One week later.

A maid and her Lady were crouching beside a dense bush doing reconnaissance.

Holding a pair of twigs with green leaves above her head while squatting on the ground, Yume whispered.

"Hey, Yiyi?"

"Yes, Milady?"

Yiyi whispered in return while copying her Lady. In addition, she's wearing one of Yume's old school uniforms since chaperones weren't allowed inside the academy.

Nobles would think that a maid who acted like this was preposterous to their master, but Yiyi was already like a dear sister to Yume.

Yiyi was someone Yume picked up on the street begging for alms. Yume gave her money and saw how she distributed it equally to others in need instead of keeping everything to herself. Her orange-colored hair overshadowed the colorless lives of everyone. Her good personality touched Yume's heart which made Yume help them by hiring them and recruiting Yiyi as a personal maid. So her slight excessive acts didn't bother Yume.

Still, the fact that they were doing these unladylike actions gave uncertainties.

"What are we doing?"

"I don't understand your question, Milady."

"Then, why are we hiding behind bushes inside the academy grounds?"

"Oh, I thought we already talked about this a few days ago, Milady?"

"You mean revealing Sir Ryu's purpose for befriending me?"

When Yiyi lost consciousness last week by hearing about her Lady having a new friend, Yume quickly called a school doctor. Fortunately, the only reason was because of shock. When she woke up, she immediately inquired about Ryu. Cornered by his sisterly maid, Yume told everything she knew about him.

However, because the information was still ambiguous, Yiyi decided that this issue needed further investigation, which was why they were currently observing.

"Yes, Milady, my duty as a loyal servant is to protect my master. No man in the right mind would dare to make a move on the Crown Prince's fiancee. Moreover, a daughter of the Duke with a villainess reputation unless they have ulterior motives!"

"Yiyi!"

Yume's cheeks flushed red. Yiyi's innocent words were like needles puncturing her heart. People were indeed staying away from her. Also, she was someone who everyone branded as an evil lady. Anyhow, she adamantly believed that following a person secretly with this kind of purpose was not a moral thing to do.

And... doubting her friend was the last thing Yume wanted.

"We should stop this, Yiyi—"

"Look! Milady, that young man fits your description."

Yiyi pointed to the road near the academy gate. A person was walking like someone who didn't care for his surroundings.

"Unique black hair and beautiful blue eyes—how handsome."

Yume nodded her head. At least now, they both agreed on one thing.

"Mm, and daunting...! I mean, this is not a good idea, Yiyi. We're doing something wrong. I'm going back. You should also return."

The longer Yume stayed, the harder it was to keep her composure and dignity.

"Wait, Milady, I think he is meeting with someone."

Though Yume wanted to leave, a speck of curiosity was hidden inside her that wanted to know more. She hesitantly returned and peeked, seeing him meeting with someone familiar.

"Isn't that, Lord Carlson?"

"Lord? Carlson? The son of Marquess?! I knew it, Milady. They are conspiring together!"

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"That wouldn't be—That is not true!"

A seed of doubt has been planted in Yume's heart. Was he someone like the other people who met her just for benefits?

Yume got scared.

"Milady, there's an activity... Lord Carlson suddenly removed his gloves... Oh, he threw it on the ground."

"I-Isn't that... A challenge?!"

With eyes wide open, Yume got stupified.

Throwing your glove, gauntlet, mitten, or anything a person wore to the ground is an action to issue a formal challenge to a person they wanted to duel with. This is commonly used if people want to quickly settle an argument lawfully. Both sides staking something, and the loser must abide by the winner. Refusing a challenge likely means one is somewhat guilty, and their social standing among aristocrats will be ruined.

"I need to stop them."

Yume almost got carried away and revealed herself. Still, the events proceeded too fast that everything happened in a few blinks of an eye. Her thoughts went back to when she heard Yiyi speak.

"Sir Ryu ignored Lord Carlson and walked past him."

"What?"

"Milady! Lord Carlson drew his sword, trying to sneak attack on Sir Ryu!"

"No!"

"Oh... Sir Ryu swiftly dodged... He even tripped Lord Carlson to the ground..."

"Phew..."

Both sighed simultaneously, trying to catch their breath only for a second before screaming again.

"Ah! Two people started attacking Sir Ryu."

