While Natalie furrowed her brows in thought, Felix's heart sank. The surname "Earnhart" was far too distinctive for him not to make a connection. Moreover, if Atlas was pestering Natalie, it meant they were likely of similar age.

Felix had every reason to suspect it was the same guy who had come looking for him in the capital last time.

"Never mind. That guy is relentless—it's impossible to avoid him anyway," Natalie said firmly.

The messenger nodded and vanished.

Natalie turned back to Felix, only to be startled by the look on his face.

Felix was openly staring at her with a roguish gleam in his eyes, the kind of gaze that made her feel as though she weren't wearing any clothes.

"Are you deliberately getting close to me, miss? Do you have a little crush on me?" he asked.

For a moment, Natalie felt dazed. It was as if she were suddenly speaking to a completely different person.

"You've got it all wrong," she replied. "I was just asking a casual question."

However, Felix's ga