“Where the hell is he and what is he doing?” Riana de Granz muttered with a frown, arms crossed.0

The Miss & Mister Temple contest had already started. The Royal Class students who had gone to watch were all seated together.0

“Indeed…” Harriet murmured quietly in response to Riana’s irritated question.0

All the contestants were students, but they were all exceptionally good-looking, and if they lacked in appearance, they made up for it with impressive talents.0

Ellen was the ninth contestant. Contestant number seven had just finished, and it would soon be Ellen’s turn.0

All their classmates, including Connor Lint, were present, but Reinhart was nowhere to be seen.0

What was he doing?0

Harriet felt conflicted. She didn’t know what Reinhart was up to, but she had assumed he would come. Yet, he hadn’t shown up.0

According to Riana, that fifth-year senior hadn’t appeared in the waiting room either, for whatever reason.0

What was going on?0

‘He should be here, so why isn’t he coming?’0

Harriet felt a mix of relief and disappointment at Reinhart’s absence. She knew it was cowardly to hope he wouldn’t come, but she was also afraid to see how Ellen would look that day.0

Everyone was puzzled by Reinhart’s absence.0

Harriet watched the situation unfold, feeling anxious and uneasy, without even knowing why she was so nervous.0

Contestant number seven, who had been trembling slightly, managed to finish their dance number and went backstage. It was now time for contestant number eight.0

That person finished, and Harriet’s anxiousness grew.0

It was time for contestant number nine.0

—Now, we have a contestant from the Royal Class. As you all know, in the Royal Class, their class numbers indicate their skill level. This contestant is from the first-year Class A, and she’s number 2. Please welcome Ellen!0

Ellen walked onto the stage, accompanied by the audience’s applause.0

“…”0

Harriet had known it all along, of course....0