Meanwhile.
As one of the people directly involved, Sang still wore a face full of bafflement.
“？？？”
He had no clue what had just happened. From what he vaguely recalled, it went something like this: that day, he’d been chatting with Yi Ye when two members of the Blood Race walked into the classroom. They’d delivered an invitation to Yi Ye, and one of them had asked her to be his partner for the ball. Yi Ye turned him down, and somehow, in a total daze, Sang ended up as Iyefut Cape’s dance partner instead. Now he was splashed across the headlines.
Good lord.
He never wanted to make headlines again—not even on the campus paper.
The last time he’d hit the news, the Dark World had put a bounty on his head. This time, he was probably in for more trouble.
“Yi Ye, I’ve got no beef with you. Why’d you have to drag me into this?”
Iyefut Cape was dumbfounded. Men lining up from Central all the way to the Knight Academy wanted to be my partner, and now I invite you, and you think I’m setting you up!?
But… she really did want to dance with him.
At that moment, Iyefut Cape and Sang were practicing in the dance studio—a routine that had become their habit two or three times a week. The boy and girl glided across the floor, dancing as they faced each other and talked.
With a touch of haughty pride, Iyefut Cape refused to admit she actually wanted to dance with him. Instead, she doubled down. “Hmph, you offended me, remember? Don’t forget your rudeness in the showers last time… This is your compensation. You’ll be my partner for the ball.”
A sly, girlish smile played on her lips as she spoke.
Sang let out a soft sigh. “Oh… so that’s it…”
This girl was definitely digging a pit for him!
“Besides, no one in all of Class A wants to be your partner. I’m the only one gracious enough to step in. This is the perfect chance to test your ballroom skills.”
“Well… I can’t say no to you.” Faced with Iyefut Cape’s radiant smile, Sang felt his resolve crumbling. He grew flustered, even averting his gaze on purpose.
She was different…
Iyefut Cape felt different from every other woman he’d known.
Not like Luna’s pure, friendly innocence; not like the True Ancestor’s possessive conquest; not like Snow Hill’s worshipful admiration…
Just as a woman, she stirred feelings in him like the one he’d crushed on in his previous life.
Didn’t Sang come here to learn for a reason?
Partly to put some distance between himself and the True Ancestor, partly to make up for never going to university in his last life—to study noble etiquette and knightly manners, to secretly savor a taste of youth.
And now, he was actually feeling that youth with this girl.
It couldn’t be helped. Iyefut Cape’s mindset had a very modern vibe to it. Her elite family had sheltered her from the world’s storms, letting her grow up in a greenhouse. Yet that restless heart of hers drove her to seek knowledge and adventure everywhere… She didn’t fit in with this dark era at all.
A silly, sweet symbol of all that was true, good, and beautiful.
As the boy and girl practiced their dance, plenty of people from nearby classes turned to watch. Ever since Iyefut Cape started taking dance lessons—an elective—the class had grown more popular by the day. Must be the influencer effect. Most folks weren’t thrilled about this pair, but a small handful actually saw some beauty in their awkward harmony.
“Oh… cross-race, cross-class romance, defying convention. Nothing more romantic than that.”
“Yeah, yeah, I get it now. They’re starting to look good together.”
Of course… that was just a minority opinion.
Most people still didn’t approve.
Hearing the murmurs around them and feeling Iyefut Cape’s gaze, Sang’s thoughts wandered into dangerous territory. His heart raced. Not wanting to give anything away, he gently pulled her, guiding her dance steps toward the sunset by the window—and hiding his own flushed cheeks in the glow.
I’m not blushing…
“Hey~ Mad Rogue, wanna go stroll around town with me after this?”
Sang blinked in surprise. It caught him off guard, but it wasn’t anything he couldn’t handle. After all, it wasn’t their first time.
“Sure, but remember to dress as a guy…”
“Mmm-mm…” But Iyefut Cape shook her head, refusing.
The boy looked puzzled. “What’s that mean?”
“I want to go shopping with you as Iyefut—not disguised as a guy…”
As time passed and their bond deepened, Iyefut Cape still pulled stunts like this now and then—things Sang couldn’t quite wrap his head around.
The esteemed young lady of the Cape Family, hanging out in public with some mysterious human? If word got out, it’d be headline news again.
Right after that.
Sang put on an “I get it now” face. “Oh! You’re setting another trap… You’re too sneaky…”
This girl was deliberately going out in public as Iyefut Cape with him, so anyone who saw them would direct their hate his way.
Way too scheming!
Iyefut Cape: “…”
Mad Rogue might look clever, but he’s actually pretty dense…
……
Once dance class ended, they headed back to their dorms first, agreeing to meet at the school gate in an hour. Sang thought it was unnecessary, but Iyefut Cape insisted. She didn’t want to always wear the academy uniform; sometimes she craved casual clothes.
This girl… she had a mysterious obsession with rituals and appearances.
An hour later, around six-thirty in the evening, Sang spotted Iyefut Cape at the gate, all changed into fresh clothes. He couldn’t help but pause. Not the vintage gown he’d imagined, but a light, elegant red-and-white plaid dress that skimmed just below her knees, paired with ethnic-style earrings and a headpiece. Simply standing there, she looked like a masterpiece sculpted by God himself.
An early summer evening.
She bloomed like a summer flower.
Sang wasn’t much for aesthetics, but he knew this woman embodied feminine beauty in every way.
“Mad Rogue, quit staring at a lady’s body like that. It’s rude.” Iyefut Cape shot him a disdainful look.
Sang scratched his cheek. “Yi Ye, I’m almost embarrassed to call you that now. Doesn’t really fit with the ‘Ye’ anymore…”
Hearing that, Iyefut Cape fidgeted a bit, a shy flush on her face. “Honestly, I kinda like it. It’s a bit tacky, but it’s got swagger—doesn’t tarnish the Cape name… And it’s the first nickname anyone’s ever given me. Feels pretty great… Of course, only you get to call me that in private. Not in public. It’s our little secret.”
Since accepting the 【Grace】 and entering Central, Sang had met countless Blood Race members. Most seemed reluctant to show their true emotions—Snow Hill was a prime example. The True Ancestor was the opposite extreme; she never hid a thing.
As for Iyefut Cape, this girl had her tsundere side.
But she was also so kind and pure. Without the Cape name weighing on her, she might’ve turned out a carefree, innocent type just like Luna.
Still, like this… it was pretty good.
Because she was Iyefut Cape—the one and only.
“Y-you… why are you still staring? Okay, okay, we shouldn’t linger here. Everyone’s watching…”
When Iyefut Cape said that, Sang glanced up and realized the crowd around them was shooting death glares.
He hurried off with her toward the city center.
