Chapter 52
As the knight and Illein made eye contact, his friendly smile prompted Illein to smile back reflexively, albeit with a grimace.
“I’ll be going then, milady.”
“Ah, yes.”
“I’ll stay for tea.”
“What? Oh, yes.”
Illein was surprised by Damon’s suggestion to have tea, but she quickly agreed and opened the door to go inside.
Willai, who had hoped Illein would look back at him, continued to watch her, but she never turned back and simply went inside.
“We only have black tea, is that alright?”
After the door closed, Illein said,
“I won’t have tea. I’ll leave after Willai is completely gone.”
“What? Oh. You came in with me because you were worried?”
“Yes.”
Illein smiled at his consideration, and Damon also smiled back familiarly.
As it got late into the night, Damon finally left.
Illein, now alone in the mansion at night, tried to prevent the roses and rapeseed flowers from wilting by placing them in a large vase.
“Uh…?”
Suddenly, Illein noticed a red card inserted among the rose bouquet.
As she unfolded it with a sense of foreboding, it read:
I would be delighted if you would go to the dance party as my partner! Rejection is not an option!
– Willai Macintosh
“That’s crazy. Unbelievable.”
Illein shivered with disgust and quickly burned the card with a wave of her wand.
She considered burning the roses too but decided against it. Somehow, it felt wrong to destroy living flowers.
“Haa.”
She finished transferring the flowers to the vase and filled it with water.
Then she placed both vases in the drawing-room, as that was the only suitable place for them.
“Hey.”
“Hello, Alisha?”
Illein reflexively smiled as Alisha approached her class. Even though the assembly hadn’t started yet, it seemed that Alisha had been waiting.
“What. Don’t smile.”
“Alright.”
Illein didn’t mind not forcing a smile anyway, so she quickly agreed.
“So you won’t smile at me anymore?”
“You told me not to smile.”
Confused by Alisha’s words, Illein asked. Alisha frowned and looked at Illein disdainfully.
To Alisha, Illein was particularly unbearable.
Despite having nothing, Illein was in the first class, and possessed the rare water attribute, not to mention a beauty mark under the eye that drew attention with each smile.
Illein looked like a stunning white fox. It only made Alisha feel worse.
It was made worse as Illein was good-looking.
“Smile. It’s worse when you don’t.”
“What brings you here?”
Illein asked Alisha with a forced smile, hinting for her to leave quickly.
“It’s the dance party next week. Come pick me up at our mansion.”
“That might be difficult.”
Damon intervened.
“Donât interfere. What business do you have with Illein and me?”
Alisha snapped back, and Damon chuckled in response.
“Why are you imposing on Illein?”
“Itâs a matter between a man and a woman.”
“Weâre just discussing menâs business, so stay out of it.”
Damon teased as he casually walked over to Illein’s side.
“Donât interfere. Illein and I are already going to the dance party together. As pa.rt.ner.s.”
Alisha was trying to hint at Damon not to get involved in matters of men and women.
But Damon, never one to back down easily, retorted,
“Weâve been partners for the past three years.”
Smiling, he folded his arms and glared at Alisha.
“Don’t fight. I’ll go with Alisha.”
“Cough. Yes, thatâs right.”
Alisha’s face felt strangely hot as Illein agreed with a smile.
“You’re a beggar, so Iâll prepare some clothes for you at our mansion. You donât even have money for a suit.”
“Yeah, thank you.”
“What are you saying? Iâve been giving him outfits every year.”
Damon spoke sarcastically to Alisha.
“Isnât the only time a student from the 10th class can join the first class during lessons?”
Soon, Edwin joined the fray.
“Get lost. Donât hang around my seat.”
“Ah, yes!”
Alisha, aware of the rumors surrounding Edwinâthat he once lost control of his powers and killed someoneâquickly disappeared.
“What’s with you?”
“Uh?”
Edwin frowned as he looked at Illein, then covered his nose with his hand.
“What perfume did you use?”
“What?”
“Yes, Illein. There’s a really nice scent coming from you. It’s that scent from before.”
Illein realized from their comments that the magical control device integrated into her ring was releasing a noticeable scent, even while she wore it.
She didnât remember it being this intense before.
Thatâs how class began.
Illein tried her best to hide her scent while focusing on the class.
