"Oh my, to think Her Ladyship discovered me already."

Just now, even when the weather is sunny…the background effect had thunder raining down behind her. Let me reiterate what was said before; it darkened her sight.

What did she just see? Ett cleared her throat, pretending she was appalled for a moment.

"Amazing...you can do both; no wonder you aren't discovered by the other empires."

"Hm? That seems a bit. Ah! Don't fret, Your Ladyship, I am only interested in women."

Alright, I'll believe you for now.

"Yet you're good at seducing men, too, huh?"

Dangerous.

This guy's allure is too dangerous for both males and females, even if he's in disguise. It was just a guess because of the sense of familiarity she had with him. Being an annoyance can make her recognize Akan like the back of her hand.

"Well, it's their fault."

Hah, that arrogance.

"Then you, my maid."

"Mhmmm."

Ett observed him. Even the way he walks and smiles, every gesture defines her as a lady and with etiquette at that. She eyes Akan's breast part.

"How much cotton did you put in?"

"Big enough to attract and heavy enough to make it bounce."

He even demonstrated it.

"Big…bounce…"

Just like an adult anime's breast, she reads in Mangas.

Ett looked at her washboard of a breast and wondered for a moment the size of Ett's breast in her original form.

"Should we enter your new abode, Your Ladyship?"

"Alright."

Never mind, that's not important right now.

The inside of the room was luxurious, losing to her gloomy chamber in the palace. She missed that atmosphere. When she's here, it feels like she doesn't deserve to be in this bright place where the rays of sunlight can be seen as you look out the window.

"Your Ladyship, my room is adjacent to yours. Do call me when you need me? I'll just prepare your bath."

"Hah."

"I could even take off your clothes, Your Ladyship."

That means he had served many ladies and had seen everything other than having sex with them, of course.

"Roll."

"As you wish."

Ett sat tiredly, staring in a daze at nothingness.

If she remembers correctly, this is where the male lead is studying. Meanwhile, the female lead is a commoner still not adopted by the baron. She'll attend this school in her Superior years. She is a bit behind the cortege, but as an FL, she's outstanding herself. She was taught by the famous viscount teacher before entering the academy.

She was curious about who would one day ruin Guren. Is it worth investing if they could be friends?

Nah.

The male lead is innately righteous and just, and Guren…ah, it would be a crash. But what if the ML is influenced by being vile earlier on? Such a plan, she'll see to it once she sees him personally.

Besides, Ett has no opinion coming here if not for the ML and the Dean's unsaid intention.

"So tired."

But she shouldn't sleep with all this dried-up sweat.

Ah, yes, Eru. She wonders how she's been doing. For months, she hasn't returned to the palace.

Was this normal before she was with 'Ett'? Because she feels worried if not. What is she finding that took her so long? Besides, she just appeared in the first few chapters; what if the audience forgot about her cute Eru?!

"Your bath is ready, Your Ladyship. Let me serve you."

Akan's playful tone made her shiver.

"Out."

"Yes, yes."

This Akan is an all-rounder player. A human chameleon in its perfection. In the novel, he does have expertise: he is good with slowly skinning people to gather facts.

He likes to skin them and then fries them in oil while the skinned person could watch how despicable he is doing it. Ugh.

A person like him should always be held on the leash, or else she'll be the one who would be done like that, even if it wasn't him who killed Ett in the novel.

The butterfly effect can have its darkest twist if she won't keep an eye on young people like him.

***

The first time would be after being toured by one of the professors; they'll rest and enter the hall to welcome new students.

Ett and her classmates are seated, waiting for the welcoming ceremony to begin. The ember-eyed child was also sitting next to her again.

What's with this dude? Even during the tour, she was beside her, peeking at times. Are her parents pushing her to connect with the 'daughter' of the Archduke?

She glanced at her chest. Hm, the daughter of an earl. It's not a bad rank for a nobility. But she's from the northern region, just like the ML. They all may be acquainted.

Lessening your presence is useless if there's a potential leech in the making.

"Greetings, as Minor Grade students, we warmly welcome you to this academy. Congratulations on passing your test!"

A round of applause could be heard from all the students. They all look cheerful.

"It's also a pleasure to have our Dean be with us. He'll share his speech with our Minor students."

Now, she can see Guren's tutor.

A tall, white-haired man came into their view. The sense of vissititudeness was ever-present in his eyes, and the noble poise that has been carved in his years could be seen even just by his walk with his back straight as if he's not suffering from osteoporosis. Ett could tell he was handsome when he was of peerless age.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

He looks exceedingly sharp.

"Again, welcome to the academy, students."

Even the tone of his voice, although mild, is impactful.

Indeed, it's such a loss if this kind of person was killed.

