Zen, who had also been ousted from the hall, joined Hera and Xavier in the back kitchen. Observing Hera’s reluctance to leave, he couldn’t help butment, "Since you’ll be hosting the Victory Celebration, shouldn’t you look presentable? Look at you now, we could even fry a dumpling on your face."


    Hera who felt attacked, instantly looked back at Zen who was walking ahead. Hera pouted her lips in annoyance and a furrow formed on her brow. She looked displeased, to say the least, but Zen, Leo, and Xavier onlyughed altogether when they looked back at Hera’s glistening face due to the sweat. Her face was glistening under the sun like a thin foil, her hair was also damp and some stray strands were clinging to her skin, especially some hair on the back of her neck.


    Despite theirughter, there was a tender gleam in their eyes. Zen teased Hera like an older brother, while Leo and Xavier acted as if they were doting boyfriends. Walking just behind them, the cameraman felt a pang of loneliness. He, too, was sweaty and exhausted from filming Hera and the others in the hot kitchen. It seemed everyone had forgotten about him—no one wiped his sweat or offered him cold water like Hera did for Leo and Xavier. A bitter, sour feeling settled within him as he continued to follow along. <i>’Being single sucks.’</i>


    As they needed to rest before showering, the four strolled along the vige road at a leisurely pace. They savored the vige’s beauty onest time, despite the unusual heat. Walking beneath the trees lining the road, they weed the asional breeze that brushed past them, offering a refreshing feeling.


    No words were exchanged, yet a harmonious atmosphere enveloped them. Each wore a smile as they relished the serene moment, hoping it would linger a bit longer. However, without their notice, they had already arrived at the cabin. As they entered, the cameraman discreetly departed, returning to his own lodging for some much-needed rest.


    When they entered the cabin, it was already rowdy because everyone was busy packing their own luggage as some prepared theirst meal in the cabin. When they noticed Hera and the others entered, there was a moment of silence as they shared a nce, as if thinking how they would greet Hera and the rest.


    "Hera! Wee back, was your preparation for the celebration done?" Alice’s sweet voice broke through the tension, drawing everyone’s attention as she approached Hera and the group. Despite Alice’s greeting, Leo and Xavier maintained their grip on Hera’s hands, prompting curious nces from those around them before attention returned to Hera’s glistening face.


    Hera didn’t respond to Alice’s question, her attention focused solely on her reaction. Hera kept on holding onto Xavier and Leo’s hands, she watched closely, indifferent to any potential judgments. In truth, she wanted to see how Alice would react.


    As expected, a subtle shift appeared in Alice’s demeanor. Though fleeting, it betrayed a hint of unease beneath her usual sweetness as her eyes glinted in anger.


    Hera saw it all, and a sweet smile yed on her lips as she responded to Alice’s earlier question. "Yes, we’re almost done. We would also dly wee all of you to the celebration as it would be ourst time spending time together in the vige. I also hope that we could all forget about all our differences and disagreements because I believed that it would only be natural to have this disagreement since we all don’t know each other’s character." But well, her inner viiness did not forget to make use of the opportunity to show her magnanimity and block Alice’s route.


    She knew that Alice was also aiming for that route so she would rather take the road first so Alice would be left with none, besides, it would be much more believable for everyone for her to act magnanimous since she was the victim of their targeting. Hera wouldn’t want to pass the chance, especially not to Alice at this point.


    She already knew that Alice wasn’t as pure and kind as the novel depicted, so giving her a chance to shine would only spell Hera’s near downfall. That’s why, Hera would do everything to block Alice’s path, including her way to the male lead’s heart.


    As Hera noticed Alice’s flustered reaction, her smile widened, satisfaction sparkling in her eyes. However, to those witnessing the exchange, Hera’s demeanor appeared genuinely kind and forgiving. Despite bing the perceived enemy of the group due to misunderstandings, Hera’s willingness to let bygones be bygones portrayed her as magnanimous and benevolent in their eyes.


    Now, with this new perspective, they saw Hera in a different light and felt remorseful for their previous stance against her. It became clear to them that Hera hadn’t acted unjustly; rather, she had merely sought to protect herself in the face of the pointing fingers, without resorting to undue aggression. This realization led them to acknowledge Hera’s innocence in the disagreements that had unfolded throughout their stay.