n

n

n

"...

"

nZoemi and Buru**to returned to the classroom, Miriette who was about to lose her mind from jealousy glared at them while trembling from holding back the anger.

n|What were they doing together!? Why is Zoemi looking so nervous!? Do you have something to hide!? Huh!? Do you!? Are you cheating on me!?|

n

"...!

"

nHer eyes became bloodshot and Horeo inched back from her just in case she went completely nuts.

nBut Zoemi who returned to his desk was too concerned with the future to correctly read the obvious signs of fury and interpreted them as anxiety...

nThe black-haired boy turned towards his master and grabbed her hand without any warning.

n

"My lady, be at ease.

"

nHe said in a serious voice.

n

"I will protect you no matter what.

"

nHe promised with conviction.

n

"...eh...?

"

nMiriette's negative emotions completely disappeared after the sudden contact.

nShe blushed deeply and lowered her head.

n

"I... I see... o-okay...

"

n|We're holding hands! He initiated it in front of the whole class! He's showing that I'm his!|

nMiriette's heart fluttered and her imagination went into overdrive, and all the bad emotions were pushed out of her head as if they were never there in the first place.

nFearsome Miriette became subdued just like that!

n

"...whoa...!

"

nHoreo looked at Zoemi with admiration.

nMeanwhile, the attendant let go of his master's hand and turned towards the teacher who just entered the classroom.

n

"Hmph~!

"

nMiriette composed herself after a couple of minutes, straightened her back, and looked down at Horeo with a smug smile.

n

"Psh...

"

nThe first prince only rolled his eyes and shook his head.

n|Seriously, it would be so much better if Zoemi was my attendant...|

nThe gold-haired prince sighed internally.

n-------

nZoemi was at his wit's end.

nHe couldn't allow himself to make any mistakes - even one slip-up could pull Miriette into the spiral of destruction.

nThat's why the black-haired attendant with the ugly burn-scar disfiguring his right cheek was following his master's every step...

nThe black-haired boy didn't even bother with the usual proper five-steps-behind rule that he was taught - he was walking right beside the dark-haired girl, glaring at everyone else like an angry guard-dog on edge.

nMiriette was too drunk on the happiness and excitement of her beloved's behavior to notice the possible negative effects that this sudden closeness could cause - mainly gossip and bad rumors - so the first prince had to step in and offer his arm to his fiance.

nThat way it was still 'clear' for everyone present who was the couple.

nStill, the lovestruck expression, that would appear on Miriette's face when she was peeking at Zoemi, certainly wasn't making this cover-up job any easier...

nMiriette was pleased with the attention of her attendant, she thought it was him finally breaking and deciding to pursue the forbidden relationship on his own.

nShe was content...

n

"Gentlemen, pardon me for a moment.

"

nThe dark-haired girl smiled at the gold-haired prince and the black-haired attendant and tried to leave their side...

n

"My lady, I shall accompany you.

"

nZoemi instantly was at her side, stepping in front of her and keenly observing the hallway for any potential threats...

n

"No, there's no need to.

"

nMiriette flinched and shook her head, trying to calm him down.

n

"My lady, it's my duty to be at your disposal at any time.

"

nThe black-haired boy easily refused her refusal, adamant about following her no matter what.

nYes. Miriete was very content with Zoemi not leaving her side...

n...up until after lunch she wanted to go to the toilet and Zoemi insisted on following her.

n

"...

"

nMiriette blushed, she was in a good mood, she didn't want to mess things up and chase the boy she liked away BUT at the same time certainly didn't want to admit she's going to the loo.

n

"Zoemi, you should just stay here and entertain the prince while I'm gone.

"

nLady Espine was embarrassed at the thought of her attendant going with her even there.

n

"No, he is right, you know? The attendant's place is by his master. Zoemi, I allow you to go with my fiance.

"

n

"!!!!

"

nHoreo lips twisted into an evil grin and glanced at Miriette mockingly.

n

"You...!

"

nMiriette gasped, left completely speechless by the unexpected backstab.

n

"As you wish, my prince!

"

nThe dark-haired girl was flabbergasted, but her attendant bowed to the first prince grateful for timely assist and Miriette could only squint her eyes at her fiance.

n|And you are calling me the cunning fox - you two-faced traitor!?|

n|It's good to have a taste of your own medicine from time to time~|

nThe future royal couple communicated to each other with their eyes only, even without the use of the message spell.

n

"...

"

nWhat else she could do?

nMiriette gave up and with a completely red face, ears, and neck, she went to the ladies' room with Zoemi tailing her.

nShe was too ashamed to enjoy the situation when she could walk together with Zoemi and was just marching on ahead with her head low and the sound of her attendant steps right behind her.

n

"...?

"

nThe dark-haired girl entered the toilet, but then she suddenly turned back.

n

"...!

"

nThe sound of the black-haired boy's footsteps didn't stop by the door and Miriette faced her attendant who was already one step inside of the girls' toilet and didn't look as if he was going to stop with that one either.

n

"NO! Zoemi - seriously, do not even think about that! You can't enter here with me!

"

nThe dark-haired girl with a bright red face crossed her arms at first, but then she started straight up pushing the black-haired youth out.

n

"But my lady, what if you'll need my help?

"

nHe asked in a genuinely worried voice.

n

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"

nZoemi was actually afraid that his master would meet the heroine in the toilet and a sink or the toilet itself would spontaneously blow up or something, damaging the heroine and leading straight to the second prince going forward with his fabricated evidence against Miriete that would then cause a fight that would kick-start the tragic ending of the innocent villainess...!

n...as convoluted and improbable that turn of events sounded - the worst part about it was that it couldn't be completely excluded out of the realm of possibility...

n

"No, no, no, no way!

"

nMiriette face was burning from shame, she was doing her best to push her attendant out of the toilet which proved to be quite challenging since she didn't activate her enchants in fear of harming him.

n

"My lady, at least let me check if it's safe inside!

"

nZoemi looked at his master with pleading eyes, but let's be honest, there was no chance for that to work.

n

"No! Just get out and wait for me!

"

nMiriette was continuously trying to push him away but as someone who left basically everything to someone else or to her magic - her physical abilities were laughable at best and pitiful at worst.

nHer slender arms started shaking and she pushed herself backward before she managed to make Zoemi budge even an inch.

n

"HMPH!

"

nMiriette frowned and, since Zoemi was still trying to convince her to let him accompany her, changed the approach and now bumped into him with her shoulder.

n|...I... might like teasing her...|

nEven when he was so full of worries, Zoemi couldn't miss how adorable his master was.

nShe didn't want to harm him by using her overpowered magic so she was giving her best to move him with only her body- strength.

nEven though they were the same age the results were similar to those of a primary schooler attempting to push back a high schooler - there was no chance without using some underhanded methods.

n