n

n

n

"If I may.

"

n

"Thank you, my prince...

"

nAs the mysterious girl took the second prince's hand and was stepping down the carriage steps, all eyes were glued to them.

nIn any other situation, the blue-haired second prince would be n cloud nine because of finally getting more attention than his older brother whose carriage arrived right behind his, but he was far too preoccupied with the blond girl by his side.

n..until...

n

"The other carriage!

"

nSomeone from the crowd suddenly shouted and everyone's attention changed focus...

nThe first prince's carriage's shadow suddenly grew dark as the starless night and expanded looing extremely threateningly...

nThen, through the cracks of the still closed door, heavy half-liquid-half-gas-like darkness started pouring disturbingly as if the carriage was bleeding.

n

"!!!!

"

nWith no warning, the door opened soundlessly and everyone flinched but no one dared to disturb the overwhelming silence.

n...the inside of the carriage was completely black...

nInstead of the pompous high-lass, the threatening jet-black rectangle of the door looked like the entrance to the void itself or a maw of the king of nightmares....!

n

"...!

"

nThen, something emerged from that space.

nA black-haired youth in the Academy's white and black uniform.

n

"Ah...!

"

nFew weaker-hearted students started shaking at the mere sight of him.

nThe left side of his face was handsome enough to charm many of the present ladies while the right half was covered in hideous burn-scars that could make children cry.

n

"...

"

nThe youth scouted the area around the carriage with his fearsome black eyes - many students have turned away in terror - and stepped down on the ground

nEven though everyone saw him move no one heard him make even the smallest sound, even though the whole crowd was staying so silent that each of the students could hear their neighbors' heartbeat.

nIn the midst of that, the scarred youth seemed as if he wasn't a creature of this world.

n

"...hmph...

"

nThen as if having confirmed something the youth scoffed dismissively and turned back towards the carriage before kneeling on one knee.

n

"My prince, my lady, it is safe, no one here is capable of causing you any harm.

"

n

"...!

"

nThe terrifying youth's voice turned out to be unexpectedly pleasant for the ears.

n

"Ahhhhh!

"

nWhen he finished speaking the veil of darkness fell from the carriage and was replaced by the golden light causing the crowd to erupt in gasps of awe.

nFrom the light emerged - hand in hand - the first prince of the Bellcephora Kingdom Horeo Marets Bellcephora and his fiancé, lady Miriette Lisea Espine.

nThe pair looked so dashing that people started blushing just from being allowed to stay in their presence.

nBy this point, no one even remembered that the second prince was even there, let alone that he brought some unknown girl of an unknown origin together with him.

nThe diversion was a rousing success and all three of the conspirators could breath out in relief.

nMiriette and Horeo were smiling for the crowd while Zoemi was staying down, waiting for their next move.

nAs the future royal couple walked past the kneeling darkness magician, the first prince glanced at him and turned to his fiancé.

n

"You were right, my love, this attendant of yours has indeed gained my approval. Zoemi Auequas, raise from your knees, we shall enter the Academy together.

"

n

"Thank you for the honor, my prince.

"

nThe stunned spectators observed with held breath as the terrifying youth bows to the first prince and started following the couple inside the building without changing the strict and cautious expression clearly ready to strike down anyone foolish enough to threaten the pair.

n

"The first prince and lady Espine! They came together!

"

n

"The return of Ghosts! That guy is the successor of the Ghosts of Bellcephora!

"

n

"Lady Miriette has a Ghost as her attendant!?

"

n

"Prince has gifted his fiancé a Ghost of Bellcephora as a bodyguard!

"

n

"They were SO cool!

"

nThose were only a few voices that raised in the commotion that commenced the moment when the outstanding trio disappeared inside of the dormitory building.

nIn the chaos that occurred the long-haired blond girl coiled a strand of hair around her finger deep in thoughts.

n|The creators did announce a secret DLC character, but I never expected him to show up...! I need to watch out for him for sure... The new character was supposed to have a dangerous route... I better just stick with what I know that will work...|

nShe furrowed her brows before turning towards the furious second prince and clenching his arm reassuringly.

n---

n

"I don't want to be rude but...

