Chapter 12: Clearing the Shadows.

“So most of the students in this academy have believed rumors spread in my complete absence—without ever hearing my side?”

Sarju muttered the words with a grim expression.

“It appears so. To think people could be swayed to this extent by rumors whose truth is unconfirmed. And not a single one of them has asked you directly.”

Julius’s face was equally grave.

Only now did Amelia fully grasp how terrifying it truly was.

Even if someone spread malicious, baseless gossip with ill intent, it could solidify into “truth.”

If it were merely a private love affair among the kingdom’s nobles, that might still be manageable.
But this academy also hosted exchange students—nobles and even royals from other countries—because of the kingdom’s advanced magical research.
If such a scandal entangled them, it could easily escalate into an international incident.

“This is no longer just a matter between the parties involved. I had been refraining from interference in noble marriages out of respect for propriety—but when the malice runs this deep, I cannot stand by. We will launch an immediate investigation and verify the facts.”

At Julius’s resolute declaration, Amelia resolved to do whatever she could on her end.

“Um… I would like to confirm once more with my father whether any contact regarding the engagement truly came from Reese.”

Even if Reese had made such a request, she could not imagine her father hiding it from her.
Still—her father desired the return of earth magic more than anything.
Considering that obsession, it was better to make absolutely certain.

Sarju, who had been listening quietly to their exchange, now turned to Amelia with a question.

“You’re in Class A, correct? Could you tell me how your classmates have been treating you?”

At his words, Julius’s eyes widened slightly before sharpening with focus.

“My classmates…?”

“Yes. This is important. Please answer as accurately as possible.”

Urged thus, Amelia spoke honestly:
No one answered when she tried to speak to them.
Important announcements and necessary information were never passed on to her.

Julius listened in silence, expression grave.
Sarju’s face grew even harder.

“Your class includes my brother’s fiancée.”

Sarju explained, and Julius nodded in confirmation.

“Yes. The daughter of Marquis Kiedari.”

“…Lady Emira.”

The beautiful red-haired woman who had looked down on Amelia from the very first day.
Thinking back, Emira had always been at the center of Class A.
A crowd of young ladies constantly orbited her, catering to her every whim.

If Emira was Julius’s fiancée, perhaps that was only natural.

Yet Julius spoke plainly.

“However—if she, too, is merely another person being swayed by rumors spread in the absence of the parties involved, then I must reconsider the engagement.”

“Eh…?”

“Power carries heavy responsibility. One who fails to understand that cannot serve as the wife of royalty.”

His words were undeniably correct.

Still, the thought that her own testimony might alter Emira’s future filled Amelia with unavoidable guilt.

“There’s no need to worry. We won’t act solely on your testimony. We will conduct a proper investigation—and verify everything with my reproduction magic as well.”

Sensing her unease, Sarju spoke reassuringly.

“Of course. I want to clear your name as well—but the investigation may take some time. It might be difficult for you in the meantime…”

“Yes. I’ll be fine.”

To her own surprise, the words came out firm and clear.

Until now she had been bewildered—hurt by her fiancé’s betrayal, unable to understand why she was so hated.
But at last the reason had become clear.

Her heart ached a little at Reese’s duplicity.
Yet if she had married someone so dishonest without knowing, the suffering would have been far greater.

“We’ll move as quickly as possible. Ah—look at the time. Lunch break is almost over. I’m sorry to have kept you.”

“No, please—thank you both for telling me about Reese.”

If not for meeting these two, Amelia might have remained ignorant forever, letting everything unfold exactly as Reese wished.

Leaving Julius behind—he still had matters to attend to—Amelia exited the student council room alongside Sarju.

“Um, Sarju-sama.”

There was one thing she absolutely had to say.
She looked up at him.

“Thank you for protecting me in the cafeteria earlier.”

She bowed deeply.

Even though healing magic had mended the burn, the pain must have been real.
When she offered both apology and gratitude, Sarju smiled gently.

“I’m just glad you weren’t hurt.”

His beautiful smile nearly captivated her again; she hurriedly averted her eyes.

“About what we discussed earlier… I have detailed notes on last year’s growth of the new wheat variety—the pest damage, harvest yields, everything. If you’d like, I can—”

“You’ll show them to me?”

Sarju’s voice rose louder than she had ever heard it—almost boyish with excitement.
He seized her hands without thinking.

The reaction was far stronger than she had expected.
Amelia felt a rush of happiness and nodded.

“Yes—of course.”

The records had originally been prepared for Reese.

But the current Reese would probably have no interest in them whatsoever.

What she had thought would go to waste, Sarju accepted with genuine delight.

(Reese… You said you wanted to know every detail about the wheat’s growth…)

There was no lingering attachment now—not after everything that had happened.
Still, letting go of happy memories from the past was not so easy.

Tears threatened to well up; she quickly looked down.

“Amelia?”

At his concerned call, she forced a smile.

“I wrote them myself, so they may not be perfectly accurate…”

“No—they’ll be tremendously helpful. Thank you.”

“I’ll bring them tomorrow, then. Um… where should I submit them?”

Probably here at the student council room, she assumed.

But Sarju’s answer was different.

“No—I’ll come to your classroom after classes end to collect them. There may be things I want to ask you directly.”

“To… my classroom?”

The thought of Sarju going out of his way made her hesitate—but he seemed to misread her reaction as reluctance.

“Of course I won’t go alone. Whenever I speak with you, I’ll bring my guards.”

Her reputation was currently at its worst—thanks to Reese.
Yet Sarju was still so considerate.
Genuine—not forced—this time, a real smile spread across her face as she nodded.

“Yes. I’ll be waiting.”

If Sarju began moving with his guards, Julius would surely feel more at ease as well.