Chapter 67

Marivel's suspension lasted for three days.

It seemed that Marivel herself was not particularly damaged by the suspension. However, she grew increasingly frustrated with the days when she could not meet Arlo.

Classes continued as usual.

Today was social studies.

"Do you think it's my fault, teacher?"

"......I can't really say without any information..."

The teacher was always gentle and timid, always being overwhelmed by Marivel's momentum.

"What do you think, teacher?"

"Now, in social studies, I would like to talk about the kingdom's industries—"

"Teacher, come on!"

She interrupted the teacher's thin voice by slamming the desk.

The teacher let out a heavy sigh.

"You shouldn't be shaking your legs like that."

"Don't be like a manners teacher, teacher!"

"Miss Marivel, you've forgotten your homework for three days in a row. You haven't even prepared your textbook."

The teacher looked at the empty table.

Marivel spread her hands.

"Because Arlo isn't here."

"Even without Arlo, shouldn't you be able to prepare properly on your own? Your mother must have expected you to do so, which is why she temporarily removed your attendant..."

"That was just a punishment!"

"The duchess is not just someone who gives punishments... She must want you to learn something from this."

"What more can I learn? I have classes every day!"

"......Miss Marivel, let's focus on what we should be doing now. You are not doing what you should be doing."

The teacher's words were very reasonable.

But to Marivel, they sounded incredibly boring.

There was nothing Marivel hated more than questions with no clear answers.

What does Cynthia intend? It felt like something was stuck between her teeth, making her feel uncomfortable.

"Okay, do you have any questions about this part?"

Marivel was brought back to reality by the teacher's words.

Even if she was asked about "this part," she had no idea what was being referred to.

Marivel tried to look serious. The teacher responded with a serious face.

"Teacher, I don't have the motivation. What should I do?"

"That's... a difficult question."

The teacher visibly slumped his shoulders.

---

Night.

After finishing the day's training, Eidan returned to his room.

He felt something was different and looked around the room.

He found an unnatural bulge on the bed and pulled back the sheets.

"—What are you doing?"

There, Marivel, who was supposed to be under suspension and not allowed to leave her room, was sleeping with Eidan's pillow in her arms.

Marivel really seemed to have been sleeping, as she slowly sat up and yawned widely.

So carefree.

"I was bored. Want to play a game?"

"No."

Eidan was exasperated. Because of Marivel's suspension, the dinner table had a slightly gloomy atmosphere.

Sophia, unusually, called Marivel "onee-sama" and said she wanted to see her.

"You're under suspension, right? You're not supposed to leave your room."

Despite the guard knights standing outside her room.

"How did you get here?"

"Do you not know, brother? My room and your room are connected."

"What, where!?"

A secret passage, perhaps. But then, Marivel walked to the window, opened it, and pointed outside to the terrace.

"See, there's a foothold."

Looking closely, there was indeed a small protrusion from Marivel's room to Eidan's terrace.

"Wait... Marivel, did you really come this way?"

"Yes."

"Isn't that dangerous?"

This was the second floor. Eidan was surprised, but Marivel casually replied.

"It's not dangerous. I've never fallen."

"Wait. Is this not your first time?"

"On the contrary, have you never done it, brother?"

Of course not. There was no need.

"Stop it. It's really dangerous."

"I only do it when I'm under suspension."

"Marivel, do you even understand what being under suspension means?"

"Stop lecturing me, brother."

Marivel jumped back onto Eidan's bed.

"They told me to stay in my room, right?"

"Not just to stay in your room. You should reflect on what you did wrong and tell Mother. Then your suspension will be lifted."

"But I didn't do anything wrong."

"Marivel..."

Eidan didn't know what had happened.

Marivel being put under suspension wasn't unusual, so he thought, "Here we go again."

Just, because Arlo was also separated, it felt a bit heavier than usual.

"—What happened?"

"I've been thinking about it too."

Eidan had rarely been under suspension. He was a model student.

"Do you remember Lillis?"

"Lillis Marka, right? She used to hang around with you a lot."

"From a long time ago. Even then, she always tried to copy me, and I didn't really like her. After I left the academy, she started to pick on me."

"Hmm."

For a child of Pencillia, this was common. Those who fawned on power, those who tried to take advantage, those who groveled excessively.

Such people would follow you wherever you went, no matter how old you got. The best thing was to ignore them.

"Just ignore them. Be careful not to be used."

"I was. I wanted to play with Bella. —That girl was waving a magic doll in front of Sophie. Sophie was scared too."

"Wow. You protected Sophie, that's great."

"I get angry when others are bullied."

Despite the praise, Eidan felt a bit conflicted.

