Chapter 59
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: 25. Wilderness Festival
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Celine stared blankly at Varkan's retreating figure as he vanished like a shot arrow, dragging Evan along with him.
Her white hand, outstretched to grab her disappearing brother, sliced through empty air before falling limply with a thud.
"...What the hell is that guy?"
She bore some responsibility herself for not holding onto her brother more firmly.
She had no intention of blaming him... but even so, deep in her heart.
She couldn't help the resentment surging up against Varkan for whisking her brother away like that.
"Hehe... It's disappointing, but what can you do? Since it's come to this, let's go enjoy the festival ourselves."
"Mm."
At Elysia's words as she gently tugged at her sleeve, she nodded reluctantly.
Her gaze lingered wistfully on the door where Evan had disappeared, but there was no helping it.
The academy was vast, but surely they'd run into him again while wandering around.
'Next time, I'll definitely tell him to stick together.'
As they hurriedly gathered their things and moved to leave the classroom.
"Miss Elysia. Miss Celine. Got a moment?"
A familiar voice rang out, blocking their path.
Turning toward the sudden call, there stood Iris.
Her silver hair gleamed dazzlingly in the sunlight pouring through the window.
Chin raised proudly, a soft smile curving her lips.
She approached with not a single falter in her stride.
"Oh my. Liel? What's up?"
Elysia smiled warmly and asked.
They occasionally shared meals when they bumped into each other at the cafeteria, but it was rare for her to strike up a conversation first.
So this sudden approach felt both welcoming and a bit odd.
"The festival's started—how about we hang out together?"
As if reading their confusion.
She continued with a bright, fresh smile.
"Together?"
"Yeah. Don't really have anyone to go with. Feels awkward alone. That okay?"
"Oh, no issue for us. Then let's..."
Elysia glanced at Celine, who gave a small nod as if it was fine.
As Elysia was about to accept cheerfully, Iris slipped in an addition.
"And... do you happen to know where Young Master Evan went?"
"Oppa just left with a guy named Varkan."
At Celine's reply, Iris's eyes flashed sharply for an instant.
"...That barbarian man."
She seemed to mull it over briefly, then flashed a radiant smile again.
"Then we should hurry. Before we miss him."
"Huh? Miss who?"
"Nothing. Just mumbling to myself."
Iris waved it off casually and took the lead.
"Shall we? Time to enjoy the festival."
"How long are you planning to keep wandering around?"
"I dunno."
"...Isn't this enough fun already? I just want to head back."
"Like I said, I don't know."
"...Haa."
Brushing off Kaien's grumbling that started up after just a few steps.
I dragged my own leaden feet forward with effort.
No matter how much you gripe, there's nothing I can do about it.
You think I want to be doing this?
If things had gone to plan, I'd be lounging in my dorm bed right now.
'Well, he knows that and keeps going anyway.'
"Uuu... My legs hurt so bad now..."
"Tell Varkan and he'll sling you over his side like before. Want me to?"
"N-No! It's f-fine!"
Toward Hyera, who was kneading her calves with a pitiful expression.
I jerked my chin at Varkan striding ahead, and she went pale, shaking her head frantically.
A desperate refusal, as if she'd die before enduring that luggage-like humiliation again.
Well, it wasn't exactly a cheerful sight, so I got it.
"...Oh my, seriously?"
"Isn't that the S-class this semester?"
"That's the Raven Ducal heir, right?"
"Weird group."
Our odd procession drew stares everywhere in the academy.
A nearly two-meter barbarian brute, the ducal heir, and me—everyone knew.
Whispers mingled with the stares I'd grown used to.
Fine. Let them chatter.
From the moment I landed in the elite S-class.
Like it or not, freedom from prying eyes was off the table.
But my real agony? Just one thing.
This endless festival sightseeing with no end in sight.
Did that guy's stamina know no bounds? He was rampaging everywhere without tiring.
'...Just use Authority and bail?'
Seriously weighing escape, witnesses be damned.
Right then.
"Evan!"
A familiar voice from ahead.
Carried on a whoosh of sweet floral scent.
Lifting my head, three beauties parted the crowd.
Each radiating unique allure, like a living masterpiece.
Celine and Elysia waving joyfully, hair whipping as they approached.
Iris trailing a step behind.
