Chapter 124 – “How do you plan to explain this?”

“OK, that should do it.”

Up on the third floor, Dylin picked out a room he liked and peeled off a tag from the packet he bought at the general store. He stuck it on the door and wrote “Dylin” in the Common Human Language, marking it as his personal space.

After a glance down the empty hallway, he thought for a moment, then tagged the room at the other end of the corridor with “Teresa.”

If you’re going to put on a show, best to do it thoroughly—even if no one else would be living in the manor.

This was the first time in either life he had lived in such a luxurious estate, and Dylin couldn’t help feeling a rush of excitement.

Every room on the third floor had its own bathroom and vanity—truly worthy of its name: Crown Manor. The amenities were downright extravagant.

He filled the bathtub with red flower petals, soaked himself like some aristocrat living a lavish life, and then—muscles soft and body warm—collapsed onto the plush velvet bed and quickly fell asleep.

***

The next morning, Dylin woke up right on time at nine, as always.

The bedding was luxurious, yes, but it didn’t distract him for long. There were far more exciting things on his mind.

Namely—the second-floor library of Crown Manor. He’d been thinking about it for days. If he hadn’t gotten back so late and exhausted the night before, he might’ve pulled an all-nighter in the study.

After a simple breakfast—fried egg—he settled into the quiet library, pulled a random book from the shelf, and enjoyed the silence.

He liked this kind of atmosphere. Especially here, soaked in the scent of ink and parchment. Most importantly—no one to disturb him...

“Ding-dong!”

Just as that thought passed, the doorbell rang.

Dylin put down the book, a trace of annoyance flashing in his eyes, and reluctantly went downstairs in slippers to open the gate.

“Who is it?”

It was early. He hadn’t subscribed to any newspapers, and no one was even supposed to know someone had moved into Crown Manor last night. Who was ringing the bell this early?

“Your Highness, good morning—”

Swipe—the front gate creaked open. A familiar, chirpy voice greeted him.

“..........”

Two gazes locked. The voice cut off. The girl’s expression froze for a beat, then she performed a face-change worthy of Sichuan opera. She quickly reined in her excitement, posed with perfect etiquette, hands crossed at her waist, and gave Dylin a slight bow.

“Apologies for the early visit, Mister Dylin. May I ask if Miss Teresa is in?”

Though she had no interest in Dylin (in fact, she rather despised him), Litt still maintained perfect manners. Yet her eyes couldn’t help drifting to his disheveled appearance.

White cotton pajamas like a quilt, messy bed hair, and slippers to greet a guest...

Litt subtly looked away.

“Oh, she’s not here.”

Dylin replied flatly, completely calm.

“Miss Teresa isn’t at the manor? Do you know where she went?”

“No idea. Maybe out for a morning jog? She left early. I don’t know where to.”

Not a lie—Teresa truly wasn’t in the manor right now.

“I see.”

It wasn’t worth lying about, so Litt believed him.

“Did you need something, Miss Litt? If it’s important, I can relay the message when she returns.”

Dylin yawned, acting the part of someone freshly woken up.

“No need, this works fine. Oh, right—”

Litt handed over a package.

“This is from the academy. Your champion’s credentials. It’s your academy ID made of Black Crystal. From now on, it’ll allow you to make purchases on campus, and also serves as a key to Crown Manor.”

“Thanks.”

Dylin took the package, internally grumbling that his own business was just an afterthought.

“How long ago did Miss Teresa leave?” Litt asked.

“Hmm… less than half an hour ago, I think.” Dylin wasn’t sure what she was getting at, so he answered casually.

“I see.”

“Mhm...” And then silence.

Litt stood smiling politely at the gate. Dylin stood just inside. Neither made another move.

What the heck? Why isn’t she leaving yet? (And why isn’t he inviting me in??)

Each wondered what the other was waiting for. Dylin didn’t want to rudely shut the door, and Litt refused to leave without being invited in.

“Well then, if Miss Litt has no other business, I’ll be heading back...”

Just as Dylin moved to swipe the door closed, Litt stepped forward, their faces almost touching.

“Mister Dylin seems quite free today. Aren’t you going to invite me in for tea?”

She smiled sweetly, her fiery twin-tails bouncing slightly.

“N-no, the tea here’s awful, really...”

Dylin stepped back, trying to shut the gate—But Litt slipped in before he could.

“Mister Dylin, you must be joking. There’s no way Crown Manor serves bad tea~”

Her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.

She hated barging into people’s homes uninvited—but for Her Highness’s safety, Litt would risk anything.

Besides—wasn’t Dylin’s hostility a little too suspicious?

Brave warrior Litt was determined to uncover this wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing’s dark secret!

Even if she had to barge in, even if he told her to leave—she had to investigate what happened last night in this house!

“Since you’ve let me in, it’d be rude to refuse now, wouldn’t it?”

When did I let you in?!