Marivel continued.

"......I don't really remember what she said. Mother asked me, but I was called an idiot, and they said I had no magic."

"So that's why you got into a fight?"

"Not exactly a fight, but I slapped Lillis's cheek."

Eidan understood. No matter how much the other person provoked you, it was bad to raise your hand in front of them.

"So, you said you weren't at fault, and Mother put you under suspension, right?"

Marivel nodded solemnly.

Even after three days of suspension, Cynthia only talked to Marivel and looked troubled. She couldn't bring herself to say, "That's enough."

Feeling that this wasn't getting anywhere, Eidan decided to ask Marivel to write a reflection and came here.

"Brother, what do you think I should say to get out of suspension?"

"That's something you need to figure out yourself, isn't it?"

"—If I wait for that, I won't be able to see Arlo for a long time."

"I think it's a good opportunity, though. Marivel, you're a bit too dependent on Arlo."

Eidan thought that was one of the reasons Cynthia removed her attendant.

The more devoted Arlo became, the more Marivel relied on him and neglected her own responsibilities.

"Fine. I only came to you because you're the only one I can turn to."

When she said that, Eidan felt weak.

He had always been weak when someone relied on him.

"—Alright. Let's think about it together. Hmm... What did Mother say? When you said you weren't at fault."

"I did say that... But, brother, should I have just endured it there?"

"No. You shouldn't have endured it. As a Pencillia, you should never tolerate insults."

"Right, I won't tolerate them."

Marivel clenched her fist tightly.

Eidan gently lowered her fist.

"The problem is that you hit her without thinking. You need to do it in a way that's not so obvious."

Marivel frowned.

"Wow... Brother, are you doing such bad things behind the scenes?"

"I'm not. The key is to navigate the situation so you don't have to do such things."

Marivel pouted. He knew she was bad at such things.

"—You should have told Mother."

"I'm eight years old. Can I call Mother just because someone insulted me?"

"You have a point. Then..."

If it were him, he would gather his friends and ostracize the person. Or find their weakness—

But saying this would make Marivel upset again. It would be misunderstood.

"No, the point is, you came here to ask how to talk to Mother, right?"

It would be a long time before Marivel could handle such situations. For now, the focus should be on getting out of suspension.

"Oh, right."

"First, apologize for overreacting—"

"Overreacting? I only slapped her once."

"—Do you want to take my advice?"

Marivel straightened her posture.

"Yes, I do."

Eidan handed her paper and a pen, urging her to write.

"As a noble lady and a Pencillian, it was inappropriate—"

"Ah, that's what made Mother angry."

Marivel recalled.

"Here, let me see."

"When I said I did it because I'm Pencillian and wanted to teach her a lesson, Mother got angry."

"Marivel, that's something you shouldn't say even if you think it."

Marivel looked dissatisfied, as if she didn't understand why.

Eidan also skipped explaining this.

Pencillia's power was unparalleled, and even if they acted arrogantly or idly, they had the power to be forgiven.

No matter how Marivel behaved, her position allowed her to be forgiven.

If she couldn't understand, it was fine. Marivel had no magic. No matter what, it was his and their father's responsibility to protect her with this power.

But he also understood that Cynthia wouldn't allow it.

"About that. —I lost my temper and said something wrong. To use Pencillia's power correctly, I need to study properly..."

"Ugh, another lecture?"

"No, you need to write that. Come on, quickly."

"Oh, I see."

Marivel ran to the desk and picked up the pen.

"I will fulfill my duties and, with humility, strive to be a person who can contribute to the kingdom as a member of Pencillia."

"Ugh, so serious."

"In other words, don't wave your power around so obviously. It will cause unnecessary backlash. Next time, tell me, and I'll help you figure out a better way."

Eidan took the pen from her, saying, "Don't write this."

Marivel stretched, having written unfamiliar characters.

"Next time I see Lillis, I think I'll get angry again."

"—Well, I don't think you need to worry about that."

"Why not?"

"I think that girl is getting a severe scolding from the Earl of Marka. —After all, it was the earl's mistake to spoil her based on her magic power."

Both of them might have thought that being spoiled at home would be the same outside.

"So, I don't think she'll come near you. Or, she might come to apologize. —Then, you can apologize to her too."

Marivel didn't understand everything Eidan said, but when he said she didn't need to worry, she felt it must be true.

"Okay, thank you!"

Marivel was about to leave through the window with the paper and pen, but Eidan stopped her in a panic.

"It's dangerous! Go through the hallway."

"But then, they'll find out I escaped."

"I'll distract the knights. You go while I do that."

"Okay."

Marivel jumped and hugged Eidan.

"Thank you, brother."