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"Mhm... very much."

Cosette transmigrated into this world of a novel for a reason she didn't know. But right from the beginning, she already wanted to save Maxen. As a reader whose favorite character died a 'just' end fitting for a villain like the cruel Maxen, Cosette sympathized with him. Not that she would give an excuse and condone his wicked actions. But she still loved this villain.

The reason she was in the back of the school premises where she found Maxen getting beaten by bullies from another school. It was also the reason Cosette took him to the hospital. Maxen was the primary reason she transferred from a prestigious academy to a 'no-name' high school.

Everything she did from the beginning was out of pity. She wanted to give Maxen the warmth that the author deprived him of. In her understanding, if Maxen had just one person who was grateful for his existence and a single happy memory in the treasure chest in his heart, he wouldn't become a full-blown villain. Although that might not be enough, but just giving him a little bit of conscience could change Maxen's end route.

However... she didn't realize until now that this sympathy she had for Maxen had also grown into something else.

She didn't know when it started, but sometimes, she would find herself looking at him and feeling content with his presence. Whenever the thought of Maxen liking someone else would cross her head, it gave her this sourness tingling in her chest. Although Maxen's aloof and cold personality made that scenario impossible to come face to face anytime soon, it would still slightly upset her.

Her imagination was too wild in these types of scenarios.

But in any case, Cosette wouldn't dare initiate a kiss if there wasn't any turmoil within. Heck. She even proposed it as if she was simply asking for candy. Would she do that to other male friends? She never even thought of asking Luke to take away her first kiss, no matter how charming Luke was.

So, yes. She liked Maxen, but she couldn't exercise these budding feelings when she knew she was... an intruder in this world. Cosette had another life. A very different one from this. No matter how many times she would wish to stay in this world, the fear of losing everything: her friends, her Maxen, her family, her life, terrified her to a degree unmeasurable.

And that fear would never really leave her, even if she told herself not to think about it. She might forget for a day or two, but it would always be in the back of her head.

Conrad let out a shallow breath as his fingers were zeroing on his temple. He observed his daughter, and the only thing he saw was the conflict in her eyes and the bitter curl of her lips. When she raised her head, her lips stretched broader, but the restraint in her eyes was obviously apparent.

"I like Maxen very much, Papa, but don't worry. I don't plan on acting out on these feelings... they'll pass, hopefully," she reassured her tone with a twinge of force.

Her honesty momentarily rendered Conrad speechless. Although he had guessed his daughter was infatuated with Maxen, this conflict brewing in his chest left him blank. What should he do in this situation? What should he say?

For minutes, Conrad could only stare at her. As he did so, realization slowly dawned on him. Time was truly fleeting. It felt like just yesterday he was carrying her small frame in his arms for the first time. But now, Cosette was telling him she liked another man other than her father.

Bitterness, surprise, fear, and disbelief compacted in his chest the more he thought about this. He didn't know he would meet this situation faster than he expected. She had grown and would continuously flourish into a fine young woman.

Did he waste a lot of time and missed too many opportunities? Conrad could only nod to himself since he had been busy all these years and didn't notice that time never stopped for anyone.

His anger slowly subsided, replaced with bitterness and sadness.

"Don't he like you?" his words already flew out of his lips before he could even think about it.

"Mhm?" her brows rose at the question he threw after an entire minute of thick silence.

"Maxen." Conrad cleared his throat. His muddled thoughts previously because of stress and exhaustion slowly came into place, calming him down. "Why do you want to hold back your feelings?"

Her pupils slightly went huge at the clarification of his question. But quickly, her dilated eyes softened when Conrad offered a slight and gentle smile. She didn't have any idea why Conrad seemed to have calmed down and wanted to know about her feelings. She thought it would be awkward since he was her father.

Little did she know, Conrad simply came to a realization during their brief exchange. Conrad had missed many opportunities and situations where his daughter needed him, but he wasn't there for her. Wasn't that the reason the two of them were estranged?

Although their relationship had gotten better, Conrad realized he barely knew his daughter. So instead of acting like an overprotective and strict father, he wanted to be someone she could confide in without feeling awkward about it. In this case, as well, he could give her proper advice whilst solidifying his relationship with her instead of Cosette confiding to a friend and that friend giving her wrong and ridiculous advice.

"Well... I don't think it is something I should worry about for now," Cosette explained, giving him half of the truth and leaving behind the details of her fears of leaving this world. "I mean, Max and I are still young. It's not like the end of the world and I have to confess immediately."

She smacked her lips and gazed down. "It's not like I am planning to confess to him, to begin with."

"So, you'll simply let it pass?" he asked, watching her raise her head and nod.

"If it's meant to be, things will take their course. For now, I simply want to enjoy my youth and help him the best I can," she added, feeling a bit more comfortable speaking her mind after just a few exchanges. Conrad noticed this as well. "If in the future and my feelings for him are still there, then... I'll take my chances. I think I would've prepared my heart for rejection once I muster enough courage."

Cosette chuckled for a bit, feeling this heavy burden gets lifted off of her chest. If only she knew Conrad's initial thought upon hearing the word 'rejection' was a promise that would never happen, she wouldn't be giggling. Well, that was only Conrad's initial thought. Forcing and tying Maxen to his daughter was never a problem, but knowing Cosette, she would rather get rejected than get what she wanted by force.

"I'm glad you seemed to have straightened your resolve regarding this matter." He nodded, pleased that his daughter was still level-headed, regardless of her situation. There was no need to give her a piece of advice since Cosette had decided and he trusted her judgment.

"But from now on, you're not allowed to take a step into his room." He pointed at her, making her purse her lips. "I'm not worried about Max coming to your room. He never even came close to your room."

"En..."

"Cozie."

"Yes, I won't!" she perked up in a panic, making him let out a short laugh. "I figured it was dangerous. I mean, I need to save some face for myself." — and she couldn't keep throwing herself at Maxen, but she kept that to herself.

There was a moment of silence in the room as Conrad simply stared at her defeated mien. He cleared his throat and rested his leg over the other.

"What brings you to my room, by the way?" asked Conrad, changing the subject since there was no point in dwelling on the previous one.

"Oh..." Cosette blinked and cleared her throat. "I want to spend time with you."

"Ah?"

"Papa, you've been busy. You were still busy when we were gone for three days and four nights. So, I was thinking since you cannot turn your back on the matters of the company, I shouldn't just wait passively for mealtimes," she explained and smiled brightly. "That's why I came in here. I know you'll have a glass of wine or rum, so I brought my milk with me!"

Cosette reached for the glass of milk resting on the coffee table and raised it. "I'm not old enough to drink wine, but this is still okay for a toast, right?"

Conrad was slightly stunned before he chuckled and shook his head. "Is there something we should toast about?" he asked, bending over to pick up his own glass.

"Well..." she pondered about it for a moment before her lips stretched from ear to ear. "We're happy! I think that is enough reason to celebrate about."

Amusement fastened in his eyes while staring at her bubbly air. They quickly softened as he processed her words.

"Mhm. I see." He hummed and smiled subtly, raising his class as a gesture for a toast. "Cheers... to being happy."

Her lips stretched even broader until her teeth were showing. "And cheers for being together. Hopefully, forever!" She raised her glass of milk and exchanged a look with Conrad, who was smirking in satisfaction at her added remarks, before the two of them chugged down their drinks.