"You made a deal with King Leif? As in the former King of Norway?!" Takuma's eyes widened in surprise.

Ranran nodded confidently. "Yes."

"You are bluffing?" Junko confronts.

"She wasn't, I was with her when it happened," Shinichi admitted.

"What?!" Ran's jaw dropped, "But you guys weren't in Norway!"

"We video chat on Zoom," Shinichi adds.

"Wait, how did you even get his contact?!" Michio frowned in awe.

"Had one of my Edgewood friends hand me their contact, it's that simple," Ranran replied.

The association members exchanged astonished glances. "There is just no way," General Stefan sneered at Ranran and Shinichi.

"Exactly, father isn't the type to entertain children." Even Thomas Lockwood agreed.

"I know, most royalties barely cared, which is why I had the upper hand," Scrolling a photo in her smartphone, she showed them, "Recognize whose signature is this, Mr Thomas?"

Ranran's confidence was unyielding as she held up the photo, a triumphant glint in her eyes. The Lockwood brothers' expressions shifted from disbelief to realization as they took in the signature.

"That's Landon's signature!" Thomas Lockwood exclaimed, his voice tinged with disbelief.

"Oh good, you recognized your son's signature," Ranran beamed while she mockingly revealed, "You see, I knew your son Landon had a horrible reputation for years, a gaslighter at the age of 7 towards so many little girls is one thing, to be a pathetic liar, thief and budding terrorist/royal tyrant is another. Which is why as soon as he rushed over the association, I had a contract prepared like this one to ensure should he try to do anything funny, especially towards the association, since he is a minor....you as his father would need to fork out heavy compensation."

The Crown prince's face contorted with shock and frustration as he realized the depth of the predicament, while General Stefan laughed, "Ah ha ha ha! You really did your son good, Thomas!"

"You too are not in the safe zone, General Stefan," Ranran grins, "Although you are not particularly close to Landon and Thomas, considering you are not married and since Landon is the only legitimate grandchild within the Lockwood family, it wasn't wise of you in an attempt to try and sent out your secret police on the grounds of Edgewood Academy after Landon, because thanks to that foolish attempt of yours, rumours had been gaining track in the U.K. that not only the Lockwood family is in peril, that family members are now killing each other to take over the throne. Oh right!" Ranran had her fist hit her palm, "I heard one of the nobles even flew all the way back to Norway, and the aristocrats in Norway are hearing about how you are not the King's Ex-wife's real son, and that you exploited that image to shoot your way to the throne. They were outraged, to be honest, that you would exploit her image, even though you were not biologically related."

The revelation left General Stefan and Thomas Lockwood stunned, their faces pale with realization. The intricate web of deception they had woven was unravelling before them, and they were powerless to stop it.

"This... This can't be happening," General Stefan muttered, his voice trembling with a mixture of anger and disbelief.

"And 10-year-old Landon isn't safe either," Ranran's grin grew wider by the minute, it looked menacing on her 6-year-old face, "You see, although he may be too young to be charged with smuggling weapons, aiding his father to stage an attempted coup against General Stefan's own coup, kidnapping Emiko twice against her will, and not to mention just recently, holding Ran hostage, his involvement in these activities can't be ignored by Japan Authorities, since the way things were committed were too overt to be ignored."

"....where are you heading with this!?" Thomas grew angrier by the minute.

"It took a lot of coaxing and threats for King Leif to suddenly realize that by the time he finally took notice of our calls, he was horrified over what his family had become, having just recovered from another surgery," Shinichi joined in as he beamed alongside Ranran, "Since he is too old and close to dying, and he is also a mere cowardly royal who had to protect the royal image like most of them do, child protective services will definitely be involved, and the legal system will decide what's best for him."

"In other words, it's King Leif's word of saying: Neither General Stefan, nor Thomas Lockwood, or even Landon Lockwood should ever dream of landing their butts on that golden chair anymore." Ranran ended it with a huff. "And that with immediate effect, now that the press in Norway had got word of what you all had done to endanger 7 children, you have all lost your privileges as royals. Including the secret police."

"You... you little brat!" General Stefan sputtered, his anger giving way to a growing sense of dread.

The Crown Prince's confident smirk had vanished completely, replaced by a look of genuine concern. "You can't possibly think that King Leif will agree to this!"