We were magnets for eyes already—now with them, the stares multiplied, prickling my skin.
But honestly.
Seeing them approach like that... it was...
'A straight-up date scene.'
Overlapping perfectly with The Glory's moments of Iris charming the heroines on dates.
They'd fallen easily for her overflowing charisma.
Elysia especially—she'd warmed to her first.
"O-Oppa!"
"Oh my. So this is where everyone was."
"...Kinda ended up together."
Without Varkan, we wouldn't have crossed paths.
As I gazed distantly with a brooding look.
"Still, happy we met?"
"Happy?"
"Yeah. 'Cause Evan said before—don't go alone."
"True... I did."
"You didn't forget? And if together... I wanted you there."
Elysia trailed off, cheeks faintly pink with shyness.
So adorable I nearly gaped, stares forgotten.
But I pinched my thigh hard, forcing composure.
"...Good call. Way better than solo."
She pouted slightly at my deadpan reply.
"Fate brought us together—let's all go!"
Like her pout never happened, she beamed sunnily.
No chance to respond—she sidled up naturally.
Looping her arm through mine.
Soft, springy fullness pressed fully against my arm.
"...Kkh."
The sensation shot nerves to my brain—I stifled a groan.
One thin shirt between—her warmth and curves hit raw.
"..."
"...Again."
As she linked arms casually.
While I wrestled down the feel flooding my arm.
"...Eli? Oppa's uncomfortable—better stop."
Rin spoke urgently from beside, watching.
Her voice flat, emotionless—far from her usual poise.
The original Celine I'd known? Never clashed with heroines or comrades.
Only issue: me.
'...Another divergence?'
Steadying with detached calm.
Strange tone from Celine puzzled me.
"...Uncomfortable?"
Elysia perked her ears, head cocked cluelessly at me.
Perk perk.
Pointed ears twitching cutely—their loaded stares pinned me.
"..."
"..."
One second stretched eternally.
I pondered for real.
Uncomfortable? Hell no—the opposite.
Too good. Maddeningly so.
That's the issue.
Too damn good.
Acting on it? Risky—who knows the fallout?
No clue if it'd drag me to Evan Dreadnote's doomed fate.
No thanks.
"...I'm fine. But stares might stir trouble?"
Forced even tone.
Parting from this plush marshmallow soon.
Regret crashed inwardly—no choice.
"Stares?"
Elysia tilted innocently.
Her pure expression choked my words.
"You're Arden Ducal lady, right?"
"Yes?"
"...This intimacy? Could spark rumors."
Subtext: Ducal heir like her.
Cozying up to a rumored bad-news guy like me.
Could bite her—and her house.
'She'll get it.'
Couched it thoughtfully.
Surely she'd catch on.
"...Hmm."
Clung like glue, unyielding.
Blinked up, head tilt, soft hum—then grinned wide.
"Oh, Evan's okay with it—so fine!"
No—not really fine.
Plus, Iris's eyes behind? Turning scary.
[Absorbing negative emotion 'Anger']
[Absorbing negative emotion 'Jealousy']
[Absorbing negative emotion 'Possessiveness']
Elysia breezed past my words, hugging tighter.
"...Ha."
A short, edged sigh escaped Celine's lips.
Her glare pierced like she wanted to sever Elysia's arm—but the target ignored it.
Instead, she crushed my arm pointedly, grinding those lush curves brazenly closer.
"A-anyway... Drop the arm first and talk...!"
"Oh, Celine. Pull that hard and it'll stretch."
[Absorbing negative emotion 'Anger']
[Absorbing negative emotion 'Jealousy']
[Absorbing negative emotion 'Killing Intent']
Killing intent?
Hey, wait—
"Hng."
A low hum, and a figure filled my vision.
At the center: Iris, lips curled in a beaming smile.
But those blue eyes? Not a shred of warmth.
Like staring into the abyss—chilling frost seemed to emanate.
"Called me pretty."
She flicked her gaze: Elysia on my arm, then Celine.
"Quite the hit with the ladies, Young Master Evan."
Silky voice, thorns sharp as a blade down my spine.
Cold sweat beaded at the loaded tone.
"No, this isn't..."
Before I finished, she closed the gap.
Suddenly nose-to-nose, locking eyes.
Breath-mingling close.
Red lips parted in a low whisper.
"Were you a playboy?"
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