n

n

n

"Zoemi, what's wrong? If you're feeling unwell just tell us, we can take a short rest if you need to!

"

n

"No, it's nothing, my prince, let's eat!

"

nThe worried Horeo patted Zoemi reassuringly on the shoulder but the black-haired boy only shook his head and smiled at him – through the smile did not reach his worried dark eyes.

n

"I'm starving, what do we have?

"

n

"

"...

"

"

nHe tried to act energetic but his forced smile looked a lot more like a grimace of pain - Horeo and Miriette looked at each other very concerned but didn't want to pressure the attendant so they didn't say anything about it, and the prince showed off the prepared food.

nIn the basket, there were sandwiches, muffins, as well as bottles of fruit juice – all looking incredibly appetizing - but Zoemi couldn't force even one bite down his throat clenched with worry.

nThe atmosphere in the carriage became rather stiff and Horeo and Miriette only occasionally glanced at each other and then turn back towards the pitiful-looking Zoemi.

nThe food that was supposed to be great, tasted like cardboard.

n

"...!

"

nSuddenly that carriage stopped and Zoemi face became deathly pale.

n|It's time!|

nThe black-haired boy put down the sandwich that he only took one bite from and began staring at his knees in preparation for the worst.

n

"Huh? What's going on? Why did we stop?

"

n

"There's something going on in the front.

"

nMiriette and Horeo were looking through the window, their bodies were touching when they were trying to see what was happening.

nIn any other scenario Zoemi would be throwing his arms up in victory but as things were now, seeds of doubt sprouted in his heart.

n|What if I won't be able to help them? How long will Miriette and Horeo stay close like this? Am I really strong enough to change the scripted endings and protect Miriette...?|

nThen he clenched his fist and an angry grimace twisted his face.

n|Of course, I will! Miriette will be happy, there is no other option! Heroine or whatever, just come and try to mess with my master!|

nHis doubt changed into a conviction and he calmed down at least a little bit.

nHe took a deep breath and his expression became solemn.

n

"That's my younger brother's carriage! What's going on? Why did he stop in the middle of the road?

"

n

"!!!!!

"

nBut then the shocked voice of the confused Horeo made Zoemi jump and the black-haired boy joined the two by the window.

n

"Prince Surou? But didn't he leave earlier than us?

"

nMiriette asked stealthily inching closer to her attendant until their shoulders touched.

n

"He was supposed to... maybe something happened? Hey, Zoemi, do you think we should check if he needs help?

"

nThe gold-haired prince responded while glaring at the girl who stole the first move, but he wasn't going to just let her win so he grabbed onto Zoemi's shoulder – moving him only enough for Miriette to lose contact with her attendant, and asked.

n

"Huh? What?

"

nZoemi's expression crumbled from the unexpected information and he also stuck to the window and had to do a double-take on the situation...

nIndeed, another royal carriage was blocking the road and some people were moving around it.

n

"...!

"

nZoemi spotted the blue-haired second prince, Surou, then some old lady, and...

nLong-haired blond girl!

n|It's her!|

nHe gasped internally, tensing up at the mere sight of the face which he saw so many times in cutscenes.

nIt was the heroine without a doubt!

nBut why was she talking with the second prince?

nThis was the spot of the first prince – the first event that would start his route which was the main and the most cannon route of the entire game – Horeo's younger brother would be introduced on the next day when the heroine would be in a hurry for morning lessons but she would lose her way and bump into him by accident!

n

"Oh? Who's that girl? Do you know her, Horeo?

"

nMiriette pumped into the prince's hand, causing him to let go of Zoemi's shoulder, and curiously turned her head towards him.

n

"Never seen her in my life.

"

nHoreo squinted his eyes at her, taking back his hand, and shook his head in response.

n

"Hey! Why is she getting in the carriage with my brother!?

"

nSuddenly, he saw something that seemed to shake him to the core – or at least enough to stop fighting with Miriette over Zoemi.

n

"Ohohoho! It looks like the second prince keeps some secrets from his dear brother!

"

nThe black-haired girl laughed triumphantly in a typical ojou-sama way with the back of her hand near her mouth and teased Horeo.

n

"...

"

nBut Zoemi forced himself to not stare at how adorable she was at that moment and concentrated on the carriage in front of theirs.

nIndeed the heroine entered the carriage together with the second prince and their carriage started to move again.

n

"What was that about?

"

nHoreo tilted his head in confusion and sat back in his place.

n

"...!

"

n

"

"...?

"

"

nAt that moment Zoemi's body started shaking uncontrollably and both Miriette and Horeo reached their arms towards him to show their support, but just before they managed to do so, Zoemi intercepted their hands' mid-air and busted out into laughter stunning his companions.

n

"Ahahaha! It changed so easily!? It was really that simple!

"

nHe cackled and pressed his friends' hands to his forehead.

nTruth be told, he only wanted to grab his master's hand but the prince's hand was just too close and ended up getting grabbed too, still, Zoemi was too happy to care about that detail at the moment.

n

"Everything will be fine! I really can protect you!

"

n

"...!

nBoth Miriette and Horeo blushed and looked away.

n

"O-of course you c-can, y-you're m-my attendant...!

"

n

"I-I don't need y-your protection, but I a-appreciate your th-thoughts...!

"

nZoemi was so relieved because of how the first event didn't even properly happen, that he hadn't noticed the peculiar behavior of the pair in front of him.

n*gurururururururu*

n

"!!!

"

nHis relaxed stomach grumbled demanding food and he reached towards the basket.

n

"So, care to explain why were you so flustered through half of the journey?

"

nOut of nowhere Horeo changed his seat and sat next to Zoemi, while casually asking a question.

n

"Hwa?

"

nZoemi was halfway through stuffing the third sandwich in his mouth and couldn't speak properly.

nHe tried to swallow it all at once to answer the prince as fast as possible but the food turned up to be too dry and he started choking on it.

n

"Now look what you've done!

"

nFrowning Miriette handed suffering Zoemi her half-drunk bottle of juice and sat beside him on the only free spot left.

n

"Quick, Zoemi, drink this, you'll get better.

"

n

"Mpfha Hffedy...!

"

nThankful Zoemi took the bottle and gulped almost everything and, able to breathe again, he wanted to put the bottle in the basket but Miriette took it away from him.

n

"I still haven't finished it!

"

nShe pressed the bottle to her chest defensively.

n

"But, my lady, it's nearly empty, here, just have another one.

"

nZoemi tried to reason with her and reached to the basket for another juice.

n

"NO!

"

nMiriette raised her voice a bit too much and she blushed.

n

"I-I mean, no, there's no reason to, there's still a bit left in there, a noble shouldn't be wasteful! Besides, I'm not that thirsty anyway.

"

n

"Ah...! I see! As expected of you, my lady!

"

nShe declared proudly and Zoemi felt admiration for his master - she was such a well-behaved young lady!

n

"Pfft! Yeah, right...

"

nBut Horeo had a different opinion and snorted mockingly towards his fiance.

n

"Hmph! You're just jealous!

"

nStill, Miriette was unaffected and took an elegant sip from the bottle taken from her attendant, and literally, the three last drops of juice flowed into her mouth.

n

"Cunning fox... Hey, Zoemi, I'm already full and can't finish this muffin, since the noble shouldn't be wasteful could you help me with it?

"

n

"Heeey!

"

n|Aww, they are so cute when they're teasing each other!|

nWhile listening to the exchange, delighted Zoemi took the unfinished muffin off the prince's hand.

nThe rest of the travel passed by in a joyous atmosphere.

n