"It's indeed a difficult situation. At that time, he won't even know you're a woman, let alone want to marry you into the Cerryti Empire."

Lanci propped his chin and began to think about the ending of the brother route.

If Florence didn't meet Loren this time, the brother route would basically be closed.

"Wait, Lanci, what are you talking about!"

Florence's cheeks immediately turned red as she stretched out her arms and shook her palms.

She, she hadn't even thought that much...

Well, maybe a little, possibly thought about those things...

Deep down, she didn't want to lose that tiny last chance of luck.

"Who knows he became the emperor... Once he becomes the emperor, will he still acknowledge me as a brother?"

Florence muttered again, as if she couldn't see any hope. She knew well how difficult her fantasy would be.

The current situation was filled with absurdity.

Even if she met Loren, what could she do? She couldn't very well make a pact with the emperor of the empire to call each other brothers in the future.

Moreover, her identity in the Cambella Empire was also unique. Even if she met with Emperor Cret, she couldn't speak frivolously and had to treat the matter seriously as an envoy.

Before Lanci could give guidance—

"In a month, meet Loren with your true self."

Hyperion encouraged.

"Ah?"

Florence exclaimed in a surprised and panicked voice.

"No, no, no, if he suddenly sees I've turned into a girl, he'll definitely find it very strange. No guy would dress as a girl!"

She shook her head repeatedly.

"Impossible! He will surely be amazed at your transformation!"

Hyperion spoke to Florence with steadfast conviction.

"..."

Lanci dared not speak, wanting to offer Florence emotional consultation as he used to in the student council room. Unexpectedly, Hyperion was so assertive today.

He was a bit worried Loren wouldn't be too surprised even if he saw Florence's true identity, possibly even asking, "Brother, why are you dressed like this today," because Loren might be used to such things, and had preconceived notions that Florence was a boy, never considering Florence to be a real girl.

"Miss Florence, you are an incredibly cute girl! Take off your armor."

Hyperion continued to fully encourage Florence.

Today, no matter what, she wanted to push Florence to take that step.

Florence couldn't regret anymore.

"Really?"

Florence shyly avoided her gaze, looking at her palms.

She never thought she'd become wife material, she could barely take care of her life, often making a mess of Loren's home, needing a housekeeping service to clean up.

Sometimes she even thought, how great it would be to be brothers with Loren for life.

"Believe me, everything will be fine."

Hyperion stated firmly, as if she were Florence's superior priest.

The look in her eyes seemed to tell Florence that following Instructor Xiao Xiu's instructions was undoubtedly the wise choice.

"Okay..."

Florence finally couldn't resist Hyperion's strong demands.

Her heart pounded as she nodded, just thinking about giving Loren a surprise in a month made her so nervous she couldn't sit still, even needing to confess to the goddess.

"Hugh..."

Florence gave Hyperion a meaningful look.

Last time, they had made a pact that the next time Florence went out to have fun with Loren, Hyperion would help her, give her some guidance, even Lanci didn't know.

She thought this impossible promise had now come to fruition.

"Rest assured."

Hyperion nodded seriously.

On the day of the date, she would definitely give Miss Florence her greatest support.

...

Half an hour later.

At dusk in Ikelite, Lanci and Hyperion once again strolled through the Temple Square in the Ikelite North District.

It was still a long way back to the Duke's Mansion in the Ikelite South District, even by car it would take a while.

The warm orange sunlight bathed bustling city-states, plating the buildings with a golden edge.

The setting sun slowly sank on the horizon, the sky transitioning from bright gold to a gentle rose and lavender.

"Lanci, we still have to work hard for tomorrow's rehearsal."

Hyperion ran towards the lakeside bridge, deliberately pulling away from him, then turned back to speak from on the bridge.

A gentle breeze blew, lifting Hyperion's long, beautiful hair.

The subtle distance reminiscent of their stage rehearsals.

"Alright, please take care of me on the performance day a month from now, in case I mess up, I can only rely on you to help make up for it."

Lanci smiled, appearing not so confident.

Though, it could be his habitual modesty.

But Hyperion didn't mind.

"Don't worry, I'm here."

Hyperion patted her chest, promising.

She raised her hand as if holding a microphone to her lips, lightly clearing her throat.

"Hold my hand, accompany me for life."

Hyperion lifted her hand and said to Lanci.

Her lips curved in joyful radiance, her bright eyes sparkling, much like the illuminating sunset behind her.

"..."

Lanci stared blankly at that golden moment, time seemed to stop in the afternoon.

Hyperion was playfully watching him.

As if to tell him, "This is just practicing lines."

Of course, whether there was any other meaning, she wouldn't reveal to Lanci.

Lanci walked towards her.

The clock in the bell tower ticked onward.

The rippling sound of waves along the lakeside.

Who knows who brought the drifting dreams here.

Lanci reached out and tightly embraced her shoulders.

"Eh?"

Hyperion was startled by his embrace. This сhаptеr wаs оriginаlly pоstеd оn

"You're not a ghost, do you really think I can't hold you?"

Lanci held her tightly, giving her no room to escape.

"Eh eh?"

Hyperion felt he was breaking the rules.

"The gods brought us together, no one can tear us apart."

He recited lines as if back on stage.

"That's not it Lanci, those are my lines."

Hyperion looked at Lanci with flushed cheeks.

Lanci was using the same tactic on her.

There was a director watching onstage; they couldn't change the lines then. But offstage, she was losing to Lanci!

She could only give up resisting, being captured by Lanci.

Silently, motionlessly.

Only the sunset glow and the swaying tree shadows remained.