HTNSA 65

Chapter 65

“The orphanage was a truly horrible place. Running away from there, fearing I might starve to death, was the best choice I ever made in my life.”

I remembered Felix’s face when he said that, with a bitter smile.

“Of course, even after entering the academy, things didn’t exactly get better. But at least I wasn’t starving.”

I felt sympathy for him.

A talented person suffering so much because of mana insensitivity—it seemed unjust.

So, I thought that from now on, regardless of his social status, I’d gift him a new life.

His exceptional talent deserved to enjoy more than just basic survival.

But what if he was actually my lost son?

What if he grew up without ever enjoying the things he should have had?

Duke Azenta’s eyes became bloodshot.

The confusion was overwhelming, but he needed to confirm it.

‘I need to go to the Magic Tower right now.’

To verify this, he needed to perform a paternity test between Felix and him.

Duke Azenta turned to Eila and barely managed to speak.

“Thank you, Eila. Something urgent has come up, so I need to leave quickly.”

“Good luck with your work, I hope it gets resolved soon.”

“Yes, if it gets resolved… I will not forget your kindness.”

Eila realized that Duke Azenta had immediately understood the hint she gave him.

She smiled warmly and nodded.

After Duke Azenta left, Eila let out a sigh of relief.

‘I’m glad, now I’ll be able to create the perfect cure soon.’

It felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders after solving a problem that had been bothering her for so long.

On the other hand, she also felt a bit envious of Felix.

‘Duke Azenta will be a good father to him.’

He was someone who could give Felix the family affection he had never received.

In the original story, Duke Azenta was described as a just and honorable person.

Now, unlike her, Felix was going to have a proper family.

A father who would trust him fully.

At that moment, she sensed Felix’s presence behind her.

“Where did the Duke go?”

“He said something urgent came up and left without even saying goodbye.”

“I see. I hope it wasn’t anything serious. He left without even greeting anyone.”

Felix frowned slightly, genuinely worried.

Seeing that, Eila gave a shy smile.

‘It is serious, but thankfully, it’s a good kind of serious.’

Just then, soft music echoed through the ballroom.

The melody signaled the beginning of the first dance.

Felix, who had just been worrying about the Duke, immediately extended his hand toward Eila.

He smiled mischievously.

“Let’s go, Eila. It’s time for the first dance.”

At the academy’s ball, the first dance was traditionally shared by the top students of each department and their partners.

Felix and Eila, being the top students of the Swordsmanship and Magic Departments respectively, were partners for the dance.

Naturally, all eyes were on them.

Eila stood in the center of the ballroom, drawing all the attention.

Felix’s actions were remarkably smooth.

Despite never having learned to dance before, he quickly displayed a skillful and confident performance after just a few practice sessions with Eila.

Eila gracefully followed Felix’s lead as they danced together.

“Felix, you’ve really improved at dancing.”

At Eila’s words, Felix smiled proudly.

“I did my best so I wouldn’t step on your feet.”

“That’s quite the honor.”

As they danced, Eila glanced around. As expected, many people were watching them closely.

Among them were the members of the Blanche family.

‘They’ve all come. Well, they must have come to see Rosia’s face.’

While Kalios still appeared indifferent toward Eila, Irene was looking at her with teary eyes.

The most striking reactions, however, were from Gerard and Cedric.

The two men, who were supposed to be by Rosia’s side, were glaring at Felix as though they would devour him, paying no attention to Rosia.

What was even more surprising was that Kadin, standing next to them, was also looking at them with the same intense expression.

Felix, being sensitive to his surroundings, surely noticed their gaze.

Yet, he continued dancing with a relaxed smile.

‘Seems like he’s getting closer to me.’

At that moment, Felix suddenly entwined his fingers with Eila’s.

Eila was startled and looked at him. Felix spoke in a slightly dissatisfied tone.

“What are you looking at? We’re dancing together.”

“Oh, it’s just that the people over there are glaring at you.”

“Really?”

“Doesn’t it bother you?”

Felix smiled nonchalantly and answered.

“Thanks to you, I’ve gained the courage to ignore that.”

“Like I said before, why is that my doing? It’s probably because you’re talented enough to catch Duke Azenta’s eye.”

As Eila finished speaking, Felix’s hand slid down to her waist.

It was a natural contact during a dance, but at that moment, Eila was taken aback.

She looked up at Felix’s face, but he wore his usual calm expression.

Eila often heard that Felix was an unpredictable person, and in this moment, she realized that it was the same for him.

Felix was just as unreadable as she was.

He always used formal language and behaved politely, but sometimes he would exude an unfamiliar atmosphere that left her flustered.

“What are you thinking about?”

Eila was startled when Felix’s face came close to hers.

For once, he was looking at her without any hint of mischief.

“I was just thinking… how nice the music is.”

Eila cleared her throat awkwardly and turned her gaze away.

Felix, looking happy, smiled.

“I’m just happy to be dancing with you, Eila.”

His smiling face made her heart flutter in a way she couldn’t explain.

Eila, feeling nervous, continued dancing, and Felix tightened his grip on her hand before speaking softly.

“If you hadn’t helped me with my illness, I wouldn’t have had the chance to enjoy moments like this. Every word I’ve said is sincere.”

“…Felix?”

A strange tingling sensation spread wherever they touched.

Her heart ached, and her head felt dizzy.

“Remember how you said before that our relationship is just a contract, that we only need to fulfill what we’ve promised to each other?”

He tightened his hand around her waist.

Eila took a short breath.

“But I can’t just see you as a simple contract partner, Eila. If you’re going through something difficult, I want you to lean on me. I’ll help as much as I can.”

“…”

“You can lean on me, Eila.”

To lean on someone.

The moment she heard that, her heart tightened painfully.

She remembered the time she had been alone in the greenhouse, talking about how she wanted to confide in her friends.

Peony and Felix seemed like people who could truly help her.

‘But I promised I wouldn’t do that.’

The truth was that she had possessed the body of the heroine from the novel, and Rosia was the fake who had stolen her place.

She was the real Eila Blanche of the Blanche family.

It would be so easy to tell them all of this.

But after saying it, how could she handle the consequences?

Could she really assure herself that she wouldn’t hurt anyone?

After a long moment of contemplation, she looked at Felix and spoke.

“I’ll think about it…”

It wasn’t a complete rejection.

Eila had realized that her feelings for him had started to waver.

Yes, someday.

After everything was over, she might have a chance to speak honestly.

With that thought, Eila closed her eyes tightly.