Next Day – Horobi's Residence
Liora looked at Horobi, who was pacing restlessly.
"Listen, Horobi… when will Mio come? She said she'd be back soon. Why isn't she here yet?"
"I don't know… maybe she's spending time with her family after so many days apart. That's a good thing."
Liora's eyes lit up.
"Oh! I want to meet Mio's family too. Let's go to her house. You know where she lives, right?"
"Yes. She was the only one I used to play with during childhood."
"All day?"
"No, not all day. I spent most of my time reading books in my room."
Liora smirked.
"That's good. I thought she stayed with you all day."
Horobi gave a faint smile.
"Actually… she stayed in my room while I studied. So yeah, we spent almost the entire day together."
Liora froze.
"What?! I'll never forgive Mio!"
Horobi burst out laughing.
"Hahaha!"
"Why are you laughing?!"
"Nothing. Come, I'll take you to Mio's house."
Enzetsu City Outskirts – Enma Clan Court Hall
A sealed academy scroll arrived through a magical raven, bearing Lord Omon's seal.
Lower court officials gathered urgently.
"Tua attempted to murder Mio during the class battle," the scroll declared.
Judge Malrik frowned.
"Did Lord Tua really try to kill a girl named Mio?"
"Yes, my lord. Grand Master Omon mentioned it clearly.".
"And who is this Mio? Is she connected to the Enma Clan?"
"No, my lord… she's just an ordinary maid."
Malrik smirked.
"So Omon wants us to take action against Lord Tua?"
"Yes, my lord."
"Are you insane? Has Omon lost his mind? Taking action against royal blood? We'll lose our jobs… or worse, our lives."
"But my lord… we must act, or it may cause bigger problems later."
Malrik paused.
"…Fine. Is Mio from this city?"
"Yes, my lord. From Enzetsu City."
"Good. Summon her… and Lord Tua."
Mio's Home
Mio packed her belongings.
"Mom, I'm going back to Horobi. He called me yesterday… but I forgot."
Her mother was shocked.
"What? Lord Horobi called you and you didn't go?"
"Sorry… I forgot."
Her mother narrowed her eyes.
"And why are you calling him by name? Shouldn't you say 'Master'?"
Mio blushed.
"He told me to call him Horobi. He gets angry if I call him 'Master'."
"Oh… I see."
Suddenly—
Knock. Knock.
"Who is it?"
"Does Mio live here?"
"Yes. What do you want?"
Soldiers pushed inside.
Mio frowned.
"What's going on? Did Horobi send you?"
A soldier grabbed her hair.
"Shut up!"
"Ahh! Let go!"
Her mother rushed forward.
"Leave my daughter!"
The soldier struck her down.
"Move aside! There's a case against her. She'll be punished soon!"
"Please… let my daughter go!"
Mio glared at them.
"You're making a mistake… you'll regret this."
The soldier laughed.
"You don't even know what's coming."
They beat her and dragged her away.
The Biased Verdict
The Grand Court Hall echoed with tension.
Judge Malrik presided.
Tua stood arrogantly.
Mio stood chained in the center—yet her head remained high.
Bang!
"Case: Tua vs Mio. Attempted murder."
Tua smirked.
"A servant dares to accuse me? Her word against noble blood?"
The judge nodded eagerly.
"Evidence reviewed. Mio provoked Lord Tua. Guilty of assaulting nobility."
"Punishment: Public flogging. Thirty lashes."
Mio protested,
"But listen to me! What did I do?!"
"Silence!" Malrik snapped. "You are just a maid."
Mio smirked.
"Just a maid? Do you even know whose maid I am?"
Malrik waved dismissively.
"Take her away. A maid is a maid. There are no 'levels' among servants."
The court burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
Mio spoke calmly—
"I am Horobi's maid."
The Arrival
Silence.
Then—
BOOM!
The massive gates opened.
Everyone turned.
"Young Master!"
Even Judge Malrik trembled.
"Y-Young Master Horobi?!"
Horobi stepped inside.
His gaze landed on Mio.
"Who permitted bringing her here?"
Then softly—
"Mio… I told you to come after a while, didn't I?"
Mio lowered her head.
"Sorry… Horobi…"
Malrik shouted,
"How dare you take Lord Horobi's name?!"
Horobi turned his gaze toward him.
The entire hall froze.
"Has the decision been made?"
The judge stammered.
"S-she attacked Lord Tua! So we decided—"
Horobi interrupted coldly.
"How do you know she attacked? It was a test. If she didn't attack… how would I win?"
"My lord… I don't understand—"
Horobi's voice turned sharp.
"Tua attempted to kill Mio. Step aside. I will handle this."
Horobi faced Tua.
"Tua. You attacked Mio Haizaki."
Tua scoffed.
"She's just a servant—"
"Wrong."
The hall trembled.
"Mio… is my future wife."
Gasps filled the court.
"You tried to kill my life partner."
Tua's face went pale.
"Impossible—"
"Enma Clan law: Assaulting the fiancée of a clan leader equals betrayal of bloodline."
Silence.
"Punishment: Five years of exile. No noble rights. No clan protection."
Guards seized Tua.
"No! You can't—!"
He was dragged away.
As Horobi walked out of the court with Mio, a man stepped forward and bowed his head deeply.
It was Haki.
"Young Master… I apologize on behalf of Tua."
Horobi stopped.
"I know what he did deserves punishment. And your judgment was correct."
There was a pause.
Haki's voice lowered.
"But as a father… I ask for one chance for my son."
Mio silently watched from behind.
Horobi remained calm, his eyes sharp.
"You don't need to apologize, Sensei. This isn't your fault."
Haki lifted his head slightly.
"I promise… this will never happen again."
Horobi stayed silent for a moment… then spoke.
"Fine."
Mio looked at him.
"You may take Tua."
Haki's eyes widened.
"But…"
Horobi's voice turned cold.
"This is his last chance."
"Next time… I won't just punish him."
"I'll erase his existence."
Silence fell.
Haki immediately bowed.
"…Yes, Young Master."
Aftermath
Mio's chains dissolved into golden mana.
Horobi stepped closer.
"Never let anyone chain you again."
"You are not a servant."
Mio smiled softly.
"Thank you… Horobi."
At Home – Celebration
Horobi and Mio returned home.
Irish rushed forward.
"My son has grown. I heard everything you handled your first case perfectly."
Chem spoke seriously.
"You publicly declared Mio as your wife. There's no turning back now."
Horobi nodded.
"Yes, Father. Mio will be my first wife. Liora will be second."
Irish was surprised.
"First wife… Mio?"
Horobi spoke calmly.
"She came into my life first. I won't deny that."
Liora smiled gently.
"I have no problem. I came later… and we're good friends."
Irish nodded.
"Good. Then there's no issue."
She looked at Mio.
"From now on… don't call me 'madam'."
"Call me Mom."
Mio hesitated, then smiled brightly.
"Thank you… Mom."
Irish laughed.
"Dinner is ready! Today, we celebrate!"