18 Punishmen (2/2)

”By that, you mean-”

”Keep it to yourself if you don't want harm to befall you. That woman has eyes and ears everywhere,” the man advised the woman, nodding her head, aware of the person he was hinting towards as she watched him leave the room.

Sighing to herself, she took a seat in her chair and thought back to those adorable children from earlier. ”I wonder what their reaction would be if they knew the person they just confronted was none other than the Headmaster of this academy?”

To the unawareness of Maria, it didn't take long for rumors of her shamelessly attacking another student to spread all around the elementary division. This caused others to form twisted and mean things about her as the rumor grew farther and farther away from the actual truth.

When a certain crimson haired young heir caught wind of this particular rumor, a bitter feeling rose in him, resisting the urge to shut the mouth of all those who were saying such cruel and mean things about Maria.

”So, do you believe the rumors about sweet Maria-chan? By this time tomorrow, everyone will have a bad impression of her. Poor girl.” Walking beside Richard was Akihito, overhearing the words students in the hall were saying about Maria.

”How cruel~! I can't believe such a girl would shamelessly attack her own classmate,” whispered a girl.

”That girl's got to be some kind of extra stupid to attack another student during a training exercise!” joked a boy this time.

”I have to inform my little sister to stay away from this girl. Who knows when she might attack another student,” fearfully said another girl. Richard paused his walking, causing Akihito to stare at him confusedly.

The young Scarlet heir couldn't help but recall the night Maria tackled an assassin and risk her own life for his mother's. Maria probably wasn't one who thought much with her brain but her heart was in the right place.

Even after she was attacked, blood trailing down her short, fragile arm, poison seeping into her veins, this small little girl merely reached out her hand and said to his mother, 'Y-You're a-alive... I managed to do it... I managed... to stop a tragedy. I'm... so happy!' Her actions were without a doubt reckless, having no regard for own life, yet the only thing that was on her mind was the safety of another.

So just how could such a selfless and kind-hearted girl become a cruel ojou-sama who shamelessly attacked her classmate for no reason? Unless something about the story was left out, something like the truth. ”Oi, Ri-kun, you okay? I might not have known Maria-chan for long, but even I don't believe such ridiculous rumors,” said Akihito.

Richard looked out towards his left and spotted a rose bush nearby and said, ”Such a girl... could never do the things those rumors are saying. I can feel it in my gut.”

Over at the fourth-year hall, a certain older brother was being restrained by Isis, almost punching another boy in the face when he overheard him call his little sister uncalled for names. Luckily Isis caught and dragged him inside an empty class that was mostly used for artwork.

”You must calm yourself. Your actions almost made things worse for Maria.”

”But the things people are saying about her... How can I not get upset!? Someone has set up my sister and is ruining her reputation. Maria may have a temper but not even she would shamelessly attack another student for no reason!” Michael was livid and deeply worried about his little sister.

”I understand but lashing out will not help. The thing she needs now is your undying support. So keep it together, not for your sake, but for your sister's.” Isis placed her hand on his shoulder as he dejectedly nodded his head.

'Seems like my vision is about to come true. Hang in there, Maria.'