Chapter 65: Misinterpretations and Desperate Measures

Celeste was still preoccupied with thoughts of the little girl they had just encountered.

Her mind, adrift in reflection, inadvertently lifted her gaze.

It was then that she noticed Yalin subtly receding into the crowd, clearly attempting to slip away amidst the commotion.

“Wait, where are you going?”

In a rush of urgency, Celeste lunged forward with a swift stride, seizing his wrist firmly.

‘Damn it, I’ve been caught…’

Suppressing the turmoil within him, Yalin feigned an air of nonchalance.

Raising an eyebrow, he remarked, “Well, I just remembered I have something urgent to attend to. I need to head back for a bit…”

“You’re lying. Weren’t you working for that little girl just now? She even told you something about paid leave…”

‘As expected of the female lead, she managed to deduce my connection with Luluti from just a few words. She’s truly formidable!’

Celeste’s strength was immense; even without resorting to body-enhancing white magic, she was undeniably beyond his ability to resist.

Despite exerting all his might, he found himself unable to pull his wrist free, leaving Yalin’s skin flushed crimson from the struggle.

Celeste fixed her gaze intently upon Yalin’s captivating black eyes.

Though he appeared outwardly calm and unperturbed, a closer inspection would reveal the hidden panic simmering beneath the surface.

More importantly, his face seemed a shade redder than before, further validating Celeste’s suspicion.

‘Just as Totomia had said, he truly was avoiding her!’

“This time, I absolutely won’t let you get away!”

Celeste’s gaze was resolute, and Yalin’s heart sank with a premonition of disaster, knowing there would be no escaping her today.

Yet, he genuinely couldn’t comprehend why this domineering female lead kept clinging to him so relentlessly.

Although he was unsure what he had done to provoke her this time, hadn’t he already offered his sincere apologies before?

Was that still not enough?

‘My friend, are you truly going to kill me?’

“Oh, Yalin… I heard there’s a rather nice café nearby… Would you like to go for a cup?”

Celeste turned her head away, twirling a strand of hair near her ear, and spoke in a somewhat unnatural tone.

It was her first time actively inviting someone out, so it was inevitable she would feel a touch of shyness.

However, according to Totomia, Yalin had been avoiding her precisely because of his insecurity.

Therefore, she understood that she had to be the one to take the initiative.

“Ahaha, I don’t have money for coffee, so let’s just forget it.”

“No money?”

Celeste froze in surprise.

No matter what, Yalin came from a noble background; how could he possibly not even have money for coffee?

Yet, she soon came to a sudden realization: Yalin’s family was gone, and having arrived in Elandia alone, he must have surely depleted all his savings…

‘No wonder he was working for that ill-tempered young lady just now; so that was the reason!’

The thought filled her with even greater guilt.

“It’s fine, I’ll treat you!”

“Ahaha, but it’s quite embarrassing for a girl to treat me. Could you please let me off the hook and spare my pride…?”

“Don’t worry,” Celeste said earnestly, tightening her grip on Yalin’s wrist.

“I would never mock you like those other ignorant people!”

She paused, then added softly, “Besides… consider it an apology for what happened last time…”

Yalin furrowed his brow. ‘What on earth was this girl talking about?’

He had originally intended to deliberately humble himself to make Celeste back off, but it seemed she simply couldn’t understand reason.

‘Oh, wait, it wasn’t even deliberate self-deprecation; coffee here was genuinely too expensive for him.’

‘Never mind, that plan had failed.’

Yalin could only devise a different excuse.

“I really don’t think this is a good idea… Weren’t you originally out shopping with Liyang? Suddenly dragging me along would surely bother her, so I’d better not intrude…”

“It’s no problem, and it won’t delay anything. Besides, Liyang is coming too, right?”

Celeste turned her head and addressed Liyang.

“Ah… I…”

Liyang stammered, her expression flustered, her gaze darting uncertainly between the two of them.

Yalin’s eyes lit up.

‘That’s right, hope wasn’t lost yet; Liyang was still here.’

He stared intensely at Liyang, desperately sending her pleading glances.

‘Liyang, we talked for so long that night; we can practically be considered comrades-in-arms, right?’

‘You must understand what I mean, right?’

‘Please, find some way, any excuse, to make Celeste drop this idea!’

Liyang also sensed Yalin’s meaningful gaze, and her face flushed as she instinctively turned her head away.

However, a quiet murmur of thought began in her heart.

‘Was Yalin’s look meant for her to help him with something?’

She recalled Yalin’s last words.

[‘Suddenly dragging me along would surely bother her…’]

A shiver ran through her, and she suddenly understood Yalin’s intentions.

‘Ah, so that’s what he meant.’

Liyang gently bit her lip, a pang of bitterness welling up in her heart.

‘So, Yalin’s reluctance stemmed from her presence.’

‘Indeed, they were childhood friends, and Celeste was the one Yalin liked.

Wouldn’t her being there just be an inconvenience?’

She looked at Yalin again, offering him a gentle smile.

‘Yalin had probably realized her feelings long ago.’

‘But he was simply too kind. Even though he liked Celeste so much, he had deliberately said those things that night just to comfort her.’

‘Therefore, she had to do something for Yalin as well.’

“I’m sorry, Celeste, I suddenly feel a bit unwell…”

“Eh, are you alright?”

Celeste, somewhat flustered, released Yalin’s hand.

‘But she had been perfectly fine until just a moment ago?’

“Then, should I walk you back?”

“No, no! It’s really nothing serious, I just don’t feel much like walking…”

Liyang hastily waved her hand, saying apologetically, “My apologies, I’ll just rest here for a bit. You two go on ahead.”

“Is that so? Well then…”

“Hold on a second!!”

Yalin was utterly exasperated.

‘No, what the hell do you mean by that!!’

‘You create such a mess, and then you just plan to casually walk away from it all?!’

‘How can you be so selfish!’

‘No, being alone with Celeste will genuinely be the death of me!’

Without a second thought, he lunged forward, seizing Liyang’s wrist.

The three of them were now linked together in an awkward formation.

“Eh, eh, eh?”

Liyang’s face immediately flushed hot, and she looked at Yalin, utterly bewildered.

“Ahaha, Liyang, you’re truly too kind. Were you intentionally trying to give us some time alone? There’s really no need for that, you know?”

Though a smile still graced his lips, Yalin’s mind was now consumed with thoughts of devouring children.

“Is that so?”

Celeste paused for a moment, then quickly understood, hurrying to add, “You shouldn’t inconvenience yourself just to accommodate us.”

“Wuwu, I…”

Liyang felt a warmth spread through her chest, rendering her almost speechless.

Meeting their eager gazes, she finally gave a slight nod.