Just a coincidence.

"Mister Medea!"

The black-haired young man, with the thick glasses obstructing the look in his eyes, was returning to his room when someone called out to him.

"...?"

As he turned around, his head tilted slightly, and he spotted a palace maid trotting up to him with a flushed face.

"Ah~! Agness~! Hello again~"

The young man's expression brightened as he recognized the overjoyed girl.

"Mister Medea! It worked out! It really did! Sir Derec called out to me again after the traitors were locked in the dungeon, and we talked! He even asked if I wouldn't be bothered if it wouldn't be too much for him to greet me whenever we saw each other from now on!"

The light-brown-haired girl called out while her gray eyes sparkled from innocent excitement.

"See~? And you doubted me when I told you that doing me a favor brings luck in love~?"

Medea raised his head proudly and boasted in a cute manner, swaying to the side and pointing both of his index fingers at his wide smile.

"I'm sorry for doubting you, Mister Medea! If that sort of luck continues, then sir Derec asking me to watch him compete in the Summer Tournament next month wouldn't be a dream anymore! I might even get a rose from him!"

The maid clenched her fists in excitement, barely stopping herself from bouncing up and down from joy.

"I'll be cheering you on~!"

Medea straightened his back and assured the beaming girl.

"Ah...! But.. I do feel bad that even though I told you about the Crown Prince refusing breakfast and him being worried about his personal guard, the cookies that Lady Rotteloss made for him could not be delivered because of those terrible traitors' plot..."

Agness gasped, snapping out of the lovestruck mood, lowered her head, and fidgetted in unease.

"Agness... don't tell me you are feeling guilty about that? That's all just an unfortunate -coincidence- that turned out to be a blessing and nothing else! The crown prince and my master's love will prevail over the current predicament! There is no doubt about it in my heart!"

Medea reached out and grabbed Agness's hands, smiling at her reassuringly.

"Yes, but... It feels unfair that someone like me is experiencing so much happiness while Lady Rotteloss, even though she loves the Crown Prince and believes in him so much, has to endure so much pain because of all of those horrible accusations and rumors...!"

The young maid took a sharp breath and teared up while empathizing with whatever she imagined Zorivia was going through.

"Thank you for the kind words. I will pass on to my master that she has your support. I am certain that it will lift her spirit, so do not put yourself down. You deserve this happiness and much more."

Medea's smile became more tame as he nodded thankfully at the gray-eyed maid.

"Ah! I'm sorry for keeping you from your duties. Have a nice day, I'm cheering for you!"

The black-haired young man gasped and stepped back as if embarrassed, letting go of the maid.

"Thank you so, so much, Mister Medea!"

Agness's face lighted up, and she bowed to him before leaving with a spring in her step.

"..."

As Medea turned around, the fake smile washed off his face, and his normal expression returned.

"Hmm~"

Medea hummed as he entered his room while just another fly left the hallway, blissfully unaware that one of her legs had already got caught in the spiderweb that so many others were already completely stuck in, left to be devoured at the spider's convenience...

...and that the moment she will flail in despair, she will become one of them...