The corners of the maiden's lips in his arms first curved into a reserved arc, then slowly softened, beginning to rise uncontrollably.

Viloti smiled.

Although she always said her smile wasn't pretty, Felyn thought Viloti's smile suited her very well.

Her amber eyes rippled with light, hiding happiness deep within them.

Viloti was very light, allowing Felyn to lift her with ease.

Viloti was very soft, making Felyn feel as if he were holding a plush doll.

Viloti was also very fragrant. A faint citrus scent slowly emanated from his embrace, soothing Felyn's heart.

Her long pink hair cascaded over his arm, tickling him as it continuously wrapped around.

She turned slightly in his arms, wrapping her hands around Felyn's neck and gently rubbing her forehead against his chest.

So this was what it felt like to be held by Felyn.

To be able to hear Felyn's heartbeat, to feel as if she had been pulled into his world by him.

Felyn, who she thought would refuse her as he had in the past, had actually lifted her into his arms.

Viloti felt that everything was unreal, like a dream.

She secretly peeked at Felyn's eyes from under her lashes, and when she found Felyn looking back at her, Viloti shyly averted her gaze.

(I think... I think I like Felyn even more now.)

"Felyn, am I heavy?"

"Not at all, you're very light. You should eat more usually."

She hummed softly in agreement, the blush at the tips of her ears already betraying her emotions.

Felyn could feel the warmth of the girl in his arms, and he could feel her heartbeat as she lay against him.

The breath of youth, the vitality of life, all the beauty in the world seemed to be present in the body he held.

Felyn felt that this could also be considered psychological therapy, an extension of the contract.

But was it really?

Obviously, since Viloti had said so, then this counted as part of it.

But in truth, everyone knew clearly that it didn't count.

Felyn's bottom line was constantly being challenged by the various young ladies, and it was constantly retreating.

Perhaps one day, due to a certain event, in the arms of a certain young lady, that bottom line would completely disappear.

"Felyn..." Viloti murmured, calling his name softly as she lay in his arms.

"What is it?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to call your name."

She hugged Felyn's neck tightly, unwilling to let go.

Smelling the scent on Felyn, Viloti instantly thought of many things.

From a few years ago when Felyn was constantly by her side taking care of her, to Felyn's sudden departure, and then to her constantly chasing after Felyn.

She had experienced so many things along the way, so many that Viloti couldn't fully recall them all at once.

But none of that mattered anymore.

The past was like smoke; let it dissipate with the fireworks over Seiva tonight.

The only things that remained were Felyn's embrace and her own heartbeat.

That was the proof that she liked Felyn.

"Felyn, we're graduating today."

"Yeah."

"Then... can we still see each other in the future?"

"Who knows."

Felyn felt the maiden's breath in his arms penetrate the fabric, gently caressing his chest.

After leaving this school, what would the future be like?

No one knew.

"But... but I want to be with you forever."

Viloti looked up, finally meeting Felyn's gaze.

"I missed out on so many things before. By the time I noticed, we had very little time left together."

Felyn also looked at the Viloti in his arms, at her somewhat moist eyes.

"I'm sorry, Felyn. I feel like I wasn't very good to you in the past."

"Why bring that up all of a sudden?"

Viloti's fingertips began to trace across Felyn's chest. "Because I always think about how you used to be by my side, and I just ignored you."

"Viloti, do you want to go back to the past?"

Viloti's eyelashes paused for a moment, a complex emotion flashing through her amber eyes.

Then she shook her head gently.

"If it's possible, I'd rather create memories with Felyn in the future."

"Is... that so..."

Viloti no longer missed the Felyn from the contract; the one she liked was not the Felyn from the contract.

So she didn't want to go back to the past; she wanted to create a future with Felyn.

"Felyn, if we go to school in the Royal Capital District together, can we be together again?"

"Theoretically, yes, but that's on the condition that I can get in."

"Felyn, I believe in you. You can get in."

"Yeah, I think so too."

After a while, Viloti felt that Felyn seemed to be about to put her down, and she began to act cute in a soft voice.

"Felyn, can I not get down?"

"But I feel like the door is about to start warping. It's a bit dangerous, so we should get out of here as soon as possible."

"Then... then can you hug me more in the future?" Viloti looked up and said softly.

"Hugs come with a fee."

The two looked at each other and smiled, each seeing the other's smiling face in their eyes.

Viloti got down from Felyn's arms, a strand of hair sticking to the corner of her mouth.

Her hands still lingered around Felyn's neck, reluctant to part.

(I have lots and lots of money. You can hold me for a lifetime.)

The vibration of the communication sigil on Viloti's body disturbed their private world. Viloti's gaze finally moved away from Felyn.

It was her father.

Viloti also happened to see countless messages from Adeline and Zervanie on her communication sigil.

"Father, is something wrong?"

"Viloti, where are you now?"

Viloti glanced around the changing room. "Outside. Is something wrong?"

"Come to the VIP room in the main building. People from the Church of Truth are here. The Elder and the future Divine Child are both here tonight. Third Princess Laetitia and Fifth Princess Dorothy are also here. You should come and meet the future Divine Child of the Church of Truth."

"But Father..."

"I'm not trying to make you get on good terms with her. I just want you to see what the future Divine Child is like. It will be very helpful for you in the future. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

"Understood, Father."

Viloti nodded, holding the communication sigil in both hands, and glanced at Felyn with some reluctance.

"By the way, how are things between you and that Felyn fellow? Did he confess to you tonight?"

"Father!" Viloti exclaimed in a low voice. "I'm the one who likes him... it's not him who likes me," Viloti said softly to the other side of the sigil, turning away.

Viloti thought she heard the sound of her father's heart breaking.

Silafiel continued, "A-anyway, don't worry, I'll make a move tonight. I also think highly of that Felyn fellow. Since you like him, you must live a good life with him in the future. Back in my day..."

After that, Lord Silafiel began to recount his memories. Viloti didn't listen attentively, as she had already heard it countless times.

What truly concerned her was Silafiel's phrase, "I'll make a move."

(How is Father going to make a move?)

At the same time, Felyn's communication sigil also rang.

It was a message from Bernice.

[Felyn, Miss Olivia has recovered.]

[Thanks, Bernice.]

[But I need you to come over right away.]

[I know.]

The lounge.

This was where Olivia was. Bernice had brought her here for treatment.

The air seemed to freeze into ice.

After receiving Felyn's reply, Bernice looked up at the two people in front of her.

Olivia was currently sitting in a wheelchair, her hands resting on her knees, her face bearing the indifference of a god looking down on ants.

The armrests of the wheelchair reflected the flickering fireworks outside the window, casting a cold-toned halo around her.

And opposite her was the Elder of the Church of Truth, Daiyi's father, Aurelian.

The Church Elder and the Heretical God stared at each other, an invisible pressure permeating the air.

(End of Chapter)