We made it to dinner, but just barely. However, as we step into the dining hall, I notice one of the professors hurrying toward us with a determined expression.

  I don’t recognize him. He doesn’t teach my classes, and I’ve never seen him in the hallways. He reaches us when we’ve barely taken a few steps, grabs Ronan by the arm, and tells him to come along—he’s under arrest.

  What?

  I’m about to demand what he thinks he’s doing—Mary looks ready to do the same—when Vincent beats me to it.

  “Associate Professor Duskmere?” he asks, unfazed, using the authority that comes with being a prince. “Can you explain me what’s going on here?”

  "We were informed of the events that transpired in the dungeon before your return. This marks the second occasion on which your life has been endangered, and this student, with his strong affinity for dark magic, was present on both instances," the professor replies, maintaining his hold on Ronan.

  “This student is my friend. He saved my life using his dark magic. He didn’t cause anything and had no involvement in the secret level we discovered. Let him go,” Vincent commands.

  “With all due respect, Prince Vincent, your father has entrusted me with the task of ensuring that such incidents do not occur again. I will continue my investigation in accordance with his orders.”

  Vincent looks livid. He’s clearly not used to having his direct orders ignored— perhaps it's because he usually doesn't contradict the king’s wishes.

  “I will file a formal complaint if he suffers even the slightest harm.”

  “That won’t be necessary.”

  Without further ado, Duskmere pulls Ronan along and starts walking away.

  “I don’t know what this is, but I’ll get you out of it,” I say, not bothering to lower my voice.

  “We’ll get you out of it,” Vincent assures him.

  “Count me in,” Mary adds as Duskmere leads Ronan away.

  Ronan simply follows without much concern on his face.

  “I’m in too,” Darius chimes in.

  “That poor boy, hasn’t he spent enough of his life locked up already?” Mary laments.

  “Locked up?” Darius asks, puzzled, while Alistair and Theodore express their intention to join our little rescue mission as well.

  “Oh, maybe I’ve said too much…” Mary covers her mouth, realizing her slip.

  “Don’t worry, Mary, it’s not exactly a secret,” I step in, turning to the others. “When his parents discovered his affinity for dark magic, they locked him in the basement. For years. Until he finally got to leave for the academy.”

  “Years?” Mary gasps in horror. “I thought…”

  “Let’s sit down and eat,” Vincent interrupts, a bit calmer now. “We’re in the middle of the hall, drawing attention.”

  And, well, he’s not wrong.

  Honestly, I had completely forgotten we’d just walked into the dining hall. Maybe it’s because of how intense the dungeon experience was, but my focus was entirely on my group.

  Now, though, I glance around. Everyone is staring at us, openly, with no attempt to hide their interest. There’s whispering. Sol, in particular, looks smug and satisfied with herself. Did she have something to do with this? I need to find out.

  I follow my friends, grab a tray for dinner, and once we’re seated, I ask outright:

  “Vincent, who is that professor? I don’t recall ever seeing him before.”

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “That makes sense. He’s only been at the academy for a week. He goes by Associate Professor Duskmere, but in reality, he’s a royal investigator sent here to look into what happened during the aquatic dungeon exam. He’s been questioning various students, starting with Ronan. He hasn’t spoken to you?”

  “No. The rector spoke to me, asked what happened there, and whether I was all right.”

  Vincent stares at me for a few seconds, his fork frozen above his plate. I might have just revealed too much. Without knowing that I’m supposedly a beacon of hope for this kingdom, what I said doesn’t make much sense. The rector wouldn’t worry about a random student—he’d be concerned about the prince and princess.

  “Interesting.”

  I flash him an innocent smile, trying to feign ignorance, but I think I’ve only made him more suspicious.

  “So, the investigator is here because your father suspects it was an assassination attempt on his two children?” I redirect the conversation.

  “Yes. But it might not have been my father directly—any of his advisors could have sent him.”

  “And what about the possibility of harm?” Mary asks. “He wouldn’t dare torture Ronan, would he?”

  “He won’t. First, because Ronan’s parents are nobility—minor nobility, sure, but nobility nonetheless. Second, because I’ve already warned him that I’d file a formal complaint. If he harms an innocent friend of mine, his career as a royal investigator will be over.”

  “Thank goodness,” Mary breathes a little easier.

  "I don’t get it. There has to be more against him. It makes no sense to arrest him just for being in the dungeon and having a strong dark magic affinity. Something’s off," I muse, glancing toward Sol, who has a glass of wine in hand and still looks smug.

  (And yes, we're all of legal age here, and except for Mary, we're all of noble birth. If anyone wants wine to accompany their meal, it's offered.)

  I notice there’s someone new at her table, besides my two so-called childhood friends, Ashe and Caroline. It’s a guy, and his face is vaguely familiar—but I can’t place where I’ve seen him (other than in class).

  I let my gaze wander around the hall. Lily, the princess, locks eyes with me and frowns. I think we need to talk to her. On the other hand, Ronan’s roommate—the one who gave me such a bad vibe the day I went to fetch Ronan—is watching us. The moment I catch him, he looks down at his food, but it’s too late. I’ve seen the satisfaction and malice in his expression.

  “Guys,” I interrupt. They’d been talking, but I’ve been lost in thought for the past minute or so. “I think he has something to do with this,” I say, nodding in his direction.

  “Damien?” Alistair asks.

  I nod.

  “That guy creeps me out,” Alistair continues. “He gives off such bad vibes. He’s Ronan’s roommate, isn’t he?”

  “Yeah,” I confirm.

  “Well, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s involved. A few days ago, he started spreading rumors that Ronan grabbed him by the neck, lifted him into the air, and threatened to kill him. Do you see how little strength Ronan has? Like he could lift someone…”

  Honestly, I can picture Ronan lifting him—especially if he had a good reason. When the opportunity arises, I’ll ask him about it.

  “It’s not like Damien weighs much,” Theodore points out.

  True, he’s the scrawny type and shorter than Ronan.

  “Hey.” I turn to Vincent. “Can you ask your sister to come over when she’s finished eating?”

  She and her friends are already on dessert, so they must’ve arrived earlier than us.

  “Sure, why?”

  “I think she knows something. I want to ask her.”

  I’d like to confront the villainess too, but doing so here would cause a scene. Sol, with her etiquette training, would undoubtedly come out looking better, while I—being from Earth—wouldn’t. I’ll corner her in private later.

  Vincent briefly approaches his sister’s table. We continue eating, and a few minutes later, Lily says goodbye to her friends and comes over to greet us.

  “Bianca, are you okay?” she asks.

  “What are you talking about?” I reply, confused.

  “Ronan’s roommate and Sol are saying that Ronan tried to force himself on you.”

  What?

  “That’s absurd!” I raise my voice, forgetting for a moment that I didn’t want to draw attention.

  “It’s a lie,” I say firmly, lowering my voice and ignoring anyone outside our table.

  “I’m glad to hear that,” the princess replies.

  “But they couldn’t have arrested Ronan for that. Duskmere said it was for attempting on my life,” Vincent points out.

  He’s right.

  “True,” Lily says, frowning. “Honestly, I don’t know why they think that, aside from his dark affinity.”

  “It’s not like they have any evidence…” I mutter.

  And then it hits me. I realize where I’ve seen that guy’s face before. He was in Lily’s group when I found them. He was the injured one they sent back.

  What if he testified against Ronan about what happened in the aquatic dungeon?

  Because I know the zombie incident was caused by the seed of evil, not poor Ronan. But I can’t say that, and if someone convinced this boy to lie…

  I hear Sol laugh. I look at her. She’s watching me, along with Ashe and Caroline. They seem to find this very entertaining. Sol even winks at me and pretends to blow a kiss mockingly.

  And I remember, I remember that she’s had it out for me ever since I defended Mary. She can’t target me directly, but she can go after my friends. Hit me where it hurts.

  Oh my gosh, Ronan. What trouble have I dragged you into?