Time went out and without Aoi noticed the day of the exam finally comes. There is nothing different from the other life? timeline? (Aoi still can't decide how to call it). Their group members are still the same, Aoi, Arzen, Kii, Akai, Angela, Rhuifen, and his two subordinates Jupiter and Venus. The only difference is the situation. For example, this Kii isn't used to seeing monsters, this Kii doesn't have experience fighting monsters too. So she was kind of struggling in facing them now. It's a bit weird at first, Aoi already used to a Kii who is stronger than himself so it's kind of awkward to see her back at being weaker with a need to be protected. Aoi is of course already planned to protect her whether she needs it or not, but it seems that Aoi's protection isn't needed to begin with. Arzen is already there to protect her.

Aoi is glad that Arzen listened to what Aoi said about thinking of Kii first before he starts to help other people, really Aoi is glad and happy and satisfied. There is nothing that Aoi wants to complain about, but honestly, it's not a complaint, okay? Aoi just want to know. What are they doing really?

Okay, so this is what happened. They were doing their quest splendidly, even Kii who never meet monsters was doing her quest okay-ish-ly with Arzen's and Aoi's guide. She was finishing her own monster when out of nowhere a spell came barreling down to her direction, Arzen immediately went to cover Kii with his own body at the same time as Rhuifen, who was about to do the same and Angela, who was freaked out when she noticed that her accidental spell might hurt her precious His Highness Arzen-sama, then they were followed by Jupiter and Venus who were trying to protect Rhuifen, and the result? of course all of them falling into each other like a bunch of messed up books that drop off its cupboard. Poor Kii was being squeezed by them in the bottom. The spell went down with a boom several inches above their heads.

Honestly, what are they doing? Aoi thinks to himself in bafflement.

Aoi and Akai blinking at them and each other for several seconds before they immediately went to rescue Kii from being suffocated.

"Are you guys an idiot?" Aoi grumbled as he pulled Jupiter and Venus from the pile. as he saw Akai did the same to Rhuifen, he went to Kii and Arzen in hurry.

"Are you hurt Kii?" He asked Kii as he looks over her here and there to check for injury.

"I'm okay, thank you" Kii answered breathlessly.

"You are all idiots" Aoi continued "What the hell are you doing, really? what if you injured Kii, Huh?" and before anyone answer him "No! don't answer that. You will only say something equally idiotic!" he said again without giving a room for argument.

"His Highness, please forgive me. It was my fault. I was careless and because of my clumsiness I almost hurt His Highness" Angela said tearfully as soon as Aoi finished speaking.

"It's not me you should apologize to" Arzen simply said without even looking at Angela as he is too busy fussing at Kii with Aoi.

Aoi almost snort at that, but he isn't because he has an image to maintain here. Aoi saw Akai looks at them exasperatedly, after he sure Kii is alright, he went to see about Rhuifen condition. They are friends after all, Aoi remembered. Aoi been keeping his distance with Rhuifen to avoid some kind of misunderstanding happens here (in this life/timeline/whatever) as well.

He saw Angela looks crestfallen at the corner of his eyes and he can't help but feel satisfied. This time they manage to avoid the doomed cave, so no more falling, luckily for them. Without support from Akai who pointedly ignore her, Aoi who said honestly that he hated dark place and Arzen who was still in a bad mood because of the accidental spell, Angela didn't dare to push her desire to check out the cave either. They went back to The Academy in peace or so Aoi hopes.

A few days later a few hours before Arzen's birthday party, a rumor about Kii harassing Angela because she was jealous of the attention Arzen gave Angela was heard.

Midori went wild because of it. She went out her way to make Kii the moat beautiful girl in the party. From her hair to her shoes, nothing left unattended. The result were fabulous but it makes Aoi worry for some reason. Not because there is something missing on Kii, no of course not. It was the opposite actually, Kii is so perfect that Aoi was worry that Arzen wouldn't able to hold back when he sees her. Then again this Arzen is different, so he might not have the same reaction as the Arzen back home and beside it would be good even if he isn't able to hold back, wouldn't it? Aoi asked himself and sigh.

"What are you thinking about?" Arren voice suddenly broke Aoi's musing.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"it's nothing, just thinking about them. Where are Nii-Sama and Nee-sama?" Aoi answered.

"There" Arren answered back shortly, pointing at the dance floor where both of Aoi's sibling are dancing.

"Are you worry because Arzen isn't the one who takes Kii to the party? You knew he wanted to and he didn't because he has to go back to the castle for some reason. It's definitely not because he will go with Angela." Arren said.

