Time at the academy flowed as usual. Lorin dozed off just like always, while Xueyi kept her distance from him and everyone else, as she normally did.

Still, faint whispers about Xueyi began to circulate. Without straining to listen, it was clear they revolved around that duel.

Afterward, Lilith had no complications from treatment, but she remained at home recuperating.

For those who solely blamed Xueyi, without solid evidence to clear her name or Lilith stepping forward to explain, Xueyi would face everyone’s hostility for now. Part of that animosity even stemmed from Lorin’s older brother, the Crown Prince.

When class ended and the instructor left, students filed out one by one.

Lorin yawned, stood up, and glanced around—only to realize Xueyi had already slipped away unnoticed. He scratched his head. "Where did that guy run off to?"

Just as Lorin puzzled over it, Xueyi’s voice echoed from the hallway.

"Let go of me!"

In the corridor, Xueyi was gripped by the wrist by a boy with matching hair color. Onlookers lined both sides, watching the spectacle like a farce.

"You’ve really outdone yourself now—not only causing trouble but staying out all night," the boy snapped.

Xueyi struggled, but he held tight, ignoring her shouts and the pain flaring in her wrist.

The boy was none other than her own brother, Liraya.

After visiting Lilith yesterday, Liraya had intended to confront Xueyi that night—only to learn she hadn’t returned home at all, not even once.

"Where I go is none of your business," Xueyi retorted, still trying to break free. But her strength paled against Liraya’s.

As a noble daughter, staying out all night was taboo. Coupled with her already poor reputation, murmurs erupted among the crowd.

"Come on. Today, I’m dragging you to Father to explain everything," Liraya declared, yanking Xueyi toward the exit.

"Hey."

Under everyone’s stares, Lorin stepped between them and pulled them apart.

Annoyed at the interference, Liraya’s anger flared—but seeing it was Lorin, he forced it down.

"Second Prince, this is a family matter. Please don’t meddle," Liraya said with a stiff smile.

"Fair point," Lorin replied, glancing at Xueyi behind him. He noticed her wrist, where Liraya had grabbed her, was already bruised. "But since it’s family business, she’s still your sister. Can’t you talk properly?"

"What’s there to discuss?" Liraya glared at Xueyi. "She won with underhanded tactics, shaming our house. Now she’s staying out all night. As her elder brother, I must discipline her."

"I didn’t use any underhanded tactics," Xueyi insisted fiercely. But under the crowd’s stares, her protest seemed almost comical.

Even her own brother believed she’d cheated. What good would more words do now?

"Let me cut in," Lorin interrupted. "Lilith, the one involved in that duel, hasn’t spoken yet. You’re jumping to conclusions—doesn’t your eagerness seem a bit too obvious?" He scanned the onlookers as he spoke.

Many here admired Lilith, whether from witnessing the duel or due to the Crown Prince’s influence. Liraya stood out among them.

"You—" Liraya’s face flushed crimson. Though his sister caused the trouble, making her apologize personally would boost his standing in the family—and maybe earn Lilith’s favor.

"And another thing," Lorin added. "About the staying out all night—Miss Xueyi stayed at my residence last night. I’ve already written to inform Lord Glaite."

Xueyi, behind Lorin, had wanted to stop him. But by the time she reacted, everyone was staring at them with shocked expressions.

"Does this guy ever think before he speaks?" Xueyi cursed inwardly. All her efforts to keep distance from Lorin since morning were wasted.

"No wonder I saw her arriving in the Second Prince’s carriage this morning. I thought I’d imagined it," someone muttered.

Whispers spread through the crowd.

Hearing Lorin, Liraya stood dumbfounded, staring blankly. In his mind, his sister and Lorin had zero connection.

Sensing the tension, Lorin took Xueyi’s hand and hurried her away.

Near the academy gate, Xueyi pulled free. Compared to Liraya, Lorin hadn’t held her tightly at all—yet she’d walked this far without realizing.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Me?" Lorin blinked. "What do you mean? Did you want to stay back there?"

"That’s not it," Xueyi said. She was grateful he’d rescued her from that embarrassment, but she had to ask. "When you said that—aren’t you afraid they’ll start resenting you too?"

Just Xueyi staying overnight at Lorin’s place was hard to explain.

"I don’t care," Lorin yawned.

If this were before, Xueyi would have punched him for that attitude.

"And when did you write to my father? I didn’t know."

"Around the time I changed clothes."

"Then... how did he reply?"

"Haven’t received one yet."

Xueyi’s expression turned desolate. "Hmph. I knew it."

To her, her father never cared about her affairs. Even if she vanished all night, even if Lorin hadn’t written, nothing would change.

Spotting the familiar carriage outside, Lorin said, "Let’s go. Do you want to stay here?"

Xueyi didn’t answer, frozen in place.

Lorin sighed. Ignoring her thoughts, he took her hand again and headed for the carriage.

"Come on. I’ve got things to do later."

"Let go of me!" Xueyi shook his hand off. "I can walk myself."

Though released, seeing her follow, Lorin shrugged. "Fine. It’s best if you can walk on your own."