Clash with the Five Idiots(1)

"Why don't you understand?! I'm doing all of this for Your Highness!"

Angelica screamed, her voice trembling with rage and desperation as she glared directly at Julius. Her crimson eyes burned with emotions too overwhelming to contain.

Behind the prince, almost cowering, stood Marie, peeking out timidly from behind his back.

What exactly had happened?

Day by day, Marie and the prince, along with his entourage, became more and more arrogant. Their behavior crossed every line of decency, yet the academy merely stood by and watched in silence.

One day, while Leon was studying in the library with Olivia, they accidentally witnessed something shocking—Marie, locked in a passionate kiss with one of the prince's closest companions. Olivia, blushing furiously, glanced at Leon—more precisely, at his lips—but quickly tried to hide her reaction.

Later, Marie acquired a personal servant—an elf named Kyle. Of course, she hadn't bought him herself. The prince and his entourage had spared no expense to please their beloved. This caused an uproar among the academy's students. The outrage was especially intense from Angelica, yet she was powerless to act. Julius had officially forbidden her from approaching him or Marie within the academy, a command that his companions fully supported.

Then, during a grand banquet, Angelica once again found herself face-to-face with Marie.

The girl wasn't just flirting—she had completely surrounded herself with a crowd of devoted admirers, basking in their attention without a shred of shame. That was the final straw.

Angelica couldn't take it anymore. She stormed toward Marie, the prince, and his entourage, openly confronting them. Her voice rang with fury as she desperately tried to open their eyes to Marie's true nature, but it was useless. Julius and his companions gazed at her with nothing but cold disdain, as if she were speaking nonsense.

"You're a disgrace! A deceitful, vile manipulator!" Angelica shouted, gripping a white glove tightly in her trembling hand.

And then—she threw it.

The glove struck Marie right in the face.

A deafening silence filled the hall.

Angelica's breathing was heavy with rage as she spoke through gritted teeth:

"Pick it up, you shameless seductress who has ensnared His Highness!"

Julius stepped forward, his expression dark with disappointment.

"Angelica, you have truly let me down," he said calmly, standing protectively beside Marie.

Slowly, he bent down, picked up the glove, and placed it gently into Marie's hands.

"Pick it up, Marie. I will be your champion."

His words rang out like a death sentence.

One by one, the prince's friends stepped forward, pledging their allegiance. In the end, every single one of them agreed to fight on Marie's behalf.

Angelica felt the ground collapse beneath her feet. Panic surged through her veins. She turned to her followers, hoping—praying—for their support.

But…

They turned away.

As if they didn't know her at all.

At that moment, Angelica's eyes landed on Leon, filled with desperate hope. Her red irises shimmered with silent pleading, but when she met his gaze, a painful thought struck her:

He won't help me.

Her lips trembled, but she quickly forced herself to look away. This was the fate she had brought upon herself…

"Well, well…" a mocking voice suddenly broke the silence.

It was Greg, one of the prince's close companions. He smirked as he observed the scene unfold.

"Even your own followers abandoned you? How pathetic… Even someone as heartless as me can almost feel sorry for you."

The hall erupted into murmurs. Whispers turned into cruel laughter and jeering.

"So much for her pride…"

"She thought she was better than everyone, and now look at her!"

"Acting all noble, and yet…"

Angelica clenched her fists, her shoulders trembling.

Just moments ago, she had been the academy's darling, the pride of the aristocracy, a model of nobility and grace.

Now—she was nothing but an outcast.

And that was the moment Leon had had enough.

"That's it. I've had enough. No more waiting."

His voice was firm. Unyielding.

He took a step forward.

"Leon!" Olivia reached out, trying to grab his arm, but she was too slow.

He ignored her. His eyes burned with fury. He strode straight toward the prince's group, toward Angelica—who stood among them, barely holding back her tears.

"I despise them with all my heart," he said, his voice quiet yet clear.

Stopping beside Angelica, he reached out and, before she could react, placed his hand gently on her head.

"I will fight for Angelica."

The hall fell silent.

A tense, suffocating silence.