After half an hour, Hera emerged from the bathroom, her face still flushed from the hot shower, but she looked remarkably refreshed and contented. Leo observed her every expression from the sidelines. Sensing someone’s gaze on her, Hera nced around, only to meet Leo’s intense blue eyes fixed on her. She instinctively averted her gaze and said, "You can take a shower now," Before she dashed back to her room.
She didn’t understand why she was running away; she just felt like a deer caught in headlights whenever Leo looked at her. It wasn’t a bad feeling, but rather a fluttering in her stomach, stirring sensations that left her both intrigued and a little flustered.
Once Hera, Leo, Xavier,, and Zen finished packing and freshening up, they made their way back to the hall, knowing that lunchtime was approaching and the vigers would be waiting for them. As they descended the stairs, they found the cabin empty, assuming that the other participants had already made their way there.
They didn’t take long to reach the hall. Upon entering, they were greeted by confetti crackers lining both sides of the grand door, and the room erupted with loud apuse and cheers, celebrating their victory in the race. Smiles stretched across everyone’s faces, and at the center of it all stood Bry and his family, their eyes brimming with gratitude. The prize money they had won would go towards Bry’s uncle’s leg operation, a fact that filled the room with warmth and appreciation. Despite initial protests, Hera, Xavier, and Zen insisted that Bry’s family keep the prize, knowing that they needed it most. It took some convincing, but eventually, Bry’s family relented, moved by their generosity.
Aunt Sabby’s son took the initiative to present Hera with a bouquet of wildflowers he had gathered from around the vige, adorned with the most beautiful ribbon his mother could find. Overwhelmed by the gesture of affection from everyone, Hera’s eyes sparkled with happiness, and her nose turned slightly red as her lips curved into a sweet smile. The young man couldn’t help but blush at the sight of Hera’s radiant expression, feeling a sense of pride that his efforts had brought her joy.
However, standing beside Hera were two jealous men who found the wildflowers to be an eyesore, itching to snatch them from her arms and toss them aside. They even viewed Aunt Sabby’s son with disdain, but seeing Hera’s genuine happiness, they begrudgingly held their tongues. All they could do was purse their lips in silence, unable to disrupt Hera’s joyous moment.
As the celebrationmenced, Bry’s father and several other vigers proudly unveiled their prized liquor, which they had been saving for this very asion. Without hesitation, they invited the stars of the celebration, along with Leo and the Director, to join them in a toast. The room erupted in cheers as everyone raised their sses. Meanwhile, the aroma of delicious food filled the air, andughter echoed throughout the hall as people savored the festivities. Even the other participants found themselves pleasantly surprised, realizing for the first time the warmth and hospitality of the vigers. Reflecting on their past condescension, they now regretted their earlier arrogance and embraced the spirit of the celebration with newfound appreciation.
This was what the majority of the participants were thinking, but not the wealthy and arrogant Minerva who still held onto her disdainful views, and not the absentminded Alice who was now racking her brain on what to do next after seeing Xavier being so close to Hera.
Alice’s initial n was to approach Hera in Xavier’s presence, intending to apologize and showcase her purported kindness, hoping to salvage her image, particrly in Xavier’s eyes. Yet, to her surprise, Hera took the magnanimous route, effortlessly winning over everyone’s hearts in the process.
Alice’s somber demeanor did not escape notice, but amidst the joyous festivities, no one seemed inclined to address her. Instead, they all immersed themselves in the cheerful atmosphere, relishing the delectable food to their heart’s content. And even though the liquor was not up to par with what most of them drink in the city but they feel like it was the warmest and most delicious right now.
Hera’s te overflowed with an array of dishes as people continuously added more to it, their hands moving quicker than her mouth could keep up with. Xavier and Leo took particr delight in feeding Hera, eagerly offering her one dish after another without waiting for her to finish what was already on her te. Meanwhile, Zen and the rest, also eager to pamper Hera, found themselves pushed to the sidelines by the two men’s enthusiastic attentiveness.
When Hera reached the point of feeling like she might burst from eating, that’s when she reacted. She pouted her still-greasy lips andined, "Stop! I’m not a pig, you know!" Despite her annoyance, a yful glint lingered in her eyes.</subtxt>