"

nZoemi peeked through the window at the excited bunch and winced.

n

"Didn't we fall from the frying pan straight into the fire? I've heard at least a dozen people calling me the Ghost of Bellcephora's successor - and just a reminder - they are the most hated traitors in the history of the kingdom!

"

nHe turned around swaying on his feet.

n

"We... Probably should have thought about this a little more before we acted...

"

nHoreo was scratching his head with concern.

nAnd there also was Miriette sobbing, slumped in the corner...

n

"I'm soooorry! It's all my fault...!

"

nShe sniffled.

n

"No, no. I agreed to this plan, it's my fault too.

"

nHoreo grabbed Miriette's hand and helped her stand up.

n

"Don't cry, my lady, I overdid it too... waaaaaaay too much...

"

nZoemi stumbled towards them with unfocused eyes.

n

"No, Zoemi, don't even try to shoulder all the responsibility by yourself! You've done your best to do what Miriette and I asked you to and it is our fault. End of discussion. How is your mana, by the way?

"

nThe gold-haired prince declared before breathing out and asking in a concerted manner.

n

"I'm lightheaded from the depletion...!

"

nZoemi saluted towards Horeo with a dumb smile.

n

"Huh. So that's why you talk so weird. I knew I recognized your symptoms of the mana depletion.

"

n

"I'm sooorryy!

"

nHoreo nodded in realization while Miriette cried out loudly, overwhelmed by the embarrassment.

n

"Oh, shush already!

"

nHoreo scoffed at her, shaking his head.

nIf not for level-headed first-prince, the three of them would be seen in this unbecoming state and everything they did so far would end up in a catastrophic embarrassment.

nIt was okay to make a scene to take the attention off of the scandalous behavior of the second prince, but definitely not at the cost of the first prince's reputation!

nThe golden-haired boy grabbed his friends and hastily evacuated deeper inside the building.

nWhen he was approaching the room that he knew was his, his two attendants had finally found him.

nYes – attendants not the attendant.

nEven though the students of the Aspakeony Academy should be allowed only one servant to accompany them, Horeo was a prince and could bend that rule a little.

nActually, he make sure that two attendants accompanied him just in case a situation exactly like this would occur.

n

"Here. Veo, take Miriette to her room, give her a relaxing bath, brush her hair, tuck her in... I don't know - just help her relax, she can't stay a mess like this. It's embarrassing to watch.

"

nHoreo said and pushed Miriette towards his female attendant - a short twenty-something brown-haired girl in a maid's outfit.

n

"Teo. Take Zoemi to his room and throw him into a tub - just make sure he doesn't drown! After that just put him to bed, make sure he won't hurt himself. And watch out - he's an idiot right now, he may do something stupid that he would never have done normally – he get can get quite grabby while he's going through mana depletion. Just... Just be careful.

"

nHe explained and pushed Zoemi towards his female attendant - a short twenty-something brown-haired girl in a butler's outfit.

n

"

"As you wish, my prince!

"

"

nThe twins bowed their heads towards their master at the same time in perfect sync.

n

"But what about you, my prince? You are quite helpless without us~!

"

nAsked Veo helping out the crestfallen Miriette suffering through the immense regret and embarrassment.

n

"Oh, ha ha, very funny. I'm going to find the headmaster and try to explain to him why have we performed such stupid stunts in front of everyone.

"

nThe first prince rolled his eyes – clearly used to this type of teasing coming from that particular twin, and explained.

n

"Good luck with that, my prince.

"

nSaid Teo while putting the dizzy Zoemi's arm over her shoulders, using the earth enchantments to prop the black-haired boy upright.

n

"Yeah, I'm going to need that. I'm counting on you, girls.

"

nHoreo sighed and turned away from his attendants.

n