"He didn't…! Did he…?

"

Miriette scoffed but then glanced over at the sleeping boy, clearly not opposing to the idea of him being interested in her…

"Hey, don't overthink that – you might have the advantage, but it's basically nullified by Zoemi's dedication for the job – unless you want to fire him and therefore make it actually harder for you two to be together in the long run, feel free to…

*knock* *knock* *knock*

"…!

"

"…!

"

"…

"

Horeo and Miriette flinched at the knocking while Zoemi remained motionless.

"Your highness, I've been informed that I can find you here – I came with a message from the king.

"

Some stranger called out making Horeo scowl.

The gold-haired prince walked over to the door and opened it to face a tall gold-haired young man holding what looked like a piece of paper with a wax seal, that someone hurriedly scribbled a message on.

Horeo took the letter, or rather note, given to him with disdain – although it looked shabby, it was most definitely real…

"Seriously? Literally, nothing happened, can't this wait? I was supposed to leave tomorrow morning.

"

The first prince glanced at the messenger and sighed.

"I'm afraid not, my prince. The king was very clear about this…

"

The messenger bowed his head apologetically.

"Tsk…

"

Horeo clicked his tongue and turned towards Miriette and the unmoving Zoemi.

"Father wants to see me already, apparently someone had made a big deal out of my little duel, the news travel too fast seriously…

"

|That old hag of a mother of mine is trying to pull off something idiotic again…!|

The prince explained to his fiancee – the two of them knew each other enough for Miriette to easily decipher what Horeo really thought about the situation…

"…

"

Miriette, silently walked towards Horeo.

She stopped right in front of him, raised her hands, and carefully straightened the prince's shirt's collar.

"…she might be from the branch of Derizno family, but isn't she your mother in the end? Why is she constantly trying to mess with you like that…?

"

The dark-haired girl muttered under her breath so only Horeo would hear him while for the messenger it looked like she was tenderly whispering sweet farewell to her beloved fiance.

"…that's what I would like to know – and what I will investigate – the King's Guard is on my side, remember? While in the palace I can make them do a little bit of espionage…

"

Horeo winked at her and nodded reassuringly, before turning around and looking at the messenger.

"Let's go from my attendants and then we can leave.

"

Horeo nodded at him.

"Your highness, the queen has told me to…

"

"I wasn't asking.

"

The messenger seemed to have something to say, but that only made Horeo frown and…

"?!?!?!?!?!?!!

"

…the gold-haired boy disappears in the flash of light, leaving the stunned Messanger looking around utterly flabbergasted.

"The first prince is full of surprises, isn't he?

"

Miriette smiled at the shocked man and unceremoniously

shut the door in front of his stunned face.

"…so annoying, and right when Horeo was giving me some useful advice for once…

"

The dark-haired girl turned around grumbling under her breath angrily – and then stopped in place…

"…

"

Zoemi was still lying on the bed, but now his eyes were wide open and he was looking right at her…!

"Z-Zoemi…?

"

Miriette gasped in shock, taking a step back – the black-haired boy's eyes were completely devoid of any light as if they weren't the eyes of any living being.

"…

"

Truth be told, the boy didn't even seem to be aware that Miriette was talking to him, he merely looked at her without even blinking.

|Maybe… he's just asleep with his eyes open…?|

The dark-haired girl wondered and inched closer to the unmoving boy.

"Zoemi…? Can you hear me…?

"

"…

"

Miriette asked in an awkward voice and leaned down to get on the same eye level with her attendant, but got no reaction whatsoever once again – but his time Zoemi actually winked, so he had to be awake…!

"Should… should I get Burushi to check up on you again…?

"

The dark-haired girl rubbed her hands together anxiously and tilted her head, hoping to get a response – but nothing like that happened.

…at least not from Zoemi…

*click*

"Who…?!

"

The door suddenly opened and Miriette turned around with her enchantments active and air emperors on the way instantly, but…

"…ah, I knew I felt a change…

"

"YOU?!

"

one other than a short, young-looking platinum-haired girl entered the room as if it was her own and breathed out seeing both Zoemi and Miriette.

