For a moment, my mind stopped functioning altogether.

That sweet, round face. The spray of freckles. Her exquisite hourglass figure.

There could be no mistake. She was the heroine!

This made no sense. Adelaide and Violet didn't meet until the entrance ceremony at Lysander Academy. Adelaide would wake up late, and rush into the auditorium in the middle of the headmistress' induction speech. Violet then sneered and made a snide comment about Adelaide's commoner status.

Yet here she was now, standing right before my eyes.

Adelaide looked up at me, fluttering her long eyelashes.

My heart began pounding. She was much more beautiful in 3D.

I was so captivated that I didn't realize she was asking me a question.

"S-sorry?" I stuttered.

"What's your name?" she repeated.

My name? I racked my brain. Vivian? Valerie? Viola? After a pause, I finally remembered.

"I am Violet DeVries."

Adelaide's eyes widened, "DeVries? As in, Duke DeVries?"

I furrowed my brow. Was it possible that she had already heard rumors of Violet, and her obsession with Elias?

To my surprise, Adelaide dropped to her knees.

"I am so sorry for not recognizing you, Lady DeVries. I am most thankful for your assistance. Anything you ask of me, I shall do."

Once discovering that I was a noble, Adelaide's attitude completely shifted. She spoke formally, giving a sense of aloofness.

Seeing her like that made my heart clench.

"Please, get up," I said, helping her off the ground. "You don't need to speak like that. We're probably about the same age or so. You can just call me 'Violet'."

Her supple lips broke into a grin. It was like watching the petals of a flower unfurl as it blossomed. It was the most beautiful sight I had ever beheld.

No matter what, I had to protect this smile!

I took both of her hands in mine and clenched them. I had failed to notice it earlier, but they were so soft and smooth. They were also the perfect size, slotting well into my own.

"Listen, Adelaide. Someone may not be around to save you in every situation, so you'll have to learn to defend yourself. When a man is pestering you, just kick him in the groin."

Once we entered the academy, I would be able to keep a close eye on her. In the meantime, however, she might find herself getting accosted again. If that happened, she would only have herself to depend on.

"I understand." She gave a slight giggle. It was a musical sound, like birdsong. I wished there were recorders in this world, so I could capture its beauty.

"Would you like to go to a nearby café?" she asked. "It's probably not as nice as the ones you go to, but I like it. I'd like to buy you lunch, to repay you."

It was a tempting offer, but I was apprehensive about accepting it. As much as I liked Adelaide, I didn't think it was a good idea to get too involved in her personal life.

For one, I was still engaged to Prince Elias. It was possible that, because of my friendship with Adelaide, the two of them might also meet prematurely. Besides, I still didn't have a plan for dealing with the two princes, so if they met Adelaide at this stage, it could cause complications later.

In addition, friendship between nobles and commoners was frowned upon. While I did not care much about my own reputation among social circles, I was worried about Adelaide. There would be no end to the gossip and rumors about her, and it would make her time at Lysander even more difficult.

At the end of the day, Violet and Adelaide were simply too different. I was not fit to stand by her side. I could only protect her from afar.

I was about to decline when I heard someone call my name.

"Violet!" Kal jogged up to me and grabbed my elbow. "Where have you been?"

His face was flushed and dripping with sweat. I felt a pang of guilt. I had claimed I was going to treasure Violet's family in her place, but here I was, causing them to worry unnecessarily.

Before I could answer him, Adelaide sprung forward. She swung her leg back, then delivered a harsh kick straight to Kal's crotch.

He gave a squeak as he dropped to the ground, clutching himself. I couldn't imagine how much pain he was in.

A small part of me was also worried about the future of the DeVries bloodline. After a kick like that, would he still be able to have children?

"I did it!" Adelaide cried, a triumphant look on her face.

I laughed. I know it was a terrible thing to do, considering Kal's condition at the time, but I couldn't help it. The expression on Adelaide's face was just too cute!

"You did great. Except...this is my older brother, Kalyx."

Adelaide paled, clamping a hand over her mouth. She crouched down to speak to Kal.

"I am so very sorry! Please forgive my rudeness. I thought you were trying to assault Violet, so I stepped in. I sincerely apologize!"

I nodded along, "Yes, Adelaide only thought she was protecting me. Please don't be mad at her, Kal."

Kal grit his teeth, his eyes brimming with tears, "It is fine. I am thankful that you have made such a...proactive friend."

Adelaide glanced up at me, "Please, allow me to treat both of you to lunch to make up for this."

We waited a few moments for Kal to collect himself, and we set off for the café. Adelaide and I walked ahead, while Kal limped behind us.

The café Adelaide took us to was a quaint, cozy establishment. The air was filled with the scent of coffee, spices, and sweets. We were escorted to a table out on the veranda, giving us a view of the plaza.

The whole shop radiated all the warmth of a well-loved small business. The atmosphere was totally different from that overpriced coffee shop that could never spell my name right on my cup.

A waitress came to take our order. Kal asked for a coffee, I went for a cup of tea and an eclair, and Adelaide requested her "usual." Afterward, I properly introduced Adelaide, and explained how we'd met.

Kal shook his head, "The town is dangerous for lone women. Why were you out here by yourself? An attendant from your house should have accompanied you."

Ah, Kal didn't realize that Adelaide was a commoner. He must have assumed she was from a noble house. I noticed the way Adelaide flinched at his words.

Adelaide lowered her head. "I needed school supplies. I'll be going to Lysander Academy starting next month."

Kal's eyes lit up, "What a coincidence. Violet is also enrolling at Lysander."

"Really?" Adelaide beamed at me. "I hope we have some courses together. Maybe we'll even be roommates!"

Roommates? With the heroine? In the game, Adelaide's assigned roommate had asked to be transferred to a different room because she couldn't handle the "stench of a commoner." That had been a huge blow to Adelaide's self-esteem.

Adelaide looked at me so expectantly that I couldn't bear to disappoint her, "Of course. I look forward to it."

Just then, the waitress returned with our order. She set down our drinks and my eclair. Then she placed a large platter in front of Adelaide. The plate was overflowing with meat. Eggs, ham, turkey, bacon, sausage, pork chops, and foods I couldn't even identify. The greasy scent made my stomach turn.

Who knew that a café would have such a wide selection of meats!

Adelaide wasted no time digging in. She gobbled down her food as if she was starved. Within a few minutes, half of the plate had been cleared.

Once again, I found myself unable to look away from her. She was adorable, even when she was devouring a meal like a ravenous beast and had sauce smeared all over her face. She occasionally took breaks to dab at the stains with her napkin, then went right back to eating.

The three of us chatted a while longer. When we finished, I offered to pay for our meals, but Adelaide insisted on covering the tab herself.

"It's the least I could do!" she protested.

I had no choice but to relent, "Fine, but at least let me take you home."

Adelaide giggled, "I think I'll be okay, thanks to your advice."

"Yes," Kal agreed, cupping his hands protectively over his crotch. "I think she can handle herself now."

As we were leaving, Adelaide threw her arms around me and pulled me into a hug. Her body was so warm!

"Thanks again, Violet," she murmured. "Um, is it okay if I write to you?"

I should have refused. I had already interfered too much in her life. Who knew what might happen if I continued to get involved before the events of the game even began?

Instead, I said, "Of course."

I flagged down the waitress and asked her for a scrap of paper and a pen, then jotted down my address. I passed it to Adelaide, and was rewarded with one of her brilliant smiles.

I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again: she was just too darn cute!