HTNSA 62

Chapter 62

“Over there, and there too!”

After watching plays organized by the Political Science and Swordsmanship departments, the three visited the terrifyingly decorated haunted house.

“This is my first time at a haunted house. Isn’t this a famous part of the autumn festival?”

The spooky haunted house matched the chilly autumn weather perfectly and was quite popular among students.

Eila spoke with concern, “I heard it’s really scary. Are you sure you’ll be okay, Fiorelli?”

“Of course! I’m fine!”

Bravely shouting, Fiorelli led Eila and Felix inside.

The academy’s haunted house was impressively realistic.

It helped greatly that it was made by renovating the old academy building, which was eerie on its own.

A thick fog surrounded the building, and blurry shadows could be seen quickly moving behind the windows.

Eila squinted at Fiorelli.

‘I thought Fiorelli might be scared.’

Maybe she wouldn’t even take a few steps inside before running out.

In the end, Eila’s prediction was right.

They gave up halfway inside.

Fiorelli screamed nonstop in terror.

“Ahhhh! Eek! Eeek!”

Within minutes, she rushed outside, pale and shaken.

She trembled as if she couldn’t understand it.

“How could students make something like that? Did you see the person behind the mirror smiling at me?”

“That’s mirror magic.”

“Eila, weren’t you scared? Felix, how about you?”

“It was a little creepy.”

“I think I was a bit scared too.”

Fiorelli looked at them incredulously.

“You don’t look scared at all.”

“Well, we knew it was magic.”

“Even if you know it’s fake, most people get scared!”

Fiorelli gave them a tired look.

Suddenly seeming exhausted, she said faintly to them,

“Sorry, I’m going to rest for a bit. You two go watch the fireworks first.”

She looked so weak she could barely stand.

“Are you okay? I can stay with you, or you can rest first and skip the fireworks if you want.”

“No, I want to watch the fireworks. Just save us a spot first.”

Fiorelli waved her hands and stared fixedly in one direction.

Then Lona, watching her from afar, quickly ran over.

Supported by Lona, Fiorelli staggered away.

Seeing her condition, Felix called out worriedly,

“Don’t worry about the fireworks, Senior Fiorelli! Eila and I will make sure to save you a good spot.”

Fiorelli narrowed her eyes and glanced back at Felix.

‘Come to think of it, he still doesn’t realize he likes Eila.’

Felix had feelings for Eila, and she felt the same.

Only they hadn’t realized it yet.

‘…Should I just give them some alone time? I think I’ve had enough fun for now.’

After a moment’s thought, Fiorelli decided to sacrifice herself for the clueless two.

“Yes, please. But I’m a bit tired right now.”

She coughed softly as she continued,

“If I get too exhausted while resting, I might not come back, so you two go ahead and watch.”

Leaving those words, she quickly departed with Lona.

Left alone with Felix, Eila watched the spot Fiorelli had gone to with a worried look.

“Her under-eyes were really dark. Is she really okay?”

“She’s tired. She’s been running around almost nonstop.”

“That’s not like the princess who’s known to be fragile.”

Eila smiled warmly.

Seeing Fiorelli, now healthy again, enjoying the festival was heartwarming.

In truth, Eila had also enjoyed the day quite a bit despite not showing it.

She liked seeing the well-decorated square and even found the clumsy food stalls strangely tasty.

And Felix’s usually expressionless face subtly flushing pleased Eila.

Probably, all three felt the same way, even without saying it.

Walking side by side, Felix muttered softly,

“This is the first time I’ve really enjoyed a festival like this.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I used to always lock myself away in the training grounds on days like this. I didn’t know spending time laughing and chatting with others felt like this.”

Eila didn’t ask why.

She knew well how miserable Felix’s academy life had been.

He probably had no friends to enjoy the festival with and was always subject to negative stares.

Though they were still getting attention now, it was different—eyes filled with jealousy, admiration, and envy.

Felix shrugged and said,

“Thanks to you, I’m having this experience. Thank you.”

“…”

“Meeting you was the best luck of my life.”

Eila quietly shook her head.

“It’s nothing that great.”

“What do you mean? You saved my life. That’s huge.”

Felix paused and looked at her.

His pale green eyes shone warmly and earnestly.

As if she were his entire world, he looked only at her.

Eila gazed up at his face, dazed.

Bang!

The fireworks began, bursting brilliantly in the sky.

The giant blossoms of light left golden reflections on their faces.

It made Felix’s face seem to glow brightly.

‘He really is handsome.’

Her heart pounded rapidly.

That someone could say she was their greatest luck brought tears to her eyes.

Even before being cast out of the family, Eila was never truly welcomed.

Extended relatives whispered she was a disgrace to House Blanche.

“Irene has had to hear so many disgraceful things because of that noble daughter.”

“If only the two princes were around, she wouldn’t have had to endure such insults.”

Because of this, Eila had always been uneasy even before Rosia appeared.

Without any magical talent, she never seemed to fit the family’s bloodline.

She always worried she’d be abandoned one day.

Maybe that’s why she often dreamed of being exposed as a fake and kicked out.

‘In the end, Rosia showed up as I imagined, and I was driven out.’

But after it happened, she felt relieved.

She finally realized she was truly a Blanche daughter.

She knew the negative words of others weren’t worth listening to.

Felix bowed his head to her, whispering softly in her ear,

“Thank you, truly.”

Eila felt surreal, as if dreaming on a midsummer night.

A happy dream she might soon wake from.

The final day of the festival had arrived.

Cadin walked early in the morning with a bored expression.

He had agreed to be Rosia’s partner for the festival and escort her.

‘We could have met at the ball. Why bother so early?’

He sighed lightly.

If not for the family elders’ nagging, he wouldn’t have come to see Rosia this early.