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"I like it very much. Is this our picnic spot for today?"
"Yes, there's also a rowboat over there. Would you like to take a ride if you're interested?"
"Yes! I'd love to."
Felix smiled mischievously and steered the horse slowly.
The horse they were riding soon reached the lakeside.
Felix tied the horse to a nearby tree, then climbed into the rowboat and gestured for Ayla to come over.
As Ayla carefully approached, holding onto her skirt, Felix took her hand to support her and seated her first.
Then, he turned around and untied the rope from the post.
"How do you row?"
As he turned back to sit down, Ayla looked up at him with a bright face, holding the handle of the oar.
"Do you want to try?"
"Yes. This is also an experience."
"Then watch me first."
Felix sat down and moved his arms, and the long wooden oar cut through the water, slowly moving the boat forward.
White foam rose on the lake, and ripples spread out.
"Wow, the water in this lake is so clear."
"I heard there are many fish living in here. It would be fun to come fishing next time."
"Yes, that would be nice too."
After a while, Felix handed the oar handle to Ayla, as if telling her to try.
Ayla gladly accepted it and began to row with a determined look.
But soon, she tilted her head, as if sensing something was wrong.
"What? Why isn't it working?"
She had clearly followed what Felix had done, but the rowboat only spun around in place and did not move forward.
"How did you do it earlier?"
"You need a trick for this. It's not just about using strength."
"Hmm..."
Ayla made a pricked expression and secretly released the Reinforcement Magic she had on her arm.
Then, she put down the oar as if resigned.
"Good thinking. I'll just do it."
Felix smiled and began to row, and the rowboat moved to the middle of the lake.
Ayla resignedly turned her head and began to silently admire the surrounding scenery.
In the distance, the bushes rustled with a whooshing sound, and the leaves fluttered in the wind as if dancing.
The sunlight was warm, and the breeze was cool, making it a perfectly pleasant day.
Soon, Ayla's face was tinged with weariness.
If Felix hadn't spoken to her, she might have nodded off to sleep.
"By the way, how long are you planning to stay in the dormitory?"
"Huh?"
"The graduation ceremony is coming up soon. So you have to empty the dormitory room..."
"Ah."
Ayla smiled and swept her fluttering hair back with her fingertips.
"I've already talked to Peony. I'll be working under Peony, so I think we can use the same palace from now on."
"I see."
Felix looked somewhat disappointed at her answer.
But Ayla continued the conversation happily, completely unaware.
"Then it will be easier to discuss the cosmetics business, and I'll be able to freely conduct Magic research with the support of the Imperial Palace."
"Magic research?"
"Yes, this is actually closer to my personal goal... I want to reveal to the world that Rosia is a fake."
"Is it difficult right now? Debens also acknowledged that Ayla is Blanche Noble house's daughter."
"That's not enough. Without clear evidence, there will definitely be people who doubt even Debens's words."
Ayla shrugged and continued, as if there was no other way.
"Besides, Debens is the guardian dragon of Duke Argenta's Noble house."
"......"
"Some people might think I made up such a lie because I'm your lover."
"I guess that's possible..."
Felix made a bitter expression and couldn't continue speaking.
"So, to get rid of Rosia for sure, I have to find out how the Paternity test magic tool was manipulated."
"Ayla alone?"
"Probably. Because there aren't any Mages around that I can trust to do research with."
A shadow fell over Felix's face.
As Ayla said, the only Mages they knew right now were just students from the academy.
'And that level of skill wouldn't be of much help to Ayla.'
At least a skilled Mage from the Magic Tower would be of real help.
At that moment, a person flashed through Felix's mind like lightning.
'A Mage I can trust...'
The Mage who was in charge of his and his father's Paternity test.
He was a person whom Duke Argenta had trusted for a long time, his skills were certain, and he had heard that he was a distant collateral relative of the Duke's Noble house.
"Come to think of it, I think I know someone who could help Ayla."
"What? Really?"
"Yes, that person was also in charge of my and my father's Paternity test. He's very skilled, and he has a deep connection with our Noble house, so I can trust him."
"......"
"Would you like me to introduce you to him if you want?"
Ayla's eyes widened.
"Can you really do that?"
Ayla had decided to start the research, but realistically, the situation was daunting.
This is because the Magic Tower would never try to leak the Paternity test magic tool containing their own unique technology to the outside.
But to be able to connect directly with a Mage belonging to the Magic Tower like this.
Soon, Ayla nodded happily and said.
"Then I'm grateful. If I get advice from him, I might be able to find a way much faster."
Felix smiled gently and asked back.
"How is it, was I of some help?"
"Of course you're helpful... No, it's not just because you're helpful that I'm by your side."
Ayla's face turned slightly red as she spoke.
At that moment, Felix put down the oar and leaned forward with a serious expression.
"I know Ayla will be very busy with various things in the future. Maybe it will be difficult to spend time together leisurely like today."
"......"
"So, I have a request."
"A request?"
Felix cleared his throat slightly and blushed.
"After the graduation ceremony... how about we get engaged?"
At the sudden proposal, Ayla froze as if she had stopped breathing. Then, she stared at Felix with wide eyes.
In her head, she was replaying what he had just said countless times.
"Engaged...?"
"Yes. If Ayla goes to the palace, we'll have even less time to meet. I want to have certainty about each other, even like this..."
As if afraid of being rejected, Felix looked at her with trembling eyes.
"There's no need to rush. It's okay to do it after you finish your urgent matters."
Ayla's lips trembled at his cautious words.
Only then did she realize how much she had been making him feel insecure, using the excuse of caring for him.
'I was hurting Felix again without realizing it.'
Ayla recalled that she had vowed not to repeat foolish choices after vowing revenge a long time ago.
Then, she became certain in her heart. Ayla slowly shook her head and smiled softly.
"That sounds good."
"......Yes?"
"Let's do it, the engagement."
At first, Felix was stunned as if he couldn't believe it.
But soon, as if realizing that she had accepted, the corners of his lips slowly rose. His eyes were filled with undisguised joy.
"Then, Ayla."
He continued in an expectant tone.
"Can we proudly announce our engagement to people?"
"Uh, huh?"
"If we just promise in words and say it's not true later, it won't mean anything."
Ayla made a slightly troubled expression at Felix's cheeky request.
But soon, as if she couldn't help it, she smiled slightly.
"Oh my, okay. If that makes you feel better, do as you please."
As soon as her permission was given, Felix wore a satisfied smile on his face.
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