n

n

nSeeing her attendant overreact like that, Miriette returned from her own world of dreams and delusions and clench her fists, forcefully pressing her fingernails to the skin so the pain would clear her head and stop her from overthinking...

n|Calm down, stupid - if you do something rash you will just scare him off! Is that what you want?|

nThe dark-haired girl thought to herself.

n|Dear god! She's furious!|

nZoemi sneaked a glance at his master and hurriedly looked back down.

nMiriette's face was completely red and her jaw was moving slightly, so it was obvious to Zoemi that his master was grinding her teeth in anger.

n|I'm so stupid! I selfishly decided that she looks good and because of that, she showed her fiancé the appearance that she thought of as disgraceful! What was I thinking!? I got too confident and haven't considered her feelings! I'm just an attendant and nothing more for her|

nThe black-haired attendant cursed his mishap.

n

"...

"

nMiriette took a few deep breaths to calm herself.

nIt was not the time to delude herself, she knew that the gap between the master and the servant couldn't be breached so easily.

nIf she just pounced on her attendant – as she often felt the urge to do - it could have the exact opposite effect!

nThe dark-haired girl was well aware of her bad personality.

nSince she was extremely small even her own maids didn't like her because of her selfish behavior and tantrums.

nAs a child, she thought that was normal to be disliked and never put any thought into it.

nBut - only after one day when she ordered the boy who saved her from the kidnappers to ride together with her in the carriage, and the boy was shaking from fear because of her just looking at him and then even cried in relief when he could get out of the carriage and away from her, did she decided that she needed to change.

n|I don't want him to be afraid of me! The others... Well, I don't really care...|

nMiriette thought to herself and stopped thinking about the past since there were more important things to do...

nFor example, she wanted to proceed with the plan that she came up with right after finishing lunch.

n

"What done is done, let's return to my room and you will do something about this awful hair! We're not leaving until I'll be satisfied with the result!

"

nPutting her rather petty plan into action, the dark-haired girl declared in an arrogant voice - even though she felt bad that she said that the hairstyle that Zoemi called lovely was awful.

n

"As you wish my lady! Please forgive this foolish servant!

"

nZoemi pressed his forehead to the floor again.

n

"Enough of this already! Let's just go!

"

n

"A you wish!

"

nMiriette sounded grumpy so the black-haired attendant didn't dare to delay any longer.

n---

nWhen they walked through the corridor lady Espine looked angered and her attendant looked as apologetic as the ugly scars on his face allowed him to.

nZoemi was worried that his master would start scolding him as soon as they entered the room but instead, she just toddled towards the chair by the desk and sat down.

n

"We are not going anywhere until I'm satisfied!

"

nShe declared without turning around but her ears were still red so Zoemi understood that she was still very much angry at him.

n|But that hairstyle really makes her look so beautiful, if she wasn't my master I would have fallen for her already...|

nHe thought and picked up the hairbrush with a heavy heart.

nAs always, the act of brushing Miriette's hair was calming - not relaxing - since it was always hard work with her reality-bending mane, but nonetheless, something about touching her would put the scarred boy's heart at ease.

nFrom time to time Miriette would check her looks in the mirror but no matter how much time has passed, she wouldn't be satisfied.

n

"Not good enough, continue.

"

nShe would say and put the mirror back on the desk.

nOf course, this was a part of Miriette's ploy - but not just that - she also was very fond of the contact with Zoemi.

n...most likely because, before she would find a way to be together with him, it was the closest that they were allowed to be.

nThe time was slowly passing in a serene atmosphere.

nZoemi stopped worrying and Miriette was enjoying herself.

n

"...?

"

nThen out of the habit, Zoemi pulled out his pocket watch and checked the time.

n

"!!!

"

nAnd his eyes widened from shock.

n

"My lady! The time!

"

nHe exclaimed and put down the hairbrush.

n

"Wh-what? What do you mean?

"

nMiriette didn't ask in a strained voice and didn't look him in the eyes.

n

"It's almost time for the prince Horeo's examination! We're going to be late! We must go now!

"

nHe grabbed the hand of his master and helped her stand up.

nWithout looking back he pulled her with him and rushed towards the examination grounds.

n

"Tsk...!

"

nThe black-haired boy was so focused on leading his master that he didn't hear the clicking sound she made with her tongue.

n|It didn't work...!|

nMiriette thought bitterly.

nThe first prince Horeo was standing around with his hands crossed and was tapping his fingers on his biceps.

nIt was almost the time but the person he was waiting for wasn't anywhere in sight, and he even checked the sky if Miriette decided to fly there together with Zoemi.

n|She would not make up something just to excuse herself from not coming, would she...? Even she isn't so petty... right...?|

nHe squinted his eyes in suspicion – unknowingly hitting the bullseye with his prediction.

n

"And the final student. The first prince Horeo Marets Bellcephora, if you please.

"

nAn elderly light attribute magician with a long beard called him, and Horeo had no other choice than to walk towards him.

nAs a prince, he got to keep up the appearances, he can't be just openly defying the teachers and all. No matter what he wanted, he wasn't the king after all.

nNot yet – at least.

n