"Then why don't we show you a live press coverage of all of your denoucement? Shinichi! Show them the video on your smartphone." Ranran ordered.

Shinichi swiftly pulled up a live news broadcast on his smartphone, displaying the ongoing press coverage. The headlines were scrolling across the screen, detailing the events that had unfolded in the clearing. Reporters were speaking fervently, their voices filled with urgency and astonishment.

"This just in: Shocking news from King Leif as he makes his unexpected announcement in front of his estate!"

The association members and the police officers watched with a mixture of satisfaction and relief as the events played out before them. The press coverage was damning, painting a vivid picture of the Lockwood brothers' crimes and their attempts to seize power.

The faces of the Lockwood brothers grew increasingly pale as they realized the depth of their predicament. The weight of their actions had finally caught up with them, and there was no escape.

"Y-you can't do this!" Thomas Lockwood stammered, his voice trembling.

Ranran's expression remained resolute. "Oh, but we already did."

General Stefan's face contorted with fury, but he was powerless to stop the chain of events that had been set in motion. The press coverage was spreading like wildfire, and the court of public opinion was not in their favour. "You... you little brat!" General Stefan sputtered, his anger giving way to a growing sense of dread.

"You see, most royals I know of are constantly in survival mode. There have been accumulating decades of hatred from the people of Norway, eager to find a good valid excuse to remove those leeches who leached on their hard-earned money they pay through tax. Which is why King Leif should've listened to us before the press got word about everything. But now things had come to this, he had no choice but to discard 3 generations of the Lockwood family. Isn't that funny?" Ranran cheekily pointed out, "He had to save himself by sacrificing all three of you."

"You insolent brat!" General Stefan is about to strangle her, but the police were swift to intervene, apprehending General Stefan before he could make a move.

"You are a she-demon!" Thomas barked at the unfazed little girl, "Do you not know the consequences of playing politics, girl!?"

"Oh, I'm well aware. And that's precisely why we're doing this. To deal with a royal, one must be brought down to the same levels as a normal person to be dealt with." Ranran mocked.

"It's poetic justice, isn't it?" Shinichi chimed in, a sardonic smile playing on his lips. "The very system that was meant to protect you has now turned against all of you."

"Not to mention, have a good time paying taxes." Takuma's voice is tinged with sarcasm. "I am 6 and I ain't sure how it works, but I am certain adults like you would learn soon."

"They would eventually," Ran joined them, with her arms crossed, "I was six too when my mother left us, so I learn easily, they should have no problems."

"True, I do taxes for my mother whenever she goes out with her boyfriends," Emiko chuckled.

"Same here," Michio nodded.

"Hopefully, you will all enjoy prison life." Junko snickered.

As the chaos of the clearing settled, the Lockwood brothers were led away in handcuffs, their grand plans of power and privilege reduced to mere ashes. The clearing was filled with a strange mix of triumph and tension, the atmosphere charged with the weight of the Lockwood brothers' impending downfall. The association members stood tall, united in their victory, while the police officers maintained a watchful eye on the disgraced royals.

"By the way, Ranran," The founder's head turned to Emiko as the artist said, "Now that Landon and the others are arrested, you promised us and say we can do whatever we want with Landon. How are you going to pull that off?"

Ranran's expression turned thoughtful as she considered Emiko's question. "That would be a trip down the hospital for us."

"Nice!" Takuma grinned mischievously, "What are we going to do when Landon wakes up?"

"Plentiful," Ranran began, her voice brimming with mischief, "We are going to make sure he remembers who put him in this position in the first place."

"I look forward to this." Shinichi's eyes sparkled with anticipation.

.............................................................................................

When Landon woke up from a recent nightmare, he was thankful that it was nothing but a dream.

Feeling sluggish and all, the nightmare felt real for the 10-year-old grand Prince of Norway. He dreamt that General Stefan, his half-no, his real uncle had sent men to kill him at Edgewood Academy, after his father tipped him a month ago that General Stefan is a threat to their status as royals upon discovering evidence of General Stefan's heritage.

He also had a dream that he flew all the way to Japan, manipulated some people along the way and did things that would eventually lead him to get shot. What an unusual dream for the 10-year-old boy.