"Don't shout, I'm in full control, you don't have to play pretend.

"

The platinum-haired girl shook her head dismissively and walked over towards the bed.

"…!

"

Zoemi's eyes widened at the sight of her, but he still didn't even budge.

"…do you know what's happening to him? Is it something serious…?

"

As soon as Miriette heard the platinum-haired girl's explanation, she calmed down and plopped on the floor leaning against Zoemi's bed with a worried expression.

"No, not really – his body isn't used to getting so much mana, so his mind shut down and left only his most core part active. He will be back to normal once his mana recovers to one-quarter the overall amount.

"

The platinum-haired girl shrugged her shoulders and explained dismissively, fully focusing on the unmoving boy.

"Zoemi, do you recognize me?

"

She then proceed to smile and reach out her hands towards the black-haired boy as if she was inviting him to hug her.

"…!

"

There was a rection!

Not only with his eyes, but now Zoemi's body moved a little bit as if he really wanted to reach out to the short-girl but his body wasn't capable of any movement.

"Zoemi, you silly boy, come here. Look at your body – you can do it.

"

The platinum-haired girl's smile widened and she laughed charmingly at the boy…

"…?

"

Her words made Zoemi furrow his brows – then since it became clear that she will not get to him, he actually started moving, he slowly, very slowly reached out his hands towards her…

"!!!!!

"

And his eyes widened in absolute shock when he saw his own arms.

The next moment…!

"Kyaah…!

"

The boy jumped out of the bed straight at the platinum-haired girl, making her let out a small surprised gasp as she was locked in a protective embrace.

"…

"

Miriette clenched her fists and gritted her teeth but didn't move.

"Now, now… so you do recognize me…

"

The platinum-haired girl smiled happily and reached out her hands, only managing to get to the boy's back – the next second, Zoemi's body got engulfed by murky darkness, and a beastly shadow armor formed around him – this time it had almost… amicable shape…

"Ma…ster…

"

"…!

"

Then Miriette overheard a pitiful, tearful whisper that must have been spoken by Zoemi, although it sounded as if those were the first words he ever spoke, coarse and weak.

"Yes, yes… it's me – I missed you too so much, my loyal protector.

"

The platinum-haired girl did her best to return the hug and nuzzled her face against the boy's torso.

"Ma…ster… I… will… never… fail… you… again… I… will… pro…tect.. you… this… time… I… will… make… him… pay… for… what… he.. did.. to… you… He… will… die.. this.. time… for… good…

"

The same carse, chanting like voice left the bear-like head of the shadow armor, giving Miriette a really bad feeling, but nonetheless, the girl didn't try to interfere.

She knew exactly what would happen if she dared to even touch the petite girl in Zoemi's arms.

"I know you will. I know.

"

The platinum-haired girl whispered in a soothing voice.

"…I.. am… sorry… that… I… could… not… save… you… the… first… time…

"

Zoemi apologized and embraced the tiny girl even tighter.

"Silly boy, you went above and beyond what was ever expected of you…

"

The platinum-haired girl breathed out and explained while patting the boy's shadow-clad back.

"I…. should… have… done… more… I… though… that… I… killed… him… but… he… is… back… here… I… have… seen… him…

"

The boy responded while lowering his head apologetically.

"Yes… he is… That's why I brought you back to this world… But, Zoemi, you know you can't stay like you are now, right? You became so much more after we got separated. I brought you here so you could save me, and then live a happy life afterward… So please, don't try to revert back to what you were…

"

"I… can… be… happy… only… when… you… are… safe… and… happy… master…

"

The platinum-haired girl started explaining, but to her great surprise, Zoemi actually interrupted her.

"…my silly toy…

"

Even so, his words certainly didn't anger the platinum-haired girl – quite the opposite, really – they made her tear up and cling to the shadow-clad boy, like a small child cuddling up to their favorite toy.

"…did you come here to use the chance to cuddle up with my Zoemi, or do you have another reason…?

"

The heartwarming mood certainly didn't work on Miriette whose hair bristled more and more the two stayed close.