房客(糙汉)何璐程曜坤

The black-haired boy has always visited the royal castle together with his master so he met a lot of very important people - and those two were included.

After all, the first prince and he even completed the training for the King's guards members before they entered the academy, so of course two of the most known members of that elite group would show up there.

Sir Karestas and lady Yarvestreg were the members of the king's guards - a selected group of only the strongest light magicians - and they were particularly famous for how similar they looked and how much in sync they acted, even though they didna have even a speck of the same blood in them.

""...~!""

"...!"

After they raised their heads, they smiled softly in the exact same way and lightly waved to Zoemi, who panicked and got on his knees instantly.

""...pfft...""

Karestas and Yarvestreg let out a short laugh and shook their heads at the sight.

"Wh-what are you doing here...!?"

Surou stuttered looking at the knights and took a step back, almost tripping n his own two feet.

""Second prince Surou, we have been ordered by your father, the king, to escort you back to the royal castle and ensure your safety on the way there.""

"...!"

The pair of knights calmly explained in unison and Surou paled.

"No, it can't be!"

Burushiitto shook her head and tried to shield the blue-haired boy with her own body.

""...?""

Karestas and Yarvestreg raised their brows and looked at each other.

They had no reason to respond to or even acknowledge a commoner.

They shrugged their shoulders and took something out from their belts.

Each of them was holding a milky white crystal bracelet with complicated engravings – and they walked forward...

"W-wait... what are you...?! KYAAAH!"

The blond girl gasped, staring in disbelief at the ancient bracelets, but then got shoved to the side by lady Yarvestreg's wave.

"Buru...! You – how dare you treat my...!"

Surou gasped, gritting his teeth but the two knights extended their hands and grabbed the second prince's arms faster than he could react and...

...locked the bracelets on his wrists...

"Wh-what...!?"

Surou could only stare at his hands as if he was struck by thunder.

"How dare you do that to prince Surou!? Those are meant only for the criminals, aren't they!?"

Burushitto grabbed the armored arm of Karestas and tried to shake him off while screaming.

"..."

"...who allowed you to touch him...?"

"KU-GHUAAGH...!"

Both of the gold king's guards frowned but it was Yarvestreg who scoffed and extended her arm before pushing the heroine away, making her tumble on the floor like a broken toy.

"Buru!"

"No."

Seeing his lover getting treated like that, Surou tried to run to her but he was stopped by both Karestas and Yarvestreg.

"How dare you act like that towards her!? Don't you know who she is?! Help her up and apologize – and take those off of me! My Buru is right! Those are only for criminals!"

The second prince shouted and raised his arms to show off the ancient bracelets.

"Oh! So you do know what those are for!"

"...!"

Suddenly Horeo exclaimed and hit himself on the forehead as if his younger brother's words made him understand some divine mystery.

"And I was so sure that you thought that those were just some toys that you can use however you want! You put them on completely innocent Zoemi and you even had the guts to try and use them on my own fiance!"

"..."

The gold-haired first prince's reaction was way over the top and both Miriette and Zoemi realized that Horeo was agitating Surou on purpose.

"How did you...!?"

Surou gasped before he could bite his tongue.

"I see."

Horeo smirked triumphantly.

"So, it was like that after all..."

He snorted.

"Plotting against your own brother's fiancee... That's not an act worthy of someone from the royal family. If you have even an ounce of honor somewhere in your body, leave with sir Karestas and lady Yarvestreg, face your punishment like a proper noble and learn from this experience like our father wants you to."

The first prince declared proudly, waving his hand in a domineering way.

"You are telling me to act with pride when I have those on!?"

Surou shouted as his whole body was shaking from fury = these bracelets were the symbol of fear and shame for all the nobles in the kingdom, but the second prince knew that he can't do anything now...

"N-no...! My lady, my prince! The bracelets they are...!"

With all that going on Zoemi was panicking in the back – while he was getting whipped he managed to complete his plan – that meant that the bracelets were rendered useless – he had to warn others about that...!

"Zoemi, leave this to me – I'm serious."

"Let's just stay back and watch."

Horeo glanced back at the black-haired boy and murmured in a stern voice while Miriette grabbed Zoemi's arms and was holding him back with trembling hands.

"..."

The black-haired boy could only powerlessly clench his fists and bite his lips paying that Karestas and Yarvestreg will not lose vigilance...

||Oh god, please, don't let Surou try to use any magic...!|

Zoemi was sweating buckets, peeking over Horeo's shoulder – for a moment things looked promising...

Surou has hung his head down in defeat and it honestly seemed like he would follow the two gold knights...

"My prince! Please – stay calm! This changes nothing! If you are leaving the Academy I'm not staying here either! I will go with you!"

Burushitto who managed to stand up threw herself at the second prince and embraced him from behind declaring bravely while hugging him with all her might.

"Buru...!"

Surou looked at the blond girl and smiled, feeling his chest fill up with warmth.

"Miss Burushitto, please unhand the second price, it is highly inappropriate for a commoner to touch the nobility so lightheartedly – even if you just so happen to be a student of the Aspakeony Academy."

"...!"

"Wait -what – hold on...!"

Horeo squinted his eyes and reprimanded her – causing Surou to flinch, and making Zoemi gasp and call out in shock before Miriette tugged on his arms and shook her head to make him keep quiet.

"I am his fiance! There's nothing wrong with me touching him!"

Burushitto shouted angrily and shoved off her ring while glaring at the fist prince from behind the second prince's back.

Not only did she not let go, but she also hugged Surou tighter as if to prove her words true.

"..."

Everyone watching became silent at the revelation.

Of course, some of them have seen Burushitto's ring but no one even dreamed about its true meaning – after all, announcing that the two people are together and straight up declaring engagement was...

"What...?"

"!!!"

Hoero's voice instantly became as cold as ice.

His expression changed from seriousness to disgusting disdain.

"Second prince... what is that supposed to mean...?"

He moved his eyes from the heroine to his younger brother and asked.

"Th-that's right! I proposed to my Buru four days ago! She is my official fiance!"

Surou stuttered but ended up declaring with a pale yet proud expression.