HTNSA 100

Chapter 100

Every weekend, Eila had been disguising herself and visiting Flor’s cosmetics shop.

But no matter how many times she went, she was always greeted by clerks—never the owner or the maker.

To meet the creator, she needed a different approach.

I need to recruit the cosmetic creator before the count gets to them.

The problem was that the person she was looking for was barely even mentioned in the original story—a side character with only a name.

She didn’t know what they looked like. Searching by name alone made it nearly impossible.

How can I approach them naturally, without drawing suspicion…?

She was lost in thought on a bench, replaying the same dilemma in her head, when a shadow suddenly fell over her.

A deep, familiar voice broke the silence.

“Eila.”

Just hearing that voice made her frown. She looked up quickly.

Of course—it was Kadin, standing with the sunlight behind him, looking down at her.

“I’ve been looking for you. There’s something I really need to say.”

Why is this guy in front of me again?

Eila stared at him, bewildered.

But she quickly understood the situation and jumped to her feet. She didn’t need to ask—she already knew. He must be here to spout nonsense again.

So much for peace. I bet he’s upset because Felix turned out to be the heir to the duke’s family.

She didn’t want to get involved. Just as she turned to leave the awkward scene—

“Eila!”

Kadin called out urgently.

“Can you give me just five minutes? It’s something that could help you.”

Eila hesitated and stopped.

“Please. I promise I won’t bother you again after this.”

“……”

It was the first time he had ever spoken to her so humbly, and Eila was momentarily stunned.

Kadin… is pleading with me? The same guy who always acted so high and mighty?

She narrowed her eyes, studying him.

The arrogance he usually wore was gone. He looked… desperate.

The old me would’ve refused without hesitation.

From her experience, she had learned that the best way to deal with Kadin was not to engage at all.

But today didn’t feel like one of those usual encounters.

Something told her that this time, she should hear him out.

“…Fine. Make it quick.”

Reluctantly turning around, Eila faced him. Kadin sighed in relief and stepped closer.

Before speaking, he looked around. Thankfully, the students who had been bustling nearby were now gone.

Once he was sure they were alone, Kadin lowered his voice.

“Be careful during the Spring Subjugation Festival, Eila. I think Freya and Rosia are planning something—to trap you.”

Eila’s face instantly hardened.

Kadin raked a hand through his hair and sighed deeply.

“No, honestly, you shouldn’t even attend. That would be safer.”

“……”

Eila swallowed silently.

I had a feeling Rosia might be scheming something…

But to think Freya was involved too.

Lately, the two of them had been suspiciously inseparable.

“It’s a good opportunity, sure. But your life’s more important. Just say you’re sick and don’t go.”

“……”

“Eila?” Kadin urged, puzzled by her silence.

But Eila couldn’t speak so easily.

The information he brought was useful.

In the original novel, her character had already been expelled from the academy long before the Subjugation Festival, so she had no idea what happened during it.

But why?

Why is Rosia’s fiancé telling me this?

If there wasn’t some hidden motive… was he genuinely trying to help?

Eila looked confused as she asked him, “Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“…Why would you care?”

Her eyes filled with suspicion.

Kadin didn’t answer immediately. He looked like he didn’t know how to explain.

Seeing that, Eila let out a soft sigh.

“Never mind. Thanks for the warning. I’ll be going—”

“…Because I like you.”

The sudden confession froze Eila in place.

She turned her head, and Kadin looked just as stunned—as if surprised by his own words.

But then, as if he’d made up his mind, he looked straight at her and said firmly:

“Eila… I finally realized it. I’m in love with you.”

His face twisted as he confessed.

“I know I acted like an idiot. I know that saying this now won’t change anything after all the pain I caused…”

Kadin stepped closer, his expression filled with desperation.

“But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t let go of you. I kept thinking about you. I missed you.”

His eyes wavered slightly, searching hers for any sign of hope.

Eila let out a deep sigh.

Honestly, the old her would have been shaken by this kind of confession from Kadin.

She would’ve forgiven him easily, no matter what he had done.

But now… all my trust in him is gone.

It was strange.

Back then, just looking at him made her heart flutter.

But now, no matter what he said, she didn’t feel a thing.

In fact, she felt uncomfortable—disgusted, even.

She furrowed her brow slightly.

Seriously, what is going on with my life?

She’d been confessed to by two different men in a short time.

This kind of development had never once appeared in the original story.

Well… I guess everything changed the moment I took first place at the academy.

Eila let out a dry sigh.

Still… this feels nothing like Felix’s confession.

Back then, her mind had gone blank like someone flipped a switch.

If Biyo hadn’t interrupted, she might have accepted Felix’s confession on the spot.

That tiny difference was now becoming clear to her.

…I’ve liked Felix all along.

Her hand clenched into a fist without her realizing.

But at the same time, her mind felt calm—clearer than it had been in a long time.

Acknowledging her feelings made everything fall into place.

Then Eila turned to Kadin, her voice sharp.

“So what do you want me to do? Drop Felix and become your mistress? You’re Rosia’s fiancé.”

Kadin shook his head firmly.

“No. If you want, I’ll cancel the engagement. I’ll devote myself to you, I swear.”

He looked completely sincere—but Eila couldn’t suppress a bitter laugh.

She slowly shook her head.

“No. I know you too well.”

She had watched him for a long time—both in real life and in the story.

She knew exactly what kind of person he was.

“You’ve been handed every privilege since birth. You think the world revolves around you.”

“……”

“Sure, right now you’re acting like you’d give up everything for me. And yeah, I bet stealing me away from Felix would feel amazing, wouldn’t it?”

“Eila, that’s not what I meant—”

“But how long would that feeling last? I guarantee it—within a few years, you’ll be saying the same thing to someone else.”

“That’s not true. I swear—”

Kadin looked desperate to explain.

But Eila had already made up her mind.

“No. You already lost my trust. You had so many chances to hold onto me—but you never did. That was your choice.”

“……”

“So here’s my last word on it: stay out of my life.”