Thinking that he was still in his bedroom, that assumption shattered as the moment he tried to sit up, he found his restraints binding him to the bed.

"Oh God! What is this!?" Landon's voice quivered.

As soon as Landon grew alert, his eyes darted around the unfamiliar surroundings. Panic set in as he realized he was in a hospital patient room. As the hospital room was dark, Landon at first had a sigh of relief that he was alone, not captured by General Stefan and his men.

He then tried to recall how he ended up here.

Landon's mind raced, trying to piece together the events leading up to his current situation. Flashes of the clearing, the confrontation with Ranran, and the sudden shots echoed in his memory. His heart pounded, and he could feel a dull pain in his shoulder and thigh where the bullets had struck him.

He struggled to sit up, wincing at the pain, and his eyes fell on the unfamiliar surroundings. The room was dimly lit, with the curtains drawn, casting long shadows on the walls. The beeping of a heart monitor provided a steady rhythm to the otherwise quiet room.

The sight of the hospital room filled him with a mixture of confusion and dread. He had so many questions, but the answers seemed to elude him. How had he ended up here? Who had brought him to the hospital? And most importantly, what had become of General Stefan and his father?

A wave of anxiety washed over him, and he reached for the call button beside the bed, his fingers trembling. He pressed it urgently, hoping a nurse would come and provide him with some much-needed answers.

Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing a nurse in a white uniform. She had a kind smile on her face as she entered the room. "Good morning, Landon. How are you feeling?"

Landon's voice trembled as he spoke, "I... I'm not sure. Can you tell me what happened?"

The nurse's expression turned sympathetic. "You were brought in with gunshot wounds. You're lucky they weren't more serious. You've been through quite an ordeal."

Landon's eyes widened in shock. Gunshot wounds? The memories of the clearing came flooding back, and he remembered the shots fired by Ranran. It was all a blur, but he could recall the pain and the desperate struggle to escape.

"What about... my father?" Landon's voice faltered.

The nurse's expression grew sombre. "I'm afraid I don't have that information, Thomas. You were brought in alone. If you have any questions, I can try to find out more for you."

Landon's mind raced, a whirlwind of worry and fear. He needed to know what had become of his father and General Stefan. Were they captured? Were they still a threat?

"By the way, Landon, you have visitors coming here to pay a visit." The nurse informed him.

Landon's heart raced at the mention of visitors. He couldn't help but wonder who would come to see him in this unfamiliar place. His mind raced through possibilities, but he couldn't land on any clear answers.

"Visitors?" He stammered, his voice filled with uncertainty.

The nurse nodded. "Yes, they'll be here soon. All 7 of them."

"Wait, 7!?" He blinked profusely.

"Yes, that's right. They should be arriving shortly," the nurse confirmed, offering Landon a reassuring smile.

As the minutes ticked by, Landon's anxiety continued to build. He couldn't fathom who would be visiting him, especially in a foreign hospital with 7 of them on their way. His mind raced with questions and scenarios, each one more bewildering than the last.

Finally, the door creaked open once again, and Landon's heart raced as he saw the group of 7 figures entering the room. His eyes widened in astonishment and trepidation as he recognized the faces of Ranran, Shinichi, Emiko, Takuma, Junko, Michio, and Ran.

"Hello, Landon!" Ranran's voice rang out, her tone a mix of mischief and triumph. "Did you miss us?"

To his horror, the faces of those angry children surrounded his bed.

Landon's heart raced, his eyes darting from one determined face to another. He was trapped, outnumbered, and at the mercy of these children who seemed to hold all the cards.

Or rather, all of them were each armed with paintball guns.

"What... What are you all doing here?" Landon stammered, his voice quivering.

Ranran's grin grew wider, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "We're here to have a little chat, Landon. Regarding the consequences of your actions."

"Consequences!?" Landon was shocked by the way she spoke as he angrily confronted her, "How dare you say that to the Grand Prince of Norway!? Especially after shooting me!?"

"Shooting you was an act of self-defence," Shinichi replied coolly, his tone unwavering. "Considering the things you did, it only seems fair for Ranran to do so, don't you think?"

"You held me hostage, with a gun towards me!" Ran snapped, before accusingly pointing her finger at Landon, "I don't know about you, but I am going to make sure you live to regret it!"

