Help

Sitting in the waiting room of the administration office, I watch Amelle converse with the faculty staff while they verify the documents she brought… Waiting for Amelle makes my mind wander.

Marrying a commoner is the fastest way for a member of the royal family to lose support from the noble faction, especially if they are not the reigning monarch.

I don’t know much about Lucius’s relationship with Eliza as of right now, but if Lucius ever ends up with Amelle, it will be almost impossible for him to become the next monarch.

The worst part is, if he cannot become the monarch, then the two-year-old second prince—the child of the current Second Queen—will be next in line for the throne.

My gaze falls upon Amelle as she nervously adjusts her hair. To all appearances, she is just a normal villager—but is this truly a coincidence? Or is someone pulling the strings behind the scenes? Could her benefactor, Duke Brian Dominique, be behind all of this?

No, it must still be connected to my mother’s passing.

Or am I simply overthinking things?

…

“Lumi? Lumi? I’m done, you know?”

Amelle is already standing right in front of me when her soothing voice snaps me back to reality.

“You daydream a lot… Is this one of your habits?”

It’s all your fault! I scream inwardly.

Outwardly, I simply offer her a sweet smile. “Sorry. Let’s go then… They might already be back at the dormitory, or maybe starting dinner, seeing it's already this late.”

I can feel my heart beating fast. Knowing Chronos's power, if I don’t do as he commands, there will surely be consequences…

Finally, Chronos talk with a calm echo inside my mind: ‘No need to cry over spilt milk. What is in front of you is what matters most right now. As I promised, we will win our fight with Chaos together.’

Easy for you to say, I huff internally… But that actually calms me down.

When we step out of the clock tower, the dusk light decorates the sky with a brilliant orange hue. Dusk and dawn became my favourite times of day after living with Master Long Kai.

“I guess they won’t be inside the dining hall at this hour… I mean, look how crowded it is right now. And with Prince Ciel’s condition… It is unlikely for them to be there,” Amelle says, pointing toward the Junior class cafeteria, which is packed with students.

“I agree with you. Let’s go back to the dormitory first, then… Maybe we can ask the receptionist for their room number.”

“Oh, that’s a great idea!”

We enter our dormitory’s main entrance to find the front lounge empty, aside from the receptionist sitting behind the counter desk.

“Mr Herman, may I ask you something?”

The man is reading a book, and he tilts his head up at me as I speak.

“Oh… Lumi and Amelle? Aren't you going to the cafeteria? It’s dinner time, you know.”

“So, can we ask you something?” I ask a second time.

“Alright, fine… You can ask me anything.”

I spot wisps of hidden smoke coiling under the counter, but choose to ignore it for now. “Could you tell us which room Prince Ciel and Lord Seranova are staying in?”

“Sorry, kid… They’re royals. I’m required to keep their room assignment confidential.”

“Is that so? Just like how staff are strictly forbidden from smoking inside academy grounds?” I tilt my head with a mild, innocent smile. “Should I mention it to the principal? I happen to be quite close with him.”

Mr Herman instantly chokes, letting out a violent cough as he quickly tries to wave away the lingering odour below his desk.

“Fine, kid… you win,” Mr Herman grumbles, holding up his hands in defeat. “Room 411. But seriously, don’t do anything weird up there, alright? I beg of you.”

“We’ve been acquainted for a week already… Don’t you know by now that we’re good kids?”

“A good kid doesn't blackmail me over my sm—...” He catches himself with another rough cough. “Kids nowadays…”

“Thank you very much!” Amelle says, bowing politely to Mr Herman.

After getting the needed information, we head to the fourth floor and walk toward a door with the number ‘411’ on it. I knock on the heavy wooden door twice before an eccentric voice echoes from within. “Who is it?”

It’s Seranova’s unique voice. This is definitely the right room.

“Lord Seranova, good evening… It's Luminera and Amelle.”

“Oh? Mademoiselles? Wait just a moment…” The door opens as Seranova appears in front of us. “Good evening, cute Mademoiselles… May I ask what brings you here?”

I retrieve the wrapped cookies from inside Principal Orphus's coat. “We’re terribly sorry for our impudence and for what happened inside the cafeteria this afternoon. We made something as an apology.”

Seranova brings a theatrical hand to his forehead, letting out a dramatic gasp. “What an absolute angel… Prince Ciel will surely rejoice upon receiving these!”

“May I see him for a moment?”

My request causes both Amelle and Seranova to freeze in sheer astonishment.

“Lumi?!” Amelle squeaks in alarm.

“Mademoiselle… did I hear you correctly? Are you truly unconcerned by the sheer scale of what occurred in the cafeteria earlier?”

I exhale before putting on a calm and confident expression. “I might be able to help stabilise Prince Ciel’s condition. As you can see, I practice a Far Eastern sword technique, and that includes their talisman crafting. In short, their technique is capable of sealing and suppressing spirit power.”

“Is what you said true?” Seranova's eyes widen as he takes my hands in his.

“Yes. I can try to inscribe a talisman for him. I won’t force you, but I believe there is no harm in trying.”

After I say that, I hear Prince Ciel writhing inside…

“Is he okay?” Amelle flinches as she hears that painful voice.

“It seems he has a nightmare, which is a usual occurrence… Please, step inside.” Seranova opens the door wide for us without hesitation. “If what Mademoiselle said is true, then I have no objections to you helping him… In fact, I beg of you, please help him!” He bows deeply to me, his theatrical tone completely replaced by genuine desperation. “The imperial court has been in absolute turmoil over how to handle this. Even managing his mana flow expertly only serves to contain His Highness's power from leaking too widely, never stopping it completely.”

“…I will do what I can.” My fingers tighten around my schoolbag’s strap, where my specialised tools for making talismans are stored.