Luwei looked at Monet, who was staring back at her, clearly a bit overexited…
No, no matter how she thought about it, something was wrong.
Steeling her heart, she used the Appraisal function once more.
[-1 Gold Coin]
[…]
[Affection Level: 57]
[…]
‘What the hell is with this sudden spike in affection?’
‘Who just changes their attitude like that?’
Luwei wore a strange expression as she carefully examined the three romance options before her…
‘Doing research? She won’t be able to help herself…?’
She was becoming increasingly curious about what Monet’s “Trait 4” actually was…
“Ahem,” Luwei cleared her throat, her gaze flickering uncertainly.
“Um, Researcher Monet…”
“I know you haven’t engaged in academic behavior for a long time… You’re almost at your limit, aren’t you?”
Having these strange words leave her own mouth caused a faint blush to creep onto Luwei’s small, usually ice-cold face…
‘Why isn’t she answering?’
‘This is so embarrassing!’
Luwei clenched her fists and stole a glance at Monet’s face beside her…
Wait,
‘Are those heart shapes in her eyes!?’
Monet stared at the small silver-haired girl before her, feeling as if she had just met a true Angel…
She was right; Monet had been wrong… incredibly wrong!
The terms of the Contract were actually very equal!
Monet placed great importance on contracts, which was why she had been so angry before—the thought that someone would be so wicked as to tamper with an Equality Contract and trick her into signing something unfair.
But soon, after Luwei promised her such a luxurious Laboratory and a research fund of 50 Gold Coins with no upper limit…
Monet’s lingering anger completely vanished.
It was replaced by understanding…
‘Her Highness Luwei…’
‘The reason she used a clause like “leaving equals giving up research results” to bind me was just because she wanted me to focus on doing research under her with peace of mind!’
Monet was almost moved to tears.
She was the type of person who would turn red and start breathing heavily whenever she got excited…
Huff, huff…
While Monet was too emotional to speak, the little white-haired ball of fluff said something else that struck her right in the heart…
“…Haven’t engaged in academic behavior for a long time… You’re almost at your limit, aren’t you?”
Especially seeing Luwei rub her own face, looking as if she were playing hard to get… speaking so softly…
Monet suddenly felt as if a switch had been flipped inside her.
“If you’re putting it that way, does Her Highness Luwei want to do research with me!?”
She looked at Luwei in surprise, her heart already raring to go.
Hearing those words, Luwei’s expression stiffened as she nodded.
She pulled out the New Healing Potion Formula that Monet had been longing for.
“Oh ho ho… this material ratio is just too exquisite!”
She covered her red, burning cheeks.
“E-even the most basic grinding… uses so many different techniques?”
Monet became completely immersed in her own world, not noticing at all that Luwei’s expression was becoming increasingly strange, nor that she was inconspicuously taking a few steps back…
“Researcher Monet, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave. You can take your time doing research…”
“Wait, Her Highness Luwei!”
Monet reached out and stopped Luwei from slipping away.
“Didn’t you say you were going to do research with me?”
Monet’s tone carried a hint of pleading.
She leaned in very close—so close that besides the smell of wine on her…
Luwei could also smell a faint, exotic fragrance.
‘Why do the dark circles under her eyes suddenly look charming??’
Alarm bells rang in Luwei’s head.
‘What kind of Professor has heart eyes while doing research? This person is definitely not normal!’
But looking at Monet’s pitiful appearance…
With her hands pressed against her chest and her eyes casting suggestive glances, Luwei even saw a certain… sensuality in her?
Luwei opened her mouth, but she couldn’t bring herself to say no.
She could only steel herself and nod…
“That’s wonderful!”
Monet nearly cried from the emotion…
Since she and her academic friend had parted ways due to a difference in philosophy, she had never done research with anyone else…
She had been alone, groping her way forward on this path where she couldn’t see the future.
For her, choosing such a path meant not only enduring financial hardship.
While her former friend produced result after result, she had accomplished nothing, forced to stay in a rented room all day, wallowing in gloom…
It was a total denial of her philosophy and her value!
But now,
Monet looked at the slightly awkward silver-haired girl before her, and a different kind of emotion rose in her heart.
Only she was willing to support her academically…
Not only that, she was even willing to do research with her!
Monet was obsessed with doing research… but unfortunately, when doing it alone, she only felt depressed and empty.
Only when doing research with a partner — the joy of communication between two people, conquering territory together on the soil of academia, feeling every tiny inch of progress…
The merging of scientific philosophies… reaching a peak when producing results, experiencing that heartfelt pleasure.
And finally, after cross-verifying each other’s experimental results, enjoying that moment of resonance originating from the soul…
“Your… Your Highness… I want to produce results with you~~♡”
“Please accept my invitation! ♡”
Monet opened her arms toward Luwei.
The latter’s pupils shook with shock, and she barely resisted the urge to turn and run…
“…What… what exactly are you talking about!?”