Chapter 31
Rodelia bolted the moment she tossed the badge away.
Alperen, watching the direction she ran off in, suddenly burst out laughing.
“Hahaha. She’s just too cute.”
To say it “was there, then wasn’t”?
If she truly wanted to hide it, she could’ve just claimed she didn’t make one at all. That would’ve been enough.
But instead, she threw it away and fled, like a thief whose guilty conscience gave her away. That fleeing figure was far too adorable.
Still smiling, he reached for the badge left abandoned on the ground.
On the back of the badge, decorated with the pink hydrangea she loved, was his name.
Alperen pinned it in the most visible place.
Since his goddess of victory had cheered for him, this match was one he absolutely could not lose.
He brushed the badge gently with his hand.
Having restrained himself for so long from seeing Rodelia, the thrill of this single encounter was overwhelming.
He still felt as though she were right there in his hand.
Unable to stay patient when it came to her, he had gone to the Ferris estate that morning, using the badge as an excuse.
And when he’d finally faced her—
All the fatigue and worry he’d bottled up vanished in an instant.
Because she’d lost sleep over him, even though she was normally such a sleepyhead.
Because she still hesitated, holding the badge close instead of tossing it away.
Because the way her face flamed red the moment she saw him was utterly lovely.
Because her startled gaze wasn’t annoyed, but shy.
Alperen realized his little scheme had worked perfectly—and at the same time, his heart burned hotter.
“Ha… I’m going crazy.”
He lifted his palm to his lips, reverently pressing a kiss there as though it truly held her.
“For my goddess of victory.”
His words were like a prayer, a devotee chasing after the vanished traces of his goddess.
Meanwhile, Rodelia was in complete panic.
Why did I run like that?
Why did I throw the badge?!
It would’ve been so much better to just pretend I didn’t have it!
Groaning, I banged my head against the carriage wall.
Adrian, sitting beside me, easily caught my head with his palm to stop me from hurting myself.
“The athletes’ waiting room and the audience seats are pretty far apart,” he warned. “Stick with May once we get there. Don’t wander off alone and trip over something.”
“Oppa, I’m not a child.”
“In my eyes, Deli, you’re still a newborn baby.”
“Then remember that the bump on your head came from this ‘newborn baby.’”
I’d given him a proper flick on the forehead earlier when he tried to stop me from running away.
Rubbing the bump, Adrian muttered dramatically,
“This, too, is a mark from the goddess of victory…”
When will his sitcom antics ever stop?
I rolled my eyes and half-turned away from him.
“I’ll be with my club friends anyway.”
“You’ve already made friends?”
“Even if they’re not friends.”
The Mazia members were a bunch of oddballs, but honestly, they weren’t bad.
What I especially liked was how little they cared about high society gossip—magic was their only obsession.
After Edwin had cleaned up the shards from the broken window, we’d even sat down for a casual chat together.
“You actually know the Tower Master? Could you maybe get an autograph?”
“What for? Planning to forge documents?”
“N-no, just… I’d like to have one…”
Even quiet Glaster had sparkled with excitement, talking more than usual—that had surprised me.
Naturally, talk shifted to the rowing tournament, and before I knew it, everyone wanted to go watch together.
Lottie, especially, seemed eager to watch the match with me.
“I’ve got plenty of tickets!”
With that, I couldn’t refuse.
I already had extra tickets from Adrian anyway, so we settled it quickly. Edwin, of course, said it was too much trouble and bowed out.
So the group for the rowing competition was set.
Their eyes lit up with hope when they asked if they could meet Alperen, and I couldn’t quite brush them off.
“I can at least introduce you.”
At my reluctant words, Glaster teared up and Sierra’s lips curled with delight.
I was startled by their unexpected reactions—while Edwin muttered,
“Hey, Deli. If you really care about Duke Einruck, you’d better keep those fanatics far away from him.”
“It’s Ainruk, not Hainruk.”
“Yeah, Einkuhr, whatever.”
Meanwhile, Lottie blurted with a blush,
“I’m just happy I get to watch the match with you, Deli.”
Somehow, she’d smoothly switched from “Lady Rodelia” to “Deli.”
Her bashful expression was so cute that I couldn’t help feeling my heart soften a little.
Am I being swayed too easily?
Maybe it was because we’d met again in such an unexpected place.
Not just Lottie—the other club members too. Their innocent reactions were nothing like the typical noble crowd. It made me want to look after them.
But… I still haven’t decided yet.
My hand drifted to the ring hanging on the chain around my neck, fiddling with it absently.
I didn’t even notice Adrian eyeing it with a suspicious look.
Is this year cursed or what?
When I reached my seat, I just wanted to go home.
Of all places, my assigned spot was right beside Princess Nanael.
Come to think of it, premium seats were always filled with royals and high-ranking nobles. With so few of them, the chance of ending up next to her had always been high.
Why hadn’t I calculated that?
I prayed she wouldn’t notice me—but of course, she did.
She covered her lips with an ornate fan and greeted me sweetly.
“What a persistent coincidence, hm?”
Her eyes, sharp and glittering, screamed: Good, I’ve been waiting for you.
If I tried to move seats now, it would look like I was fleeing—and then she’d definitely find fault with it.
She’d use it against me somehow.
So I braced myself to sit—when suddenly,
“Deli, that’s actually my seat.”
Following close behind me, Lottie boldly claimed the spot and sat down right beside Nanael.
It was obvious she was shielding me.
Nanael’s gaze flicked between us, her voice dripping with venom.
“Oh my… First my fiancé, and now even my doll. Lady Rodelia, you really must be a woman of fatal charm. You don’t even discriminate between men and women.”
The words were barbed, her tone mocking—and she’d even called Lottie her “doll,” right in front of her.
But the one that hit me hardest was “fiancé.”
Considering what she’d seen back at the Mage Tower, it sounded less like a taunt and more like a threat.
This is terrifying!
At least Lottie’s flimsy presence softened the deadly air.
Though Lottie herself looked pale, struggling under the weight of Nanael’s glare, she stubbornly kept facing away, refusing to be cowed.
“P-please sit, Deli. The weather is lovely today, isn’t it?”
Her hand was trembling like a leaf in the wind.
She’s pushing herself too hard…
Knowing how much she feared Nanael in the original story, I couldn’t help but worry about her sitting there.
Will she be okay?
But Sierra and Glaster didn’t know the truth between us, so I couldn’t ask to switch seats.
Resolute, I sat down beside Lottie and held her hand firmly.
Let’s endure this witch together!
With that, color returned to Lottie’s cheeks, and she even managed a brave little smile as she greeted Nanael with a nod.
“Incredible.”
Nanael, clearly displeased, snapped her fan up to cover her face and turned sharply away.
Awkward though it was, the seats themselves were excellent.
From here, we had a clear view of the athletes preparing in the waiting area.
Under the blazing sun, muscular men showed off their strength, many peeling off their shirts entirely.
Every flex of their bodies sparkled in the sunlight.
The noble ladies fanned themselves furiously, cheeks flushed as they peeked at the spectacle.
No wonder the seats had filled up so quickly—this was the real attraction.
So that’s why everyone came so early.
With the summer heat, clothes were light, and some men even poured water over themselves while still dressed for attention.
But the one who stood out most… was Alperen.
Unlike the others, he’d buttoned his shirt all the way to his collar.
The man had a fine body, yet instead of showing it off, he smothered it.
And somehow, that made him shine even more—stealing all the gazes away from the half-naked men.
