CHAPTER 181: A TASTE OF WARMTH

The three of them walked down the long marble hallway, their footsteps echoing softly through the empty corridor.

The tall windows on their right flooded the passage with afternoon light, casting a warm glow across the polished floor. The air was quiet, peaceful—only the faint sound of birds outside filled the silence.

Fran was walking ahead again, humming lightly, her tail swaying behind her. Dila walked just behind her, calm but still distant, her eyes half-lowered, while Jade walked beside her, keeping a respectful distance after what had happened earlier.

After a few moments, Jade spoke, his tone gentle but cautious. "Hmm... I heard something bad happened today," he said softly, glancing at Dila.

The moment the words left his mouth, Dila’s eyes shot toward him—cold and sharp. "Shut it," she said quietly, her voice trembling faintly with irritation.

Jade blinked in surprise, stopping mid-step. His shoulders stiffened as guilt flashed across his face. "Ah—my apologies," he said quickly, bowing his head deeply, his voice careful. "I didn’t mean to bring up something painful."

Dila exhaled through her nose and muttered, "Stop bowing..." without even turning her gaze toward him. Her voice was flat, but tired, not truly angry—just worn out.

Jade straightened slowly, rubbing the back of his neck with an awkward smile. "Right... sorry again," he said softly.

Fran, walking ahead, glanced back at them and couldn’t help but giggle. "Prince Jade," she said through her laughter, "the look on your face is so funny right now!"

Her laughter echoed down the hall, light and innocent. She even held her stomach, laughing more as her cat ears twitched.

Jade blinked, pointing at himself in disbelief. "Huh? Really?" he said, chuckling weakly, trying to play along. "You think i really look that funny?"

Fran nodded, still giggling uncontrollably. "Y-yes! You looked like a puppy that got scolded!" she said between laughs, her tail flicking playfully.

Jade could only laugh awkwardly, scratching his cheek. "Haha... I suppose I deserved that," he said with a shy smile.

Meanwhile, Dila just kept walking forward, her eyes on the floor, her silver-white hair swaying with each step. She didn’t look at him once. "Hmmp..." she murmured quietly, as if unimpressed, though the faint pink on her cheeks hinted otherwise.

The sunlight from the tall windows washed over the three of them—Fran still giggling, Jade smiling with quiet embarrassment, and Dila walking silently, her emotions tucked behind her calm, distant gaze. The hallway felt alive again, filled with the soft warmth of laughter and the slow healing of a moment that could’ve easily stayed heavy.

Fran suddenly stopped in her tracks, her cat ears twitching as she sniffed the air. "Ow, ow, ow!" she said dramatically, tugging at Dila’s arm. "The cafeteria is about to close, sister! Hurry, hurry!" Her voice was filled with urgency and playful panic all at once.

Before Dila could even react, Fran had already latched onto her arm with both hands, pulling her along the hallway. "Wait, Fran—!" Dila said, startled, trying to keep her balance as her sandals clicked quickly against the marble floor. Her long silver hair fluttered behind her, and the hem of her academy uniform brushed the air with each hurried step.

Fran was practically skipping, dragging Dila along with surprising strength for her small frame. "We can’t miss lunch again!" she said, her tail flicking side to side in excitement. "They might still have pudding left, hurry, hurry!"

Dila sighed, half-exasperated, half-amused. "You’re always like this," she said, her voice soft but with a faint, helpless smile. Despite her earlier gloom, the sight of Fran’s infectious energy started to warm her heart again.

Down the hall, Jade watched them for a moment, a small smile curving at his lips. The sound of Fran’s laughter echoed faintly, mixed with Dila’s tired chuckle. He shook his head slightly, brushing a strand of dark hair from his eyes.

"The princess’s sister never ceases to amaze me," he said quietly to himself, his voice carrying a mix of fondness and amusement. There was something strangely refreshing about watching the two sisters—so different, yet so close.

He adjusted the collar of his uniform, straightened his capelet, and followed after them with calm steps. The light from the tall windows gleamed off the polished floor, and the air carried a faint, sweet scent from the cafeteria ahead.

