"Escape of the Ex-Students-2"

The next day, Ivory noticed that Sigmund was quieter than usual. As they walked into the academy's hallway, she poked his side. "Sigmund… Is there something wrong?"

He did not respond and just continued walking ahead.

"Uhm… Sigmund? Please tell me why you're in a bad mood…" this time, she poked his toned arms multiple times until he got annoyed.

They stopped walking and grabbed her hand. He said, furrowing his eyebrows. "Stop. It's annoying."

"Sigmund… Did I do anything wrong?" she said in a worried expression.

"We should turn them in. Those three are just tricking you! I heard them last night... They are not sincere in their apology, and they're just going to use you."

Ivory knew Sigmund would not lie regarding that matter. She sighed. Deep inside of her, she wanted to make amends with the three. "It doesn't matter… Let them be…" she gave a subtle smile.

"Seriously?" He raised his brow.

She nodded at him, "Come now, I'll be late in class," and she walked ahead of him.

During lunch break, Ivory, Lucius, and Arcea proceeded to the cafeteria. As they ate their steamed potato and grilled fish, they conversed about this weekend's gathering.

"What should we wear on your birthday feast?" Arcea asked. "Since it's in Megalia… Should I wear a knight's armor?"

Lucius chuckled, "Do you want to be one of the city guards? Before you can even eat food, my father will scold you for slacking off."

"Eh? Boring," Arcea commented. "I thought we're going to wear something different."

"Yes, you will. Wear something formal… A gown."

"I'd prefer a knight outfit because it's cool, but… oh well, I guess I have to wear a gown," she said and turned to her female friend. "Ivory, why don't we go shopping later?"

But Ivory was distracted as she kept on looking around the room.

"What's the matter?" Arcea asked.

"I wonder where Sigmund went…"

"I wonder, too. That guy never left your side," she said and chomped on the fish meat.

Lucius noticed that Ivory did not wear the necklace that he gave her. "Ivory… Do you not like the necklace?"

"Ah… About that… I left it at home. Sorry."

"It's alright." He gave a kind smile, "Wear it on my birthday feast, okay?"

"Of course," she gave him a small smile. But the truth was, the necklace was missing. The last time she remembered, it was just on her bedroom shelf, but after she took a bath yesterday, it was already gone.

When they were done eating, they returned to the classroom and saw Sigmund sitting on his favorite window sill.

Ivory hastily ran over towards him. "Sigmund, where have you been?" Ivory said in a worried tone.

"I just took a walk."

"Your Servant is really weird, Ivory. He does whatever he wants to do," Arcea commented.

"Whatever his reason is for leaving you during lunch break, it is something that you don't have to worry about. Right, Sigmund?" Lucius asked. He knew that Ivory's Servant cared so much about her.

"Right. The rich boy is right." And a smirk was displayed on his lips.

Ivory gave the two a confused look. Soon after, all classes ended for that day. The sunset could be viewed from the horizon of Alpharion City wherein Arcea and Ivory visited several dress shops to look for a formal gown, and Sigmund just quietly walked behind the two. On the other hand, Lucius excused himself because he was called over by his father for an important matter.

"Ivory, I've chosen mine… How about you?" Arcea asked. But when she saw Ivory furrowing her eyebrows while looking at the price labels, she told her. "Geez, if you're going to look at the price, you won't be able to choose a decent one."

"I think I'll look for more shops tomorrow… Maybe there are cheaper ones…"

"If you're going to choose a gown, match it with the freebie necklace that Lucius gave you. That way, you'll have fewer choices since you have to match your outfit with your accessory."

"Ahh… yes, the necklace…" She uttered. "I guess I'll go back here tomorrow, then." She got very worried because she didn't want to disappoint Lucius. How could she tell him that she lost it inside her own home?

After shopping, they rode their respective carriages. Ebleu told them as soon as they approached the carriage, "A messenger just came a while ago. Sir Lucius requested you two to be there in the Goldwine residence, now."

When they arrived at the Megalia City, there were many city guards wandering around. The ambiance seemed like something had happened.

Sigmund and Ivory were brought to a dance hall. They were shocked to see that the paintings and fixtures around the room were broken, and some parts of the walls and floors were slashed and burnt!

"Eh? What are you three doing here?" Ivory asked when she saw Amy, Brinna, and Cassie in a corner with their Beast Class Servants, and all of them looked powerless. Judging by the state of the room and the broken chairs and vases, it seemed like a fight happened.

"Miss Sprucemint." The General uttered in a serious tone. "Can you explain… why you hid the three of them?"

"General, I…" Ivory couldn't think of a plausible excuse. "I deeply apologize."

"Your Servant was the one who gave the information to Principal Arthurdane, and he told me about it..." He then looked around the room. "What a mess… It's the first time I saw Lucius lash out like that."

"Eh? Sigmund… and Lucius…? But why-"

"Ivory," Lucius suddenly entered the room. His shirt was torn on the sides, "Here," he gave the crystal moon necklace back to her.

"Lucius… Let me explain… I…"

But Lucius just gave her a subtle smile. "I know you have Sigmund, but rely on me too, as your good friend."

"Lucius…" Ivory held tightly on the necklace. "Thank you so much…"

The three ex-students were dragged away by the city guards, and they were charged with the crime of disrespecting the law of the Kingdom, as well as theft for Ivory's necklace.

Meanwhile, the two were scolded by General Darius: Ivory, for keeping the three in her home even though she knew she shouldn't, and Lucius, for not controlling his anger and damaging the dance hall.

After that, Ebleu was asked to bring Ivory and Sigmund back home. As soon as Ivory entered her bedroom, she flopped on her bed in the attic. She wondered whether her kindness or her naivety caused that mess. She felt embarrassed that Sigmund and Lucius saved her, as always. "Sigmund… I apologize for all the trouble again," she covered her face with the pillow.

Sigmund removed the pillow, exposing Ivory's teary eyes. He pinched his Master's cheeks.

"Owww! What are you doing?" Ivory pouted.

But Sigmund laid down on the bed, then turned his back on her and spoke, "You don't need to have a lot of friends. Only keep the real ones."

"Sigmund…" she gave a subtle smile. "You're right. I've learned my lesson…"

The Vampire suddenly turned to face her. Their faces were just inches apart, and Ivory felt her heart quicken. He caressed his Master's cheek, gazed deeply into her eyes, then said:

"Actually, you don't really need them all… because you have me."