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I tapped Rany because I had something to say about yesterday.
“Yeah?”
“I think we have to tell Benji.”
“About what?”
“I’m not sure about anything else, but at least about Jeremy’s identity.”
Rany glanced at them and then nodded.
After looking like she was thinking for a moment, she whispered.
“I think it’s okay for some people to know more.”
“Who?”
“Those next to us.”
As I turned my gaze following Rany’s words, I met with Liz who was eating.
Abigail next to her startled and tried to focus eating with an uneasy face.
“After all, you can’t always be the shield whenever an unfortunate event happens.”
“. . .”
“What are you hesitating about when there are two excellent shields there?”
It was bad to treat humans as shields, but what Rany said was reasonable.
In the first place, there was only me and Rany who could protect Jeremy.
If his identity were to be found out, it would be the duchy and Jeremy, also those related, that would be in trouble.
But still, wasn’t that like making a gamble by exposing Jeremy’s identity to those two?
“It’s fine.”
Rany assured me.
“My guild already holds everything about those two people.”
“Your guild?”
“Because the sickles ordered by Brigo Barony in large amounts are exceptionally pricey, they decided to pay on an installment basis.”
“That . . .”
“Her family credit rating is on my guild’s hand, so would she dare to do something foolish?”
In addition, Liz was someone who was in a good relationship with me to some extent from the start.
Of course, heart was something that could change, but I could really understand why Rany was confident in sharing the secret in case that thing happened.
“What about Abigail?”
Rany smiled brightly.
“I’ve already robbed her from the start. Back then when she almost lost her family from trying to trouble you. They still have their peerage, but almost all of their wealth has been confiscated.”
I felt like I knew the rest even though she didn’t speak about it.
“Still, to live as the aristocrat of this nation, maintenance expenses are needed. Where do you think they borrow the money from?”
Only then I could know the reason Abigail always ordered our lunch and brought it.
I was surprised by Rany’s ability once again.
So it wasn’t merely a performance when she noted down in her pocket note back at the hearing.
Even though I couldn’t be sure about it, I thought people whose names were written down there wouldn’t live an easy life.
As I figured out about their interests to some extent, I gestured to Abigail who was trembling out of uneasiness.
“Come here. Liz and Benji, and Jeremy too.”
When everyone gathered in huddles, Rany coolly introduced Jeremy.
“He’s actually not only a normal freshman, but also the second prince of our empire.”
“. . .”
“. . .”
“. . .”
Jeremy, who had his identity revealed, calmly continued his lunch.
As he looked at Jeremy, Benji let out a short ah as if he was convinced.
Next to them, Liz opened her eyes wide.
She had met him once.
The moment one recognized the ‘truth’ about another one, the magic that deluded them broke.
Light of understanding gradually took place in Liz’s surprised face.
The face she remembered was drawn in Jeremy’s face now.
Meanwhile, Abigail turned blank and soon . . .
“Why are you being like this to me?”
. . . began to cry.
Jeremy overly kindly handed a handkerchief from his pocket to Abigail who was wailing out loud.
Rany had to somewhat entreat her when her cry stopped a bit.
“Thus, Young Duke Bolton and Jeremy can’t meet each other. Well, it’s true that we changed his appearance a bit using camouflage magic, but we’re talking about a member of Bolton Duchy.”
Liz carefully asked.
“Then, what should we do?”
“Just like what Marianne did yesterday.”
Everyone’s head turned to me.
As she blankly stared at me, who got a disciplinary action as the result of being impudent in front of the young duke yesterday, Abigail’s tears flowed again like a cascade.
“If the young lady of the duchy gets a disciplinary action, then won’t I get my head flying?”
“For your reference, it’s not an option for you. The home you’re living in, your carriages, and clothes, all of that are my guild’s possession.”
Rany smiled brightly.
“If you can’t pay the loan, you’ll go bankrupt all at once, is that fine?”
Abigail’s face was stained with horror.
Rany, who was smirking, was no doubt a perfect villain.
When he understood all the situation, Benji quietly ate as though he already accepted his fate, and Liz also looked like she was convinced.
Only Abigail cried.
Jeremy, the one who must be protected, diligently patted her.
“I’ll do my best to escape so you don’t need to bet your life. I just need to not get caught.”
Fortunately, everyone looked trustworthy from their reactions.
When Abigail’s cry subsided, a group moving entered my sight.
A few female students gathered around a man who looked languish and annoyed.
Annoyance was fully shown in his movement brushing up the black hair.
My gaze met with Zen’s as he turned his eyes at that moment.
“. . .”
He turned his head very naturally as though he didn’t see anything.
It was reasonable that I should turn my head like Zen or look down.
But, my eyes kept chasing the back that had already walked afar.
It was reasonable that he pretended to not know me.
Rather, it must be a wise movement.
Even though I understood him.
It hurts a bit . . .
I subconsciously clenched the pendant.
The Zen now was different from Zen of the childhood days.
He changed so much that it was believable to say he was substituted secretly, but I thought I was the one who always knew better about that kid.
What an arrogant idea it must have been.
What on earth are you planning?
My heart beat as if it was about to jump out because of anxiety.