Chapter 87: I’m home
Later that evening, Violet walked side by side with Eren—or rather one step behind him.
They weren’t holding hands anymore, of course. Her heart was already running at maximum capacity from one hour of hand-holding, and any further physical contact in the hallways risked causing a heart attack.
She kept her eyes fixed on his back, her mind still frantically spinning.
On one hand, she was trying to process his romantic situation with his harem.
Yet looking at him, Violet found herself concluding: there was really no mystery why four women fell for him. Even right now, female students were stealing glances toward him. Ever since he’d abandoned his arrogant persona, people no longer avoided him. She caught more than one girl stealing curious glances his way. Even Violet could understand why.
’Is he... actually a playboy?’ Violet wondered, her flushed cheeks warming up all over again. ’Or is he just so hopelessly charming that he can’t help attracting people...?’
And then, of course, there was his mysterious revelation about her curse. When he said he might have found a cure still sent warmth and hope through her chest.
Then Eren spun around to face her.
"Eek—!" Violet gasped, her heart leaped straight into her throat.
"Easy there, Miss Violet. Do you happen to know where we can find Alice right now?"
Violet took a shaky breath, nodding timidly. "Y-Yes... she usually spends her evenings at the central chapel near the light gardens. I... I can lead the way."
"Lead on, my desk mate," Eren chuckled, stepping aside to let her take the lead.
After they strolled throughout the academy to reach the central chapel where evening air carried the fragrant scent of blooming flowers from the light gardens.
Eren spotted a stone bench situated near a fountain.
Sitting on it were two familiar figures. A blonde girl... and a silver-haired, overly cheerful golden retriever—er, Prince.
Violet’s face lit up. Unable to contain her excitement, she took a quick step forward and called out softly, "Alice...!"
The Saintess turned around instantly. Her eyes widened in shock the moment she realized her purple-haired best friend was actually out. She was more cheerful than she used to be.
"Violet!" Alice gasped, bolting up from the bench, running across the garden to hug Violet. "Thank goodness! Oh, thank goodness you’re okay! You absolute idiot, you scared me half to death locking yourself away like that!"
Violet hugged her back, her cheeks burying into Alice’s shoulder. "I-I’m so sorry, Alice... I was so rude to you yesterday. I’m truly sorry."
Over Violet’s shoulder, Alice caught Eren’s eye. The Saintess offered him a silent, emotional nod of gratitude, to which Eren merely responded with a characteristic smirk.
Meanwhile, Prince Theo stood up from the bench, a genuine smile on his handsome face as he watched the heartwarming reunion scene.
"Damn," Eren remarked smoothly, tucking his hands into his pockets. "Look at us, barging in and completely ruining the Saintess’s precious, romantic evening date with the golden prince."
"E-Eren!" Alice called out, her face instantly turning embarrassed red as she pulled back from the hug. "It is nothing like that! Theo and I were just... just discussing your student council antics!"
Both Eren and Violet broke into a synchronized laugh at her terrible defense.
Once the giggles faded, Violet took a stabilizing breath, looking at her best friend with a gentle seriousness. "Actually, Alice... I came here because I need to ask you something really important."
"An important question? What is it, Violet?"
Before Violet could speak, Eren took a half-step forward, taking charge with a serious expression. "Tell me, Miss Saintess... do you currently feel that suffocating sensation you usually experience when standing near her? Considering you two are literally wrapped in each other right now."
Alice froze.
Prompted by his question, the blonde girl turned her hyper-sensitive senses, scanning the surroundings of Violet. Her eyes widened, her jaw dropped as she circled her friend in slow, disbelieving steps.
"This... this is impossible," Alice whispered, her hands hovering near Violet’s shoulders. "It’s completely gone... Violet, you feel... you feel like an entirely normal person right now! Where did your miasma go?!"
Hearing those exact words confirmed aloud, Violet’s purple eyes shimmered with a brilliant, tear-filled wave of hope.
"To confirm this hypothesis under proper experimental conditions," Eren called out politely, turning his gaze toward the silver-haired royal who was still standing in the distance, "Your Highness Prince Theo, would you mind stepping over here for a second?"
"Oh! Of course!" Theo agreed happily, trotting over like an enthusiastic puppy. "What do you need, Eren—?"
The second Theo entered Violet’s standard radius, Alice and Violet both let out a collective gasp, involuntarily flinching as if expecting a sudden, catastrophic magical explosion.
...Three seconds passed in complete, serene silence.
Theo stood right beside Violet, tilting his head in harmless, innocent confusion. No suffocating feeling. No one collapsed.
Nothing happened.
****
An hour later, Eren was walking toward his personal dormitory room. He threw his arms over his head, stretching his tight shoulders with a long, satisfying groan.
’I never thought this would be easy,’ he mused to himself with an entertained chuckle. To think the original game developers framed her entire story arc as an ancient, hopeless dark curse... when in reality, it was just a mana-related issue.
He shook his head. He would need to consult with Norelia or Vice Principal Carolynn tomorrow to gather more information before taking the next step in a permanent cure for Violet.
But for now?
His body screamed for mercy. Ten hours of uninterrupted sleep was his non-negotiable mission.
Reaching his door, Eren unlocked it and pushed it open—only to instantly realize his private sanctuary was already fully occupied.
Mira poked her head out from the small kitchenette area, holding a wooden spatula with a bright, beaming smile. "Welcome back, Young Master! You’re just in time!"
Over on the plush mattress, Norelia sat cross-legged with a book spread across her lap, offering a tiny, deadpan wave of her hand. "Welcome back, Eren."
Meanwhile, on the soft carpet beside the bed, Emma sat leaning her back against the wooden bed frame, her long legs stretched out as she polished her training blade.
The tanned knight gave him an affectionate look over her shoulder. "Welcome home, idiot."
Eren couldn’t help the warm, genuinely helpless smile that spread across his face as he unbuttoned his coat.
"I’m home," he murmured.
Mira walked over, effortlessly taking his coat like an affectionate wife. "Go wash up! Dinner is almost ready, and then we can all eat together."
Looking at the bustling scene—the delicious aroma of hot food from the kitchen, his brilliant professor making herself right at home on his bed, the nation’s fiercest swordmaster comfortably lounging on his floor, and his sweet maid tending to him like a devoted wife, he felt he might just be the luckiest man alive.