Chapter 31
The moment Rodelia flung the badge, she shot away like an arrow loosed from a bow.
Alferen stared after her vanishing figure, then let out a low, helpless laugh.
“Hah… she’s seriously… too damn cute.”
I had it, but I lost it.
If she truly wanted to hide it, she could have just said “I didn’t make one” and fled.
Yet she threw the badge itself and ran—like a thief whose own feet betray him.
That frantic, guilty silhouette was so adorable it almost hurt.
Still smiling, Alferen reached down and picked up the discarded badge.
On the back of the pink hydrangea she loved so much, his name was carefully embroidered.
He pinned it in the most visible spot on his chest.
His goddess of victory had personally cheered him on.
He would win this match—no matter what.
Alferen brushed his palm with his fingertips.
He had been holding back the urge to see her for days, so the brief contact had hit him like lightning.
It still felt as though she were cradled in his hand.
When it came to Rodelia, his legendary patience evaporated.
That was why he had come to the Peris manor first thing in the morning, using the badge as an excuse.
And the moment he saw her—
All the exhaustion and aching longing of the past days melted away.
The fact that the notorious sleepyhead Rodelia had lost sleep because of him.
The fact that she had clutched his badge in her pocket and agonized over it anyway.
The way her face burst into flame the instant she saw him.
The flustered eyes that held more shyness than displeasure.
Everything had landed exactly where he wanted it.
Alferen felt a rush of triumph, and at the same time his heart caught fire.
“God, I’m losing my mind.”
He pressed reverent lips to his palm, as though it were her skin.
“For my goddess of victory.”
A fervent prayer whispered to a goddess who had already fled.
* * *
Why did you run away like that?
Why throw the badge!
You should’ve just pretended it didn’t exist!
I was in full panic mode from the morning fiasco and kept banging my forehead against the carriage window.
Adrian smoothly blocked it with his palm.
“The players’ waiting area is pretty far from the stands. When we arrive, stick close to May. Don’t wander off alone and trip.”
“Oppa, I’m not a child.”
“In oppa’s eyes, our Delly is still a little baby.”
“Remember that the lump on your head from when that baby hit you is still there.”
I finally landed the long-overdue head-flick on the fleeing Adrian and settled back, satisfied.
Adrian rubbed the bump and murmured dreamily,
“This too is a mark from my goddess of victory…”
When is this sis-complex ever going to disappear?
I rolled my eyes and turned half away from him.
“I’m sitting with the club people anyway.”
“You already made friends?”
“Not exactly friends.”
The Magia members were a chaotic mess, but… I kind of liked them.
Especially the fact that they had zero interest in high-society gossip and were completely obsessed with magic.
After Edwin cleared away every last shard of the broken window, we had all chatted lightly chatted.
“You know the Master of the Magic Tower personally? Could you maybe get me an autograph?”
“An autograph? Planning to forge documents or something?”
“No, I just… want to have it…”
I was genuinely shocked when the usually silent Glaster’s eyes sparkled and he talked a mile a minute.
Somehow the conversation turned to the court tournament, and in the blink of an eye everyone decided to go together.
Lottie clearly wanted to watch with me too.
“I have plenty of tickets.”
I couldn’t refuse.
I already had a stack from Adrian anyway, so it was decided in seconds.
Edwin opted out, grumbling that it sounded annoying.
That was how the group for the tournament was formed.
And I couldn’t bring myself to ignore the two pairs of shining, fanatic eyes that secretly hoped to meet Alferen.
“I can at least let you say hello.”
At my reluctant words, Glaster teared up and Sierra’s lips twitched with joy.
Edwin threw in one lazy line while watching me flustered by their reaction.
“Hey, Delly. If you actually care about Ainluk, you’d better keep those zealots away from him. For his health.”
“It’s Ainluk, not Hainluk.”
“Right. Ainkur.”
“I’m just happy to watch the match with Delly.”
Meanwhile, Lottie—who had quietly switched from “Lady Rodelia” to “Delly”—blushed scarlet.
Her reactions were so cute I kept softening despite myself.
I think I’m getting too swayed.
Maybe because we reunited in such an unexpected place.
The other club members were the same.
They were nothing like typical socialites; their pure reactions made me want to look after them.
I still haven’t decided.
I fidgeted with the ring hanging around my neck, heart still undecided.
Adrian was staring at it with meaningful eyes, but I pretended not to notice.
* * *
Did a demon curse this year or what?
The moment I reached my seat, I wanted to go home.
Of all people, Nanael Barnard was seated right next to me.
Come to think of it, the premium boxes were mostly for royalty and high-ranking nobles.
There were only a few seats, so the chance of ending up beside the princess was high.
How did I not calculate this?
I prayed she wouldn’t notice me, but the gods were not listening today.
Nanael greeted me with an ornate fan half-covering her mouth.
“What a tenacious coincidence.”
Her eyes clearly said, Look what the cat dragged in.
If I moved seats now, it would look like I was running away.
And she would definitely find something to pick on.
I had no choice but to sit—when—
“Delly, that’s my seat.”
Lottie, who had followed behind, suddenly emphasized “my seat” and plopped down right next to Nanael.
It was unmistakably a protective move.
Nanael’s gaze flicked between me and Lottie, then she murmured darkly,
“My, my… first my fiancé, and now my doll too. Lady Rodelia, are you some kind of enchantress? You don’t discriminate between men and women.”
Thorns dripped from every word; it was obvious she was pissed.
Calling Lottie her “doll” right in front of her was outright insolence.
And the way she stressed “fiancé” sounded exactly like a death threat.
Remembering every little detail from the magic tower incident made it even more chilling.
I’m scared to death!
At least Lottie’s thin shield dulled the killing intent a bit.
Lottie herself looked miserable, face pale, desperately avoiding Nanael’s gaze.
Yet even under that “How dare you interfere” glare, Lottie held her ground and pretended not to notice.
“Q-quick, sit, Delly. Lovely weather we’re having.”
Her trembling, aspen-leaf hand came into view.
…You’re trying way too hard.
Knowing how terrified Lottie was of Nanael in the original story made me worry about this seating arrangement.
Will she be okay?
I couldn’t exactly ask Sierra or Glaster to switch—they had no idea about the bad blood between us.
I steeled my expression, sat beside Lottie, and squeezed her hand tightly.
Let’s survive this witch together!
Strength seemed to flow into Lottie; her cheeks flushed pink.
Somehow her battle power increased—she even gave Nanael a polite little nod of greeting.
Nanael muttered, “Unbelievable,” hid her face behind her fan, and turned her head sharply away.
A small incident, but the seats themselves were excellent.
We could see the players warming up in the waiting area perfectly.
Under the blazing sun, brawny men proudly stripped off their shirts.
Every time they stretched, muscles gleamed with sweat and sunlight.
The young ladies peeking over their fans were already blushing.
No wonder the stands filled up so early.
Everyone came to see this.
It was summer; clothes were thin.
Some attention-seekers even poured water over themselves while fully dressed.
But the one who stood out most was the exact opposite of them—Alferen, buttoned up to the throat.
A man with that good a body refusing to show it was just unfair.
And yet, absurdly, the fully covered Alferen drew more eyes than all the half-naked men combined.
