The Hume's situation.

Kai gave Van a solid shove in the back, and Van, furious, screamed, "You little brat!!" as he lunged forward.

Right then, Papa grabbed Van by the long hair at the nape of his neck and stopped him.

Van yelped, eyes welling up, glaring at his father with nothing but pure protest in his gaze.

"Elen, give it back to him."

Ashut, who had been given that name, made a face like he'd been slapped, but I knew perfectly well that if I didn't hand Ashut over to the Hume right then, nothing would get resolved. I was secretly delighted, sneaking a few more strokes through the rabbit’s soft fur.

Then, still holding onto Van’s hair, I took Papa’s hand and said, “Papa, no!”, and Papa obediently let go.

“Uuuu... I thought my head was going to pop off…”

I felt bad for Van, sitting cross-legged in the hallway, cradling his head. Must’ve hurt like hell.

I leaned in close to Van, who was rubbing the back of his neck, and gently stroked his head. He stiffened with a little twitch.

"Princess...!"

I almost got tackled by him, overwhelmed by emotion—but I neatly sidestepped it myself, like I was dodging a clumsy hound.

"Since you became human, you’ve been cold to me..."

He had a point, I guess.

Back when I was a beast, I’d have leapt at him without hesitation. But now that he’s a man... I still can’t quite get used to it. I hesitate. A little.

"I’m sorry... I guess I’m still not used to seeing you as a man. It’s like suddenly being grabbed by some random stranger... and it’s freaking me out."

"Wha—?!"

Apparently, he finally realized that if a woman suddenly got grabbed by some random guy, she’d probably run. Right.

"Forgive me, Princess... my consideration was lacking."

"No, no—sorry on my part."

"I’ll come back properly once we’re back to normal!"

"Sure. You’re welcome anytime!"

We made up—I grabbed Van’s hand and pulled him up from where he’d been sitting.

Father, watching us, finally quieted down and continued speaking.

"Well then, Court Healer. Could you show us the way?"

Father smiled warmly, and Hume, though a little bewildered, nodded.

"Shall we go?"

Looking up at Van, about to take his hand, he instantly caught on and offered it to me right away.

We linked hands and followed Hume together.

Van’s a feline, but with that wolf-cut hairstyle, I couldn’t help thinking he looked a little dog-like—just between us, though.

＊＊＊

Following Hume led us to the central plaza of the castle. It looked like a shared space, but no academy students were around. Classes must’ve already started.

At the plaza’s entrance stood the headmaster and a male teacher from the healing arts, already standing side by side.

“Oh, good morning, Lord Lovell!”

My father greeted the overly enthusiastic headmaster with a handshake, already buzzing with morning energy.

I followed suit with my own greeting. Kai and Hume offered the standard academy student salutation, but Van alone glared at the headmaster.

“Van.”

I tugged on the hand I’d been holding, and after a moment, Van finally registered it—muttering a grudging greeting.

“What’s wrong with you, Van?”

I asked, surprised by his unusual attitude. Van let out a dry chuckle, then leaned down, whispering conspiratorially.

"This man’s trying to pry the recipe out using that Hume fellow, it seems."

(…Wait.)

Van was the great spirit of wind. He must’ve used his power to catch the headmaster’s words.

Van’s words made me swirl in thought.

I figured he’d do something, but come to think of it—why did the headmaster send Hume, the royal physician, as an escort in the first place?

(Hume’s already well-known as a royal talent. So why would he accept the academy’s offer now…?)

Sure, from the academy’s point of view, training someone who’ll carry the future of royal medicine is a point of pride.

But can you really expect a busy royal physician like Hume to be sent here?

(This… either the academy and the royal family are connected somehow—or… Hume himself is linked to the headmaster.)

Either way.

For now, I can’t afford to let my guard down around Hume.

“Thank you for telling me, Van. I’ll be careful.”

Smiling at Van, who grins back with a cheerful, “I’m always by your side,” I let out a quiet breath.

Van being here is incredibly reassuring. I refocus, listening in on the conversation between the headmaster and my father, while stealing a quick glance at Hume.

Hume stood slightly hunched behind the headmaster.

Her complexion looked awful. Not like someone scheming with the headmaster at all—more like she was being held down. I frowned, tilting my head.

And then I froze, right there.

(There’s one more thing… a situation where they’d have to team up.)

The possibility hit me—Hume might be under the headmaster’s threat.

(Well… shall we dig into that whole mess, shall we?)

There’s no way a guy sneaking around behind the Vanklyft Family’s back, eyeing their medicine like that, could be a good guy.

If he’s being forced to extract the formula, Hume should already know it’s pointless—after all, he was there during Raffilia’s kidnapping.

He’s being coerced, so he has to listen to the headmaster. But I’ve already flat-out told the royal family I won’t speak of the medicine at all.

Hume should know full well the headmaster gains nothing by sharing the formula with me—especially not when I’ve already refused the royal family.

So the only explanation that makes sense? Hume’s caught between the headmaster and reality, and that’s why his face looks so grim.

I quietly whispered to Van, keeping my back turned to the headmaster.

People who scheme can usually tell what you’re saying just from the shape of your mouth.

"Van, gather rumors around the headmaster and Hume. There's a chance Hume's being threatened."

I murmured into Van's ear, back still turned to the headmaster. People who scheme can usually tell what you’re saying just from the shape of your mouth.

Van’s eyes widened. So did Kai’s, apparently having overheard too.

"Your Highness... how on earth did you figure that out?"

I could’ve told them—no, I shouldn’t have said it—how the headmaster had bellowed at Hume like a madman, voice cracking, face red. Still, I hadn’t even started talking yet.

Van and Kai looked at me, stunned.

"Is he really being threatened?"

"The likelihood of that has increased. Hume was present during Raffilia's incident, wasn’t he? He heard my declaration firsthand—no way I’d reveal the medicine’s formula to the royal family. And yet, he’s still following the headmaster’s orders. The only explanation is that he’s trapped… so, depending on the situation, I might prioritize Hume."

"...I expected you’d say something like that, Your Highness."

Van gave a wry smile and nodded in reluctant agreement.

"I’m sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused. You’re my only hope, Van."

"Fu fu. Say more, please!! I can be of great use!!"

"..."

Kai shot Van a look that was just a little too envious. Van scoffed and flicked his fingers at him.

"Since I’ve been summoned by Her Highness, I must sadly leave her side. But don’t worry—until I return, this brat here will guard her for you!"

Kai’s eyes went wide at Van’s words. But in the next instant, he was staring at Van with a determined look and a quiet, “Of course.”

Without a signal, the two slammed fists together. Their breaths synced perfectly.

(They seem pretty close, huh…?)

Still, every now and then they bicker like siblings—makes me a little nervous.

Van, clearly thrilled about being asked a favor, kept grinning from ear to ear.

Caught in his mood, I grinned back. My father just chuckled, shaking his head.

“Something sneaky going on, huh? Well, it’s fine now. Looks like we’re moving out.”

“I’m good! Van, you’re on! Please!”

“Understood.”

With a polite bow, Van vanished into thin air.

The headmasters had already walked ahead—none of them noticed him at all.

(Well then. Prepare yourself.)

I smiled brightly, linking arms with my father as I followed behind the headmasters.