As the wide double doors of the cafeteria came into view—still slightly ajar and glowing with warm afternoon light—Fran cheered, "We made it!" pulling Dila faster while Dila could only laugh softly, letting herself be dragged along by her sister’s unstoppable energy.

Behind them, Jade’s gentle laughter echoed down the empty hall as he followed, his heart lighter than before.

Fran burst through the cafeteria doors first, her excitement radiating like sunlight. The silver serving trays gleamed under the hanging lamps, and the air was filled with the sweet smell of bread and cream. She darted to a nearby counter, grabbed a plate, and turned toward her sister with sparkling eyes.

"Sis, sis, sis! Grab this plate!" Fran called out with pure energy. Without waiting for a response, she practically shoved the plate into Dila’s chest.

"Wait—!" Dila gasped, fumbling for it before catching it against her uniform. The metal clattered softly in her hands. She blinked, sighing, but couldn’t hide the faint smile tugging at her lips as Fran bolted away.

Across the buffet line, Fran was already leaning forward on her toes, eyes scanning the trays. "Pudding! Pudding! Pudding! Yeheyyy!" she cheered, tail flicking back and forth like an excited ribbon. The kitchen staff looked up, startled, then laughed softly as the cheerful cat girl celebrated her discovery.

Dila exhaled, shaking her head with a helpless smile. "Fran is cute as always," she murmured under her breath.

Then, from behind her, a low, calm voice brushed close to her ear—too close.

"Hey," Jade whispered near her neck, his tone light and teasing. At the same time, his hand gently touched her elbow, as though trying to guide her.

Dila froze. Her breath caught in her throat, her body stiffened, and her blue eyes widened.

In a sharp motion, she turn around and yanked herself free and stepped back, her cheeks flaring red. "P-pervert!" she shouted, clutching the plate tightly against her chest.

Jade stumbled half a step, his expression startled. He quickly raised both hands in surrender, laughing nervously. "Oww—wait! That’s not what it looked like!" he said, his tone sheepish.

Her glare burned through him. "What’s your deal?!" she snapped, her voice trembling between anger and embarrassment. Her silver hair fluttered slightly from the motion, and the edge of her cape swayed behind her.

Jade gave a soft, apologetic smile, lowering his hands but still looking amused. "I’m sorry," he said gently, his green eyes glinting with mischief. "It’s just... you’re so cute when you’re flustered."

"What?! Just for that?!" Dila shouted, her voice echoing through the quiet cafeteria.

A few students who were sitting cleaning up their face with towel turned their heads, whispering among themselves. Dila’s face burned even redder, her hands tightening on the plate.

Meanwhile, Fran from across the buffet counter peeked over, spoon in her mouth, her tail swaying as she blinked in confusion. "Eh...? What did I miss?" she said with a mouthful of pudding.

Dila turned away in frustration, muttering under her breath. "Unbelievable..."

Jade just chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck, the warm light catching on his green eyes as he said quietly, "Worth it, though."

The air inside the cafeteria still carried the warm scent of freshly baked bread and pudding and any other foods. Fran stood there, holding her silver plate with both hands, grinning like a little child about to snatch her favorite dessert. But Dila, still clearly annoyed from earlier, rubbed her forehead and sighed.

"Fran..." she said softly, her tone half tired, half serious. "Please have some decency.... use your plate to put food in it properly and head to the table."

Fran blinked, then her cat ears twitched playfully. A bright smile crossed her face as she held the plate close to her chest now has bread and pudding. "Okay, okay, sis~" she chimed, swaying her tail behind her as she walked off toward the buffet.

Dila let out a quiet sigh, watching her go. The irritation in her eyes slowly faded into a faint smile. There was always something about Fran’s lightheartedness that softened her mood, no matter how flustered she’d been moments before.

Behind the counter, one of the cafeteria staff chuckled at Fran waving one hand energetically. "Bye, cat girl!" the woman called out, laughing warmly.

Fran turned around slowly mid-step, her blue hair swishing as she waved back cheerfully. "Bye!" she answered in her bright, sing-song tone.

Dila couldn’t help but smile again, her fingers gently clutching her plate. Even Jade, who stood a few steps away, found himself quietly smiling too as the golden light from the cafeteria windows reflected in Dila’s soft blue eyes.