---

Chapter 162: Roy’s Response

On a sunny afternoon, Roy arrived early for the banquet at the newly built Cassandra Family Mansion.

In Veszyra, there’s an unspoken understanding among nobles and mages regarding family bloodlines: as long as it doesn’t violate the greater good of humanity, no one will completely eradicate a defeated family.

This is not only about leaving a little room for kindness; it’s also because extraordinary bloodlines are rare. If one family were to be entirely exterminated, it would deal a blow to the entire human world.

Moreover, Lisanna herself was a victim.

Anyway, the Cassandra Family and the Purple Magic Academy, although severely wounded, have recently begun to embark on the path of revival. The old site has been abandoned, converting the previous villa used for recuperation into a new stronghold for the academy.

The mother and daughter of the Cassandra Family personally came to welcome the guests, which was rather an honor.

However, Roy felt anything but fortunate, as he sat in the reception room on pins and needles.

This was because the princess, who definitely wasn’t invited, and the elven girl insisted on joining him as companions, flanking him on both sides.

Add to that the maid Alice diligently serving from the side, and it perfectly recreated the classic trio from their time in the South Sea Kingdom.

The moment they met, Leanna’s face darkened.

Roy truly feared that the three girls would recreate the previous chaos before the Cassandra Family’s relatives, making it to tomorrow’s trending headlines and causing him social death.

Fortunately, the elder Lisanna seemed accustomed to storms, teasingly said: “I’ve heard Mr. Roy is quite popular with the ladies, and seeing you today, it’s well-deserved!”

“Kids these days are so open!”

The two girls, not particularly thick-skinned, immediately became flustered upon being called out.

“You and Leanna must have a lot to chat about, right? There’s still a bit of time before the official start of the banquet, so I won’t disturb your youth,” Lisanna said, looking toward the two girls. “If you don’t mind, why don’t you follow me for a tour of the Cassandra Family Mansion?”

Charlotte and Nia exchanged glances, and with Alice, they seemed to abandon their mission, trailing behind the woman.

At last, in the garden behind the mansion, Roy finally had a chance to be alone with Leanna.

In deep autumn, the maple leaves were a brilliant golden, resembling a watercolor painting streaked with dusk, extending beautifully and full of charm.

Roy recalled that during his previous stay here, he was healed by the scenery outside the window.

This was also Roy’s first time in a swirling, colorful maple forest, and he couldn’t help but feel somewhat refreshed.

But what truly brought him joy was the lovely figure standing nearby.

Unfortunately, the brown-haired girl had a faint shadow in her eyes; her smile lacked the usual ease and grace, and she couldn’t quite lift her head.

“I’m really sorry about what happened in the South Sea Kingdom; I didn’t mean to cause you so much trouble,” Leanna sighed softly.

Roy shrugged it off casually: “What’s the matter? After finally meeting, your first sentence is an apology?”

Roy gave her a light-hearted smile: “There’s nothing to apologize for; I actually enjoyed that trip quite a bit.”

His usual attitude brightened Leanna’s mood instantly, like autumn leaves illuminated by sunlight.

Normally somber and gloomy, she could shine brightly with just a bit of light.

Leanna finally showed a smile Roy was familiar with: “So, does that mean you really enjoyed our little world together?”

Under such teasing, the boy would always inadvertently shift his gaze away, appearing shy and cute, which made Leanna think it was quite amusing.

This time, however, although his face turned a bit red, he did not avoid her gaze.

“I did enjoy it a lot.”

Such a clear answer caught Leanna off guard.

She caught a glimpse of her reflection in the boy’s slightly flustered eyes, stirring ripples in her heart.

Leanna didn’t dislike this feeling.

But soon, she lowered her eyes, walking past the boy with her hands behind her back.

“Too bad this little world can’t last forever.”

Bathed in the slightly cool autumn air, Leanna smiled helplessly: “In fact, I feel quite jealous of them.”

“They met you before I did and shared more experiences with you. The reason we clashed in the South Sea Kingdom might be that I wanted to prove I wouldn’t lose to them.”

“But you still like them, right?” Leanna glanced back slightly, like she was afraid to meet Roy’s eyes.

That slender silhouette seemed as if it could vanish with the wind at any moment.

Roy replied without hesitation: “Yes, I like them. No matter who I face or what they do, that answer will never change.”

Leanna’s shoulders trembled slightly.

She couldn’t help feeling relieved that she hadn’t turned around just now to see the beautiful expression on his face when he talked about them.

Actually, from the outcome that day, she had already guessed the answer.

Between Roy and them, there wasn’t really any space for her to squeeze in, was there?

Leanna had thought of various clingy tactics, but one night, seeing the boy’s angry expression erased all those thoughts.

Even if she couldn’t have him, she didn’t want to see him sad.

Looks like she had really fallen too deep.

Leanna turned around and forced down the bitter confession with her usual tone, chuckling lightly: “So, we should—”

“How rare, that the senior has such a messy moment!”

The boy looked at her with a half-smile: “I can never tell which words from you are jokes and which are sincere, but this time, your lie is so terrible that even I can see through it.”

From that one night, discovering the true wishes of the sorceress, Roy finally began to notice Leanna’s playful expression as she mocked yet concealed her affections.

Just like a little snake always naturally closing in on its prey, Roy too fixed his eyes on her with the intensity of a hunter, boldly taking a step forward.

Leanna instinctively took a few steps back but bumped into a maple tree, forced to stop.

Roy seized the opportunity, leaning in with a wall-like presence, completely blocking her escape.

The aroma of coffee and bellflower wafted from her brown hair, lingering enticingly.

Roy leaned close to her ear, smiling softly: “I don’t think you’ve lost to them.”

Leanna’s purple eyes widened slightly; after her initial surprise, a sense of awakening surged forth, soon shifting to unease.

“But… won’t this cause you trouble? What will they say? Do they really agree?”

With tears welling in her eyes, the senior appeared bashful, which was truly a rare and adorable sight.

Understanding a bit of the joy in teasing others, the boy smirked: “They are them, and you are you.”

“Are we talking about you now?”

Leanna had already guessed the answer: “So…”

Roy gently held her chin, gazing into her eyes that were even more beautiful and brilliant than purple crystal: “Do you remember the question you asked me back at the beach?”

“This is the answer.”

I want you too.

The prey clumsily surrendered, even eager to offer herself up for the picking.

On a clear autumn afternoon, the swirling autumn leaves danced around, painting a magnificent picture that belonged solely to the two of them.

The soft sound of the wind, the rustling of falling leaves, intertwined with the sweet whispers of the boy and girl, creating a captivating melody that was just theirs.

This was a world that belonged only to them.

In a corner of the maple forest, the blonde girl who came to call them abruptly halted, leaning back against a tree trunk, silently hugging her knees.

She didn’t want to disturb their world.

As a maid, waiting for her master’s happiness was only natural.

Naturally… that’s right.

—“Alice wouldn’t mind.”

—“As long as the master doesn’t abandon Alice, that’s all that matters.”

But recalling those words, Alice bit her lip and lowered her head.

She definitely minded.

This wasn’t good.

“I’m sorry, it seems Alice really is a bad girl.”

 

---