I’m Really Not Trying to Be Chased by the Heroine as the Villainous Playboy! – Chapter 818

Chapter 31: As the Fireworks Conclude

“What are you sneaking around for?!”

“I just wanted to surprise you…”

Noticing the boy’s empty hands, Charlotte’s eyes dimmed for a moment, but they brightened again as she spotted him.

“Did you finish what you had to do?”

“People from the Nanhai faction came to stir trouble, but Jason handled it. He told me to wish you a happy birthday.”

“Oh.”

Charlotte replied coolly, raising an eyebrow, “I guess it’s somewhat happy.”

“Even if it lacks a final surprise, I’ll give you a perfect score anyway…”

Roy curiously asked, “Who said there was no final surprise?”

“Huh?”

“Don’t look at me, look over there!”

Roy shifted one hand to point at something in the night sky while keeping the other on the boy’s head.

Following his finger, Charlotte’s beautiful eyes widened.

With a sharp whistle slicing through the air, “Boom!”

Fireworks illuminated the entire night sky.

Crimson fireworks bloomed all at once, the explosive sounds echoing through the air.

Countless colorful sparks wove a brilliant curtain of light, creating a dazzling moment.

In that instant, even the moonlight and starlight seemed to dim, as the whole night sky was painted with colors just for Charlotte.

The citizens of the Academy City all looked up; anyone within the city could see it—the grand yet ordinary blessing dedicated to one person, to that princess.

It was a small, fiery Lion King and a simple congratulations.

“Charlotte Reinhardt, happy birthday.”

Heaven knows how many fireworks Roy had to buy to create such a spectacular scene.

But even the grandest fireworks last only a few seconds.

The fireworks would eventually fade, and the people’s cheers would gradually calm down after reaching their peak.

Only her ruby-like eyes continued to sparkle, lingering on the moment meant solely for her.

“So, this is your surprise?”

“Yep. Custom fireworks from the Blue Moon Trading Company; you can choose the patterns and words.”

“That must cost quite a bit.”

“Not really! Jason got a big discount. Besides, it’s only natural to spend a little more effort on important days, right?”

The sunset of the past was indeed beautiful, but Roy didn’t want to simply replicate it, nor did he think the imitation of the Red Fort’s constructed Red Jade Hotel could compare to that day’s stunning sunset.

He wanted to sketch out a future for Charlotte, not just copy the past.

From now on, each day should be as splendid as today.

Roy tightened his grip on the little item in his pocket, steadying his breath, and stepped forward earnestly.

“So, are you satisfied with this birthday celebration?”

“…If you come closer, I’ll tell you.”

Roy stepped forward, but just then, the scent of flowers wafted over as the girl opened her arms.

The heat that had been waiting for so long ignited from their lips, setting his equally restless heart ablaze.

It was just like that day when he mustered the courage for a kiss under the sunset. Yet, the emotions this time were far greater.

After a long time, they slowly separated.

Roy smiled lightly, feeling a bit smug, “Looks like you’re satisfied.”

The girl, tinted with red, playfully scolded, “Of course! Isn’t it obvious?”

For Charlotte, it had always been a perfect score. It was just that Roy repeatedly exceeded her expectations, giving her so much more.

He made her genuinely feel the joy a birthday should bring.

However, Roy’s plan wasn’t fully completed yet.

There was still the final, most important step missing.

Gradually tightening his grip on the small item in his pocket, Roy felt unusually nervous.

Looking at the girl with her head lowered, unable to hide her fluttering heart and shyness, Roy was convinced that this was the best moment to say that sentence.

“Charlotte, I…”

“Until tomorrow, it’s still my birthday, right?”

But, Charlotte interjected, and her embrace suddenly tightened.

Her crimson eyes gazed into his, quietly overflowing with the emotions she had long restrained. Her cherry lips parted, exuding a sweet scent of wine mixed with gardenias.

In that moment, through their close proximity, Roy realized how heated her heartbeat was.

He wasn’t the only one planning to take a step closer tonight.

Charlotte, who had been looking forward to it, only craved for a moment.

A legitimate and sufficiently romantic moment.

And Roy’s gift for her surpassing the perfect score was indeed the perfect presentation of that moment.

The tender surge at that moment outweighed shyness and restraint, with only the most eager desire revealing the girl’s heart.

Her delicate palm climbed up to the boy’s chest, and Charlotte whispered softly, “Tonight, can you stay with me until the end?”

Roy’s eyes trembled.

But when he saw the soft affection filling her rosy gaze, surprise turned into certainty.

There was no way he could misunderstand her true meaning; responding with words felt too clueless.

Following the enchanting scent of gardenias, Roy leaned forward again, seeking those tempting lips—

Stumbling and hugging each other, the two left the balcony and retreated inside.

But just as their heated kiss was about to deepen, there was a sudden rush of footsteps outside.

They instantly reacted, halting the affectionate prelude and managed to return to their normal demeanor as the door swung open.

The critical moment was not interrupted, and this was the second time—even Roy felt like cursing at this point.

Roy growled, “What’s wrong now?!”

It couldn’t be the Nanhai faction, right?!

However, the newcomer was not a member of the Lionheart faction but a robed magician.

He was one of the guards of the Academy City.

With a serious expression, he respectfully said, “Your Highness, Princess, and Lord Roy, I apologize for interrupting you both.”

“But, military matters are urgent; here’s an urgent report from the kingdom that I need you both to look at quickly.”

Military affairs, urgent reports.

The suddenness of those words left Roy momentarily blank, feeling absurd, but the guard’s seriousness suggested otherwise.

Charlotte stepped forward to take the letter; within just a few seconds, her complexion darkened, and her hand gripping the letter tightened slightly.

Seeing this, Roy rubbed the little item in his pocket and sighed softly.

Though unaware of the letter’s specific contents, looking at Charlotte’s increasingly grim expression made Roy certain that tonight wasn’t the right time.

——————————

That night.

Lionheart Mansion.

All Lionheart students, from noble children to servant commoners, gathered in the mansion hall awaiting orders.

The kingdom’s national celebration and the princess’s birthday were supposed to be joyous events, but ending like this was quite the downer.

Some sharp-eyed members had already sensed the unusual gathering and began to feel uneasy.

After all, not all Lionheart students participated in factions; calling everyone together likely meant there was more than just trouble with the factions.

Inside the mansion.

Roy laid down the blood-stained letter, casting a cold gaze at several high-ranking faction members as he sighed heavily.

“The Dragon Tribe has launched a massive attack, breaching the northern part of the kingdom; the entire north has fallen, and the capital is in peril. We need to rush to their aid immediately—”

Even just reading the beginning of the letter froze the atmosphere in the room like ice.