Who knows, those past tutors of the Adiand royalty might be like him, too. Now she understands why Guren kept him and stopped such a generational death sentence. This man, just by the look, has a lot of capability. That's what Guren values the most.

"Huh?"

Did they just make eye contact?

"…then students, may you learn and serve Adiand without shaming your empire when you graduate."

Oh, that was short.

Now, let's see if she could find the ML in the crowd of seated students.

He should be at the front.

In the description, he was a free-spirited little boy, young and full of vigour. Smiling brightly underneath the sun, as if blessed by everything, he lights up people's hearts, hair as dazzling as the full moon paired with his eyes that are dark as the midnight sky.

"Found ya."

Indeed, it is the same as the story's concept. White haired boy laughing so jubilantly with his friends. The positivity is even reaching her area.

This bright look was different when her sister was killed.

Ett thoughts darkened.

It's not bad if she could really kill ML's sister to buff his emotion in killing Guren for the sake of future events. It would also follow through the story, except that she'll move on her own accord.

As it was written, ML and Ralis' elder sister will die.

"Were you wanting to find the second born of the Son of Garth? Erecid?"

This girl…

Sheesh.

"You know him?"

"Yes, we were also childhood friends."

Childhood friends? Ett took another closer look at this earl's daughter.

"What's your name?"

"Oh, I'm a daughter of Laan, Earl Harz Laan."

"Name."

"Tara."

"Tara…"

Nope, haven't heard of it. Childhood friends?

Not enough to be really too close and be added to the pages of the novel. Barely passing the Cannon-Fodder type.

A mob.

"Do me a favor and introduce me to him."

"Sure!"

She's ecstatic and looks at that blush when she looks at Erecid. Huh?

Ett blinked.

Here, she was asking about Erecid as if she was interested in him, yet this love-struck little kid answered without jealousy.

"…"

Weird. Is Ett missing out on something?

Hey, maybe this girl could be of use other than being a bloodhound as well? That's not a bad idea.

***

Ett and Tara waited until the welcome ceremony was over.

"Let's go to him."

"How about we wait outside?"

Ett suggested.

"Somewhere not crowded."

Tara thought for a moment. "Okay. Let's meet in the garden, that one. I'll look for you and introduce him to you." She said and left.

"…"

Really, there's something wrong but it's alright.

Anyway, Ett didn't think it through and just went into the garden, sitting on one of the benches far from the entrance and a bit secluded from the students walking around.

She was facing a rose garden; the rose was blue. Different from the palace's garden full of thorned black roses.

"Black roses are cooler."

It's also a natural rose color different from the Earth, where they use technology to produce different colors of roses that aren't naturally grown as they were.

"Lady Ettna!"

"Greetings to the Daughter of Froiz, Lady Ettna. I am the Son of Garth, Erecid. I'm the second offspring."

Erecid greeted politely.

Even though he is the son of Duke Garth, the Archduke is still above his father's rank and the most trusted aid of the Emperor.

"Young Miss is enough."

"I've heard from Tara, ah, Young Miss Tara, that you want to meet this humble one."

Quick too. I thought Erecid was a muscled brain as a child with just heroic positivity.

"How is your father fairing?"

Ett noticed his nano expression.

A millisecond frown.

"My father has been faring well, Young Miss. Thank you for asking. How about the Archduke?"

Hoho.

"Always running errands for the emperor every now and then."

"Uhm."

"That's…"

Look at their expression; it's uncomfortable. Ett focused more on Ercid's expression.

Ett sighed dramatically, "That cruel emperor doesn't let my father rest."

"Saying cruel…"

Tara drawled as if wanting to refute her but not.

"The rumors are mostly true; my father is the greatest example."

"But saying it openly, there might be people that might hear us."

Ercid chuckled nervously.

"You asked how my father is fairing, I answered."

"Erm."

Erecid can't refute that.

"Don't you view the emperor the same?"

"…"

"Seems I'll be beheaded then for being honest."

"Ah no, it's not that way."

Ercid uttered nervously as he looked around.

"Never mind."

Yeah, she's done teasing these kids for now.

More so, this childhood friend of hers, whom she can't let go of, his hand and how they look at each other.

"Uhm."

"Thought you can be honest."

"But it's the Emperor we are talking about! It's dangerous if you say it like that, Your Highness."

"I trusted you enough to show my friendship, but I have done it wrong."

Sorry, kids, this auntie is solely teasing you.

"Don't bother me anymore."

Ett turned around and left.

Hayayay.

So cautious, well understandable. One thing Ett got from conversing with these children is that they're careful as they were trained and fear Guren greatly.

Not just because he is their Emperor but his way of doing things. The love of the strong can cover it up with fear and respect. Something Guren had for reigning this Empire.

By the way, "What's Ralis doing now?"