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Chapter 148: The Nightingale’s Joyful Song (2600 words)

Roy leaned against the railing, gazing at the starry night sky, inadvertently recalling the evening he first had a drink with Nia.

Back then, the girl was carefree and joyful, drinking freely without a care for others’ gazes. He remembered thinking her smile was like sunshine, so dazzling that it shouldn’t be shadowed, which is why he offered comfort when she seemed down.

Now, though, the girl donned a light dress, sipped cautiously from her drink, and pretended to casually steal glances at him, adding a different layer of charm.

He had long grown dissatisfied with merely watching her radiant smile from afar, yearning to add more color to that pretty face.

Color that belonged solely to him.

Roy gulped down the wine in his cup without hesitation.

The mead was not too strong, but Roy already felt his cheeks burning and his heart racing.

He turned to face the source of his rapid heartbeat.

“Did you know, at first, I found you quite annoying? So loud and jumpy, I wished you would just go away.”

Nia dramatically furrowed her brows. “If you don’t say ‘but’ soon, I’ll hit someone!”

“But, I really think it’s great you’re sticking around.”

Nia paused mid-sip.

The cup barely lost any of its precious liquid, yet her emerald eyes appeared increasingly dreamy.

Roy’s heart raced faster than ever.

He gently caressed her soft cheek and couldn’t help but lean in, wanting to taste the sweetness that belonged to the girl again.

But just then, Nia suddenly closed her eyes and shouted.

“Wait, wait a minute!”

Roy jolted back as if shocked, his mind cooling down, slowly releasing his grip.

Damn it, did he misjudge the timing?

Or was it that Nia ultimately didn’t want to accept his double life?

His previously soaring mood plummeted, leaving him embarrassed as he averted his gaze.

Noticing Roy’s wounded expression, Nia hurriedly waved her hands in explanation. “No, no, I didn’t mean I dislike you!”

Seeing her nearly in tears made Roy regain his confidence, but it made him even more curious about her reasons for rejection.

He replied, “But?”

“But… I feel like I owe you an apology.” Nia’s voice was barely above a whisper.

She lifted her gaze to the endless starry sky, her voice strangely distant, laced with faint sadness.

“Actually, um, to be honest, I’ve liked you for a while now.” Nia scratched her ear shyly.

“I originally planned to do whatever it took to win you over.”

Roy was momentarily stunned, replaying past events in his mind with an odd expression: “So that’s why you stripped and climbed into my bed?”

Nia nearly spat out her drink in shock.

“Don’t change the subject!”

She shot Roy a glare before continuing, “But I changed my mind on the day of the final banquet.”

Roy’s heart sank.

He understood correctly; Nia had feelings for him, yet she wasn’t ready to accept it, which could only lead to one conclusion.

As a conservative elf descendant, Nia likely couldn’t accept a relationship that defied traditional norms.

However, the next words left Roy wide-eyed in disbelief.

Nia’s smile turned bitter. “I’m really sorry for making things so difficult for you that night.”

“I thought that to get you, I could go to any lengths, but I was wrong.”

“In your heart, Charlotte must be very important to you. But I forced myself into between you two, ruining your happiness.” Nia’s voice turned hoarse, hinting at her tears.

She wasn’t afraid to bear the fate of standing against the cult with Roy, nor did she believe she would lose to any girl, even that royal princess.

But that night, Roy’s pained expression, caught between her and Charlotte, was unbearable.

If a minor event like the final banquet could cause Roy such distress, what if Charlotte ascended the throne and used her power to force Roy into a corner? What then?

She never imagined she would be the root of Roy’s suffering.

Just like Charlotte said, she was indeed that green tea who destroyed Roy’s happiness.

So, Nia let out a deep breath.

“Therefore, I’ve made a decision.”

When she faced Roy again, Nia forced another bright smile.

But that smile seemed incredibly pale and lonely in Roy’s eyes.

“Honestly, just being able to stay at the Academy and be by your side makes me so happy.”