Dylin looked exhausted. “Miss Litt, I’m actually very busy today. If there’s nothing urgent…”

“Busy? With what, exactly?”

Litt couldn’t imagine what Dylin had to do on this post-tournament holiday.

“Well, my new team just formed, and as captain I’m under great pressure—balancing team composition, recruiting talent. Plus, as an unworthy Divine Child, I believe slacking off would be a betrayal to my teammates, so I’m using this precious break to improve myself.”

He said it with total sincerity, like it was the gospel truth.

“Oh, I see! Dylin’s quite self-aware—I mean, ambitious! Yes, you’ve got so much room for growth, keep it up~” Litt smiled with a “you’re-not-getting-rid-of-me” attitude.

“So—”

“So don’t mind me. I’ll just have a few cups of tea and be gone.”

“..........”

Dylin’s mouth twitched. He’d never met anyone this shameless.

At this point, refusing her entrance might seem even ruder. And he couldn’t physically throw her out—don’t let her small fists fool you, one punch could flatten him.

“You brought the Black Crystal Card, right? I suppose I should invite you in.”

“Ah, you’re too kind! Then I won’t refuse~”

Litt instantly brightened and gave a smug little hum as she walked past him.

“.........”

Dylin scratched his head. This wood elf girl always acts goofy, so how come she turns into a tactical genius with outsiders?

Inside, Litt leaned casually on the entry cabinet.

“You can wear these.”

Dylin handed her guest slippers.

“Thanks, Mister Dylin~”

She kicked off her knee-high boots, revealing delicate, sock-wrapped feet like snowy rice cakes. One smooth motion, and she was inside.

The kitchen still held the scent of food—he must’ve just cooked breakfast.

Had he only just woken up?

Litt eyed his lazy sleepwear.

Humans needed 8 hours of sleep. If he was up at 9 and still this groggy, he must’ve gone to bed late.

But why so late? The estate had no entertainment setup. So what kept him up?

Unless...

“Aiya, suddenly need the bathroom~ You don’t mind, right?”

Litt clasped her hands behind her back, cutely sticking out her tongue.

“There’s a bathroom on the first floor. Why are you heading upstairs?”

“Aiya, too urgent! Can’t hear you~ See you in a bit!”

She held her skirt and bolted up the stairs.

“............”

Dylin was dumbfounded. What now?

Something felt off, so he followed her.

Not long after rounding the hallway corner—he saw her red twin-tails disappear into his room.

What is she doing?!

“Miss Litt, what are you doing? Did the bathroom move to my room now??”

Dylin scowled as he opened the door.

Litt wasn’t listening. She stood inside, absorbing something.

“.........”

There was a faint scent of Her Highness—but not much.

It seemed they really did sleep in separate rooms last night. At least it hadn’t escalated that far...

“Aiya~ Sorry sorry! Is this your room, Mister Dylin?”

She tapped her temple playfully, winking.

“.........Who do you think the name on the door belongs to?”

“Oopsie! Didn’t look. Honestly, your room just looked so much like a bathroom, I got confused.”

“.........”

Dylin stared, increasingly unsettled.

Are all elves this passive-aggressive? Even the ditsy ones?!

“Alright then, Miss Litt, please leave. It’s inappropriate for a girl to stay in a man’s room.”

She didn’t budge.

“? Miss Litt?” Dylin frowned. She’d walked over to his bed.

“What, curious about my bed and décor?”

As he followed her gaze, he froze.

Then glanced at her ominously smiling face.

She’d picked something up.

A familiar golden hair ornament.

His survival instincts kicked in—he needed to explain—anything!

“Miss Litt, it’s getting late. If there’s nothing else, I’ll just see you—”

“Dylin~”

She held the ornament aloft, her voice still sweet—but chilling.

“Yes...?”

“Mind explaining this?”

“.........It’s almost lunchtime—why don’t we talk while heading to the cafeteria?”

“No need. I think it’s better if you explain it right here.”

She gently tugged on his sleeve, smiling—and making sure he couldn’t escape.

“If the explanation’s not convincing… I’m afraid Mister Dylin won’t be having lunch today~”

He might not even make it out of this room.

“Could you kindly explain why Miss Teresa’s hair ornament was found on your bed?”

“.........”

Even with Dylin’s silver tongue, he was utterly speechless.

Shit, I got careless! He forgot all about that thing...

How was he supposed to explain it?! To the world, Teresa and Dylin were supposed to be two separate people. Something as personal as a hair ornament, ending up in Dylin’s room? There was no way to explain it cleanly.

He opened his mouth, stopped. Tried again—then gave up.

Litt said nothing, still smiling. But Dylin felt like his fate was firmly in her hands now.

Whatever he said next might determine his entire future at the Academy.

“W-well, Miss Teresa sure is forgetful, huh.”

Even though this felt like a death sentence, Dylin had no choice but to speak.

Silence would only make him look more suspicious...

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