HTNSA 96

Chapter 96

“How do you know about my past, Eila?”

Felix’s question caught Eila off guard, and she hesitated.

She had expected this moment to come ever since she stepped into the affairs of the Duke’s family. Yet now that it was here, her chest tightened with anxiety.

‘To Felix, I must look like I’m hiding a lot more than just this.’

And still, he had waited in silence all this time—out of consideration for her.

Maybe it was for the best.

‘Let me come clean, then.’

She had to confess that she had approached him deliberately, knowing from the start that he was the Duke’s son.

If she did that, Felix would surely turn away from her completely.

‘He said he wants to help Peony and me, but…’

Their circumstances were different. Felix had overcome mana insensitivity and reclaimed his true identity.

Helping her seek revenge now would only bring unnecessary trouble for him.

‘I know Felix means what he says. That’s exactly why I must keep my distance.’

He didn’t yet understand what it truly meant to stand on her side.

As Eila struggled to organize her thoughts, Felix spoke gently.

“Don’t worry, Eila. I’m not upset about it.”

He slowly approached her from behind, but she remained frozen.

“I’m just trying to understand… how I should make sense of everything.”

He stopped just behind her. Only then did Eila finally turn around.

As if realizing there was no more escape, she slowly opened her mouth.

“…I’m sorry. The truth is, I knew you were the Duke’s son from the beginning. I knew everything and still approached you to use you.”

Her voice was calm, but her words grew faint toward the end.

“I know you must be disappointed in me. So…”

So let’s forget about the contract, and you can go live freely now.

Just enjoy your new life as the Duke’s heir—that’s all you need to do.

She was about to say that when Felix firmly shook his head.

“That’s not what I wanted to ask.”

He paused for a moment, then continued quietly.

“You’ve always seemed so certain. Even about things I never told anyone. How is that possible?”

Eila frowned slightly, troubled by his sharp observation.

“Please answer me, Eila. It’s important.”

Felix carefully watched her face and added softly:

“Are you… from the future?”

Eila’s eyes widened in shock.

She never imagined those words would come from him.

‘I thought he’d accuse me of digging into his past at most…’

As she considered how to respond, she let out a long breath.

The future. He wasn’t exactly wrong.

The memories of the original novel that had started to surface felt like fragments of a future she would have lived through.

There were many times she wondered—had she really experienced everything and come back?

‘Returning to the past to change a tragic future is a common trope in novels.’

But if that were true, her memories from the modern world were far too vivid, and the memories of the “original” story felt distant, like she was watching someone else’s life.

Most of all, there was no concrete proof that she came from the future.

‘Then why would Felix suddenly say something like that?’

He wasn’t simply testing her. His expression carried certainty. He wouldn’t be easily swayed by a vague explanation.

‘…Maybe I should just go along with what he says.’

With that, Eila opened her tightly sealed lips.

“What if I said yes? Would you believe me?”

Even as she said the words, they felt absurd.

Someone from the future? No one would believe that.

‘I’d probably just get laughed at.’

That’s why she had asked half-jokingly.

She could take others laughing at her—but not Felix.

She had resolved countless times to keep her distance, but the idea of being seen as a strange liar by him made her stomach churn.

But Felix’s response was completely unexpected.

He looked at her with a strangely pained expression and stepped closer.

“I believe you. I told you before—you can lean on me all you want.”

He gently took her hand, kissed the back of it, then pressed it to his cheek.

His warmth slowly thawed her cold skin.

Startled by the sudden contact, Eila froze.

“…You really believe I came from the future?”

she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. Felix casually shrugged.

“If you say so. Honestly, that’s the only explanation that makes sense.”

“Aren’t you angry? I knew everything and approached you on purpose.”

“You knowing everything… doesn’t upset me. Not at all.”

Felix shook his head with a relaxed smile.

“If all you wanted was some herbs, you could’ve taken them and disappeared. So why go through the trouble of making and giving me a cure?”

“That’s…”

“Or do you actually hate me so much that you had to draw a line and push me away? Even after telling me I could use you however I wanted?”

Eila’s heart pounded.

Her mind told her to refute him somehow, but her lips wouldn’t move.

‘…How could I say that?’

She didn’t truly hate him. She couldn’t bring herself to say anything cruel.

In fact, she wished he would stay by her side—but voicing that wish felt like it would ruin everything.

Felix watched her hesitation and smiled.

“See? Whatever your reasons were, I know you cared about me.”

“Felix…”

Eila bit her lip, unsure what to say.

Felix paused when he noticed her confident eyes shimmering with tears.

Then, almost impulsively, he let out a breath and spoke.

“I like you, Eila.”

Eila blinked, stunned by the sudden confession. Her chest tightened strangely.

She wanted to run away, but Felix’s eyes held her in place, patiently waiting for her response.

She couldn’t breathe.

‘When did we get this close?’

Just moments ago, she hadn’t noticed—but now Felix’s face felt far too close.

She feared he might hear how loud her heart was pounding.

She thought she should push him away—but her body wouldn’t move.

Just as she reflexively squeezed her eyes shut—

“Ppiyo! Ppiyo!”

Ppiyo’s loud cry shattered the silence like a splash of cold water.

It felt like being jolted awake from a dream.

“Ppiyo must be hungry. I’ll go get his food.”

Eila’s entire face turned red.

As if afraid to keep the conversation going, she hurried out of the greenhouse.

It didn’t look like she was just going to feed a dragon. Her steps were almost desperate.

Felix glared at Ppiyo, annoyed that the mood had been ruined.

“You… did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

“Ppiyo?”

Ppiyo tilted his head with an innocent expression, as if he knew nothing. Felix sighed deeply.

To be honest, he hadn’t planned to confess just yet.

He was going to take things slowly so she wouldn’t lump him in with someone like Kadin…

‘But how am I supposed to hold back when she looks at me like that?’

The moment he saw Eila’s flustered face, the words just slipped out.

Felix’s face turned red.

Unable to contain his embarrassment, he messed up his hair. Still restless, he slapped his cheeks a few times.

Only after his cheeks puffed up red did his heart finally begin to settle.

‘Still… she didn’t seem to dislike it.’

His heart continued to flutter.

He recalled how red her face had been—just like his.

Maybe… she felt the same way?

With eyes full of hope, Felix gazed at the door through which Eila had vanished.