"How dare you threaten the Prince of Norway!?" Landon's voice trembled, his anger masking his underlying fear.

"The former, Landon Lockwood," Emiko stepped forward, her gaze piercing. "Your grandfather, King Leif, had forfeited your rights to the throne. As well as General Stefan and your father."

"In other words, you are now an ordinary boy just like the rest of us!" Takuma snickered.

"Technically, this doesn't include Ranran who is born to a family of nobles." Michio adds in amusement.

Landon's eyes widened in disbelief. This couldn't be happening. He was the Grand Prince of Norway, a member of the royal family, and now they were telling him he had lost everything?

"No... This is... grandfather wouldn't do something like this towards me...!" Landon's voice wavered, his mind struggling to process the gravity of the situation. "I am his only grandson! Without me, the monarchy system ends!"

"Oh, but we can," Junko chimed in, her tone unyielding. "You see, Landon, after that shoot out days ago-"

"Wait, days ago!?" Landon gasped in shock, "Didn't it happen today!?"

"Oh, dear Landon, you've been out for quite a while. Time really flies when you're unconscious, doesn't it?" Takuma's smirk turned into a full-fledged grin.

"Anyway, while your grandfather King Leif was busy seeing your grandmother as he was busy cheating on his ex-wife back then, it turns out your grandmother wasn't the only woman he was allegedly being 'faithful' to. No, if anything, he had other mistresses besides your grandmother." Ranran brings up, "And amusingly, he had one more qualified illegitimate son who had kids of his own, and has no genetic defects unlike you should you marry someone."

"Therefore, automatically speaking: It only made sense that the other family get to becoming Crown Prince, then Grand Prince, don't you think?" Shinichi adds.

Landon's mind reeled, trying to process the bombshells that were being dropped one after another. It was a whirlwind of revelations, and he struggled to find solid ground amidst the chaos.

"You... You're lying!" Landon's voice cracked, a mixture of denial and desperation lacing his words. "This can't be true!"

"Unfortunately, it is." Shinichi sneered, "Caused while we were busy digging about your case, we happened to stumble upon this information by accident. Originally we were not going to bring this up since we didn't want to stress you given your situation with General Stefan, and slowly but surely....after learning everything, it only made sense for us to ship this info to a shocked King Leif, don't you think?"

"You monsters!" This made Landon very angry while confronting the other children, "How dare you all play politics like this!? Don't you have no shame!? You are all playing Kingmaker or Queenmaker!"

"Shame?" Emiko's voice turned icy, her eyes narrowing at Landon. "You held a 6-year-old girl hostage, threatened and manipulated people including the teacher who treasured you like his own son, and even kidnapped me, all in the pursuit of power. And now you want to talk about shame?"

"You're not in a position to lecture us, Landon," Junko added, her tone sharp. "You brought this upon yourself."

Landon's mind was a whirlwind of emotions, each revelation hitting him like a tidal wave. It was as if the ground beneath him had crumbled, leaving him in a free fall of disbelief and despair.

"But... But that can't be true..." Landon's voice trembled, his eyes wide with shock. "My grandfather... he wouldn't do that to his only grandson... he wouldn't..."

"Oh, but he did," Ranran's voice was steady, her gaze unyielding. "Truthfully, the reason why King Leif even agreed to take that family was all thanks to your conniving homewrecker grandmother."

"Eh?!"

"You see, before dating your grandmother as well as marrying his first wife, King Leif had a first love he cherished wholeheartedly," Ranran continued, her tone unforgiving, "And what we dug up was...the marriage couldn't take place because she came from a family of narcissists and opportunists, which is why they dated secretly. However, your grandmother, as it turns out, was quite the force to be reckoned with."

"You are bluffing! My deceased grandmother loved my grandfather so much so, she wouldn't be as evil as to ruin one's relationship!" Landon's voice wavered, his world unravelling before him.

"Oh, what a saint of a homewrecker she is," Junko interjected, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Did it not occur to you that once a cheater is always one? The real reason your grandfather married his first ex-wife was because she looked exactly like his first love at that time, that is if you had bothered to dig out all of this. And this would prove to be the first ex-wife's downfall because all your grandmother needed to do was to manipulate and scheme her way into securing her marriage to your grandfather, is by destroying and provoking the first ex-wife's character so that it breaks his illusion that she isn't his first love."

