“Then… were you sincere with me too?”

As soon as Zervanie said that, she regretted it.

She saw Felyn visibly pause.

What am I doing?!

Why did I ask that?!

Doesn’t that just expose the fact that I still care about Felyn? He might not want to be friends with me anymore!

Under Zervanie’s careful and nervous gaze, Felyn came back to his senses and smiled at her.

“No. I did it for money.”

As he said this, the super-popular imperial songstress across from him puffed up her cheeks, her delicate face scrunching in frustration. Her lips pouted slightly, making Felyn burst out laughing.

“Hahaha—just kidding.”

“Of course it wasn’t just for the money.”

The awkward mood in the air was quickly broken by Felyn’s teasing.

“Back then, your requests were pretty demanding. It was a real challenge for me.”

Felyn, for the first time, talked to Zervanie about their past. “But you paid really well. You were one of my most generous clients. I actually found those days pretty enjoyable. With that much money, and five times the overtime pay, honestly, I was hoping you’d keep me busy every night.”

“When you suddenly said you wanted to marry me, I was shocked.”

Hearing him bring that up made Zervanie nervously clutch her knees.

“You must’ve been emotionally dependent on me at the time, that’s why you proposed. But looking back now, there’s a huge gap between us that we can never cross. The idea of us getting married… was never realistic.”

Felyn stole a glance at her face, trying to read her expression.

It was a tactic—get Zervanie to lower her guard, then bring the topic of romance back up again.

He needed to constantly assess whether she still had any lingering, inappropriate feelings for him.

But Zervanie’s expression stayed calm and composed. Felyn couldn’t detect anything.

Of course he couldn’t—because beneath the table, Zervanie had dug her nails into her own thighs, leaving red marks.

She was using pain to maintain her calm facade, forcing down the sorrow threatening to show on her face.

She didn’t want Felyn to know she still liked him.

“The fact that my client got emotionally invested in my role just proves I was doing my job well,” Felyn continued patching things up. “But if I caught feelings and tried to marry into a noble house—that’d be childish.”

Even though Felyn believed Zervanie no longer had romantic feelings for him, he still needed to remind himself again and again: there could be nothing between them.

“You’re still amazing, Felyn. You really know how to take care of people.” That was all Zervanie could say. She couldn’t bring herself to agree with his words about the “huge gap” or “marriage is not realistic.”

She didn’t care about any of that. She just wanted to be with Felyn.

But she couldn’t refute him. All she could do was go along with it—watch him say those words without being able to stop him.

It hurt. Zervanie wanted to cry, but she didn’t dare. She wanted to shout, but couldn’t.

She had made mistakes. This was her punishment.

It’s okay, Zervanie. Just get through this. If you endure long enough, maybe Felyn’s opinion of you will improve. After all, you were so reckless before.

She forced her emotions down and watched him clean the little sculptures carefully.

“You make different ones for each of your clients, don’t you?” she asked.

“Yeah. Everyone has different preferences. I will make sure to remember them.”

Zervanie blinked her icy-blue eyes. An idea came to mind.

She wouldn’t give up on Felyn so easily. She was a lot like Adeline in that way—once she set her mind to something, she didn’t back down. That’s how she became the Empire’s most beloved songstress with just her looks and voice.

“You remember all of them?”

“Of course.”

“I don’t believe it. There’s no way you can remember that much.”

“Hmph. Zervanie, don’t underestimate me.”

When it came to his profession, even if Felyn knew it was a trap, he couldn’t resist taking the bait—that’s just how men are.

“What’s my favorite food? What time do I usually sleep? What’s my favorite color? Least favorite color…?”

Felyn answered instantly, barely even pausing.

“You like creamy stew, especially with Oris celery added. You usually sleep after 3AM. Your favorite color is blue, and you hate white.”

Pride sparkled in his eyes. Ha! Easy.

Meanwhile, Zervanie’s eyes brimmed with affection. He still remembers everything about me…

Somehow, both sides had won.

“One last question. What’s your favorite part of my body?”

Felyn was too full of himself and didn’t hit the brakes in time—he answered without thinking.

“Your waist!”

“……”

He fell silent.

Oh no.

I just exposed myself as a total perv.

How did I let that slip?! I really need to stop getting cocky!

But seriously, Zervanie’s waist was amazing!

Dammit!

Even when Zervanie teased him relentlessly during their sessions, even if she appeared completely nude in front of him, Felyn had no interest whatsoever. He’d just say:

“Put your clothes on. You’ll catch a cold.”

He wouldn’t even get a reaction.

But only Zervanie’s waist…

That was different.

There was a unique beauty to it—unlike the deliberately sculpted waists of noble ladies. The curves on her sides flowed like a stream, from her belly to her waistline and down to her hips.

