Mei Lin finally collapsed onto her bed after locking the door and casting a simple wind barrier for privacy. The events of the night the princess's outrageous proposal, Cedric's dramatic outburst, and Luo's unexpected window entrance still echoed in her mind.
"Ridiculous…" she muttered, closing her eyes. "All of them are ridiculous."
Exhaustion pulled her under quickly.
---
**In the Dream…**
The busy streets of Seoul buzzed around her. Mei or rather, the woman she used to be walked hand-in-hand with a tall, handsome man named Philip. His warm smile and gentle eyes always managed to melt her usual cold exterior.
"You're smiling again," Philip teased, squeezing her hand. "I thought the ice queen only did that for me."
"Shut up," she replied, but there was no real bite in her voice. She leaned her head against his shoulder. "You're the only one who gets to see this side of me."
They stopped at a small café. Philip bought her favorite iced latte and they sat by the window, watching the city lights.
"If we ever get reincarnated into some fantasy world," Philip said playfully, "I'd find you again. No matter what. Even if you become a cold noble lady trying to take over the kingdom."
Mei laughed a rare, genuine sound. "You'd better. Because I won't go easy on you just because you were my boyfriend in the previous life."
Philip leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Deal. I'll always be by your side, Mei."
The dream began to fade as warm golden light enveloped them.
---
Mei's eyes snapped open. She sat up abruptly, breathing heavily, her cheeks unusually warm. The dream felt too real. Those feelings… that man…
"Luo…" she whispered, clenching the sheets. "No… Philip?"
A soft knock came from the window.
"Speaking of the devil," Mei groaned.
Luo Chaos was perched outside again, looking annoyingly handsome in the morning light. He tapped lightly on the glass with a smirk.
"Morning, future fiancée of the princess. May I come in, or are you still accepting marriage proposals?"
Mei threw a pillow at the window. "Come in before someone sees you, idiot."
Luo slipped inside gracefully and raised an eyebrow at her flushed face. "You look… different this morning. Did something happen? Or were you dreaming about me already?"
Mei shot him a death glare, but her heart skipped traitorously. "In your dreams, Chaos. Or should I say… Philip?"
Luo froze. His usual calm expression cracked for the first time. "You… remembered?"
Mei crossed her arms, trying to regain her cold demeanor. "Fragments. Enough to know you were annoyingly persistent in our last life too."
Luo's eyes softened with warmth and a hint of playful mischief. He stepped closer. "So the ice queen finally admits it. I told you I'd find you again."
Before Mei could retort, the door burst open without warning.
Princess Elara strolled in like she owned the place, holding a beautiful box. "Good morning, my dear fiancée! I brought the engagement ri...Oh? Luo Chaos is here too? My, my, what a lively morning!"
Mei facepalmed. "Your Highness, have you never heard of knocking?"
"Knocking is for commoners," Elara said cheerfully. She glanced between Mei and Luo, sensing the tension. "Wait… did I interrupt something romantic? How scandalous! The fallen noble, the princess, and the mysterious Chaos heir in one room. The rumors are going to be *delicious*."
Luo leaned against the wall, clearly amused. "Your Highness, you're quite good at creating chaos for someone who wants a fake engagement."
Elara winked. "It keeps life entertaining! Besides, Mei looks adorable when she's flustered."
"I am *not* flustered," Mei snapped, her red eyes flashing. She pointed at both of them. "You two are going to get me killed by the end of the week."
At that exact moment, loud shouting came from the corridor.
"THE LIN GIRL IS ALREADY CHEATING ON THE PRINCESS WITH THE CHAOS BOY!"
Cedric's voice echoed dramatically, followed by a crowd of gossiping students.
Mei's eye twitched. "I'm going to murder someone today."
Luo chuckled and gently placed a hand on her shoulder , a familiar gesture from their past life that made Mei's heart skip again. "Relax. We'll handle the rumors together. Just like old times."
Elara clapped excitedly. "This is perfect! The three of us should enter the Pillars Tournament as a team. Imagine the drama!"
Mei sighed deeply, but a small, reluctant smile tugged at her lips.
*Philip… Luo… Whatever your name is now. You really did find me.*
As the three of them prepared to face the chaotic morning outside, Mei felt something she hadn't felt in a long time warmth mixed with her usual cold ambition.
The academy was never going to be boring again.