"I know, but the other didn't. They keep fueling the rumors and now Angela thinks that she has chance to win Arzen. She been looking for a way to talk to Arzen since she arrived here and Kii been out for a while. Kii isn't even here for the congratulary birthday speech for Arzen." Aoi sigh again pointing at Arzen for a moment and looking back outside of the window where he can see Kii standing by the beautiful lake in the garden.

"Arzen is going to be disappointed but he will understand because he is also aware of the rumors, he will know that Kii will want some quiet place to chill down. He doesn't really care about birthday anyway. He might not be the same person as our Arzen but something is not that different either." Arren said with a smile. Aoi smiles back because he knew how right that statement is.

"And speak of the devil... " Arren trailed.

"And he may appear" Aoi continued for him.

"Good evening, Esteemed Brother, good evening Aoi-kun, I hope you're enjoying the party." Arzen started with a nod to each of them.

"Good evening, His Highness. We have excellent time, Thank you. If I am allowed to guess, His Highness here is not only to greet us but also to inquire about Kii's whereabouts, am I correct?" Aoi greet back with enough balance between a tease and politeness. Meanwhile Arren just nod back to him with a smile.

"That's not really what I mean but... I'm slightly worry... the rumors are... hem... what I mean to say is that I would be grateful if you could inform me about where Kii is right now, yes. Thank you." Arzen said after a few moment of slipping of his usual cold self.

Aoi looks at him with an amusement gaze. For this Arzen, this is the first time Aoi witnessed his flustered self. With all his might he refrain his teasing that almost come out of his mouth. Standing between them and witnessing all of it is Arren, who finally decided to break the awkward moment right there right now.

"Kii-chan is out to take some fresh air." He told Arzen while pointing at the window where they could see Kii.

"Yeah, She was not feeling well. She only come because it is your birthday ball after all, Your Highness. That's why I hope you would find in your heart to forgive her for missing some of the event in this party. I would love to take her back to her chamber to rest but she was insisted that she need to congratulate you first before she went back, so we let her take a break outside while waiting for you to be free. I hope you didn't mind. We are sorry for our rudeness in making decisions without your consent." Aoi followed Arren explanation with a bow to Arzen.

"No, there is nothing that need to be forgiven. More importantly, Kii was sick?" Arzen dismiss Aoi's apology with a wave of his hand and inquire about Kii instead.

"Yes, she was feeling under the weather and a little bit stressed this past few days... If His highness don't mind, I would like to ask for his highness permission to send her back to her chamber after she has chance to meet His highness." Aoi continued.

"No, there is no need of that. I would like to meet her now and I would send her back myself. She is my fiancee after all, it's my duty to take care of her." Arzen answered without giving them a room to complain.

"I would be grateful for it, His Highness. I you would excuse me, I will go and take Kii back her to meet you right away..." Aoi started again but this time Arzen cut him with another no need because apparently he is going to see Kii at where she is right now and will send her back right after, thank you very much for your concern, Aoi-kun. With a bow and nods to the both of them, he swiftly and silently remove himself from the party.

Watching him go, Arren who was aware of Aoi's plan turn to Aoi and asked if he is sure about this. Still watching the spot where Arzen previously was, Aoi only able to sigh and said truthfully that no, he isn't sure. please don't ask him back because he is worry that he is going to regret his decision and take Kii back instead.

Akai and Midori return as both of the men turn to watch Arzen approaching Kii and startling her. Kii who has been standing at the side of the lake, enjoying the beautiful moon that was reflected in the water whipped her head so fast and lose he balance, Arzen went to straighten her but was a second too late. The four of them watch with a perplexed face as both of Arzen and Kii toppled off of the lake with a splash. They blinked at each other for a moment before Kii sneezed right into Arzen's face. The hell broke loose after that, Kii seems to flusteredly apologize while Arzen immediately went and swift Kii, literately, off her feet, promptly princess carrying her to her chamber, perhaps.

The four people whom watching them were not better. Midori was opening and closing her mouth to say something without success. Akai looked at Aoi and Arren with his question gaze, while Arren only able to mutter a small "oh dear" while watching their silhouettes gone farther.

"What are they doing, really?" Aoi asked rhetorically.

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A few days after that the relationship between Kii and Arzen change. They spend more time together without Aoi and the other help. Sometime Aoi would also see Arzen treat Kii intimately. Like holding her hand, or giving her a shoulder hug, or taking her hand on his arm. Something like that. Then Kii would turn red which in turn would make Arzen smile at her fondly.

Once again, it's not that Aoi is complaining, Aoi is just curious and wondering. Honestly, what are they doing, really?