"And if he refuses to divorce her, your grandmother even went as far as to blackmail your grandfather by threatening to oust that first love of his out to the press, since she knew that the first love's family were narcissists and opportunists, which would've been enough to ruin his first love's life, including their love child's family that the press has yet to know she secretly has with King Leif," Ran adds.

Landon's world was spinning. The revelations kept coming, each one more devastating than the last. It was as if the foundations of his reality were crumbling, leaving him in a state of shock and disbelief.

"This... This can't be true...my grandmother is a loving woman! Sure, she ruins a marriage, but she genuinely loves grandfather!" Landon's voice was barely above a whisper, his eyes wide with horror.

"Oh, it's very true alright," Shinichi's voice was cold, his eyes fixed on him. "If I were to be honest, you should've seen this coming the moment you decided to deceive everyone in the association, especially Ranran of all the kids you choose to trick."

"Even so, you took it too far as to strip all of my privileges from me!" Landon wailed.

"Privileges?" Shinichi's voice held a hint of incredulity. "You orchestrated a series of crimes through endangering the rest of us. What privileges are you even talking about?"

Landon's mind was a maelstrom of emotions, swirling with regret, disbelief, and a growing sense of despair. He had believed he could outsmart them all, that he could secure his place on the throne without paying the price for his deceit.

"This is... this is too much," Landon's voice quivered, his eyes welling with tears. "You are all bullying me!"

"No, the one that had bullied you from the start was none other than yourself, Landon Lockwood," Ranran's voice cut through the room, her gaze steady. "It's one thing if you are willing to do everything within your power to maintain your privileges, but it's another if you were going to resort to committing all sorts of crime in one's backyard."

"You had every opportunity to choose a different path," Michio added, his tone even. "But you chose to take advantage of trust, and now you're reaping what you sowed."

Landon's chest heaved with emotion, his world crumbling around him. He had never imagined it would come to this. The truth was an unbearable weight on his shoulders, and he felt the weight of his own actions press down on him.

"But let me tell you a bit of good news," Ranran smirked deviously, "When King Leif stripped you of all of your privileges, rendering you a normal boy like everyone else, he can't bear the thought of you ending up by child protective services. You are after all his grandson regardless. And that since you are 10 years old, people still think your father is the one who manipulated you into doing this. Therefore, the good news is you will still end up going back to Norway regardless of your crimes."

"Seriously!?" Emiko and the others were disappointed, "That means he won't go to jail!"

"Let her finish, this is getting good." Shinichi urged them to listen.

Ranran's smirk widened as she revelled in the shock and disappointment that rippled through the room. She held their attention, relishing in the moment.

"However," Ranran continued, her tone dripping with sweet vindication, "On one condition, Shinichi, take out the contract King Leif's aid had sent us a few days ago."

Shinichi swiftly pulled out the contract from his bag and handed it to Ranran, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. The others leaned in, their curiosity piqued.

Ranran held up the contract, her small hands steady despite the weight of its implications. She cleared her throat and began to read aloud, her voice firm and unwavering.

"In the event of Landon Lockwood being stripped of his royal privileges and titles, he shall be placed under the care and supervision of an independent party who will be responsible for his rehabilitation and reintegration into society. This party shall have the authority to determine the duration and nature of Landon Lockwood's rehabilitation, and shall submit regular progress reports to the relevant authorities..."

As Ranran continued to read, the room grew increasingly tense. The implications of the contract were clear: Landon would not escape the consequences of his actions, even if he avoided jail time.

"...at which point, a review shall be conducted to determine whether Landon Lockwood is fit for reintegration into society or if further rehabilitation is required," Ranran concluded, her voice resolute, "This will include all the way when you are sent back to Edgewood Academy back in the U.K. Not as a royal anymore, but a nobody."

The weight of the contract hung heavy in the air, its implications sinking in for everyone in the room. Landon's face grew pale as he listened to the terms outlined by Ranran. It was a stark reminder that he would not escape the consequences of his actions.

"Why is Landon looking as though he is walking towards the guillotine?" Takuma had his hand on Shinichi's shoulder to question the apprentice.