"That's unfair, Milady. He doesn't even have a weapon on hand."

"No, look carefully, Yiyi. He is holding a branch."

"A branch?"

"Yes, a bran—A branch?!"

The ladies gulped down, wondering how a branch would compete against three people with real swords to the point that they almost jumped out to help. Little did they know that this fight would be sketched in their minds for a long time, especially for Yiyi.

Whack! Whack! Pak! Pak! Pak!

"Milady, Sir Ryu is so awesome! Not only did he disarm their swords with a small stick, but he also evaded all the attacks aimed at him."

Yiyi didn't notice it herself, but her face was filled with admiration.

"He's so cool! Milady said that he's your friend, right?"

"Ah..."

A loss for words. Even Yume, who learned the sword, got astounded by what she saw. Now she understood that he might even be more skillful than her. Plus, remembering that Ryu knew magic...

"Yes, we are friends."

"Wow... Milady, let's go."

"Huh? Where?"

"Sir Ryu is leaving."

"We're going to follow?"

"Of course, setting aside his appearance and skills, but we still need to see his real personality."

"Alright. I give up. A few more minutes wouldn't differ."

Decided, both continued to follow Ryu until they arrived outside the first-year student's building.

At the building entrance, they saw a lady who looked like she was waiting for someone. When Yume saw the Lady's face, she was surprised that she hastily pulled Yiyi to the side.

"Ah! M-Milady?"

"Sshh... Be quiet."

Yiyi noticed her Lady's trembling hands. They hid in a wall while slowly peeking.

"Isn't that... That snake, Rosie?!"

Yiyi wailed silently. Should some noble hear her slander, her tongue would get severed, but her irritation topped reasoning.

"Is he her real accomplice?"

"That shouldn't be since Sir Ryu is from the Xan Kingdom."

"But what if he fell in love with that Lady Rosie?"

Sting!

Yume's heart wavered. A question suddenly dropped like a bomb. She already knew the answer would most likely be true. She knew that people tend to like Rosie, who has radiant beauty, rather than her, who has the color of the embodiment of evil, black. In her thoughts, it was not unusual that even Ryu would be fascinated by her. She sighed; she was already tired of these things, just like what happened to the Crown Prince and the people who called themselves her friend.

With this, Yume resigned.

"Let's go, Yiyi."

"...But."

"Let's go."

Yume repeated firmly, looking at her with reddened eyes and seriousness.

"Y-yes, Milady."

***

This morning was a good day for Ryu since the forced expedition was canceled.

Felix did an excellent job by creating an issue that forced the Chioni Kingdom of the cold north to close its borders for a while. It was a simple trick of releasing information that large group bandits were preparing to attack. Which was somewhat true—making the kingdom tighten its border security.

This means that the people from the Zen Kingdom wouldn't be allowed entry for security reasons, thus, postponing the expedition.

Ryu arrived at the academy and was stopped by the Nothinton Troops; this was the name he composed, calling Carlson and his buddies, who were always together.

For no significant reason, the Nothington Troops gave Ryu some difficulties by challenging him to a duel. Though the fight ended nicely in their defeat.

Thinking that everything was settled, the main problem appeared when he saw Rosie waiting outside their classroom building. She was the person he didn't want to have any relationship with and the one he wanted to punish someday.

Ryu was entering the building when he noticed her eyes were on him. She then strolled toward him.

"Sir Ryu, do you think you and your friends are safe now that the expedition to the north was canceled?"

"As I stated, I don't want to join your team."

"You already made the Crown Prince your enemy, so I'm not here to invite you anymore."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm here to see your face before you beg us for mercy."

She threw a threat with a smug face, leaving after saying all words she wanted.

How were those people not seeing the hideous facade of the person she was?

'Whatever.'

That was what Ryu wanted, for them to focus all anger on him so they would leave Yume alone. So at least she would have a good memory without those flies buzzing around. And when the time comes when this kingdom decides to throw her away casually, it would be the time they realize the worst mistake in their life. Making that incompetent Crown Prince and the vicious Lady seize the throne.

All Ryu hoped was that abomination in hiding wouldn't have its eyes targeted on Yume. So that his rescue plan would smoothly succeed, hoping no one would have to get hurt.

Ryu gradually closed his eyes and relaxed.