HTNSA 92

Chapter 92

“What?”

“And it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other, so this kind of physical contact is only natural. I actually held back from acting even more like a couple.”

“……”

Eila bit her lip and shot Felix a disbelieving look.

Felix just smiled shamelessly.

“What? Are you curious about what I meant?”

Eila frowned at his casual attitude.

‘Why is he suddenly acting so cheeky?’

Felix had always teased her from time to time, but this was the first time he’d been this bold.

It was strange—so much so that he almost felt like a different person.

“…Forget it. And we never acted like this before.”

“That’s true. But I’m planning to be more mindful from now on.”

Felix said as he tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. The gesture was incredibly gentle.

“If I pretend like we’re distant now that I’m the heir, people will gossip. Everyone will say Eila was heartlessly discarded.”

“Well, that’s true…”

Since Felix wasn’t wrong, Eila had no choice but to close her mouth.

“And I also don’t like the idea of weird guys getting any funny ideas.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Kadin. He still gives you those clingy looks.”

“Why does that bother you?”

“There are reasons.”

Felix turned his gaze away instead of answering directly.

Still holding Eila’s delicate arm tightly, he recalled what the Red Dragon had said to him:

“What happened to Eila and Princess Peony? Why can’t I see them in the future?”

[Because they no longer exist in that time.]

Now he understood.

The dragon had shown him that future not as fate, but as a warning—so he wouldn’t lose the things most precious to him.

‘That future was only one possibility.’

His actions could still change everything.

In this lifetime, Eila would not die.

Felix glanced at her as they walked side by side.

In a world painted in greyscale, she alone shone with radiant light.

It was the first day of the semester, so classes ended sooner than expected.

The three of them—Felix, Eila, and Peony—gathered in Eila’s greenhouse as soon as the morning lectures ended.

They wanted to talk away from prying eyes.

“This greenhouse is bigger than I expected. Did you design all this, Eila?”

Felix looked around in admiration.

Eila shrugged.

“I didn’t plant much myself. It’s thanks to Professor Jayce’s careful management.”

Soon, the three settled around a table nestled in the greenhouse. Peony opened the conversation right away.

“By the way, that comment you made to Rosia earlier? That was incredibly satisfying to hear.”

With a mischievous smile, Peony tried to mimic Eila’s earlier words.

“What was it again? ‘Are you satisfied with your place?’ Something like that?”

“Ha ha, did I say that?”

“Yep! You’ve always just held back until now. What changed?”

“I don’t think I need to hold back anymore.”

Eila said it with an unbothered expression, giving a small shrug.

Her position was no longer beneath Rosia’s.

She was the Black Dragon’s chosen, and now her supposed lover had been revealed as the heir to House Agenta.

If she could also concoct a perfect remedy using the herbs Felix brought, her magical talents would far outstrip Rosia’s too.

Looking much more at ease, Eila poured tea for everyone at the table.

Felix sipped his tea and smiled contentedly.

“Mind if I stop by here sometimes? After being surrounded by people all day, this place is so calming.”

Peony puckered her lips in mock annoyance.

“You don’t look like someone who’s been suffering. Your face is practically glowing. Should we start calling you Young Duke now?”

“Please don’t tease me, Senior Peony.”

Felix looked slightly embarrassed before continuing:

“Just because the Duke became my father doesn’t mean anything changes—at least not when I’m with the two of you.”

His warm gaze turned to Eila.

Trying to avoid that look, Eila quickly turned to Peony.

“Like Felix said, the outside world’s full of nosy eyes. We should hold all important conversations here from now on.”

“Agreed. I’ve got things to share too—things I can’t say in public anymore.”

“Did something happen over the break?”

Eila’s expression turned concerned.

Truthfully, she had been worried from the moment Peony arrived. Her face had looked troubled.

Seeing that, Peony smiled softly to reassure her.

“It’s okay. It was just hard not having you two around. But it’s not bad news.”

With that, Peony took a deep breath and carefully began.

“Actually… don’t be shocked, but they investigated the person who poisoned me at the imperial palace. And they found out who it was.”

Felix and Eila froze, tension gripping their faces.

Without hesitation, Peony revealed the truth.

“It was Darian—my own brother.”

“What? Are you serious?”

“…That snake of a man.”

They both reacted in horror.

Peony gave a bitter smile, as if she completely understood their reactions.

But Eila couldn’t bring herself to speak.

Even knowing the original story, this was news to her.

‘Wait… it was him who poisoned Peony in the original?’

She had always assumed he wasn’t a good person—especially after abandoning responsibility and marrying another woman.

But to think he was cold-hearted enough to poison his own sister…

She had thought, no matter how cruel he was to outsiders, he would at least treat Peony differently.

Unlike Eila, Felix didn’t seem surprised.

“Honestly, not shocking. I had a bad feeling about him.”

“…A bad feeling? We only met him once.”

“Guys who just talk smooth like that? They’re all the same, Eila.”

Felix twisted his lips, like he was sharing some great insight.

His tone was sharper than usual.

‘Maybe his first impression of Darian was really that bad.’

Eila tilted her head in thought, then turned to Peony again.

“How did you find out?”

“I followed Rona. Through her, I discovered Darian’s personal physician was involved in making the poison.”

“I see…”

Though shaken, Eila slowly accepted the truth.

It wasn’t impossible.

Darian had always coveted the throne—maybe he felt threatened by Peony’s presence.

“And you… are you okay?”

She remembered how close Peony and Darian had seemed before. Knowing the truth now must’ve devastated her.

“To be honest? No. But that doesn’t mean I plan to sit back and do nothing.”

Peony gave a faint smile.

The only thing Eila could do was reach out and squeeze her hand tightly.

“You’ll make it through. I’ll be cheering you on the whole way.”

“Thanks, Eila.”

The mood turned somber, and perhaps to lighten it, Peony abruptly changed the subject.

As if she didn’t want to be the only one confessing things, she turned to Felix.

“So, what about you, Felix?”

“Me?”

“Tell us what happened over the break. Sounds like there was quite a bit going on at the Duke’s house.”

Caught off guard by the sudden attention, Felix looked flustered.

Then, as if remembering something, he exclaimed, “Ah!” and pulled out a small pouch.

“Right—Eila, here are the herbs you asked for.”

“Oh, you remembered!”

Eila’s face instantly lit up.