"This is something I learned from Ranran, but...." The rest of the children leaned closer to Shinichi as he whispered to the others, "Considering Edgewood Academy is a school filled with children of aristocrats, anyone who loses those privileges due to their criminal-like actions will be bullied in the worst way possible."

"Wait, seriously!?" Ran and their jaws dropped.

Shinichi nodded solemnly. "Yes, the social dynamics at a school like Edgewood can be brutal, especially for someone who was once considered royalty. And given that his two ex-fiances, as well as his enemies, studied under the same school there....."

The gravity of the situation settled over the room like a heavy shroud. Landon's face contorted with a mixture of disbelief, fear, and resignation. He had lost everything—his title, his privileges, and now he faced the grim reality of what awaited him at Edgewood Academy.

"Let me get this straight," Emiko's voice was laced with disbelief, "You mean to tell me that he'll have to face the same kids he wronged and manipulated? And they're not going to be too kind to him, I gather."

"Oh man...that sounds like a fate way worse than death." Takuma whistled in amusement.

"It is," Shinichi admits. "In addition to that, he is no longer the Grand Prince of Norway, let alone a puppeteer who could simply pull the strings. Which means those kids who come from similar backgrounds as you and I, who he wronged during his time in Edgewood Academy will also be less forgiving. He'll be on his own, without the protection of his title."

Ranran's gaze remained fixed on Landon, her expression unreadable. She held the contract in her hands, a symbol of the power that had shifted from one set of hands to another.

The weight of the contract hung heavy in the air before Landon, its implications sinking in for everyone in the room. Landon's face grew pale as he listened to the terms outlined by Ranran. It was a stark reminder that he would not escape the consequences of his actions. As the reality of his situation sank in, Landon's mind raced. He was no longer the Grand Prince of Norway, no longer the privileged boy who could manipulate his way to power. He was just a child, facing the consequences of his own choices.

It was a cruel twist of fate, to be stripped of his privileges and yet still be forced to return to a life he no longer recognized. But to Ranran, this was the best punishment that would befit someone like Landon.

"You think this is a victory?" Landon's voice trembled with a mixture of anger and despair. "You may have taken everything from me, but I won't forget this. I'll find a way to reclaim what's rightfully mine, and when this is over, the first thing I am going to do is plan my revenge against you! Starting with me telling everyone about your secret, Kudo Ranran!"

"Go ahead," Ranran speaks coldly.

"Eh!?"

"The day you do speak out, your allowance King Leif would be giving you monthly will be charged straight into my account to sue you under slander." Ranran cheekily replied, "This doesn't count the compensation you owed us for all of the ruckus you had caused just by coming here."

Landon's face contorted with frustration. He was backed into a corner, with no viable options left. The tables had turned completely, and he was now at the mercy of the very children he had underestimated.

"You think you can keep me down forever?" Landon seethed, his voice strained.

"I can, and I will till the day I die." Ranran wasn't intimidated by the former prince's threats as he trembled at her hardened gaze, "And going through that sort of life is merely the tip of the iceberg, as there is more waiting for you when you return to Norway."

Landon's fists clenched, his face a mask of frustration and defeat. He had no choice but to accept the harsh truth before him. He had fallen from grace, and there was no easy way back.

"But before we ship you back, guys," Ranran turned to the six other members, "Remember when I promised you that you could do whatever you wanted with him? Now is your chance."

To Landon's surprise, each of them brought paintball guns with them.

"Consider this payback for all the trouble you caused," Takuma grinned mischievously, holding a paintball gun with a determined glint in his eyes.

"Oh, this is going to be fun," Michio added, a wicked smile on his face as he inspected his own paintball gun.

"I have been looking forward to this day when Ranran said she will let us do whatever we want," Ran grinned menacingly.

Landon's eyes widened in realization. He was about to become the target of their collective frustration and anger, quite literally. "You can't be serious!" Landon protested, his voice tinged with panic, "This is a hospital and it's illegal!"

"Oh, don't worry," Emiko said with a devilish grin. "We've already made sure everything's been cleared with the hospital staff. They're well aware of our intentions."

"That's right," Shinichi chimed in, his own paintball gun at the ready. "Consider this a form of therapy for us, after all the stress you've caused."

"And don't worry," Junko added, "we'll make sure not to hit any vital spots the way Ranran did with you. Just a bit of colourful retribution, if you will."

