n

n

n*click*

nThe first prince turned the key in his door, locking it before he turned around and faced the black-haired attendant.

n

"What do you want to talk about? Ah, could it be that you finally realized that Miriette lov...?

"

n

"My prince.

"

nHoreo straightened his back and smiled, happy that he could unveil his secret plan he came up with a while ago that would allow for a happy life for all of them – but one look at the black-haired attendant was enough to tell him that it wasn't the case as all.

n...unless Zoemi came to a very stupid conclusion in which killing the heir to the throne of the kingdom was a reasonable method of securing himself and his love interest a happy life – which, spoiler, it would not be...

n

"My prince, we might have a big problem on our hands – have you ever heard about Ludier Galamroze?

"

n

"...

"

nZoemi asked and this time it was his turn to witness the first prince's expression turning serious.

nThe gold-haired boy lost his cheerful smile and his expression turned serious – thankfully not hostile, but definitely on the grim side.

n

"I did – the problem is where did you hear about him?

"

nHoreo asked glaring back at the black-haired boy.

n

"...

"

n|Oh, crap... I – I didn't consider this outcome... Does he know?! But in the game, the murderer's identity was supposed to be unknown!|

nHonestly – that made Zoemi panic a little bit – in the plan he hurriedly put together, he wanted to bring the prince's attention to the series of deaths that plagued the high nobility in recent years and wanted to push him into making others check out on the background of the Galamroze family.

nBut as it turns out, the perfect crime could only happen in the game world...

nNow – the black-haired boy was in a pickle – how should he explain his knowledge?

nOriginally he wanted to say that he overheard some servants working in the kitchen talking about the tragedy of the Galamroze family but only as a starting point of the series of murders...

nBut would the same excuse work out now?

nHoreo wasn't stupid and Zoemi made the mistake of actually naming the murderer himself...

n

"My prince, you see...

"

n*click*

n

"It's because I told him about it.

"

nZoemi was about to go with his original plan either way – but then unexpectedly the door to Horeo's room unlocked without anyone touching the key and a small, young-looking platinum-haired girl peeked in and declared in a casual voice completely stunning both the prince and the attendant.

n

"...lady Victureo... it is quite rude to invite yourself into a room of another student without their consent...

"

nStill – Horeo wasn't taught the proper control over his emotions in any situation just to be fazed by something like that for long.

n

"This is a private conversation.

"

nThe gold-haired prince added, grabbing the door to not allow the petite third-year student to slide in – but with her size, as long as she could fit her head in, she could access the place without any trouble, so Horeo's attempt to stop her ended up in a failure.

n

"My lady!

"

n

"...!

"

nZoemi had quite a different reaction though – the platinum-haired girl had the overwhelming aura surrounding her and the black0haired boy didn't hesitate to kneel down in an instant, giving Horeo a little bit of a shock.

n

"Zoemi, I told you that it's okay to call me just by my name – now stand up so we could all discuss the problem we will most likely have to deal with in one way or another.

"

nThe platinum-haired girl, Ehmi Gamemi Victureo, breathed out and walked over to the black-haired attendant and patted his shoulder reassuringly before she turned to the gold-haired prince with a serious look.

n

"I was the one who told Zoemi about Ludier Galamroze, and considering that this man targets the aristocrats that knowledge should be available to all the students – especially since Ludier has been spotted around territories neighboring with this Academy.

"

n

"...!

"

n

"...|

nEhmi's words were shocking for the black-haired boy but they didn't seem to be even remotely surprising for the gold-haired prince.

n

"I was told that you are quite the troublemaker, but to think that it was to that point...

"

n

"...?!

"

nHoreo furrowed his brows and shook his head in annoyance, leaving Zoemi completely stunned.

nThe black-haired attendant was both extremely confused over what was going on and grateful to Ehmi for saving him from the mess up he made himself in an equal measure...

n...alright, maybe not equal – Zoemi was far more confused about Ehmi's motives and purpose...

n

"Sorry to use you like this, Zoemi, but the royal family had been ignoring the problem for far too long.

"

nEhmi patted the black-haired boy's shoulder again and smiled apologetically seeing his utterly bewildered expression.

n

"They knew who was behind the murders of the high nobility this whole time but they refused to release it to the public because it would put the Derizno family into a very bad spot – and without Derizno's support the Bellcephora family would be in a tight spot – as it turns out some noble families think that a surname isn't enough anymore to justify them occupying the throne.

"

nThe platinum-haired girl casually dropped a piece of very dangerous-sounding information while glaring at the gold-haired prince with a challenge.

n

"Wait – hold on – Derizno family?! What the serial murderer has to do with the Derizno family?!

"

nZoemi was so shocked by what he heard that he pushed aside the doubts about Ehmi conveniently appearing with an excuse right as he was in trouble...

n

"..this isn't going the way I envisioned it... but, oh, well...

"

n*click*

nHoreo breathed out with an annoyed expression and closed the door again.

n

"Zoemi, please, use muffle on this room before we start.

"

nThe gold-haired prince added looking over at the black-haired attendant before he glared back at the platinum-haired girl.

n

"To explain things properly, I will have to let you in on some secret that cannot leave this room.

"

nHe added staring daggers at the young-looking older girl.

n