Felixius rose from the garden bench. With a calm yet authoritative stride, he walked along the garden path toward the classroom building. However, his pace faltered when he encountered a group of students in the corridor. Marcos Eldebrans stood there, flanked by his three loyal followers: Brian, Sheba, and Dian.
"Hello, Prince Felix. Are you busy?" Marcos greeted him with a tone that was exceptionally polite and respectful.
Felix stopped, staring at Marcos with a flat, unreadable expression. "No. Why do you ask, Marcos?"
Marcos stepped a bit closer, as if about to discuss something secret yet significant. "Would you like to join us in our effort to expel Kazien from this academy?"
Felix was taken aback. His eyes widened slightly at the Finance Minister's son's request. He hadn't expected Marcos to go this far. "Expel him? What exactly has he done at this academy?"
Marcos snorted, his face contorted with deep-seated hatred. "Kazien struck my fiancée, Marina Delfilian. Not only that, but Marina ended up imprisoned and executed by someone on false charges! I will not stand by. I intend to find out who the real mastermind was behind the execution of Marina and her family."
Hearing this explanation, Felix fell silent. In his mind, he shouted, You absolute idiot, Marcos! I heard it directly from my father. It was Kazien who had the Delfilian family executed because they dared to plot against his fiancé and his family. Now, you are digging your own grave!
However, Felix maintained his mask of composure. He had no intention of leaking that secret just yet. "Forgive me, but I don't wish to get involved. It would be dangerous for me if my father found out I had a hand in expelling a student from this academy!"
Marcos nodded, accepting the Prince's reasoning. He didn't want to pressure Felix, knowing how strictly King Nalvon monitored his son's behavior at the academy. "I understand, Prince. We won't force you."
The handsome Prince resumed his walk toward class without a second glance. Yet, in his heart, Felix felt a mix of amusement and pity.
Do as you wish! Felix thought as he walked toward his seat. I'm certain your family will soon be destroyed because of Kazien. And don't think I'll just sit idle! I'll report your plans to my father so he can prepare for the worst possible outcome.
Meanwhile, in Class 1-D, the atmosphere was boisterous. A group of male students had swarmed Erica's desk, completely spellbound by the purple-haired girl's charm.
"Erica, do you have a boyfriend? If not, give me a chance!" one student called out.
"Don't listen to him! I am the son of a Marquis! If you become my fiancée, I promise you'll live in comfort forever!" another offered boastfully.
"Not him! Choose me! I may only be the son of a Count, but I promise to make you happy every single day!" a third chimed in, refusing to be outdone.
Erica simply smiled as she listened to them, but her thoughts drifted to how meticulous Kazien was when it came to choosing partners for all his siblings. If I asked Brother Kazien to decide, he would surely find the best person for me, not people who only sell their noble titles like them.
"If you truly wish to be my husband, you must at least get Brother Kazien's blessing!" Erica replied, glancing toward Kazien, who was sitting quietly in his seat.
Spontaneously, Allen, who was sitting next to Erica, burst into loud laughter. His boisterous laugh left the students who were courting Erica looking confused.
"Allen, why are you laughing like that? Is something funny?" one of the students asked, sounding offended.
"Hahaha! It's nothing!" Allen replied, trying to stifle his laughter. "However, if you leave the matter of approval to Kazien, he will definitely select all of you very carefully. Regardless of your family background, he never wants to marry his siblings to the wrong person!"
"What? Are you joking with me? What right does he have?" the student asked again, still believing Kazien to be a mere commoner.
"I'm not joking!" Allen retorted, looking at the crowd surrounding Erica. "You should know that every single partner of his brothers and sisters was Kazien's own choice! And now, they all live very happily with the people he picked for them!" Allen concluded with a proud tone.
The students stood there in disbelief. They stared at Kazien, who was busy reading a book, looking completely indifferent as if the conversation about him wasn't even happening. Kazien truly did not care about the commotion around him.
Not a single person here is a match for Erica! Kazien thought to himself while continuing to turn the pages of his book. But I believe the time will come when Erica finds a husband of her own, someone truly sincere, without any need for my interference.
Later that afternoon, after classes at the academy had ended, Felix wasted no time and returned straight to the palace.
Upon arriving, he went directly to the throne room to see his father. There, he saw tje King sitting upon his throne.
Felix approached and whispered. "Father, I wish to speak with you in private!"
King Nalvon was slightly surprised to see his son looking so hurried. "Now?"
"Yes, now! The sooner, the better!" Felix replied seriously.
King Nalvon rose and followed his son into a private, closed hall. There, Felix recounted in detail the encounter and Marcos Eldebrans' plans at the academy.
Instantly, King Nalvon's expression shifted. His wise face now radiated a cold aura upon hearing his son's report.
"It seems another noble is about to fall due to their own stupidity!" King Nalvon murmured, stroking his beard. He could already imagine what the Altavis family would do if provoked.
"I hope you won't leak this to anyone, Father! It's better to just prepare everything and gather information on Samuel Eldebrans." Felix added.
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. I will prepare for every possibility. I'll ensure my people investigate Samuel." the King replied.
Once he felt the matter was settled, Felix bowed his head respectfully. "In that case, I shall take my leave, Father. I must return quickly to prepare for my affairs tomorrow."
"Very well, Felix. Thank you for the information you provided." King Nalvon answered briefly but warmly.
Felix nodded, turned around, and walked out of the hall with a slight sense of relief for having delivered the early warning.
King Nalvon returned to the throne room, but his mind was fixed on the Finance Minister's family.
He muttered to himself inwardly with a mocking tone. Whatever could be going through that minister's son's mind! He should have asked Kazien about the actual chronology of events so he wouldn't make such a wrong move.
King Nalvon exhaled a long sigh. What a dim-witted boy! You are the one who will bring destruction upon your own family, all because of your blind grudge.