"This is problematic… although we might have convinced some people that you aren't a darkness magician and instead was affected by a sickness that would make your magic appear as if you were, and that was healed by the spell that the commoner girl had cast on you, but it really didn't change the situation all too much… With how things are, it really will be better to just ship you off to some remote territory until things go quiet.

"

Horeo picked up a glass of juice to his mouth and sighed before taking a big gulp of the refreshing beverage.

"One thing that I certainly wasn't expecting was lord Victureo straight up announcing that he refuses to believe any under your name. I realized that Ehmi liked you, but I also thought that you and Grazio hate each other – this might be just a very forward political move on Telorius's part, but to straight-up say that you are a young man who has the full trust of both of his children seems to be an oversight on his part…

"

The gold-haired prince looked form over his glass at the black-haired boy sitting on a chair, deep in thought.

"I don't think that he lied… I had trouble believing it for a while, but it seems like Grazio was trying to patch things up with me this whole time – he was even leaving this under my door each morning – although I learned that he was the one doing that only recently.

"

Zoemi breathed out and took out a vial of the mana potion from his vest's pocket to show it off to his friend.

"Wasn't that this stupidly overpriced novelty that restores only a minuscule amount of mana? How many did you get?

"

Horeo raised his brow observing the blue liquid with medium interest, after all, the potion itself wasn't the important part at all.

"It is – although it doesn't restore mana, it simply influences the body's natural capabilities to restore it on its own. The more mana someone has, the less effective it is though. And it must have cost him a fortune because I got a few months' worths.

"

Zoemi confirmed before storing the bottle back into his pocket and leaning back into the chair.

"Then, lord Telorius Graxul Victureo wasn't lying – that still doesn't change the fact that he is basically openly dropping the guise of neutrality and joins the faction supporting me… Well, that part is understandable though, my younger brother will have to work hard to regain his previous status.

"

The first prince nodded his head and down the rest of the beverage before walking to and sitting on his bed.

"How about my return to the Academy…? You have mentioned shipping me off to some remote territory, that sounds like me getting expelled is set in stone… I do not particularly care about being a student there or not, but getting expelled equals getting banned from entering the Academy grounds – so that would interrupt with my duties as Miriette's attendant.

"

The black-haired boy pointed out and frowned at the implication that he had made himself.

"For now, we have the two-week break called by the Academy because of Xeonith's death to try and do something about it… Although I am quite sure that certain people will try to push for your expulsion, most likely to tilt either me or Miriette so that either one of us would make some mistake that could be used against us…

"

"Horeo – I REFUSE to leave Miriette's side.

"

Horeo titled shrugged his shoulder and tilted his head with an awkward expression – to which Zoemi reacted with a stern and very determined comment.

"…goodness… if she thinks the same way the two of you might come to a stupid idea of running off together… so listen.

"

The first prince scoffed in annoyance and rolled his eyes before glaring at the black-haired attendant.

"Let's imagine the two of you ran away together. I would lose face and support of some noble houses, Espine family would lose face, and you and your father would be deemed traitors – yes, Mizoe would be involved too – while the two of you would have to be on the run for the rest of your lives. Even if after some time I would manage to get everything under control – you two will lose on potentially pleasant years of your life because of constantly being chased. And you know that in this world there are some fearsomely strong magicians – or as they call themselves, sages – who would go after you for the right price. Why risk getting captured and or killed? We have the option of resolving everything as it is. Think about it. You might be forced to stop seeing Miriette so often for a few weeks or at most months not expelled but suspended from the Academy. It will give the people wanting you gone the semblance of getting rid of you. In the meantime, I will make sure to arrange everything the proper way.

"

"…

"

The gold-haired prince declared with a deadly serious expression, and by one point even Zoemi started fidgetting in unease – but not because of the prince's looks, but rather his words…

"…my prince… the way you phrase it… it seems that… you know about my feelings towards… you know…

"

"…

"

Zoemi cleared his throat and started mumbling in embarrassment.

"Zoemi… Miriette tries to win your heart since she met you – though I am not much different – and apparently, you recently confessed to her, although that information might be overexaggerated by that cunning fox to piss me off – in which case I am sorry for assuming that you wanted to elope with her.

"

After dealing with all the high aristocrats during the meeting about Xeonith's death and Zoemi's involvement in the incident, Horeo had enough lying and bending the truth to his benefit for the day so he gave it to his friend straight without holding back.

"…huh…?

"

Which seemed to have the same effect on the black-haired boy as getting hit over the head with a mace.

"So… you confessed to her or not…?

"

Horeo prodded further, as seeing Zoemi flustered like that was a welcomed breath of fresh air after the stuffy conversation in the royal meeting room.

"I…I… I did.. but… I didn't wait for the answer… I expected to be rejected in the first place… What do you mean she tried to win over my heart since she met me?! When?!

"

The black-haired boy seemed to be on the verge of a panic attack, and his face was completely red from the extreme blush at the unexpected revelation.

"…

"

…which has left the gold-haired first prince lost for words…

"You… you actually are that dense… it wasn't a ruse…? I always thought that you know and just imitated how Mizoe acted to not cause a scandal – so I played along to that…! But that's how you really are?! What the hell, man?! Are you an idiot?!

"

Horeo couldn't hold back any longer and stood up, shouting at his deeply embarrassed friend.

"N-no…! I-Imean yes… but…! But you two are engaged and flirt all the time! It's obvious that you two are a good fit, and if she marries you she will become the queen and all…! I just want her to be happy!

"

"Moron! Blind idiot! If you want to make her happy, you should be the one to make her happy! What cretin pushed the girl who loves him into the arms of another man?! Who the hell do you think you are?! A tragic background character in some cheesy romance novel?!

"

Zoemi tired looked up at the furious first prince and tried to explain but got ruthlessly berated instead.

"…alright… listen you might be a dense numbskull, but this doesn't change all that much in the long run… listen – I will do my best to not allow you to get expelled – but you will most likely get suspended. What you have to do is not be stupid and just stay put. If it can't be helped, at least try to do something good to paint you in a better light. Unfortunately, it would be best to put you away from the Espine territory, so that your presence would not sour the relatively peaceful relationship between the Espines and Derizno more than it already did. I would love to have a country to rule, one without an ongoing civil war.

"

Horeo breathed out, physically deflating, and started rubbing his forehead with an annoyed expression.

"…I… will do my best…

"

Zoemi timidly nodded his head while trying to get in terms with the world-breaking realization.