"Plus, King Leif gave us the green light to do so. If you choose not to, you can. But that would mean King Leif no longer wants to seek custody from you, which means living on the streets in the middle of the foreign country, Landon." Shinichi said.

Landon's heart sank. He was cornered, with no way out. The paintball guns in their hands were a stark reminder of his powerlessness. He could either endure the barrage of paint or face a future that held no promise.

With a defeated sigh, Landon slumped back in his hospital bed. "Fine," he muttered, resignation heavy in his voice. "Do what you want."

Ranran propped the gun before announcing to the group, "So guys, get ready."

As the children prepared to unleash their paintball fury, Landon's heart raced. He was about to face a barrage of paintballs, a fitting end to his dramatic downfall.

"Wait!" Landon's voice rose in desperation, "You don't have to do this! Please, I beg you, have mercy!"

"I am done with his yapping, guys, get ready!" With a nod from Ranran, the others took their positions, surrounding Landon with their paintball guns at the ready.

"Any last words, former prince?" Junko taunted, a smirk playing on her lips.

Landon's mind raced, searching for a way out, but there was none to be found. He was cornered, both metaphorically and literally.

"Just remember, Landon," Ranran's voice held a note of finality, "this is just the beginning of what awaits you. You reap what you sow."

And with that, the first shot was fired.

The room erupted into chaos as paintballs flew through the air, splattering against the walls and the bed. Landon tried to dodge and shield himself, but there was no escape. He was at the mercy of their barrage, a helpless target in the face of their retribution.

.............................................................................................

After everything had ended, the room seemed to blur with colour, a chaotic dance of revenge and retribution.

When the onslaught finally ceased, Landon's once-pristine hospital room had transformed into a canvas of vibrant colours. His clothes were splattered with paint, and he looked as defeated as he felt.

"Well, that was cathartic," Junko said, her expression one of satisfaction.

"You have no idea how good that felt," Emiko added, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Landon's once-pristine hospital room had transformed into a chaotic display of colour. He was covered in paint, a vivid representation of his fall from grace.

"As much as I'd love to stay and chat, you, your father and General Stefan have a flight to catch later this evening, as you are all shipped back home." Ranran declared, her tone brisk.

"My father, The General and I!?" Blinking rapidly, Landon found himself saying, "We are heading home!?"

"Of course, those two will be serving their time in prison." Shinichi casually speaks, "But on the same flight."

The realization hit Landon like a ton of bricks. "No way! It's fine if it was with my father, but not General Stefan!"

The association members exchanged glances, a hint of amusement in their eyes.

"Well, it seems someone's grown fond of dear old General Stefan," Emiko remarked with a sly grin.

Landon's pleas fell on deaf ears. The decision had been made, and he was to return home with his father and General Stefan, each of them to face their own form of justice.

"But of course," Ranran chuckled darkly before stating, "One can't simply go home without throwing a farewell party."

As Ranran mentioned the farewell party, a sinister glint danced in her eyes. The association members exchanged knowing looks, fully aware of what she had in mind.

"Indeed," Shinichi chimed in, his voice filled with anticipation. "A farewell party for our dear guests. I believe it's only fitting."

Landon's heart sank further. He had a sinking feeling that this farewell party was not going to be a pleasant affair. He couldn't shake off the sense of impending doom that settled over him.

"Prepare yourself, Landon Lockwood," Ranran's voice held a note of finality. "This party will be a send-off you won't soon forget."

With that ominous promise, the association members made their way out of the hospital room, leaving Landon alone amidst the aftermath of their paintball onslaught. As Ranran was the last girl, Landon angrily shouted, "What did I do to you, Kudo Ranran!?"

This made the little girl stop as she shifted her contempt gaze before meeting his glare. "What are you talking about?"

"I know of the rumours of you back in Edgewood Academy, you wouldn't pull such extremes on someone unless one did something beyond unforgivable! So what did I do to deserve this!?"

Ranran's expression grew serious, and she regarded Landon with an intensity that took him aback. "That Pandora book you put it as collateral when you signed the contract with us to take in your case back then...you never had the intention of giving it to me, am I wrong?"

Landon's face contorted with surprise and realization. 

"I..." Landon's voice wavered, caught off guard by the directness of Ranran's accusation.