The twin dimples just above her hips looked like divine markings—making her back inexplicably alluring.

Even Zervanie hadn’t expected Felyn to actually answer the question.

She was a little dazed—not because she couldn’t accept the answer, but because she thought he’d prefer her face, her breast, her legs, or her butt. But the waist?

She lowered her head and gently tapped her own waist. In a voice only she could hear, she whispered, “Thank goodness… I’m so glad you still like me.”

Stay strong. You’ve made him like you again.

Time to focus.

The shopkeeper looked at the two clearly awkward young people and couldn’t help but think: Wait a minute… Did they do something shady in my shop?! If you’re gonna mess around, do it at a hotel! I’ve got a business to run!

“Ahem. The rules are simple. Just beat the shop record of 2000 points, and you win the Eternal Flavor Spoon Wok.”

“Wait, why is it 2000 points?” Zervanie asked. “Wasn’t the record way lower? This Disc Hunt Challenge is super hard. Highest scores usually only reach the 700s or 800s.”

“780 was yesterday’s record, miss,” the shopkeeper replied with a sheepish smile.

“This morning, a girl with short black-and-red-streaked hair came in and broke the record. I didn’t even see her movements, one throw per second, it felt like. Took the record from 830 to 2000.”

It had only happened this morning, so not many people knew yet.

The shopkeeper was exploiting this information gap to trick unsuspecting customers into paying the 500 crown entry fee.

When Felyn heard “black-and-red-streaked hair,” his whole body stiffened.

You. It’s definitely you!

Why the hell were you slacking off and playing this stupid disc hunt challenge instead of guarding Daiyi like you’re supposed to?!

And how the hell did you get 2000 points?!

But there was no backing out. They’d already paid.

No choice but to go for it.

Zervanie gently wiped down the wooden seal gun in front of her. The white barrel reflected the light overhead.

“Felyn, why do you want that Eternal Flavor Spoon Wok so badly?”

She figured there was no way the two of them could break the 2000-point record, so she wasn’t all that serious about the game.

“Because I like cooking. Not just for myself, cooking for family and friends is its own kind of happiness,” Felyn explained, twirling the wooden seal gun in his hand.

“If we actually win the pot, you can come eat at my place too, Zervanie. You helped, after all.”

I can go eat at Felyn’s house!

I can go to Felyn’s house!!

I, Zervanie, will make it happen!

“Zervanie, you okay?”

Felyn glanced at her and noticed the shift—her entire aura had changed. Her once-gentle eyes were now full of fierce determination.

He started to wonder if she might break the store apart with that gun of hers.

But if she was serious, then maybe—just maybe—the two of them could actually beat Bernice’s record.

The disc hunt challenge was about to start, and a crowd had gathered to watch.

Including a certain hat-wearing girl who had been browsing gifts alone earlier.

The crowd jostled around, and her hat got nudged up slightly—revealing a hint of soft, pink hair.

Five minutes later.

“Thank you for playing!”

Zervanie slumped over the counter, staring hopelessly at the scoreboard: 1340 points.

Even with both her and Felyn combined… only 1340.

Who the hell can get 2000?! Are they even human?!

Felyn didn’t expect Zervanie to be more upset than him. She was banging the table nonstop, her head buried in her arms. He had no choice but to try and comfort her.

Turns out she was just like Adeline—losing a game hit her hard.

But it wasn’t really the game that broke Zervanie’s heart.

It was the lost chance to go to Felyn’s house.

Damn you, shopkeeper. This isn’t over!

In her mind, she ran through countless plans.

She could reveal her identity and beg for the pot… or maybe trade a few autographs.

Just as she gathered her resolve and lifted her head, both she and Felyn spotted a familiar figure.

“Let’s go again, Felyn.”

It was none other than Viloti Silafiel.

She wore an off-white lace dress, a teddy bear-shaped purse slung across her shoulder, and white lace socks paired with casual shoes.

“Welcome! But… this event is for couples only,” the shopkeeper explained awkwardly.

He hadn’t expected anyone to try again. Most gave up after one attempt.

“As long as they’re lovers, right?”

Viloti walked up to the shopkeeper. Her icy expression and powerful aura made him instinctively take two steps back.

“Y-Yeah… as long as they’re lovers.”

He mentally braced himself. Just a little girl. Even if she plays with that boy, they’ll never reach 2000 points. They’re just throwing money at me.

“Then we’ll participate as a trio.”

Viloti pointed at Zervanie and Felyn.

The moment she said that, the whole shop fell silent.

“Th-Three people?” the shopkeeper blinked, wondering if he misheard.

“Yeah. Three. There’s no rule about the number of players. I checked.”

Viloti stepped beside Felyn, then turned to the shopkeeper and added, “She and I are both Felyn’s lovers. Let’s begin.”

(End of Chapter)

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep