The Assassin's Seven Principles of Manipulation

Chapter 262: Chapter 257 — Chatter

For several long seconds, he remained silent. Tobias had already begun breathing easier when Zephyrion finally spoke.

”I don’t mind.”

The color instantly drained from Tobias’ face. Kaiden, Kaelion, and even a few cadets within earshot hurriedly stifled their laughter.

Fiona, surprisingly merciless, raised her voice with a faint smile.

”Then it’s settled! The moment we run into the prince, Tobias will handle him. Agreed?”

”Agreed.” Kaelion nodded with a faint smile, though the moment he noticed everyone looking at him, he quietly slipped back behind his usual calm mask.

”This is gonna be fun.” Kaiden openly jeered at Tobias, thoroughly enjoying himself. After all, it wasn’t once or twice that the little bastard had taken shots at him. For once, the tables had turned.

With several Southern cadets watching, Tobias had no choice but to nod in reluctant agreement. Somehow, though, his shoulders had slumped, and he looked every bit the dejected soul.

Before long, the laughter faded, replaced by the somewhat heavy air surrounding Zephyrion. The group’s attention naturally settled on him. Even Lumi seemed to sense it, walking a little farther away than usual.

Fiona, Tobias, Kaiden, and even Kaelion exchanged quiet glances.

Something was wrong.

By the time they reached the fortress and passed through its gates, Fiona finally broke the silence.

”Zephyrion. We—”

”You all should freshen up and get some rest. I’ll do the same. It’s been a long day.”

Before anyone could respond, he picked up his pace and walked off.

Lumi hesitated, staring at Zephyrion’s retreating figure with a worried look. Then she glanced back at the others, noticing the awkward looks they were giving her. A moment later, she hurried after him.

Fiona, Tobias, Kaiden, and Kaelion could only exchange another look, each wondering what was wrong.

...

Entering his room, Zephyrion sat down and shut his eyes, taking a slow breath as he sorted through everything in his mind.

He hadn’t really cared about Arcturus’ challenge. To him, it seemed pointless. They were going to clash sooner or later since they were after the same thing. A challenge simply wasn’t necessary.

Regardless, he didn’t feel any particular way about facing Arcturus. Like every other opponent, he was simply another obstacle to crush.

Instead, Zephyrion prepared himself for the upcoming meeting.

He had asked Maegorian and Kaelith to see him the moment they reached the fortress, hence why he’d excused the others. Well... almost all of them.

He opened his eyes and immediately frowned. Lumi stood quietly near the edge of the room, watching him with a wary gaze. A dull ache stirred in his chest the moment he saw her expression. After all, she was acting this way because of how he’d reacted that night.

Though he hated to admit it, he’d clearly formed an emotional attachment with Lumi. And as these things often went, unfortunately, her mood inevitably affected his as well.

He had decided not to let his guard down, not to ever truly relax, but that didn’t mean he could stomach seeing her like this.

A moment later, he let out a quiet breath before speaking in a calm tone.

”Can you get us something to eat?”

Lumi blinked at him for a moment. Then she nodded vigorously, a bright smile blooming across her face. She quickly signed that she’d bring back a feast before hurrying out of the room.

Left alone, Zephyrion wasn’t quite sure how to react. She had looked so happy just because he’d spoken to her.

He frowned for a long moment before shaking his head and forcing his attention back to the upcoming meeting.

He was about to reveal his current greatest source of power to people who were, by no means, allies.

It was paramount that every precaution be put in place.

...

Lumi cheerfully made her way through the fortress hallway.

Her brown eyes shone like twin suns, and nothing in the world seemed capable of stopping her from carrying out Zephyrion’s task. Well... asides the mention of his name.

”Hehe, the Prime was so cool back there. Didn’t even spare the prince a glance!”

Lumi slowed to a stop near the corner of the hallway, quietly listening to a group of female cadets chatting.

”As expected of our Prince Charming! He was basically saying, ’Yeah, you’re the Prince of the Ferran Empire... but I’m the Lightning Prince.’”

”He’s so dreamy. Tall, handsome, cool... he’s literally everything I want!”

”Right?! Ahh, I wish he’d just sweep me off my feet and turn me into a beautiful princess!”

”Tch. Why would he pick a toad like you when he could have me?”

”Hah! As if the Lightning Prince would want a chimpanzee!”

”You...!”

”What? Wanna say that again?”

Just as the two looked ready to lunge at each other, a calmer voice cut in.

”That’s enough, you two. Besides, aren’t you wasting your time? Seems like he’s already taken.”

”What? That mute girl? Isn’t she just his servant or something?”

”Since when do servants sleep in the same room as their master? Let alone share the same bed?”

”Ark!”

The mood became gloomy for a second, before a thoughtful voice came,

”Wait... I think we’re looking at this the wrong way. Sure, they sleep together, they’re always together, and she’s constantly following him around. You could even say they’re close. But come on... our Prince Charming is way too handsome to settle for someone like her.”

”Exactly! Plus, haven’t you noticed? She’s always the one chasing after him. The second he starts walking, she’s already glued to his side.”

”Tch, the broad. In that case, it’s only a matter of time. Everyone knows men can’t stand clingy women. Sooner or later he’ll get sick of her and toss her aside.”

”Ha! Then it’ll finally be my turn to become a princess!”

”Tch. I already told you, chimpanzees don’t become princesses!”

”You...!”

As the voices of the female cadets gradually faded into the distance, Lumi remained where she stood, silently staring into empty space, her eyes, along with her whole body, trembling.