"But times are different now..."

"Come on, don't you even have the courage to dream?"

As he spoke, Bren had already started daydreaming. "Maybe I'll meet Princess Sophia in some corner of the ball, and then we'll fall in love at first sight..."

Aiden hesitated to speak and could only nod along with Bren.

"Have you seen Princess Sophia? I was fortunate enough to see her once."

Bren's fantasies didn't stop but became increasingly excessive. "She's truly a beautiful girl, with skin so tender you could pinch water from it..."

Seeing Bren getting more and more out of line, Aiden couldn't help but advise: "Enough, it's fine if you say this privately, but saying it here, be careful someone might hear you."

"Where are these other people? Aren't we the only two in the rest room?"

Bren turned around and happened to see Celitia. He immediately froze, his eyes widening.

"What are you looking at? Eavesdropping on our conversation—be careful or I'll have you arrested!"

Celitia raised her head, her snow-pale face emerging from her scattered light ash-blonde hair, her misty purple eyes like frosted glass, extremely coldly sweeping over him.

Remembering what this noble had just said, Celitia felt a fire burning fiercely in her chest.

He dared to covet Sophia? Was he worthy?

But this glance from Celitia actually made Bren's bones go weak.

The capital was indeed different from their countryside—even a commoner girl was so beautiful.

No wonder Bren misunderstood. Since she was planning to visit the church today, Celitia had deliberately worn an extremely plain pure black linen dress, which made her look no different from any common citizen.

An ordinary commoner—just give her some wealth and glory, and wouldn't she take the bait?

"Well, well, a cold beauty. I like that."

Being stared at coldly by those eyes, Bren's heart began to itch even more.

"Come here. Serve us well, and I won't hold your eavesdropping against you."

Celitia's gaze moved down to see the empty teacup in Bren's hand, and a sudden idea popped into her mind.

Florence had given her quite a few miscellaneous little items. Since there were too many, Celitia had conveniently brought some with her.

Just like in the previous competition, they might come in handy.

Reaching into her pocket, Celitia indeed found a small box, and her lips couldn't help but curve into a slight smile.

"I didn't mean to. Please forgive my offense."

Lowering her head and then raising her eyes, Celitia spoke timidly, her eyes shimmering with water, looking particularly pitiful.

She stood up and walked softly and weakly to Bren's front. "I see your teacup is empty. If you're willing to forgive me, please let me brew you a cup of black tea as an apology..."

The girl's voice was soft and gentle, shy and timid, making Bren's bones tingle all over. He felt elated as he placed the teacup in her palm.

"Good, then go ahead. Remember, it must be brewed by your own hands!"

"Sigh..." Aiden beside him sighed.

Celitia held the teacup and walked toward the small room inside the rest area.

Her timing was perfect—Sister Grela had just boiled water, filled the teapot, and was waiting for the tea leaves to steep.

"What's wrong? Was I too slow and made you impatient?" Sister Grela asked in surprise.

"I just feel I'm troubling you too much," Celitia smiled. "I can do it myself."

She reached for the teapot, and Sister Grela didn't insist, handing it to her.

"Be careful, the teapot is very hot. I'll get you some milk and sugar."

While Sister Grela was away, Celitia quietly took out a small box from her pocket, opened the lid, and poured out a pill.

She crushed the pill forcefully, put it in the teacup, and used the teapot Sister Grela had given her to fill Bren's cup.

Sister Grela returned and prepared milk and sugar for her.

"Thank you." Celitia smiled at Sister Grela.

Personally brew black tea for Bren?

Let him dream on!

"Oh my, oh my, I really love your smile!"

Sister Grela cupped her face, her eyes full of stars as she looked at Celitia.

Such a beautiful and lovely girl—if only she would stay at the church. Unfortunately, even the Saintess couldn't keep her...

Celitia winked at Sister Grela and walked out of the rest room carrying the specially enhanced black tea.

"Lord Bren, the black tea is ready."

Returning to Bren's front, Celitia bent down and offered the black tea in her hands.

Bren had already forgotten about the black tea, his mind filled only with the girl's cold and beautiful face.

He didn't take the tea but reached out to touch Celitia's face.

Celitia nimbly dodged backward, avoiding Bren's hand.

"Are you really in such a hurry, my lord?" Celitia said pitifully. "This is black tea I personally brewed for you. Won't you taste it?"

"Ah, right, right, let me taste it. I'll taste it right now."

Thinking he should maintain some noble dignity and not be too eager, Bren reluctantly suppressed his urge to get handsy and took the teacup from Celitia's hands.

Lifting the tea lid, he slowly drank the steaming black tea. Bren didn't even taste the flavor, only feeling his mouth was somewhat numb from the heat.

His chest burned like the hot black tea, and Bren's eyes held only the girl's shy and beautiful face.

Finally, the tea was finished. Bren casually placed the teacup on the coffee table and reached out to touch Celitia's hand.

"The tea is finished. It was very good, intoxicating like you."

Celitia dodged backward, once again nimbly avoiding Bren's hand: "No, people are coming and going here. What if someone sees..."

She silently counted down in her heart.

Florence's medicine took effect quickly—about a minute should be enough.

But Bren couldn't wait any longer.

She was just a commoner. Even if someone saw, what did it matter?

Bren stood up from his chair and reached out to hook Celitia's chin.

The girl in front of him stepped back two steps, maintaining distance while still smiling at him.

After several failed attempts to touch her, Bren wasn't discouraged but became even more enthusiastic.

"I understand—are you playing some game of playing hard to get? I'm in a good mood today, so I'll play along with you, my lovely beauty."

Celitia stepped back step by step, and Bren walked forward step by step, gradually cornering the girl against the wall.

Looking down at the girl condescendingly, Bren said smugly: "You can't run away now, can you?"

Three, two, one...

The countdown finished, and Celitia's lips curved into a smile.

Just as he was about to pin the girl against the wall, Bren's expression suddenly changed.

He clutched his stomach, feeling his insides churning and twisting with constant sharp pains that made his vision go dark.

"You..." Bren suddenly realized something was wrong. "Did you put something in that black tea just now?"