Discovering that the break was over, the onlookers dispersed and returned to their seats.

"What's wrong, Margaret?"

Seeing Margaret still standing in place, Charlotte couldn't help but tug at her sleeve.

"No-nothing... Let's go back."

Returning to her seat with Charlotte, Margaret couldn't help but touch her chest.

Only now did she feel her violent heartbeat gradually slowing down.

That killing intent that had almost pierced through her heart seemed like an illusion.

What was that about?

What exactly was that woman's background?

Setting aside Margaret's confusion and wariness, Sophia sat back down beside Celitia and complained in a low voice:

"Lily, you know your health isn't good. Don't think about getting involved in such dangerous things."

Sophia had sensed that if she hadn't spoken up to interrupt, Celitia would have really agreed to Margaret's challenge.

She was always like this—often indifferent about her own matters, but when it involved people she cared about, it would stir up all her seriousness.

Thinking of this, Sophia's heart suddenly skipped a beat.

People she cared about... To Celitia, was she also someone she cared about?

Her mood seemed to soar to the clouds in an instant. Sophia suppressed her lips that were about to curve up and continued:

"If you don't want to participate, then don't. I'm a princess after all—I'll find a way to protect you. The kind of thing Margaret mentioned won't come true."

"Protect me?"

Celitia repeated the phrase.

A strange expression appeared on her face, as if she'd heard something very unusual.

Considering her feelings, putting her thoughts first, finding ways to protect her...

For Celitia, this was truly a somewhat novel experience.

The education she'd received since childhood, as well as the reality she faced after being reborn in another world, all told her that she must shoulder responsibility, play the role of protector well, and hold up a piece of sky for her family, friends, and loved ones.

This was the identity role that traditional society assigned to men. Celitia accepted all of this and had been working hard for it all along.

Obviously, Celitia had succeeded.

To those people, her strength was taken for granted, her protection was taken for granted, and her sacrifices were also taken for granted.

And her thoughts and feelings could be infinitely deprioritized.

Celitia had even thought so herself.

This seemed to be the first time she'd heard someone say they would protect her.

So much so that at this moment, she actually found it quite novel.

"That's right," Sophia smiled quite proudly, saying with full confidence, "I'm no pushover. Whatever tricks Margaret has, let her bring them on—watch me knock her down!"

Celitia couldn't help but slightly curve her lips: "You sound very confident."

"Right?" Sophia tilted her head toward her, her expression extremely gentle. "So promise me, don't be so stubborn anymore in the future."

Celitia was slightly stunned.

The girl before her came into view, filling Celitia's entire field of vision.

The sunlight from outside illuminated her light golden hair, outlining the beautiful curves of her facial features, even the fine down clearly visible.

Bright pupils rippled with azure waves, looking at her with hope, like a gem sparkling brilliantly in the sunlight, making it impossible to look away.

Perhaps the impression from the previous misunderstanding was too deep, but Celitia's impression of Sophia had always been fixed on that scene where she came out naked, recklessly looking for clothes.

Simply put, someone who appeared proud on the surface but was actually shy and reckless—a fool.

Now it seemed she might be...

Actually a little cute?

Without even realizing it herself, Celitia's heart suddenly skipped a small half-beat.

She quickly coughed lightly, concealing her momentary distraction so Sophia wouldn't notice.

"Although I don't think I'm particularly stubborn, since you've said so, then I'll... listen for now."

A rare gentle smile appeared at the corners of the girl's lips.

With this smile, the sharp coldness around her dispersed. Though it was clearly late autumn approaching winter, in Sophia's eyes it was as if suddenly spring breezes were blowing and countless flowers were blooming.

Sophia unconsciously stared in a daze, her heart beating uncontrollably.

She didn't know what this moment of heartflutter represented.

She only knew...

She wanted to see more of her smile.

○

For the rest of the day, neither Margaret nor Charlotte came to cause trouble again.

Most other classmates kept their distance from Celitia. When Sophia was present it was fine, but when Sophia wasn't there, Celitia seemed to have a natural vacuum around her—no one dared approach within a two-meter radius.

However, Celitia felt that having no one disturb her was quite nice, making her feel more at ease.

After the day's studies ended, Celitia stayed in the classroom for an extra hour to answer questions for the completely confused Shanie.

By the time she bid farewell to Shanie and returned to her lodging, it was already quite late.

As soon as she entered, Celitia saw things piled all over the floor and couldn't help but frown slightly.

"Lily, you're back?"

Sophia stood among the pile of miscellaneous items. Hearing the sound, she turned around and smiled awkwardly at Celitia.

"I had people move everything over, but I haven't had time to organize it yet, so it's a bit messy."

At this point, Sophia suddenly remembered something and asked nervously:

"Oh right, your things were also moved over together. Do you... do you mind?"

Sophia was already used to having her way, thinking that since she was moving, she might as well have people move everything together, completely forgetting to ask for Celitia's opinion.

What if there were things that were Celitia's privacy that she didn't want people to see?

Thinking that she might mind because of this, Sophia couldn't help but panic.

Sophia! You should have changed this self-centered personality long ago!!

While Sophia was engaged in self-reflection, Celitia wasn't thinking so much at all.

She didn't have many possessions to begin with. Besides changes of clothes and toiletries, there were probably just some medicinal herbs prepared for nursing her health. There were no private items like Sophia imagined.

"I don't mind at all. But do you need help organizing?"

Looking at the mess all over the floor, Celitia's obsessive-compulsive tendencies acted up a little.

She paused slightly, her tone rising with a smile: "No need to say 'please,' and no need to say 'thank you.'"

"Huh?"

Sophia was confused at first, then suddenly realized and recalled the misunderstanding that had occurred in the dorm that evening. Her cheeks quickly flushed with two patches of red, like the burning sunset glow.

"That incident that day... just pretend it never happened, okay?"

That memory, which could be called the greatest humiliation of her life, had long been swept into the trash by Sophia, who wished she could never recall it for the rest of her life.

Now that it was suddenly brought up, Sophia's toes curled in embarrassment, wanting to find a crack to crawl into.