"And you knew about it, right....? When Christopher was about to be murdered?"

The colour drained out of the former prince as she continued.

"Truthfully, I can't blame you. After all, that book will become the downfall of those other noble and royal families alike should it fall into my hands. Also, a lot would be at stake, including your life if you were to warn Christopher about my kidnapping incident at that time," Ranran's gaze remained fixed on him, unwavering. "But I don't like it when one laughs it off as if his existence was the most pathetic thing in the world, even though you didn't participate in his murder."

Landon's surprise gave way to unease as Ranran's words hung in the air.

"I didn't... I didn't laugh at his death," Landon stammered, his voice defensive. "I didn't even know a thing."

"No, you didn't," Ranran's gaze remained piercing, her expression unreadable.  "But...was it funny when you all laughed at Christopher for being praised that he was much more royally mannered than the rest of you? Even though he comes from a family of Marquesses and is arranged to be engaged to a royal princess? In the name of jealousy?"

The truth of her words hit him like a wave, and he was left speechless.

"I..." Landon's voice trailed off, his mind racing to process the weight of Ranran's accusation. He remembered that moment, the laughter that had echoed through the room as Christopher was praised. He had joined in, swept up in the collective mockery.

Ranran's gaze never wavered, and Landon felt an uncomfortable truth settle over him. He had been part of the cruelty, even if he hadn't initiated it.

"Listen carefully, Landon Lockwood," Ranran's voice was steady, her eyes locked onto his, "You are not wrong, it's funny that he of lower rank would be arranged to be engaged to a princess of high rank, and that he would eventually be mocked for being a 'Royal Freeloader', since he would gain the title of a Duke should the marriage take place years later. However....the one mistake all of you have made was that he works hard and duties a lot more than one would admit, compared to the rest of the likes of you, which makes him a way more qualified King than the rest of you, should he have the chance to live another day."

The weight of Ranran's words settled heavily on Landon's shoulders.

"But since your so-called friends robbed him out of everything and heartlessly killed him before my very eyes, it only seems fair that all of you, including you Landon....shall pay the price by living a fate way worse than death. And that will be one of his mottos.....I will choose to bestow upon the likes of you! Even up to the day I die!"

Landon was left speechless, the weight of Ranran's words sinking deep into his conscience. He couldn't find a way to respond, couldn't muster a defence for the actions he had taken.

"Good-bye Landon. When you get sent back to Edgewood...let's see if this ever humbles you. Though I doubt it ever will."

Ranran's gaze remained unwavering, her words hanging heavy in the air. The truth was undeniable, and Landon was forced to confront the reality of his own cruelty.

As Ranran turned to leave, her final declaration echoed in his ears. The gravity of the punishment that awaited him settled in, a fate worse than death. He was left alone in the paint-splattered room, a vivid reminder of the consequences of his action

.......................................................................................

As Landon Lockwood was heading towards the airport, he had a dose of reality over what they meant when they said this 'farewell party' awaited him.

The ride to the airport was filled with a tense silence, broken only by the occasional murmur of the association members. Landon sat in the backseat, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts and shock when multiple SUVs and cars showed up behind him, with flickering lights which could only mean one thing to Landon: The Press.

As a royal Prince of Norway, growing up in the spotlight has been a norm for him. He remembered the time when his mother was alive, his earliest memory when he was 3 was attending a grand event, flashing cameras, and the murmurs of reporters. The presence of the press was a familiar, albeit intrusive, aspect of his life. However back then, as he was considered a minor, his face was blurred to protect his identity.

However, this time was different. This time, he was not the grand prince, but a boy stripped of his title and privileges, facing the consequences of his actions.

As the cars and SUVs drew nearer, the flashing lights illuminated the interior of the vehicle. The once-familiar buzz of the press had taken on a more aggressive edge, the photographers eager to capture the moment.

Landon's heart raced, a mixture of anxiety and resignation coursing through him. He knew he couldn't escape this, couldn't hide from the prying eyes of the world. He was about to face the scrutiny of the press, this time as a fallen royal.

The world beyond the confines of the association and the hospital was waiting, ready to dissect and judge his every move. The weight of his actions settled heavily on his shoulders. Eventhough he is 10-year-old, the gravity of the situation made him feel much older.