FGFM 35🔐

Chapter 35

Fleur and the man with the question mark returned to the party hall together after finishing their deal.

“I promise today’s party will end successfully.”
“I told you. I don’t lie.”
“You say that after meeting me while wearing three disguises?”
“That’s part of the job.”

Her irritation at his brazen attitude no longer prompted her to reply. She still didn’t know his name, but she didn’t ask either.

After all, her thoughts of marrying him had vanished the moment she suspected he was a close aide to the emperor.

If she had known, she wouldn’t have even worn perfume.

Since she needed to find someone truly kind, not a fake, leaving him as the “question mark” felt easier on her mind.

As they neared the party hall, she whispered just loudly enough to be heard.

“Please stay calm until the party ends.”
“All right. But give me more dessert.”
“Excuse me? You already had some this morning.”
“It was delicious, so I want more.”

Pleased by his praise of her efforts, he nodded contentedly.

“I’ll tell the maid to prepare it.”
“Thank you, darling.”

The unexpected use of “darling” sent a shiver down her spine.

“Kyle!”

Miles came running toward them, checking on him.

“Are you okay now? How’s your mouth? You bled so suddenly—I was really worried.”

His genuine concern furrowed his brows as he asked, speaking loud enough that some people at the party began looking over.

Fleur secretly admired his skill in drawing attention, knowing from earlier that Miles, too, was essentially a shadow of the emperor.

No, they weren’t bodyguards—they were actors in a play.

Even the stranger who had been teasing her earlier now casually began using sign language, inspiring a sense of awe.

It seemed the emperor chose his shadows based on acting ability.

“How did you hurt your mouth?”
“….”
“Was it because the dessert was too good, and you bit down hard, tearing the inside of your mouth?”
“….”
“Thanks to Valen, it healed quickly, right? Thank you for treating my brother.”

Miles bowed politely to her.

“No problem. Since you were hurt eating dessert, it’s only natural I helped.”

Hearing this simple explanation, the eavesdropping nobles nodded in understanding.

“Fleur.”

Dylan approached them next, subtly creating some distance between Fleur and the question-marked man.

“Dylan, has the party been going well?”
“Yes. Thanks to Colin’s efforts, it’s been fine.”
“That’s good.”
“Have you had any trouble, Fleur?”
“I’ve had a lot of things happen…”

Hearing that, Dylan quickly took her hand and led her a little away from the party hall.

Once alone, he examined Fleur closely, his blue eyes gleaming even in the darkness.

“What happened? Did the stranger threaten you?”
“No, I threatened him.”
“Excuse me?”
“I grabbed him by the collar and shook him.”

Dylan’s brows furrowed further, trying to understand the situation.

“I’ll explain everything after the party, so just wait a bit.”
“…As long as you weren’t hurt, that’s a relief. Let’s rejoin the party.”

Relieved, he let go of her hand and began heading back to the party hall.

Something soft and light brushed against the back of her neck. Dylan, taking a step forward, froze.

“Wait… let me catch my breath a bit.”

She pressed her forehead lightly against his back, using his body as a shield from others.

Though she tried not to tremble in front of the stranger, the conversation with an aide to the emperor naturally made her nervous.

Being with the familiar Dylan helped her body relax.

Taking a deep breath, Fleur let go of his back and tapped the spot she had rested on lightly.

“Thanks. Thanks to a reliable aide, I could rest well.”

After this simple greeting, she moved past him toward the party hall.

Congratulations.
Your affection level has increased without a quest.
Current Dylan’s affection: 29% → 35%
Double affection event is currently active.

Startled by the sudden notification, she paused.

Why was her affection rising so quickly today? Maybe dressing up instead of wearing farm clothes all the time made the difference?

She needed to raise the affection of all four romanceable characters. Dylan’s level was dangerously close to the 40% threshold.

If it hit 40%, the characters’ obsessive tendencies would start. She was just 5% away.

“I guess I shouldn’t stay with Dylan for now.”

Somehow, she had raised the affection of Colin, the question-marked man, and Dylan.

That left only Aidan, whose affection was already at 30%.

Failing the quest would reset the data, but success would trigger his obsessive behavior.

No choice seemed easy.

“…Still, obsession is better than data reset. I can just hire lots of bodyguards to protect myself.”

For the remaining time, she focused on increasing Aidan’s affection.

Scanning the room with her yellow eyes, she searched for him, who resembled a black cat.

Spotting Aidan standing alone in the wide party hall, she waved lightly and approached.

But the moment their eyes met, he pressed his lips together, puffed his cheeks slightly, and turned away abruptly.

His expression was exactly like a five-year-old sulking.

“What… is he sulking right now?”

Thanks to the stranger admitting it was his fault, the party proceeded smoothly.

Everyone enjoyed the dessert, a light meal was served to promote the meal kit business, and a circus troupe performed briefly for entertainment.

By the time everything was ready, it was near midnight. Some guests were tired, so it was time to wind down, but Fleur was in a dilemma.

“Um, Aidan…”
“….”
“Aidan, can we talk for a moment…?”

Before the party ended, she needed to raise Aidan’s affection by 10%, but she hadn’t increased it at all.

She couldn’t even talk to him—he avoided her gaze entirely.

Why was he doing this? He used to stick to her like a magnet even when she told him to go away!

For some reason, he seemed very angry with her.

“Miss Valen, we’ve received enough dessert orders already, so the party can end here.”

Colin approached and suggested gently.

“Oh… then I’ll stay so those who want to remain can continue enjoying themselves.”
“They’ll probably just drink. If the ending is bad, everyone will forget the good things. Ending it here is best.”

Fleur agreed with Colin’s firm advice but couldn’t give up on the quest, so she hesitated.

Biting her lower lip, unsure what to do, Dylan approached.

“Fleur, Aidan wishes to return to the Hauser mansion.”

He asked for her consent before officially ending the party.

Aidan was the first to leave.

Fleur pressed her forehead, scanning the surroundings.

“Where’s Aidan?”
“He’s already headed to the mansion entrance, assuming Fleur wouldn’t care.”
“What?! I have to stop him!”

Without thinking, she ran straight toward the gate.

Colin and Dylan called after her, but she didn’t stop.

Wearing high heels, she ran until her soles hurt, then kicked off her shoes and sprinted barefoot.

She found him just a short distance from the mansion gate.

“Aidan! Wait, stop!!”

Grabbing him desperately, she pressed her forehead against his back and bent slightly, gasping for breath.

“Haah… haah…”

Her frail body ached like her lungs would tear. She managed to speak.

“Why… why are you going back already…?”

Out of breath and tearful, she asked.

He replied with a similar expression, though he hadn’t been running.

“…You don’t care whether I’m here or not.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“Even though we decided to remain friends after the engagement was broken, how could you not even say a word to me?”
“That’s because I’m busy hosting the party…”
“Hmph. You could chat easily with your aide, Martin’s third son, and the idiot who got hurt from not chewing properly, but not with me.”

He pouted like a sulking child and turned his head sharply.

Ah… he’s like a little kitten upset because he’s not getting attention.