Chapter 27

Sometimes, when the sunlight fell across his face, it felt like looking at a masterpiece.

‘What would Noel look like when he’s in love?’

She was curious, yet at the same time, she did not want to know.

Because Noel falling in love meant, in other words, that she would become an obstacle.

How many people could have physical contact with someone else while having a lover they loved?

At least the Noel she knew was not that kind of person.

‘But even so, I can’t separate the two of them just to save myself.’

Yvette thought bitterly.

Whatever the circumstances, she had no right to wedge herself between Noel and Liliana.

After all, wasn’t it written in the contract that they would not interfere in each other’s private lives?

‘……Let’s not think useless thoughts. Once the curse is broken, everything will be resolved anyway.’

Yvette forced down her bitter feelings.

The reason she had come to the reunion today was to find Kerbel.

If she found him and broke the curse, then even if Noel fell in love with Liliana, there would be no problem.

After that, it would not be a matter she needed to concern herself with.

“It seems we’ll be arriving soon.”

That was when it happened.

At the same time Noel opened his mouth, she felt the carriage gradually slowing down.

Yvette flinched and raised her head.

Looking out the window, she saw a long line of carriages lined up ahead.

“There really are a lot of people.”

When she muttered as if in admiration, Noel smiled subtly.

“It’ll be incomparable to the last party.”

“……Hearing that suddenly makes me want to go home.”

Yvette shook her head as if fed up.

At that, Noel let out a soft laugh and continued.

“If you want, we can turn back right now.”

“No. Since we’ve come this far, I should face it.”

Yvette spoke with a determined face.

At last, the carriage carrying the two came to a stop in front of the academy.

“It seems we’ve arrived.”

When Noel rose from his seat first, Yvette unconsciously swallowed dryly.

As the beginning of the original story drew near, she suddenly felt nervous.

‘Now, all that’s left is bumping into Liliana?’

Noel, who had risen first, opened the carriage door and stepped down.

Yvette did not follow immediately and counted to three in her mind.

But contrary to her expectations, nothing happened outside.

‘……What? Did the original story change?’

Yvette stared at the carriage door in bewilderment.

‘It’s definitely today.’

While she was confused, Noel suddenly poked his head into the carriage.

“What are you doing, not getting out?”

Yvette flinched and hurriedly rose from her seat.

It seemed she had delayed too long waiting for Liliana to appear.

“Ah, I’m coming now! I was just straightening my clothes for a moment……”

She hurriedly gathered her things and stepped down from the carriage.

In her rush, she did not think to look around.

And the moment her foot touched the ground—

With a thud, Yvette collided with someone with full force.

“Ouch……”

Yvette, who had fallen on her rear, let out a small groan.

Perhaps she had fallen quite hard, because her tailbone ached.

“Oh my, I’m sorry!”

A shadow fell over her as she groaned.

At the same time, someone spoke to her in a flustered voice.

“Are you hurt anywhere? It looked like you fell hard.”

Someone held out a white, slender hand to Yvette.

Only then could Yvette properly examine the other person’s face.

The other person was a woman with reddish strawberry blonde hair and green eyes like leaves.

She had seen many beauties until now, but this woman shone especially among them.

Should she call it an aura that could not be expressed in words?

Thanks to that, Yvette recognized the woman’s identity at once.

“Liliana……?”

When she cautiously spoke the name, Liliana’s eyes went wide.

She looked extremely surprised.

“Oh my, you know my name?”

Good heavens. To think it really was Liliana.

Yvette hid her bewilderment and hurriedly rose to her feet.

‘Why is Liliana appearing now?’

From the moment she confirmed that the person she had bumped into was Liliana, Yvette’s mind descended into chaos.

Liliana, with no way of knowing Yvette’s circumstances, continued in a worried voice.

“Your complexion doesn’t look good. If you’re in a lot of pain, shall I go bring a physician?”

Yvette, who had been staring blankly at Liliana, finally came to her senses.

“No, I’m fine, so don’t worry!”

Yvette hurriedly shook her head. Her rear ached a little, but it was not enough to call a physician.

“Just in case, please do go see a physician later.”

Perhaps still worried, Liliana earnestly urged her with a serious face.

It was the moment Yvette nodded, saying she would.

“If you’re done with your business, why don’t you let go of that hand now.”

Noel, who had been watching from a step away, cut in between Liliana and Yvette.

He was looking at the hand Liliana held with a displeased expression.

Only then did Yvette realize that Liliana was still holding her hand.

“……Tch.”

A short click of the tongue came from somewhere.

Yvette paused and raised her head.

There, she saw Liliana smiling brightly as if nothing had happened.

“I was so thoughtless. I’m sorry for the brief intrusion.”

Liliana said that and carefully released Yvette’s hand.

A fleeting regret crossed her green eyes, but only Noel noticed it.

“……Are you a student attending the academy?”

Noel, who had inserted himself between them before she knew it, spoke.

His gaze toward Liliana felt quite crooked.

“Thank you for seeing me as young, but I am not a student—I am a professor.”

Liliana let out a short laugh and met Noel’s gaze.

Her smiling face radiated composure.

“……A professor? I’ve never seen your face before.”

Noel said with a furrowed brow.

“I became a professor for the first time this year. It’s understandable that you wouldn’t know.”

Liliana shrugged lightly and looked him up and down.

“From your attire, neither of you look like students. I suppose you’re here for today’s reunion?”

“And if we are?”

“I happened to be on my way there as well. Since we’ve met like this, why don’t we go together?”

“Why should we go with you?”

Noel asked in a cold voice. At that, Liliana tilted her head as if to ask what the problem was.

“We’re heading the same direction anyway, aren’t we? Since we’ve met like this, we may as well go together.”

Whether her answer displeased him, Noel’s face contorted sharply.

But Liliana did not seem to care at all whether he frowned or not.

“Is that not all right?”

Liliana’s gaze passed over Noel and fixed on Yvette.

When their eyes met, Liliana smiled dazzlingly at Yvette.

Looking at those softly curving eyes, Yvette could not bring herself to say no.

“……Then let’s go together, Liliana.”

When Yvette reluctantly nodded, Liliana’s smile grew even deeper.

“Then it’s decided. Let’s hurry and set off before it begins.”

Liliana walked lightly and attached herself to Yvette’s side.

She did not seem to care about Noel at all.

“If walking is uncomfortable, tell me. I’ll support you.”

Liliana said that and gave Yvette a light wink.

At last, the three of them, an unlikely combination, headed toward the party hall where the reunion was being held.