CHAPTER 74: TROLLING ENVY WITH ’ARIA’! (ENDS IN TONGUE KISS)

"Uh-Hello!"

The brown-haired elf’s expression beamed. "I’m Aria, a senior elf assigned to guide you through our first field trip!"

Even with Mel’s chin nestled deep into her hair, Lila’s gaze burrowed into the elf with suspicion.

Mel watched as a slight growl slipped from Lila’s lips, warning against the ’poor elf’ who was only here for a greeting.

She chuckled softly, sliding her fingers up to gently cup Lila’s lips.

She enjoyed Lila’s pouty hums and faced the ’elf’ with a bright grin. "Guide us? What about the others?"

"Oh. The others have also been arranged as individuals or groups by the Saintess’s hand, and you two are Group 1 in our books."

With her brows twitching, Aria’s thumbs fidgeted with each other as if she were nervous. "Do you hate that I’m assigned to you? It’s a personal arrangement by the Student Council President, but I can manage..."

Lila’s Emerald eyes flashed with ire, her lips desperately mouthing ’yes’ despite being held firm by Mel’s fingers.

She had a sneaking suspicion that this ’Aria’ elf could not be trusted, especially not when a Blonde already snuck herself in to occupy her Mel’s attention!

Mel merely patted Lila’s restless head, her palm smoothing over Lila’s anger. "Nah, we’re fine, Senior! I can’t bring much trouble to the ones who hurriedly support us when we suddenly arrange a field trip!"

"Yep yep! The Saintess truly was a handful, wasn’t she?"

The Elf’s eyes sparkled with excitement, completely unashamed that she had broken the ’the shy elf’ senior persona she had initially adopted.

"Even someone as diligent, beautiful, divine, and pure as the Saintess had her slip-up sometimes!" The Elf nodded with strength. "It’s a sign that she was just as human as anyone, suddenly beginning to arrange this outrageous trip from nowhere..."

"Oh? I was beginning to think perhaps she was a romantic instead!"

Mel tapped a finger to her chin, mustering up the most intelligent look. "You can sense the consideration behind this trip! I don’t think it’s a coincidence that we’re paired up as a couple!"

"You mean allowing intimacy between you both, thereby promoting same-sex policy across the Kingdom?!" The Elf exclaimed as she clapped her hands. "Oh my goddess! Even I didn’t think the Saintess was this smart!"

"Absolutely! The Saintess was such a benevolent figure for all of us to admire, wasn’t she?"

"Wow! I cannot help but agree!"

"Mel!"

A muffled scream tore through between Mel’s fingers, before Lila pulled them off and pointed at the Elf. "What’s wrong with you both?! From the start, you two have been Saintess this and Saintess that, did you forget I was here as well?"

"Ah, this must be Lila! Hello!"

The brown-haired elf waved, her lips curling up in delight. "I’ve heard the gleeful rumours surrounding you both!"

Lila’s brow shot up as she glared at Aria, her suspicion flaring at the Elf’s suspicious act. "Come again?"

"Mhm. How bold of you to kiss Mel in front of everyone in the classroom against the Heiress! Even I wouldn’t be this shameless- I mean, bold!"

"Hic-that..."

Lila’s voice trailed off, her body squirming in Mel’s grasp. "That’s... just an impulsive decision on my end..."

Eying the reddened ears, Mel murmured. "Is that really it, Lila? What about our little kisses in the cafeteria?"

"That was more your fault than mine..."

Unrelenting despite Lila’s trembling voice, the Elf’s eyes sparked. "Ah. And those little red marks on your neck! Did you two do it last night?"

"As if!"

Lila’s face flushed a deep red, yet she paused momentarily.

With her little shout, everyone’s stare turned to her with interest, some even blushingly avoiding her gaze.

Samantha merely squinted at them with annoyance before continued to explain the guidelines and safety rules.

A guilt swelled within Lila as she hung her head, her eyes watering in a bubbling shame. "Hic... hic..."

A flicker of pity crossed Mel’s face, her embrace on Lila tightening.

She leaned in and pressed her lips to her neck. "Better?"

Lila scowled a little before glancing away. "Not better."

She pecked again. "Better?"

"Not better."

"Aw..."

She cradled Lila’s chin, guiding her gaze up before brushing a tender kiss across her lips. "Better?"

Lila’s Emerald eyes darted away, this time unsure. "Not better..."

"Well... I have no choice then."

Mel’s lips curled into a knowing smile. She leaned in without hesitation, capturing Lila’s mouth in a deep, lingering kiss.

Around them, their classmates instinctively looked away, not from shock, but from respect.

It was, after all, the couple’s private moment once again.

As Mel pulled back, licking off the saliva string from their lips, she murmured again. "Better now, Lila?"

With a hazy mind, Lila gave a brief and subtle nod. "Mmm... better now."

"Hehe. Thank you, my Lila."

"Hmph..."

Lila then buried her head into Mel’s chest, squeezing herself in between to find solace against everyone’s curious glance.

She mumbled to the elf, her words muffled against Mel’s chest, though it felt more like she was speaking to Mel.

"I get it already... just do whatever you want, but don’t disturb us..."

The Class collectively swallowed the word ’cute’ before it could escape their throats.

Calina’s brows were raised in confusion, this being technically her first day in school.

Rosana’s lips curved to a shuddering glee, suppressing the urge to laugh out loud.

Meanwhile, two pairs of golden eyes met again, smirking at each other in celebration.

’So easy.’

[ So easy. ]

With that, Class 1-A’s field trip was off to the most chaotic start possible.

’Ah. But make sure to apologise to Lila when you can, alright, Aria?’

[ You got it, Mel! ]

-----------------

"Do you two have any idea what you were doing?"

As the Memorial Whales landed and their classmates boarded into the whale one by one, Samantha scowled at the unruly couple of Mel and Lila, with Aria humming lightly beside them.

"Nope!" Mel’s expression gleamed. "Please tell us, Miss Samantha!"

"Ugh..." Samantha’s face warped in disgust.

[ Gluttony was immensely applauded by your shamelessness! ]

[ Gluttony favourability: 0.1 - 0.001 ]

Off to a great start again. Mel’s smile strained a little as Samantha retracted her glare.

She glanced at Lila’s fidgety self. "Regardless, please ensure your safety by carefully organising yourself. We have knights accompanying us in other whales, but that did not offer you excuses to stroll off carelessly."

Then, as the Witch of Gluttony faced Aria, her lips twisted into a menacing smile. "And I’m sure this senior would guide them safely and responsibly, correct?"

"You are correct, Miss Samantha!"

Watching Aria salute her with a grin, Samantha leaned back with a deep frown, irritated by someone’s ’two-facedness’.

She glanced at Mel and Aria before turning around. "Well then, stay safe. I’m normally against this kind of trip, but the Saintess’s order remains an order."

The teacher cast a quick, piercing look at the Royal knights, their steely frames guiding the students aboard, the Royal Crest on their chests shimmering in the sunlight.

Instead of a glorious dragon or fierce lion, the crest displayed an Owl with glowing eyes, symbolising wisdom even in the darkness.

With a soft sigh, she approached the Royal army assigned to the field trip, stepping in to help with their duties.

Mel’s observant gaze, however, flickered to a small figure surrounded by the Holy Knights.

She squinted a little, her jaw almost agape in shock.

Isn’t that... Seleria?

The Witch of Lust almost gasped as the Holy Knight patted Seleria’s head, and the Third Princess flailed her arms in protest.