"Horeo didn't awaken his magic until quite late, and funnily enough he looked up to his younger brother who could use magic since the age of four and the two would always study together and whatnot. Sometimes they would be even studying together with the son of the royal magician as he also was a prodigy. Our little Horeo was very timid and shy at that time – and then Zoemi came into their lives. First, he stole Horeo's heart and made him want to improve and even overtake his younger sibling, and then even ended up triggering the awakening of his magic. That has turned everything on its head. This part you should know about, but Horeo is probably up there with the recorded strongest light magicians in history. That and having mine and Zoemi's encouragement made the first prince shed his doubts which resulted in him excelling in basically everything he tried, leaving Surou in the dust both in terms of magic, combat, and academics. Still, Horeo didn't turn arrogant or try to humiliate his younger brother – in turn, he actually kept trying to bring him in more places and learn together with him that more often.

"

"Which made Surou hate and envy him.

"

Miriette stopped to take a breather which Teo used as a chance to make her guess.

"No.

"

"Eh?!

"

And missed splendidly.

"Surou was actually extremely sheltered as the king feared that his health would be as fragile as his late mother's. But Horeo singlehandedly proved that to be just an incorrect assumption, gaining Surou's gratitude.

"

Miriette corrected her and explained.

"That doesn't make sense… if that's the case, then how come that their relationship deteriorated to its current state?

"

The dark-haired girl gasped in disbelief and leaned closer.

"According to Horeo, one day he went for Surou to take him to study together, but he was told that lord Lazaram's son had taken the second prince somewhere. Just like that, when the two of them saw each other the next day, Surou declared Horeo his political opponent and refused to spend any time together. From that point onward, that was always Surou's reaction to meeting Horeo.

"

Miriette breathed out and shrugged her shoulders.

"Horeo tried to learn what it was all about, but everyone told him the same thing – in the future either him or Surou would become the next king, so the two of them really were political enemies. That made Horeo come to the conclusion that anyone who thinks that is simply too stupid to be considered human, which lead him to develop in the way that he is now. Oh. Just in case – he absolutely blames everything on Arisu – the Lazaram's son – so be careful and try not to mention his name around him. Horeo thinks that Arisu took his brother away, and I don't imagine that it will end well. Normally Horeo acts as if Arisu doesn't exist, but I wouldn't try confronting him about it.

"

"I-I'll keep that in mind…

"

The dark-haired girl finished what she wanted to say and nodded at the brown-haired girl who agreed with a mixed expression.

Then, suddenly, a bright golden light flashed, illuminating the entire room and three people simply appeared from the light.

"!!!!

"

"Took you long enough.

"

…making Teo speechless, while Miriette raised her brow and smirked…

"Because of the negotiations, past two days the entire royal castle was under the experimental magic stone barrier developed by the royal magician. It intercepted and blocked any and all communication spells which explains why I never got any message spell from you – but does not explain why couldn't you be bothered to send an actual currier with a written message or come yourself – as my fiance you have all the right in the world to come to the royal castle while I am there.

"

The person who appeared in the middle frowned and scoffed angrily while walking over to the dark-haired girl by the desk.

"I preferred to stay close just in case that my air emperor would see them abuse Zoemi, my prince.

"

Miriette shrugged her shoulders and stood up from her chair to stand up face in face – or as close as the height difference allowed her to – with the gold-haired first prince, Horeo.

"Eh?! Mirie… umm…! M-mistress, what do you mean your air-emperor would see? Didn't you say that…?!

"

Teo flinched and gasped – hurriedly changing the way she addressed the dark-haired girl to accommodate for the company – and asked in confusion.

"Nn… no. I only said that I can't use message spell to talk with him directly. I am keeping an eye on him. The blood that you noticed wasn't his – sorry for acting a bit vague, I promise you there was a reason for it and not just me wanting to keep you in the dark – although they were trying to hit him to make him talk, they encountered a rather unexpected problem.

"

"…!

"

Miriette glanced at her and smirked with satisfaction – making Teo finally realize what was the reason for Miriette staying shockingly calm in a situation where Zoemi's safety was threatened.

"…

"

"…

"

The other two that arrived together with Horeo – two brown-haired girls, Patishi and Veo – were staying silent, doing their best to ignore Teo but paying attention to the first prince and his fiance.

"Aww, you made a friend! Good for you. Now. Let's go get Zoemi. He spent more than enough time in a cell.

"

"Yes.

"

Horeo grabbed Miriette's hand and the two of them rushed out of the room in a hurry, leaving the three attendants in awkward silence.

"…I… I see that your ear is all better now. That's good…

"

"…!

"

Veo ended up being the first one to break the silence- which honestly made Patishi flinch from shock.

"…

"

Teo blinked and looked at her wide-eyed in silence.

"…

"

The next moment her chin trembled and her eyes filled with tears.

"Veo…! I-I'm so sorry…!

"

The girl in a butler's uniform cried out and hid her face in her hands.

"Now, now. Everything is fine now.

"

Veo smiled and approached her younger sister to pat her back reassuringly.

——-

"Are we busting him out with spells or…?

"

While running through the hallways while using their enchantments, Miriette asked Horeo with a deadly serious expression.

"Probably not since I have this.

"

The gold-haired prince shook his head and took out a piece of paper from his vest's inner pocket.

"We will use force only if someone will try to act clever with us.

"

…but ended up adding with a threatening smile, which made Miriette grin in a very similar expression…

"Also, apparently the headmaster is missing, and that made my father really worried for some reason, which is odd since I never hear anything about him being close to anyone from the Vereq family…

"

Horeo added, hiding the paper back in his pocket as his smile subsided replaced by concern and suspicion.

"The Academy is an important place – sir Vereq was the principal for many years if he won't be found someone else will have to be elected as a replacement. That alone might be nerve-racking – what if the new person ends up trying to influence the students against the royal family?

"

Miriette furrowed her brows and responded cautiously as the two approached the entrance to the dungeon guarded by one of the teachers.

"No… this feels different… You got a point, but then why not select someone neutral or in favor of our family? Father seemed to be mortified by the idea of headmaster's sudden disappearance…

"

Horeo slowed down and shook his head with a grim expression.

"Student Bellcephora, student Espine – this place cannot be accessed by the students.

"

Horeo finished talking just in time, because the teacher by the door – Ikarweth, the red-haired middle-aged man – looked at them with concern and declared, raising his brow.

"Oh, don't worry teacher – you see…

"

Horeo breathed out assuming the calm facade of calmness and composure that everyone knew him for and said, pulling out the piece of paper from before.