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nThe gold-encrusted carriage entered the duke Espine's estate and stopped before the stairs to the castle.

nThe coachman jumped down from his seat and opened the door for the passenger - and from the inside came a youth with flowy golden hair wearing an elegant white uniform with black lining, on his chest right above his heart shone a silver badge in the shape of a closed flower bud - a mark of a first-year student of the Aspakeony Academy.

nThe youngster straightened his back, stretching after the long journey – and in preparation for its continuation - next to the carriage and crossed his arms.

nAt first, he appeared calm, but not even a minute had passed and the fingers of his right hand has already started tapping nervously against his forearm.

nFive minutes later, the door to the castle opened and two youths showed themselves.

nA beautiful proud girl with short almost completely black hair with a green luster, and a boy with a burn scar on his right cheek, with longish jet-black hair.

nBoth of them were wearing the uniforms that matched the one that the golden-haired boy had, and both of them had the same silver flower bud badges too.

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"Zo... Ekhm!

"

nThe first prince Horeo opened his mouth but quickly closed it and cleared his throat.

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"So good to see you, Miriette, my love, you look stunning.

"

nHe smiled at his fiancé and she nodded back with an almost straight face.

nAlmost.

nThe left corner of her mouth was slightly upturned betraying her true feelings as she did not miss who the golden-haired prince was going to call for first and who did he wanted to see more.

nShe grabbed the sides of her skirt and curtsy while slightly lifting them up.

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"Prince Horeo, it's good to see you too. This look suits you very much.

"

nShe spoke up with courtesy.

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"I hope you have not waited for long, the farewells with my parents took a bit longer than expected.

"

nMiriette apologized though not very honestly...

n...the truth was known that the golden-haired prince was waiting for wor them so she called out for Zoemi to help her out with her uniform to spent more time with him...

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"Not at all.

"

nHoreo shook his head lightly, knowing full well that Miriette's actions weren't accidental.

nThe exchange of pleasantries continued for a little bit as the three of them were not alone and the eyes of the coachman and the servants of the Epsince's household were keenly observing them fishing for any material for gossips.

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"It's also good to see you in good health, Zoemi.

"

nAfter the appropriate amount of small talk with his fiancé has been over with, Horeo turned to the black-haired boy - or rather already a young man - who was bowing down with his right hand pressed to his chest.

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"It's an honor to see you again, my prince.

"

nThe black-haired attendant greeted the golden-haired prince in perfect mannerism.

nAll of their voices changed from when they were children.

nHoreo's voice became manlier and was brimming with authority and confidence.

nMiriette sounded proud and confident, but she would often unintentionally add a slightly lower, more playful tone to her voice, making her sound mysterious and seductive.

nAnd Zoemi's voice became deep and melodic... it had a pleasant ring to it that made others want to listen to him... as long as they did not notice his face and turned away in shock.

nWhen the three of them entered the carriage after the exchange of pleasantries, the coachman climbed back up on his seat and shook the reins at the horses who obediently began moving.

n---

nHoreo and Miriette were casually talking sitting next to each other but the nervous Zoemi on the seat opposite to them wouldn't join in on their conversation no matter what subject they have tried to speak about.

n

"...

"

nThe black-haired boy was clenching his hands together and was nervously glancing through the window the whole time as if dreading something.

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"Maybe he's worried about your luggage? He may be anxious since every other attendant went to the academy two days earlier and unpacked everything...

"

nThe golden-haired prince leaned in and whispered to his fiance.

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"But it was your idea to leave it all to your attendant!

"

nMiriette furrowed her brows and scowled at him.

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"Hey! Don't give me that now! You have also wanted to travel together!

"

nHoreo frowned and glared back at her without an ounce of the gallantry he showed off before they boarded the carriage.

nThe engaged couple continued whispering to each other trying to figure out the cause of Zoemi's peculiar behavior.

nThey have no idea that Zoemi had stomach cramps from worrying over the first scripted event of the game...

nThe heroine would be traveling to the Academy on foot with a ridiculously big backpack.

nShe would encounter an old lady who hurt her leg, and while she would stop to heal her with her magic, the backpack would rupture and all her things would erupt and sprawl on the road blocking the way right before the first prince's carriage.

nThe coachman would try to chase the heroine away but would be stopped by the intrigued prince, who after learning that the girl has extremely rare variant magic would invite the girl into his carriage to travel the rest of the way together...

nZoemi for whom Kampf um die Liebe was his first otome game, didn't know but it was a rather cliché opening event.

nIn-game it was just an introduction of the main capture target so it wasn't that important – really - most people playing the game who just wanted to go to the meat and bone of the story, would just furiously click 'next' when the not-important dialogue would show up on the screen.

nBut in Zoemi's mind that unimportant opening event had already posed a threat.

nAfter all, in the game, the first prince Horeo had been traveling in his carriage alone.

nHow will the situation play out now that both Miriette and he, Zoemi, were in the carriage with Horeo?

nWhat will be the reaction of the golden-haired prince seeing the heroine?

nAnd if the story will play ut just like the event in the game...

nWill Miriette get angry that her fiancé picks up random girls from the street and invites them to his carriage?

nHow he, Zoemi, should behave when the time will come!?

nThe black-haired boy's heart was pounding and he couldn't calm down at all.

n|No, not yet, it is supposed to happen after dinner so there's still time...|

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"Hey, Zoemi, Miriette.

"

nThe black-haired boy was thinking to himself when suddenly Horeo reached under the seat and pulled out a basket full of food.

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"It's about time for dinner, don't you think? We won't arrive at the Academy until the evening so I had our servants back in the castle prepare something we could enjoy while traveling.

"

nHe declared, putting the basket between him and Miriette.

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"Oh! That's a great idea! Don't you agree, Zoemi?

"

nThe dark-haired girl brightened up and smiled at her attendant.

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"Eh? What!? It's already that late!?

"

nZoemi panicked and grabbed his stomach.

n|It's almost time!|

nHe bit his lips and clenched his fists in anticipation.

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