Aliciel form a small smile while looking at Allen. "...Is it delicious?"

Allen's gaze directed at her and smiled warmly. "Yes it is."

"Allen." Aliciel called briefly as Allen look at her.

"Yes, sister?"

Aliciel stood up from her seat and walk towards him. "Can you stood up?" she asked nicely as Allen look at her questioningly but stood up from his seat nonetheless.

Without further notice, Aliciel raise her hand weakly and embrace him much to his surprise.

It's probably their first hug in 3 years of being a family.

Allen was quite taken aback but happiness dwelled inside him while feeling the warmth of his sister.

He also raise his hand to embrace her back. He never hug her before so he's really happy about it.

"...if you want a hug for comfort, for warmth, or just for your own, I'll be there for you." she embraced him tighter. "...I'm sorry that I haven't been a good sister..." she apologized with a small smile plastered on her face.

"I promise to you that I'll be the best sister you'll ever have." she said while stroking his hair softly. "...because you're my family."

Allen's eyes widen while holding back the tears that would stream down his face at any moment. Instead, he keep silent all the time.

'You're already the best sister and family I have.'

It's been a while since the siblings had their chance to have lunch with each other and talked about themselves. Aliciel always feel comfortable around Allen and the other way around.

-

About Kian, he is graduating soon so he's a lot busier at the current time. Kian and Aliciel could only exchange letters with each other but both of them are happy that way.

Aliciel chuckle at the new letter Kian send her. That caught Lula's attention and smiled at Aliciel who turned happier each day.

Aliciel take her pen and a blank note as she started to write a reply for his letter.

-

In class, Nora always ask Aliciel about the academic problems and always stick with Aliciel, afraid something like the hunting event would repeat.

"Lady Aliciel, yesterday I meet someone near my household, she's really a nice lady and somehow she found~"

Aliciel already used to her presence and didn't mind her at all, way inside her heart, Alicile quite happy about it as she continue to hear her talking about something.

Everything's going well again like it used to be.

Instead, it becomes a lot better than before as they relationship start to grow for the better.

-

"What should we do?"

"I thought the Crown Prince was dead."

"He needs to die."

"But we can't just straightly kill him. He has the support of most aristocrats and the Blacker Dukedom."

"But we have Harvey Household to support his highness Vilanc."

"...You all know that Prince Valen is awfully close with Lady Blacker right?"

"What are you planning?"

"Consider Lady Blacker is close with Prince Valen, then she must be important. We could kidnap her to lure Prince Valen and kill both of them. It's also a plus since Lady Blacker is from the Blacker Dukedom."

"But-"

"Actually, that's a great idea!"

All the aristocrats who support Vilanc, planned everything like the death of Lady Blacker and the Crown Prince.

"I'm sure His Highness, Prince Vilanc would be very pleased to hear this. Let's give him a surprise, don't tell him any of the plan yet. Consider this is a gift from us to make him the Emperor."

-

Valen look at the flowers he ordered as he flushed when he take the bouquet of flowers happily.

'I hope Aliciel will like this flowers...' he thought while fixing his school uniform.

Today, Valen tried to be tidy and wear the uniform appropriately since he has special dinner session alone with Aliciel and he's more than excited.

After the long time passes, he take a seat on the Academy's Garden while waiting for Aliciel. He even checked out the food, knowing that Aliciel dislikes sweets. The dark sky that is filled with stars, makes him smile remembering their times on Lia's place.

His smile didn't fade though, until an hour passed by. Aliciel was usually on time and somehow, he has bad feelings about unknown reasons.

He sigh tiredly while looking at the ring he prepared for her. He never get any answer from her though, but he want to try and ask for an engagement.

Whether the answer is yes or no, at least he tried.

"...Guess she's not coming today." he sigh sadly, placing the little box that have the ring on the table.

"Y-your Highness!"

Valen's gaze turned towards the owner of the voice. "What it is?" he asked, slightly irritated that someone interrupted his time.

"I-in Lady Aliciel's room-!"

Valen's eyes widen at the information as he stood up from his seat and run towards the girl's dorm.

-

Aliciel room is crowded with knights and teachers, the other nobles look too terrified to even see her room.

When Valen push the knights aside and enter her room, he went silent at the bloody room. Blood almost everywhere, floor, wall, and bed.

"...Y-your highness, w-we found a corpse of a maid...." one of the teacher informed as he stuttered nerveously at the sight.

Valen slowly turned his head towards the said teacher. "...who?"

"...Her name is Lula Hermiun. There's a wound stab on her chest and her face is almost unrecognizable. So it's likely that she was killed by a sword and her face was smashed on the ground." one of the knights answered in place for the teacher.

"...what about Lady Blacker?" Valen asked with a low voice while looking at the knight.

"Lady Blacker was not found anywhere. It seems that she was kidnapped."

Valen's eyes widen as he grit his teeth and clench his fist angrily. "...what is the use of a knight if you all can't even notice the kidnappers!?" he asked with bulging eyes while looking at some of the knights.

The knights gaze directed downwards, frustrated and dissapointed of themselves.

'Then it must be the work of the sick nobles if they manage to get this far.' Valen thought as he tries to maintain his calm and turned his head towards the knights and workers. "I will find her location and whereabouts. You all track what happened and who take her."

"Yes, your highness!"

A man that seems to be Valen's aide run towards Valen in a hurry and panted. "Y-your highness," he called as he look at Valen in the eyes. "T-there's a letter for you that just arrived." he handed out the letter to Valen as Valen receive it.

Valen open the letter as he read the context. And then, his eyes widen and darkens. Clearly that the letter told Aliciel's wherebouts but asked Valen to come alone.

If he bring at least one knight, they will kill Aliciel.

And they would knew right away whether or not he bring the knights.

"...I know her whereabouts."

In the end, Valen decided to go alone, but after 30 minutes, his knights will charge in.

"Don't forget to send Kian Harvey as well, he is skilled in swordsmanship."

"Yes your highness!"

"After I enter the said place, wait for 30 minutes then you all can barge in."

"B-but what if his highness-"

"It's an order."

"What if we're late to save the two of you?" a familiar voice asked behind Valen as Valen turned his head to be greeted by Kian.

"...then it's my own mistake."

_______________________ _ __