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Episode 74

An hour before the accident—

After hearing about Xenia and Luna from Theo, Janet kept her eyes on Luna.

She didn't confront Luna about her suspicions that day. If Luna grew wary, it would only make surveillance harder.

"She doesn't seem out of the ordinary today either."

"Indeed."

Standing in a secluded spot, the two whispered quietly.

Luna was hovering near Richard. But even that was no different from usual.

Chattering beside Richard as he brushed his horse, Luna took the brush he handed her.

Beaming, she mimicked Richard and carefully groomed the horse's coat.

"Just looking at them, they really do seem like close siblings."

To be honest, Janet wished Luna were innocent.

She hoped all of this was just her and Theo's imagination, and that Luna truly was Richard's lost sister.

If so, neither Richard nor the Marchioness would have to grieve.

But—

"Rumors around the Academy have been concerning lately."

"I've heard them too—rumors that Luna might actually be Lord Richard's sister."

It was precisely these details that kept bothering her.

"It's strange, isn't it? Usually, even if people are close, rumors about them being real family don't spread like this."

"I agree. It seems someone is deliberately spreading the rumors. The problem is……"

Theo let out a short breath and spoke with difficulty.

"If this continues, the rumors might spread beyond the Academy."

"……They'll reach the Marchioness soon, then."

"Yes. I'm currently handling information on the Academy side, and I'm doing my best to contain it, but……"

Once the rumors crossed the walls, they'd inevitably reach Liam's ears.

She hoped they'd find solid proof that Luna wasn't Xenia before that happened.

Just as the two were watching Richard and Luna with mixed feelings—

"Oh! Janet! Theo! Richard!"

At the familiar voice, they turned. Shane was waving at them from a small hill not far away.

Janet and Theo gave a light greeting, and Shane waved even more enthusiastically.

"Hey, Shane. You're not supposed to interrupt other departments' classes."

"Come on, what's the harm? It's clearly a break."

"Whatever. Let's just carry this stuff. We've got more to get after this."

The two were carrying tall stacks of boxes.

'Wait—was he holding all those boxes in one arm and waving with the other?'

Morgan, Shane's fellow student council member, stared at him with exasperation as the realization dawned.

"Anyway, let's move."

"Hold on, Morgan. I just got a great idea."

"Why. What are you planning?"

At his friend's uneasy objection, Shane grinned.

"Requesting backup."

Before long, Theo, who had been sitting beside Janet, was called away by a professor and returned.

"What was that about?"

"The student council said they're short on manpower for the festival preparations and requested assistance."

"Ah. So they got you."

"Yes. Apparently, they specifically pointed me out."

The student council that had specifically called for Theo.

"It's got to be Shane."

"Most definitely."

After that loud greeting and departure, he'd gone and called him like this.

"Have a good time."

"I'll be back as soon as I can."

Tsk. Janet let out a small laugh at Theo's retreating back, clicking his tongue.

After confirming he was gone, her gaze returned to Richard.

'Hm? Where's Luna……'

But in that short time, Luna had vanished from Richard's side.

What? Where did she go?

Just as she was looking around for Luna—

"Janet! What are you doing here alone?"

"Luna……"

"Hehe. Can I sit here?"

"Of course."

With a playful smile, Luna sat down beside Janet.

"You were talking to Lord Richard."

"Yeah! He showed me his horse."

"You two are still close."

"Of course! Actually, this is a secret, but……"

Blushing shyly, Luna whispered in Janet's ear.

"I might actually become Lord Richard's real sister."

"Really……?"

"Yeah. I'm only telling you this—so you have to keep it a secret, okay?"

Only telling me?

Is that really true?

But if so, too many rumors had already spread.

"Ah! Training's about to start. Our brother—I mean, Lord Richard—is really cool, isn't he?"

"Yeah. He is."

Janet glanced sideways at Luna while checking on Richard.

'He really is cool.'

Richard, leading a black horse and walking slowly, looked like a masterpiece painting.

---

The first and second years sat in neat rows at a distance, watching the third years train.

"Giddyup!"

Their eyes were naturally drawn to the spectacle of riding and wielding swords and lances.

After several riders had taken their turns—

"Wow."

"He's really amazing……"

When Richard appeared on the starting line atop his horse, gasps erupted from all around. Then—

Whoosh.

At the professor's starting signal, the magnificent black horse began to run powerfully.

The problem arose around the middle of the track.

Neeigh!

The horse suddenly let out a long, uncomfortable cry and began to bolt.

"What? What's wrong with it?"

"Did something happen?"

"Come on. It's Richard's turn—what could possibly go wrong."

As the startled students murmured—

Neeigh!

The horse, rearing violently, charged toward the first and second years with fierce momentum.

"Ahhh!"

"Get out of the way!"

Startled, people screamed and tried to flee. Conversely, some were frozen in fear.

"Gulp."

Luna, sitting beside Janet, was one of the latter. With her body stiff, she clung tightly to Janet's arm, staring blankly at the charging horse.

"Oh, brother……!"

Her terrified voice reached Richard's ears.

His eyes widened as he struggled to control the reins from an awkward position on the horse.

But the next moment—

"Ja-Janet?!"

Janet stood up, snatching something from Luna's arms.

"H-how did you—!"

Confirming Luna's flustered reaction, Janet quickly scanned her surroundings and sprinted toward the empty side.

What was surprising was that the horse, which had been charging toward the students, suddenly changed direction and began chasing after Janet.

Only after reaching the empty area did Janet hurl the object in her hand far across the open field.

Neeigh!

The horse, with wild eyes, charged madly toward the object.

'Now……! Now's the time!'

Calmly watching the scene, Janet threw herself at the horse as it passed, pulling Richard off the frantic stallion.

It was an incredibly risky move, but Janet's movements were clean and precise.

She executed only the necessary actions like a professional.

Still, she couldn't avoid rolling on the ground after saving Richard.

"Ugh!"

"Huff."

The two groaned as they tumbled across the dirt.

"Get the tranquilizer gun!"

"Send a request for support to the infirmary—now!"

The professor and assistant professor's urgent voices could be heard.

Richard came to his senses first.

He couldn't quite grasp what had happened. It was a sensation he'd never experienced before.

His limbs had suddenly gone stiff and unresponsive, and even his tongue wouldn't move as he wanted.

In that state, the horse had bolted, leaving him with no control.

To make matters worse, the excited horse had charged madly toward the first and second years.

"When his eyes met Luna's head-on, it felt like his heart stopped."

If the horse kept running, Luna would be in danger.

'I have to stop it somehow.'

That was the only thought in his mind.

Even if it meant falling from the horse, he couldn't let it trample Luna.

And besides, Janet was right next to her.

Yes, that was his intent, but……

"Janet……?"

Richard called out in a daze. Janet was lying beneath him, gasping for breath.

He quickly moved aside upon realizing it, but Janet's condition was a mess.

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