For several days straight, Lorin had gone out with Xueyi. Now, suddenly not seeing her around, he felt a little uneasy.

"I wonder how she’s doing," Lorin muttered, rubbing his brow. He’d wanted to ask about Xueyi after she got home. But then he thought better of it. She’d finally made it back; asking right away would seem weird, like he didn’t want her to leave. Besides, they weren’t that close.

At the academy, Lorin stepped down from the carriage. A familiar figure approached.

"Xueyi." Lorin studied her. She looked normal, no odd signs—and even a bit more energetic than usual.

"W-what is it?" Xueyi fidgeted under his gaze, cheeks flushing slightly.

"How was it after you went back yesterday?" Lorin asked, worried about her earlier clash with her father.

"It was fine. After clearing up that misunderstanding, Father didn’t say much. We talked about some things this time."

In Xueyi’s mind, her father had never seen her efforts. Yet, after her talk with Lorin about the incident with Lilith, he’d seemed to understand. And with Lilith’s stance, it was all settled.

"That’s good," Lorin sighed in relief. As long as Xueyi’s family ties weren’t strained, it was best for her.

"Were you worried about me?"

"Guess so."

Hearing that, Xueyi pressed her lips together, hesitating. "Then… do you want to know what I talked about with Father?"

"No need," Lorin waved it off. Xueyi was home safe—that was enough. As an outsider, he didn’t need to hear their private talk.

"..."

Xueyi fell silent, her earlier liveliness gone. Lorin frowned. "What’s wrong now?"

She whipped her head away. "Nothing. If you don’t want to listen, fine. I don’t care to tell you anyway."

Lorin was used to Xueyi’s sudden mood swings, but sometimes she still baffled him.

In class, Xueyi sat beside Lorin as usual. Others had stopped staring—it was routine now.

What puzzled Xueyi was that Lorin wasn’t dozing off. Instead, he scribbled nonstop with his pen. She peered over but couldn’t decipher a thing, assuming he was just killing time.

"Got time after class?" Lorin asked when lessons ended.

"If it’s important, I suppose I’m free."

Lorin sighed. Today, Xueyi seemed back to her old self—recovered from the past turmoil—but still different from those days they’d spent together.

"I need to tell you something."

"Something…" Xueyi’s eyes widened slightly, as if guessing his meaning, but she forced calmness. "Okay."

Truth was, even if Lorin hadn’t asked, Xueyi hadn’t planned to leave right away. She’d likely stick with him.

Walking behind Lorin, Xueyi scanned the academy gardens. Classes were over, so few people lingered.

"Is he really going to…" Xueyi watched his back, a smile tugging at her lips before she noticed it.

Ahead, Lorin waved. Someone on a bench waved back.

"Lilith?"

Xueyi froze. Why was Lilith here? Clearly, Lorin had arranged this meeting.

"What’s going on?" Xueyi grabbed Lorin’s arm. "Why is she here?!"

Memories flashed—Lorin’s warning about Romon, who’d had a fiancée yet flirted with others. Anger flared. Was Lorin the same, stringing multiple girls along?

"You said you had something to tell me!" Xueyi’s grip tightened, threatening to rip his sleeve. "Are you also—?"

She choked on the rest. Though her grudge against Lilith had faded, Lilith’s presence had overshadowed Xueyi’s efforts. Both the crown prince and her own brother admired Lilith.

"What nonsense." Lorin shook his head. After yesterday’s mood swings, he almost thought Xueyi had been replaced.

Lilith approached, covering her mouth with a laugh. "Miss Xueyi, you’ve misunderstood."

She seemed to know Xueyi’s unspoken accusation.

"Lorin asked me here to discuss the upcoming rank trials," Lilith explained.

"Rank trials?" Xueyi’s eyes narrowed slightly. The academy held them periodically, adjusting ranks based on performance.

"What else did you think?" Lorin stepped back as Xueyi loosened her grip. "My sleeve’s about to tear off."

"Then what did you want to tell me?" Xueyi’s voice turned icy, her stare sharp. "Are you teaming up with her?"

Trials allowed solo or team entries. But team rewards sparked disputes—who deserved credit? Xueyi had planned to team with Lorin, waiting for the right moment. Now, she reconsidered.

"Not me and her," Lorin said, glancing between them. "You and her."

"Eh?" Xueyi’s anger vanished. She stared at Lilith. "Me and her?"

She’d always seen Lilith as a rival. Teaming up felt impossible to process.