Before Emma decided to disguise herself as Fox Lian's admirer, she had done thorough psychological preparation.
She knew Fox Lian was universally acknowledged as "the most beautiful youth of the academy"—silver hair, violet eyes, skin whiter than snow, features exquisitely perfect, plus those fluffy fox ears and the soft, swaying tail. He was practically a walking weapon of allure.
The problem was— Emma wasn't into that type at all.
Deep down, she admired steadiness and restraint, the reliable aura of a mountain (like Senior Brother Ling Xiao of the Weapon Sect, with his rugged style). Not Fox Lian's aggressive beauty, which seemed to flaunt itself constantly, every strand of hair screaming "look how gorgeous I am."
And those fluffy ears and tail? They made her physically uncomfortable.
Yet, for her friend Gu Liang (and her own peace), she had to wear the mask of "obsessed fangirl."
It was the hardest performance of her life.
Day One of the disguise: Gu Liang (clutching her chest): "Emma, look! Doesn't His Highness's hair ribbon match him perfectly today?" Emma (expressionless glance): "…Mm, shiny." (Inner thought: Like a peacock showing off.)
Day Five of the disguise: Classmate A: "His Highness's smile outshines the sun and moon!" Emma (forcing a dreamy look): "Yes… his teeth are very white." (Inner thought: Blinding.)
Day Ten of the disguise: Gu Liang (excited): "He just looked at me! So gentle!" Emma (fixing her gaze on the pom-pom at his waist, ignoring the overwhelming tail): "…His accessory is quite unique." (Inner thought: Only the pom-pom feels safe to look at.)
She even prepared a notebook: "100 Ways to Praise Fox Lian."
"Your Highness looks radiant today." (Translation: Your face is so pale it reflects light.)
"This outfit suits you well." (Translation: Another flashy moon-white robe.)
"Your spellcasting is so elegant." (Translation: Overly showy movements.)
Every time she uttered these insincere compliments, Emma felt her sense of beauty being poisoned. She even began to doubt herself—was her aesthetic broken? Why did the whole world think that fox was breathtaking, while she thought… meh?
The worst part was controlling her gaze. She had to look "obsessed," but couldn't let her eyes linger on the fluffy parts that triggered her phobia. So her gaze drifted—to his accessories, his collar, even the patterns on his boots. Fox Lian eventually suspected she had some peculiar obsession with fashion details.
Until one day, she discovered his fluffy accessories actually eased her fear. Suddenly, the disguise became easier. She could openly stare at his pom-poms and fur brooches, even sincerely think: That must feel nice to touch.
And when she finally overcame her fear, truly touching his warm, soft ears and tail, she realized— It wasn't that he wasn't beautiful. She had just been too busy fearing and denying to really look.
Of course, this was something she would never tell that smug fox.
Let him forever believe she had been hopelessly captivated by him from the very beginning.