Valeriana’s POV

"Guess the princess is getting delusional,"

Zeph’s words threw me off, and I couldn’t help but react with surprise.

’!?’

Is he for real?

As I watched him stop Danny from standing and taking his side, it became clear to me that he had a thing for Danny, but I don’t care about his interests.

As right now, I was shocked due to the tone Zeph used to address Alora,

It was really concerning.

After all, Alora was a candidate for the throne, and any grudges she might hold against Zeph could be problematic.

’Really, Zeph,’ I thought, sympathizing with his perspective.

’,Guess I wouldn’t have supported him too much,’

I considered that perhaps Zeph had become dependent on me, thinking he could rely on my help if something went wrong.

While I appreciated his motives, I knew that being overly dependent on others wasn’t a good long-term strategy.

I looked at Zeph and decided, I would only help him this time but it will be last favour from me to him.

As, If Alora became a queen and had any grievances against him, I would offer him protection in the name of the Queen of Haidrens.

’Sigh, using one’s power to help others feels really good,’

I reflected on the satisfaction of helping someone in need as it was teachings I received from my Aunt.

After my Mother died, Aunt was always their to support me in every situation and even taught me, to always help others, ofcourse only when you have enough strength to do so, as people in need tends to ask more and more again.

And, Now I am seeing same thing in case of Zeph too, after I protected him from his sucidial thoughts he seems to depend on me.

I couldn’t help but think about how innocent and naive Zeph truly was, except for his peculiar interests in same gender.

"’I hope you have learned a lesson,’"

’!? ’

I recognized the voice; it was not new to me.

I had heard it before in first year too, And whenever I heard, it was always referring to Thalia, myself, or Rihane as Mother

’Guess it’s going to call someone "mother" again. Maybe Alora this time,’ I felt amused and waited to hear the rest.

"to not shake your Dick in front of Danny like that, papa, kyu~ ’"

’W-wwwhhhaaattt!’

’No, no, my mind!!’

’Why, why did I hear that?’

Despite the shocking words, I maintained my usual composed demeanor, trying to keep a calm face while I processed the unexpected revelation.

’Is this for real?’ I felt anger rising within me, directed at Zeph for what his beast had revealed.

It was as if that word was echoing inside my mind.

’Calm down, Valeriana,’ I told myself, struggling to regain my composure.

I shifted my gaze away from Zeph, who now had a sweaty face for some reasons, and reached for my books, hoping to distract myself from those disturbing words.

.....

Thalia’s POV

The way Zeph was speaking, it was an unusual tone I had never heard before. He never addressed me like this, not even when I playfully bothered him showing how patience he had.

I couldn’t help but feel that there was more to this than meets the eye.

I glanced at Alora, who had taken a seat in the second row, and then turned my attention back to Zeph.

’What the hell’

Suddenly, my intuition kicked in, sensing a malice directed towards my Zeph.

Was this for real?

I couldn’t hold back my frustration and wanted to curse her 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

’This bitch’

Isn’t she the one who was so rude with danny?

Zeph just helped Danny as he always does to others due to his kind heart and this bitch.

I would have not cared if it was directed towards Danny but even after seeing how calmly Zeph spoke to her she harbored ill intentions toward him.

Isn’t she competing as a candidate for throne?

’Let’s see, How do you get that’.

I began to strategize my next move as it had already became apparent that I needed to take action.

As, If my intuition was correct, she wouldn’t stop until she did something harmful to Zeph.

And I couldn’t allow that to happen atleast not until I am alive.

My plan was simple: I would leverage Alexios to handle the nobles who were still supporting her as a deserving candidate for throne

Even if he couldn’t do much, I would ensure to confront her during the upcoming practical sessions.

As isn’t this common for people to fall into accidents with monsters while in a forest.

My goal was simple, to deal with her discreetly, without Zeph finding out.

I couldn’t risk him turning against me afterall I would be sad, if he start hating me.

’You’re mine, Zeph, and I’ll make sure to keep it that way at any cost’

.

.

.

.

Zeph felt Valeriana’s penetrating gaze and turned to meet her, immediately noticing the furrow on her brow.

GULP

’Is it what I’m thinking? It is’

"’Kyu~’"

’Hey, Pumpkin,’

Chrono, hearing this, couldn’t help but realize that Zeph needed his assistance this time, and it was the perfect moment to make use of this to his own advantage.

"’Yes, papa, Kyu~.’"

’Please tell me you’re using a thought protection shield,’

Zeph inquired with a quivering voice, anxiously waiting for an answer.

"’What is that thing, Kyu~?’"

’Why Even I asked this Idiot’

Zeph can’t help but feel frustrated due to his words like how this pig don’t even know, there is a organ called brain inside one’s body

’There’s something inside your head called a brain, you dumbass’

Zeph couldn’t help but feel frustrated by the dragon’s lack of knowledge.

"’I know what a brain is. I meant, what is an Inner Thought Protection Shield?’"

’Dammit!’

Zeph cursed inwardly, looking down in realization, ’Shit, Valeriana must have heard everything.’

He couldn’t believe how far he had fallen, Zeph could only think of ways to solve this problem but it seemed all in vain.

’Guess, I really screwed up this time’