HTNSA 103

Chapter 103

While Yetien stood there frozen in disbelief, Felix naturally helped Eila into the carriage.

Seizing the chance, Yetien cautiously stepped closer to Felix and whispered just loud enough for only him to hear.

“Young master, um… is she really the person you spoke of earlier?”

Felix, who had one foot on the carriage step, paused. After a brief hesitation, he answered in a low voice.

“Yes, she is. She just looks a bit different than usual… there’s a reason for it.”

“A reason? What reason could there be for dressing like that…?”

Yetien’s eyes flicked toward the carriage.

Felix turned his head slightly, stealing a quick glance at Eila inside before letting out a small laugh.

“Just head to the Flor cosmetics shop first.”

Leaving only those words behind, he climbed into the carriage.

Left alone, Yetien stared blankly into the air, then let out a long sigh.

It couldn’t possibly be true, but a cautious suspicion began to stir in his mind.

‘Could it be… our young master has terrible taste in women?’

Some people are perfect in every other way, but hopelessly clueless when it comes to romance.

If there was one thing Felix’s words matched so far, it was that Eila was indeed very attractive.

If she decided to approach him deliberately, it’d be easy to sweep a naive young master like him right off his feet.

No — judging by the look on his face, he was already halfway gone.

He was so thrilled he didn’t even mind her flashy outfit. He looked ready to hand over his heart and soul.

‘…This won’t do.’

At this point, there was only one thing Yetien could do: stay alert all day and figure out this woman’s true nature.

It was the only way to stop the Azenta household from getting completely taken for a ride.

“So, what exactly are we doing today?”

As soon as they were alone, Felix couldn’t hold back his curiosity and asked.

Eila wrapped her shoulders tightly with the blanket she found inside the carriage and answered.

“We’re going to meet the creator of Flor cosmetics. I don’t think we can meet them through normal means, so I’m planning to cause a bit of a scene at the shop.”

“That’s why you dressed like that today?”

“Yeah… I asked Peony for help. It’s ridiculous, I know. I know I look ridiculous right now.”

As Eila looked away, embarrassed, Felix replied seriously.

“No, you look really beautiful. As expected of Peony-sunbae — she has great taste.”

“….”

“Come to think of it, that dress you wore at the cultural festival looked amazing too. Whatever you wear, it just suits you so well.”

“Please… stop.”

Eila groaned and covered her face with her hands. Felix chuckled, clearly finding her reaction amusing.

Eila shot him a disapproving glare.

“You’re making fun of me, aren’t you?”

“Not at all. I’m just saying what’s true — you’re beautiful.”

His honest response only sharpened her glare. Realizing he’d stepped on thin ice, Felix quickly changed the topic.

“So, what kind of scene are you planning to cause?”

“…I’m going to act like a troublesome customer.”

“A troublesome customer?”

“Yeah.”

Eila nodded, pulling out a Flor cosmetic product from a small clutch bag next to her.

“Peony gave me this. I’m going to claim you gave it to me as a gift, and complain that it caused a rash on my face.”

After finishing, Eila pressed her finger against her cheek and then lifted it — a red rash instantly appeared on her skin.

Felix watched this with growing interest.

“Then I’ll cause a fuss, using you — the young lord of the Azenta family — as my backing.”

“You’re going to use me to cause a scene?”

Felix asked, clearly amused.

“Yeah. Everyone thinks we’re dating anyway, so… why are you laughing?”

“No reason. You’re right. We are dating right now.”

Felix didn’t even try to hide his pleased smile.

Eila eyed him suspiciously for a moment but decided to focus back on the plan.

“Anyway, once I make enough fuss demanding they take responsibility, the merchant leader will have no choice but to arrange a meeting with the creator.”

“You sound pretty sure.”

“I am. The head of the Flor Merchant Guild is a pretty spineless man. He’ll push all the blame onto the creator just to avoid trouble.”

“Is that something you found out from the future too?”

“Something like that.”

Felix nodded, fully convinced.

Seeing this, Eila looked at him worriedly and emphasized again.

“So you need to back me up properly when we’re there.”

“What exactly do I need to do?”

Clearing her throat, Eila answered.

“You just have to act like my adoring boyfriend. So head-over-heels that you’ll do anything I ask without a second thought… got it?”

She trailed off, growing more embarrassed as she spoke. Now that she’d said it out loud, she started worrying even more.

Like Peony said, Felix wasn’t exactly good at lying.

Plus, just like Cedric, whatever he was feeling showed clearly on his face.

Asking him to help pull off such an act… maybe it really was too much.

“That’s not hard.”

But Felix didn’t look the least bit flustered. Instead, his eyes sparkled, as if he found it fun.

“Really?”

“Yeah, it’s easier than you think. Besides, I’m already in that state anyway.”

“…Huh?”

“I told you, I like you. I’m confident I can pull it off.”

Felix beamed brightly at Eila, whose face instantly turned red.

Before long, the carriage smoothly stopped in front of the Flor cosmetics store.

As soon as the door opened, Eila stepped out quickly without even waiting for Felix to escort her.

Felix muttered behind her, sounding a little sulky.

“You’re so mean. You didn’t even look back at me.”

“…That’s because you kept saying weird things in there.”

“Saying it like that makes me sound like a creep.”

Felix shot an awkward glance at Yetien, checking if he’d heard anything.

Facing away from them, Eila took a deep breath to calm her pounding heart.

Luckily, the front of the shop was crowded with customers waiting in line — the noise helped settle her nerves.

Honestly, Felix hadn’t said anything that weird inside.

He’d just told her that if she was feeling pressured by his confession, she didn’t need to rush to give an answer.

“I know you’re busy, Eila. You can take your time to answer me.”

“…”

“But I do hope it’ll be a yes.”

As he said that, Felix had flashed her his usual dazzling smile.

Just that alone had made Eila’s heart race so wildly she couldn’t look him in the eye.

No matter how hard she tried to stay calm, just being alone with him made her so conscious of him it was unbearable.

And she was afraid he might see right through her feelings.

‘Well, I guess it makes sense… In my last life, I was so busy working I never even dated once…’

So standing in front of him and acting like a fool was inevitable.

But then a small question popped into her mind.

‘…But Felix has never dated anyone either, has he?’

For some reason, that thought made her feel strangely indignant.

‘No, that’s not what I should be focusing on right now.’

Eila forced herself to shake it off. She turned around, hiding her face behind her fan.

“Alright, let’s head in.”

“Sure… Oh, should we take Sir Yetien with us too?”

“Huh? Why?”

“To make things feel more intimidating — the more people we have, the better.”

Hearing that, Eila looked at Yetien, thinking it wasn’t a bad idea.

She stepped toward him and bowed politely.

“Hello, Sir Yetien. If you’re free, could we ask for your help for a moment?”

Yetien frowned slightly at her courteous tone.

Unlike the arrogant impression she’d given earlier, her words now were unexpectedly polite and respectful.

‘Maybe… she’s actually a good person…’