n

n

nZoemi really did check everything out – not only did he extensively question the students who trained with him about the sneaking out at night part - he even made sure that none of the capture targets have any plans that would lead them to that pond during midnight, and, first and foremost, he learned from teacher Kros that the heroine would be helping him out with his health issues, so she would be not only in the completely different part of the Academy but she would also be under the supervision of the teacher the entire time, leaving her no chance to sneak out!

nIt was perfect – this time the scarred attendant didn't leave anything up to chance and made sure that nothing would disturb his master's date!

nThe little thing about sneaking out – he learned to form his training buddies.

nSame with the schedules and plans of the other capture targets, as he wasn't training with first years but with a few second-year students too.

nBut, the heroine who was surprising – for Zoemi who remembered that her character was moderately popular in the game because of her humility and general doormat-like behavior – wasn't very much shunned aside – not bullied as of yet like she was in the game, but at least left out form the conversations and whatnot.

nThen, considering that the students that the black-haired attendant trained weren't interested in the heroine, how did he learn about the blond girl's plans?

nFrom the girl herself, of course!

nThe heroine was coming to talk to the black-haired attendant almost every break, after all!

nAnd since she – this was only Zoemi's conviction that he had no actual proof of yet, but he just ran with it - was leaving the mana potions for him every morning then, of course, he wouldn't just slap away her friendship.

nThough, he would mercilessly cut off any and all attempts to hit on the first prince...

nAs well as feed her the incorrect information about some of the subjects she was curious about, just to be completely safe...

n

"Well... I guess we could do that...

"

nMiriette furrowed her brows, making a cloudy expression, and didn't look particularly convinced just yet.

nBut Zoemi wasn't going to give up!

n

"My lady, just imagine. You and man you love walking side by side, only the moon, the stars, and the water would bear witness to what will happen...

"

nHe leaned in moving so that their heads would be on a similar level, and while continuing to brush her hair he started speaking in a low alluring voice.

n

"Just close your eyes and imagine the atmosphere - the face of the moon reflecting in the pond, your fingers intertwined with his, you whisper into each other's ears to not break the silent magic of the moment... His breath on your skin. Who knows...? Maybe he'll even get so bold to steal a kiss from you...? A soft, sweet kiss, a promise of the future...

"

n

"!!!!!

"

nHe said and stood up with a soft, mysterious smile while Miriette shuddered and blushed so hard that even her ears and neck got red.

n

"With the man I love...?

"

nShe asked, timidly looking up at him with hopeful eyes.

n

"Indeed, with the man you love the most - your fiance, the first prince Horeo.

"

nZoemi confirmed nodding his head with a profound expression.

n

"...eh...? Wi-with Horeo?! You...! HMPH!

"

nThen Miriette shook her head shaking off the daze and suddenly started slapping her attendant's arm, adorably furious.

nAdorably - since she was fully magic-oriented her physical strength was rather weak and since she wasn't using any enchants her slaps carried no power whatsoever and certainly didn't hurt at all.

nSeriously, for the trained boy it basically felt like she was attempting to give him a massage.

nBut Zoemi, as a good attendant should always do, didn't start laughing at the tickling hits and started protecting his face with his arms, so that it would look like her attack is meaningful.

n...but, once again, it was straight-up cute funny how she got so worked up...

n

"Ah, my lady, I'm sorry! Your servant was too forward!

"

nZoemi apologized – barely holding back the laughter - but he also knew his master very well.

nThe dark-haired girl loved exactly the kind of scenarios that he described to her.

nShe might become agitated from the inappropriate insinuation but she already swallowed the hook...!

n---

nSoon, his master was out of breath so she stopped with the slapping, honestly, Zoemi's arm never felt better, it was like receiving a refreshing massage!

n

"You cunning attendant, you...!

"

nMiriette was squinting her eyes at him.

n

"You've been reading too many romance novels lately!

"

nShe scoffed at him biting her lip angrily.

n

"Well, it was you, my lady, who made me pick them up in the first place~

"

nZoemi didn't deny his master's words and smiled softly.

n

"...!

"

nMost other people in Miriette's place would look away because honestly, Zoemi's face wasn't so nice to look at.

nOf course, it was because of the burn-scar deforming his right cheek, but Miriette saw past the looks and was seeing the person who never failed to protect her and who stood by her no matter how haughty or annoying she got.

n

"Fine... I'll consider it, just because you seem to work hard to get the information on this...

"

nThe dark-haired girl couldn't refuse her attendant when he looked at her like that...

n

"I'll set it up with the first prince then!

"

nZoemi smile changed into a grin and he put the hairbrush away and grabbed the tray with empty dishes, already on his way back.

nWhen the door closed behind him Miriette leaned on the chair making a tired expression.

n

"A romantic walk with the man I love... That would be nice... Sure...

"

nShe sighed and then frowned.

n

"It would be much nicer, though, if that man wouldn't so readily set me up on a date with someone other than him!

"

nShe felt a need to throw something, so she picked up the stocking without a pair that somehow made its way under the desk, folded it into a ball, and threw it against the door.

n

"You dummy! I'm never returning your vest, hmph!

"

nShe scoffed, walking to the bed and carefully hiding the... borrowed.... vest, and stuck her tongue after the black-haired attendant who had already left.

n