Zoemi did his best to observe and even interact with the heroine as much as he could through the day but she was rather cold towards him – he already was going to stick around her from the start, but the words of the platinum-haired girl certainly had a big impact on the level of his cautiousness.

The black-haired boy wasn't merely observing the girl herself – but the people around her, how they interacted - or rather not interacted – with her, as well as going out of his way to try to find out who was the perpetrator of the ongoing bullying.

The problem with the last part was that the thing that happened with the expelled second prince Surou certainly spawned more than just a few independent bullies to start messing with Burushiitto, so actually getting to the bottom of things in a short amount of time was basically impossible.

Still, Zoemi wasn't going to give up.

|I should have asked her what exactly should I keep my eye on...! Will the heroine be the one that will cause some trouble or get herself in trouble – or am I supposed to prevent others from messing with her or from getting messed with...!|

The black-haired attendant scolded himself while furrowing his brows, unintentionally staring at the blond girl's back.

...funnily enough, he didn't even consider that the platinum-haired girl was messing with him – no, for whatever reason the thought of doubting her never even entered his mind...

But, while the black-haired boy was busy worrying about other things, a certain someone behind him was getting rather...

...animated...

"...what is this supposed to mean...?!"

Miriette kept glancing between Zoemi and the heroine while gritting her teeth and clenching her fists under the desk...

"My love, your hair is... Unusually sharp today... Why don't you try to take a deep brea..."

"What's going on between that wench and Zoemi!? Why does he keep looking at her with that troubled expression!? I don't understand why is he suddenly interested in her so much?!"

Horeo tried to point out that Miriette was getting too obvious with her jealousy but Miriette, well, Miriette acted just like Miriette...

The hair on the back of her head was standing on its end as if it wanted to stab someone - no doubt the target would be the big-breasted commoner girl - and it was looking wild enough to the point of getting the attention of some of their classmates...

"He probably doesn't know how to deal with her, he got punished because of her and the second prince, remember? At the same time, she healed him, and he asked us to leave her alone – but I can't believe he doesn't harbor just a tiny bit of animosity towards her."

Horeo breathed out and explained, shrugging his shoulders lightheartedly all while trying to put himself in Zoemi's shoes.

"My Zoemi isn't like that – you know that he isn't like the two of us, he actually forgave that commoner girl – and that's the problem! What happened? Why does he pursue her? Is it because she is ignoring him, is that it? If that's all it takes to get his attention then I will start ignoring him too!"

The dark-haired girl only scoffed at the gold-haired prince and shook her head while making a furious expression.

"Sure, whatever – wait, hold on - ... can you actually ignore him...?"

Horeo rolled his eyes, but then he furrowed his brows and tilted his head, looking at his fiancee with curiosity.

"..."

Miriette froze and her shoulders dropped before she looked to the side with an awkward expression.

"...n-no... I don't think I would be able to..."

She admitted in an embarrassed voice.

"Yeah, I thought so. But you do remember that he is only a little bit less dense than Mizoe, right? There is probably nothing to worry about."

Horeo shrugged his shoulders and smirked – but unfortunately, his words didn't appease the dark-haired girl who got right back to being angry.

"Of course, I remember! But that's why it is so odd! Why does he tires to get her attention while I am right here!?"

Miriette groaned, gritting her teeth drilling holes in the black-haired attendant's back with her eyes.

"I really do think that you are reading too much into his behavior, you know? He is doing a good job not being overconfident and spiteful, showing off a good impression - that's how a noble should act. In politics, it's obvious that your yesterday enemy may become today or tomorrow's friend so it's best to not burn any bridges. I'm pretty sure we learned that together when we were eight, you know? And with the healing that girl had done on him, it was confirmed that her magic is a real deal which proved her usefulness."

The gold-haired prince tried to slightly change his approach because honestly, Miriette was getting way too obvious and with her looking so angry could lead people to start some rumors about the two of them not getting along which would, in turn, spawn even more unwanted rumors...

"I know all of that – but then why that wench is giving him a cold shoulder!? She should be jumping with joy that he wants to waste his time on someone like her – or better - crawling at his feet and beg for forgiveness for being the trigger of the whole punishment!"

"...trigger...? Wasn't that you...?"

"!!!"

The dark-haired girl barked furiously – but then the surprised comment of the gold-haired boy made her flinch and she ended up biting her lips with a pale face.

"...shut up... I know that I am awful – but the other girl isn't a saint either...!"

She complained while fidgetting awkwardly – while leaning towards him to hide her face from the other students.

After all, Miriette would only allow either Zoemi or Horeo to see her distressed like that – her pride would not allow her to show weakness to anyone else.

|There's no helping her, is there? It's bad if Zoemi is talking to another girl and it's even worse if that girl dares to ignore him...|

Horeo closed his mouth and shook his head – ending up raising his hand and patting the dark-haired girl's back reassuringly.

"Listen, Miriette, you have to stay calm and everything will be fine – I promise. Just don't do anything that could bring troubles to Zoemi and yourself, alright?"

Horeo lowered his head and whispered into the girl's ear in a reassuring voice.

"..."

Miriette made a sulky expression and both her shoulders and her hair slumped down, dispirited.

"I know... You told me before that you have a good plane and I trust you – it's just that... I just don't want him to... You know..."

The dark-haired girl sighed and leaned in, resting her forehead on Horeo's shoulder...

"Kyaaah~! Do you see this...!?"

"They are so perfect for each other...!"

"Lady Espine looked like she was feeling unwell and now the first prince is comforting her...! Why don't my fiance never does anything like that to me?!"

...which prompted hushed but extremely excited squeals from the excited students around them.

"Now, that's what I call a good acting~"

Horeo hummed satisfied, moving his hand from Miriette's back up to her head – increasing the number of squeals and excited gasps at least two times over.

"...is Zoemi looking at us too...?"

Miriette murmured without changing her position to not ruin the perfect situation.

"He is."

Horeo glanced over and confirmed in a quiet voice.

"Good – he kissed me and still dares to pursue another girl, so now I will be the one to make him jealous by cuddling up to you~!"

"..."

The dark-haired girl snickered and for a second, the blond prince didn't realize what she said – but then...

"Wait! He did WHAT now?! When, where, and what did he kiss exactly?!"

Horeo gasped as the aura around him became ice-cold and his gentle patting of Mireitte's hair turned into an iron grip on her head so that she wouldn't be able to escape.

"Oww, oww, oww...! You are squeezing my head too hard, you dork! What, you're the one jealous now?"

historical

Miriette groaned and tried to get away from Horeo – but without using the enchantment and getting the attention of everyone around them, it was simply impossible so she... ended up mocking him with a satisfied grin that only he could see.

"...you cunning fox...! Details! I want all the details! How far ahead did you get?!"

Horeo gritted his teeth and squinted his eyes – but at the same time, he relaxed his grip and leaned down – so that for everyone else it looked like the two of them started whispering sweet nothings into each other ears....