Upon saying this, her ears turned red.

She didn't know how Loren would react.

Would he be shocked? Surprised? Or delighted?

Even though Hyperion said she was pretty, she wasn't sure if she was Loren's type.

As expected, Loren was taken aback for half a second.

"Bro, why are you dressed like a girl?"

He asked with a relieved smile.

Not surprised in the least, he curiously examined Florence's whole new look.

"Huh?"

Florence looked up at Loren.

Her eyes were filled with disbelief.

Why did Loren react this way?

Did he still think she was a guy after seeing her true appearance?

"Don't worry, I won't laugh at you. I know you must have your reasons for dressing up as a girl."

Loren hurriedly added.

He finally understood why his bro was so flustered earlier.

"..."

Florence held back her tears, clenched the corner of her clothes, awkwardly and embarrassingly trying to hide her discomposure.

The awkwardness was about to kill her.

"Ahaha, I, today I just dressed as a girl, be-because I might be seen meeting the Emperor of the Empire alone by people from the family, so I sneaked out to meet you, had to disguise myself a little."

She forced a smile as she answered.

Instructor Xiao Xiu never taught her how to handle such situations.

She answered this way on impulse to ease the awkwardness.

But she regretted it as soon as she finished.

[Hugh: Miss Florence, you can't answer like that, the lie is too weak, Loren will see through it and know how embarrassed you are.]

Because Hyperion immediately pointed out the problem to her.

"Oh, that's how it is."

Loren nodded seriously, without a trace of doubt about Florence.

He had another good brother who often did the same, dressing up as a girl to avoid any trouble.

"..."

Florence froze again.

This time, not just her, but Hyperion was silent too.

Loren so easily accepted her reasoning?

Florence thought her excuse was so poorly made that it would be exposed the next moment.

Now, it turned out like this, making it even harder for her to say she's a girl.

Moreover, how was she supposed to prove to Loren that she's a girl?

This back-and-forth solidified the fact that they were good brothers even more for Loren.

On the other side.

"Bro, why aren't you talking?"

Loren wondered why Florence hadn't spoken for so long.

Today's earliest schedule item of "meeting up with bro" he didn't really ask the instructor.

The instructor's guidance only covered him interacting with girls and organizing today's schedule for him.

[Lanci:...]

The instructor indeed wasn't speaking at the moment.

Maybe he couldn't speak right now, maybe he couldn't say anything at this moment.

Loren glanced at the time on his watch.

It's now 7:24.

In a moment, before 7:35, he needed to get to the east entrance of Gold Bee Amusement Park to meet the Snow Witch and chat a bit;

Then around 7:45, using the excuse of buying some snacks, he would let the Snow Witch line up at the amusement park;

He himself needed to meet Juliana before the park opens at 8, have breakfast with her, and settle her at the restaurant;

By then, find Florence, at 8:10, enter the VIP passage of Gold Bee Amusement Park, and take her inside;

After setting Florence up with some entertainment activities, he would return to the entrance around 8:15 to continue lining up with the Snow Witch...

Loren silently recited the schedule arranged by his instructor in his mind; today was a race against time, most of which would be spent rushing, not a single second to waste, and the route had to be planned correctly.

Despite the instructor not reminding him about the timing, he couldn't stand idly here with Florence, or he'd miss the Snow Witch and Almis might already be waiting for him.

"Florence..."

Loren gazed at Florence, recalling the last meeting with her, the instructor said he did well.

The instructor had previously advised him to play by ear when not speaking, either referencing the plan or drawing from previously taught successful examples.

So...

Loren reached a conclusion.

He placed his hands on Florence's shoulders and gave her a silent hug.

"Eh? Eh!"

Florence hadn't come back to her senses when Loren embraced her.

[Hugh: Huh?]

Hyperion didn't react as well.

Was Dean Loren being this bold?

Florence's already sluggish brain was about to short-circuit at this moment.

[Hugh: Let's just go along with it for now.]

Hyperion's voice finally came through Florence's Communication Magic, somewhat flustered.

Even Hyperion didn't know what to do.

How could anyone think their soulmate is cross-dressing upon finding out she's a girl?! That's not normal!

[Hugh: I'll keep a distance and follow you today, first observe before I instruct you, you can't talk yourself out of this right now, just give in a little.]

She could only reassure Florence this way.

Under the big tree.

"Florence, I'm back, sorry to make you worry."

Loren apologized to Florence, holding his brother tightly.

"Ah-ba ah-ba..."

Florence, in Loren's embrace, was about to faint.

...

7:30 AM.

On the other side of Ikelite City.

At the north gate entrance of Gold Bee Amusement Park.

Even before the official opening time, a long line was already formed here, with tourists eagerly waiting for the amusement park to open.