“So, let’s just be friends—”

The girl’s eyes widened slightly, halting her words.

Roy said nothing, silently extending his hand in front of her.

“Let’s just—”

Nia trembled, ultimately unable to utter that dishonest phrase.

Roy smiled gently.

“Idiot, you misunderstood two things…”

“First, Charlotte has already agreed. Your presence won’t ruin anyone’s happiness or put me in any awkward positions.”

“So, you went to see Charlotte to get her approval for us?” Nia’s realization dawned.

“Exactly, she already said yes. Are you sure you want to back out now?”

Nia was left stunned, caught in a whirlwind of mixed feelings.

“And then…” Roy stretched his hand further, gazing into her eyes filled with disbelief, softly said: “Even if you’re satisfied, I won’t be. Even if you let go, I won’t either.”

“Nia Molly, will you be my girlfriend?”

Nia gasped, biting her lip, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

But in the end, she managed to lift her lips and smile through her tears, like a jasmine blooming on a rainy night.

She cautiously reached out her wrist, gripping Roy’s hand tightly, their fingers intertwined like the threads of fate.

Nia stared at their joined hands for a long time, then sweetly teased, “Does this count as a confession?”

Roy chuckled, retorting, “Does this count as acceptance?”

“Player, you already have Charlotte!”

“That’s different. Princess and girlfriend are two separate things.”

Nia wiped the corners of her teary eyes, breaking into a smile as her usual sunny disposition returned: “So, I’m your only girlfriend?”

“Of course.”

“So I can do things a girlfriend could do now?”

Her moist eyes sparkled with hope, more dazzling than the galaxy.

Roy had barely opened his mouth to respond when Nia was already on her tiptoes, eager to dive in like a bird taking flight.

The fresh scent of jasmine entered Roy’s lips, this time allowing for a careful savoring, a gentle exchange of breaths, nothing like their hurried first kiss—

But mishaps still occurred.

“Master! Nia! Dinner is ready…!”

The two quickly turned around, realizing the blonde girl had appeared behind them, witnessing their embarrassing moment without them noticing.

Nia instinctively tried to pull away but was tightly held in Roy’s embrace.

This time, after the initial panic, Roy didn’t explain anything.

Though not wanting the little maid to see something she shouldn’t, he and Nia were now on solid ground, leaving no need for him to hide things from Alice.

Right in front of Alice, he wrapped his arms around Nia’s delicate shoulders. Nia didn’t flinch, only avoiding Alice’s gaze with a mix of guilt and embarrassment.

Alice’s eyelashes fluttered, clearly beginning to understand.

“Just tell them we’ll be there shortly.”

“…Alice understands.” The girl nodded slightly and obediently retreated.

Once ensured that the little maid was gone, Roy finally relaxed.

But at that moment, he heard a soft, wet breath in his ear.

“You said that I’m as important as Charlotte, right? She knew you first and must have gotten more from you, right?”

“Right.”

“So you better make up for what you owe, you player.”

Nia wrapped her arms around Roy’s neck, pressing herself against him, her softness nearly spilling over.

She tilted her head, blushing fiercely but still forcing a smile: “Who knows, I might give you something that Charlotte can’t provide?”

“…I don’t think dinner is that urgent.” Roy turned and hugged Nia’s abundant form, lifting her onto the round table.

Nia threw him a flirtatious glance, smiling sweetly: “Exactly, let them wait.”

The vast and brilliant starry sky hung high, floral scents wafted through the evening breeze, and under the bustling night, only one corner remained eerily quiet, as if it were just the two of them, quietly savoring the melody of nightingales’ soft laughter.

Yet, this night wasn’t exclusive to just them.

In the shadows, the blonde girl lingered, unmoving.

Listening to the rising and falling laughter and breaths behind her, Alice involuntarily brushed her lips, her eyes finally flickering with a tinge of bitterness.

But in the end, she simply closed her eyes tightly, bit her finger, and without a word, silently turned away, escaping this world that did not belong to her.

 

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