday at 1 a.m.

After returning from the Capital, Dorothy had been constantly busy. Their contractual sessions kept getting delayed.

Felyn leaned back over the table, picked up his pen, and resumed studying.

It had been quite a while since he last saw Dorothy. Truthfully, Felyn didn’t dislike that gentle, adorable princess.

What’s she up to now, I wonder… Maybe dozing off by the window.

Oh, right—Dorothy should be receiving the last batch of Zervanie’s signed fan letters today.

More money coming in soon.

That letter, packed with Zervanie’s love, finally made its way to Dorothy’s door.

“Lady Dorothy! Princess Dorothy, please have mercy! I really don’t know anything!”

“Hmph. You’ve been very naughty.”

Long pink-purple hair and a flowing white gown looked completely out of place in the underground interrogation chamber.

There were no windows, only dim lighting.

In the dark chamber, Dorothy lifted her skirt and carefully stepped around the bloodstains on the floor.

Before her knelt a trembling prisoner—someone connected to the incident involving Adelina’s attack in the Capital District.

“I swear I don’t know anything about Felyn. He’s just a down-and-out noble—why would he ever be our target? We only did a little tinkering with Adelina from the Claude family. Princess, I’ve told you everything I know. Please… let me go.”

Dorothy’s smile vanished.

The purple glow in her eyes deepened.

“What did you just say?”

Her sweet, syrupy voice turned cold as ice—perfectly suited to a dungeon.

(End of Chapter)