Chapter 36
Chapter 36: Dream Summer
Like countless confused young boys and girls, even though she had watched countless romantic dramas and read love novels, when love’s troubles truly came to her, Violette became lost.
She wasn’t sure if this was love or habit, wasn’t sure if her feelings for Filin were dependence or affection.
Violette had rarely communicated with people since childhood.
She was naturally not talkative, and after attending that malicious banquet targeting her, she became even more silent.
She had no friends to share with, and it was impossible to tell her family about these things.
Violette could only bury her troubles in her heart.
She didn’t know why she had mentioned these things to Teacher Sofia tonight—perhaps because she really didn’t want Filin to leave her side.
Sofia stepped forward two paces and pulled Violette into her embrace.
This beautiful girl was a head taller than her, and Sofia had wanted to bury Violette’s head in her chest like in movies and TV shows.
She had thought Violette already understood her feelings for Filin, and that Filin was only refusing out of shyness and fear, so she had forced Violette and Filin to be in the same space, thinking they would be fine once they talked things through.
But now it seemed the situation was very unfavorable.
Filin seemed to truly no longer like Violette, but unfortunately, Violette was beginning to have feelings for Filin.
Young love was just this dramatic.
“Do you think you like Filin?” Sofia asked.
Violette didn’t speak.
“Do you dislike Filin then?”
Violette shook her head.
“You feel empty inside when Filin isn’t by your side, and uncomfortable when you see him with other girls, right?”
Violette nodded.
Please, if this isn’t love, I’ll write my name Sofia backwards!
But Sofia couldn’t bluntly tell Violette: “This is love, go chase Filin now.”
That way, the two would just be like a game of tag, chasing each other in circles, and Violette might very well go astray.
She still wouldn’t know if her feelings for Filin were love or simply reluctance to let go of past comfort.
Some paths had to be walked alone.
Even if it would be sad and painful, without experiencing these emotions, she wouldn’t be able to see clearly what counted as love.
“Violette, why don’t you try actively getting to know Filin?”
Sofia gently stroked Violette’s head—the smooth feeling made her unable to stop.
Violette’s body was light and soft. Just having her lean against her, Sofia felt the wonder that a young girl brought.
No wonder witches always liked to trouble princesses.
“Actively getting to know him?”
Violette’s eyelashes fluttered slightly as she looked puzzled.
“Just like what Filin used to do for you—you can try to understand Filin’s preferences and personality first. Speaking of which, how much do you actually know about Filin?”
Violette froze in place.
Unfortunately, almost nothing.
Filin remembered her tastes and preferences, and could even see through her mood based on what clothes she wore that day.
But she knew nothing about Filin—didn’t know what he liked, didn’t know what troubles he currently had.
“If you feel confused right now, then start by getting to know Filin. If after truly understanding Filin you still feel like you can’t be apart from him, still feel like you want to be with him all the time, then that’s love.”
Hearing these words, Violette nodded silently.
“I understand, Teacher Sofia.”
She would try to actively approach Filin.
Just like Filin used to do for her.
Filin met with her every day, gave her gifts every day, followed her around everywhere. Whenever she had a need, he would definitely fulfill it.
She just had to do the same things for Filin that he had done for her, right?
This should be what Teacher Sofia meant by actively approaching him, right?
…
Filin stood at the doll shop entrance, looking at two receipts.
Damn, these two crappy dolls cost 1200 kronor?
This broken caterpillar cost 700? This pig cost 500 too?
Previously, when he played a human doll for a day, he couldn’t even earn 200 kronor.
This cruel world.
Filin walked alone down the street, feeling somewhat tired.
He wasn’t always full of energy either—constantly trying to figure out other people’s emotions was exhausting.
As for Violette’s reaction tonight, Filin didn’t dare think further.
Whatever emotion it was, he would leave it all to time—it would smooth over everything.
Before then, he just needed to maintain proper distance from her.
After all, this young lady wouldn’t actively seek him out either.
“Just handle it coldly like this.” Filin muttered to himself.
Since Violette had left first, tutoring naturally came to an end.
Sofia had also disappeared somewhere. He had wanted to catch a ride in her car, but now he’d have to pay for transportation again.
At this time, Hohenheim seemed to truly enter its peak hours.
There were more and more groups of people around, making Filin walking alone on the street seem rather unusual.
He held the caterpillar that all the young ladies had disliked, wandering aimlessly around Hohenheim.
Since he was already here, looking around wasn’t bad.
“Isn’t this… Filin?”
A familiar voice rang out.
Filin looked up to see Adelina appear before him.
She wore a black V-neck sweater, with a necklace resting between her breasts, making her look even more alluring.
She wore a black knit hat, completely different from her usual dignified and elegant style.
But this outfit still suited Adelina very well—she now looked like that excellent older sister from home, perfect on one hand, but lively in private.
“Lady Adelina? What a coincidence.”
Filin put on his professional smile and complimented: “This style suits you very well—completely different from the Lady Adelina I usually see.”
“Really?”
Adelina avoided Filin’s gaze and ran her hand through her hair.
“How are you here, Filin?”
Could he be on a date with some girl?!
Adelina looked around but didn’t see any girl nearby.
Her gaze fell on the doll bag in Filin’s arms.
Would he specifically come to Hohenheim’s doll shop to buy dolls for himself?
Adelina didn’t think Filin liked dolls that much.
So it was for a girl?
“Adelina, I don’t know if you’ll like this.”
Filin pulled out the blue piglet that Bernice had chosen from the bag. Since Violette didn’t want it, he happened to be wondering how to deal with it.
He didn’t really need it either, so he might as well do a favor and give it to Adelina.
“This piglet doll seems to only be sold at the doll shop here in Hohenheim, so I made a special trip to buy one. I was planning to bring it to you during the next service.”
Adelina’s eyes began to sparkle.
What is this thing? It’s so cute!
“Thank you, Filin! I really do like this doll.”
Adelina hugged the light blue piglet tightly, the pig’s head sinking deep into her chest.
He loves me so much!
“Adelina! Sorry for the wait~~”
Filin saw the familiar golden high ponytail from afar.
Oh no!
Linda knew him. If she saw him, she would definitely say: “Hey, isn’t this Violette’s devoted follower?”
Then he’d be finished.
Filin quickly pulled out an eye mask from his pocket and put it on.
“This is…”
Linda came to Adelina’s side and saw a handsome young man with a great figure and good fashion sense suddenly appear next to her.
She knew Adelina didn’t like listening to gossip, so she had never told Adelina about Violette and Filin’s story.
“He is…” Adelina was about to introduce Filin to Linda, but when she turned back, she saw Filin had already put on a mask, so she stopped mid-sentence.
He must be afraid that appearing with my friends would have a bad influence on me, so he put on the mask!
He loves me so much!
“Linda, this is my friend. Since we have this rare opportunity, why don’t we look around together?” Adelina thought of this as repayment for the piglet doll.
She moved closer to Filin and said softly: “Consider this overtime, how about it?”