n

n

n

"...

"

n

"...?

"

nZoemi reached his hand to the side to assure that Miriette would not get in front of him, and especially not anywhere near the heroine or the suspicious blue-haired second prince.

nThe situation that they got themselves into was so ridiculous that it was impossible to blame it on anything other than the will of the world that tried to make their life follow the game rules.

nThe script wanted the event to start...

nZoemi understood it and was a bit relieved that he insisted on going with his master – but that was only for a little a bit – after all, that was the moment where he had to stop the event form following its proper path and break or at least derail it as much as possible.

n

"...?

"

nSeeing the black-haired boy act, Miriette was cautiously peeking at the Surou and Burushiitto from behind his back - if possible, Zoemi would prefer her to stay there until the pair would leave.

nIn the game, the whole event would truly begin with the villainess slapping the heroine – though, thankfully, the blond girl herself was keeping herself behind the blue-haired Surou.

n

"...!

"

n

"...?

nBuru**to wasn't looking too good and her eyes keep darting to Surou by her side – as if she wanted to warn the attendant about something - so Zoemi focused his attention on the second prince too.

nThe blue-haired boy looked awfully proud of himself - even though he didn't do anything yet...

nBut Zoemi realized what could be the reason for that...

n

"That bastard must have got his hands on the bracelets, just like in the game...!|

nThere could be no other reason for that **-eating grin....!

nBut why and when did he manage to do that in the first place?!

nIn the game, it at least had an actual explanation!

nMiriette was bullying the heroine for a whole year and the prince prepared the bracelets as part of the due punishment AND only after consulting it with the teacher who was made aware of it and witnessed the slapping.

nBut now Miriette wasn't even responsible for the bullying and the heroine also seem to know that!

nNot to mention there was no teacher around to witness anything.

nBut, even so, Burushiitto herself was sure that the second prince will use the bracelets, she should be the one closest to him so she should know best...

n...though, there was that mysterious supporter – that did not appear in the game - too...

nAnyway...

nWhy did the second prince was so sure that Miriette is the perpetrator even though almost all of the interactions between the two girls happened with Zoemi around – and to the black-haired boy's knowledge Miriette was actually nice to the commoner girl!

nIt wasn't even a full three months into the school year, the bullying barely started!

nIt was more intensive, yes, but was that a justifiable reason to take the ancient treasure and use it on an innocent person?

nSurou was supposed to be clever and calculative, not reckless and stupid!

"

n|Did the world twist so much because of me...?|

nZoemi wondered gritting his teeth, but the situation at hand demanded him to put all those thoughts aside - for the moment at least...

nHe had to act fast, how to appease the second prince living in the shadow of his smarter and more powerful brother?

nThe answer was obvious.

n

"...

"

n

"...!

"

nZoemi kneeled down, bowing his head as if Surou was about to be crowned for a king!

n

"Good morning, my prince. Your lowly subject greets you.

"

nHe welcomed the blue-haired boy actually sounding as if seeing him was bringing him joy.

n

"!?!?

"

nWhich caused Miriette to furrow her brows and shake her head in disbelief.

n

"Auequas, hello. Buru...

"

n

"...!

"

nSurou nodded his head with a barely noticeable smile of satisfaction after getting the proper royal treatment – and he gently helped the shocked heroine to his side so she could talk too.

n

"Hello, sir Zo... L-lady Miriette! It's an honor!

"

nThe heroine was pressured into calling out too – and thankfully she realized that as someone of lower status, she needs to properly greet the dark-haired first – Miriette was of the highest status after all, and only then she could address the black-haired boy.

n|...whew...|

nZoemi breathed out – at least it looked like the heroine wasn't his enemy in this particular event...

n

"Now, now – Buru, you are with me – there's no reason for you to kneel.

"

n

"!!!!!!!

"

n...but then the blond heroine got stopped just as she was lowering herself in front of the silent villainess...

nZoemi tensed up.

nSurou was overusing his authority!

nA commoner has to keel in front of the high noble and the only person who can stop them is the person they are kneeling to themselves - or the royal couple - but those were the three exceptions!

nNot to mention that the second prince should greet Miriette first!

nThe blue-haired boy just easily erased the sign of goodwill from the heroine – all while ignoring Zoemi's master!

n

"It must be hard babysitting my brother's fiance all the time. How are you keeping up?

"

nSurou asked nonchalantly as if Miriette was air.

n

"...

"

nZoemi felt the anger boiling inside of him – with how the things were, it really looked like Surou was a reincarnation too – even though Burushiitto was doing her best, he was the one setting up the quest's start...!

nAnd that realization was bothering the black-haired boy far more than the lack of manners from the second prince - but as someone of the lower status, he couldn't do anything about it, if he pointed out the improper conduct, he would bring troubles to himself and his master especially if his guess about Surou was correct.

n

"Not at all, my prince. Serving such a great person is an honor - I'm more and more thankful with each passing day.

"

nZoemi responded smoothly doing his best to damage control as much as possible.

n

"It's just as I have heard... you're a perfect attendant. I've even heard that your scars were suffered in the line of duty...

"

n

"...?

"

nThe sudden change in Surou's voice caused Zoemi to furrow his brows – why was the second prince so nice to him...?

n

"If you want I can free you from that cumbersome task - you could just work for me. I am in need of a trustworthy attendant.

"

nThe blue-haired boy added, leaving Zoemi speechless – until the black-haired boy felt the increasingly hostile pressure coming from behind him...!

nThe second prince was clearly trying to agitate Miriette!

n

"My prince, I don't have the audacity to even think about something like that!

"

n|Though you have guts pushing out your common sense if you think it is alright for you to spout all this ** from your mouth!|

nZoemi lightly shook his head, lowering his head even more so that the blue-haired second prince would not see the furious frown twisting his face.

n

"Indeed... as I've said, a perfect attendant... Loyal to his master, no matter who he is forced to serve...

"

nSaying that Sourou wasn't looking at Zoemi - he was looking straight at the agitated Miriette.

n

"Ah, my prince, your jokes are too much of grace for someone like me.

"

nZoemi bowed his head.

n

"Jokes...?

"

nSurou raised his brows.

n

"What my attendant means by that is that he hopes you aren't so stupid to say all that seriously. But, I guess you aren't smart enough to even catch that. Tough luck, Zoemi, you're too nice for the slow second prince.

"

n

"...!

"

nZoemi closed his eyes and held back a sigh...

nIt was obvious that Miriette won't just let herself be ignored or insulted.. - and surely not both at the same time.

n