Xueyi looked at Lorin. He wasn’t joking at all. Then she glanced at Lilith, who still wore her usual warm, approachable expression. Even when Lilith noticed Xueyi’s gaze, she smiled back warmly.

The three fell silent for a moment. Finally, Xueyi spoke up, “No. I refuse.”

With that, she turned to leave without looking back.

“Hey!” Lorin stepped forward to grab her arm, but Xueyi shook him off instantly.

“Don’t touch me!” Xueyi glared at Lorin like a cat with its fur bristling, ready to scratch him any second.

Lorin withdrew his hand sheepishly. “This would actually benefit you.”

“Benefit?” Xueyi’s expression didn’t soften. It grew even colder. “If you really think it’s so good, then you two go. Don’t include me. Even alone, I won’t lose.”

Xueyi ignored Lorin and walked straight out.

“This girl,” Lorin sighed. Her hostility toward Lilith clearly remained. This was a rare chance to improve Xueyi’s image for everyone. Even after Lilith left the Royal Capital, it would still help her.

Lilith, who’d stayed quiet on the sidelines, turned to Lorin. “I might have a way. Let me talk to her.”

“Really?” Lorin had spent time with Xueyi, yet still didn’t know what she truly thought.

“It should work.” Lilith hurried after Xueyi’s retreating figure.

“Be careful then.” Lorin worried Xueyi’s aggressive mood might spark a fight.

Xueyi walked slowly, pausing now and then to kick small stones aside. To an outsider, she seemed to be searching for something.

“Miss Xueyi.”

Hearing her name, Xueyi stopped and looked toward the voice. But the figure wasn’t who she hoped for. Her face darkened instantly.

“It’s you.” Xueyi’s expression stayed cold. Her eyes kept flicking past Lilith, scanning behind her.

Lilith sensed the disappointment beneath Xueyi’s unfriendliness. “He didn’t follow.”

“What does it matter to me?” Xueyi started walking again.

This time, Lilith caught up and matched her pace. “Stop following me. Even if you helped me last time, you’re still my rival.”

Xueyi hated admitting it, but without Lilith waiting warmly outside the academy those days, others’ misunderstandings about her wouldn’t have faded so fast.

Lilith kept step with her, gazing at the sky. “That wasn’t my doing. The Second Prince handled it. I barely helped.”

Lorin had shared bits of his investigation with Lilith. She’d been shocked to learn Oulei was the mastermind. Even more surprising: the gentlemanly First Prince Romon was already engaged, yet it remained unannounced.

“So he told you everything.” Xueyi muttered bitterly, “He tells you everything but keeps me in the dark.”

“Miss Xueyi, you’ve changed a lot since spending time with the Second Prince.”

“No!” Xueyi snapped. “I haven’t changed. Why would I change for him?”

“But everything he does is for you,” Lilith said gently. “You can’t be unaware of that.”

Xueyi fell silent, stopping in her tracks. To her, Lorin acted for Lilith’s sake. If Lilith hadn’t gotten into trouble, he wouldn’t have done so much. Yet that incident let Xueyi spend time with him—and she felt a trace of gratitude for it.

After a long pause, Xueyi whispered, “I don’t believe it.” Her voice lacked its earlier firmness, sounding almost weak.

“Is that really true?” Lilith sighed in relief. At least Xueyi wasn’t angry anymore. She took Xueyi’s hand. “Let’s ask him. Have the Second Prince tell us himself.”

Lilith tugged, but Xueyi stood frozen like a statue, head bowed low as if hiding her face.

Lilith released her hand and leaned close, whispering, “You like the Second Prince, don’t you?”

“H-how... could... I...”

Before Xueyi could finish, Lilith pressed a finger to her lips. “Think carefully, Miss Xueyi. What if he heard that?”

Xueyi flinched, glancing around nervously to confirm Lorin wasn’t nearby.

“Isn’t this rank trial a perfect chance?” Lilith coaxed. “Show your true strength. Make the Second Prince see you properly—not just worry. Don’t you want to be someone he views as capable?”

“See me... capable...” Xueyi murmured, Lorin’s face flashing in her mind.

Seizing the moment, Lilith asked, “So, Miss Xueyi, shall we team up for the trial?”

Dazed, Xueyi finally nodded. “Alright. This time, I’ll team with you.”

Lilith exhaled deeply, as if a huge weight lifted. Without their many duels and understanding, persuading Xueyi would’ve been impossible.

They discussed trial strategies briefly. By the time they left the academy, night had fallen.

At the gate, Lorin had waited a while. Before he could approach, Lilith gave him a subtle nod.

Seeing Lorin there, Xueyi walked up. She looked up, locking eyes with him firmly. “On that day, you just watch me well!”

Lorin almost missed her words. But seeing her determination, he relaxed. “Mm. I will.”