~Akilah's pov
By the time I reached Ethics, I had decided that I was thought Kael.
I'd made that decision about six times since waking up.
This time, I intended to keep it.
I sat at my usual place at the pages.
Around me, the room was filling.
Students wandered through the doorway in small groups, some still laughing about breakfast, others complaining about assignments. A few had already claimed their usual seats and were talking loudly enough that I could hear pieces of their conversations.
I tried to focus on my book.
I really did.
But the words kept blurring together.
Ethical responsibility within political leadership…
I read the same paragraph twice.
Then a third time.
Nothing.
I sighed and turned the page.
My mind had been restless since yesterday.
Not because of Kael.
I refused to let myself call it that.
It was everything.
I was part of the vanguard and on top of that I had a ton of schoolwork to catch up on and even though Taylor offered to help with my strength training, I could feel the pressure I was about to be in, especially now that Kael would be leading training.
I pressed my lips together.
No.
Not today.
Today was supposed to be normal.
I would go to class.
Do my work.
Eat lunch.
Finish my assignments.
Then go back to my room and forget Kael existed.
The classroom door opened.
A girl I didn't recognize walked inside.
She had long, dark hair that fell neatly over the shoulders of her knitted sweater, striking green eyes, and a silver student council badge pinned to her chest.
The room gradually quieted as she walked to the front.
"Professor Halvarion won't be teaching Ethics today."
A cheer erupted immediately.
I frowned.
Seriously?
I looked toward the ceiling.
Of all the things that could happen today.
The girl waited for everyone to settle before speaking again.
"But," she continued, "this will not be a free period."
The cheering died instantly.
A collective groan moved through the classroom.
"You'll be joining Ms. Lura's political affairs class in the auditorium."
Someone behind me muttered something that sounded suspiciously like a curse.
I closed my book.
I had actually been looking forward to Professor Halvarion's lesson.
Students began packing their things.
I reluctantly placed my Ethics book into my bag and followed everyone out.
The auditorium was on the opposite side of the academic wing, and by the time we arrived, Ms. Lura was already halfway through a lesson.
She was young for a professor—perhaps in her late twenties—with tightly curled dark hair and a composed expression that made it obvious she wasn't particularly fond of interruptions.
Our student council representative approached her and quietly explained the situation.
Ms. Lura nodded.
The girl left.
Ms. Lura turned toward us.
"Since Professor Halvarion is absent today, we'll be combining classes."
Her students shifted in their seats.
"I expect everyone to behave accordingly."
Her eyes moved toward my class.
"You're joining a junior political affairs class. My students have been studying these principles longer than most of you, so catching on won't be a problem for them and with that expect both classes to respect one another."
She gestured toward the empty seats.
"Find somewhere to sit."
My classmates began moving around.
I looked toward the front. There were still several empty seats. I walked over to one.
If I was going to be stuck in a political affairs class, I might as well hear everything.
I pulled out my notebook.
Ms. Lura turned back toward the board.
"Now, as I was saying, political stability is rarely achieved through strength alone."
The doors opened.
I didn't think anything of it.
Until I heard a familiar voice.
"Sorry."
My pen stopped.
I looked up.
Kael walked inside.
And Seraphina was beside him.
Of course she was.
She had one hand resting lightly against his arm, smiling up at him as though the two of them had just walked into the room together for an entirely different reason.
My stomach tightened.
I immediately looked back at my notebook. I wasn't going to stress myself about why they entered together. She could keep him for all I care.
She could have the cold, arrogant, infuriating prince who thought he could say whatever he wanted and expect everyone else to simply accept it.
I had better things to do.
"Class began a while ago,"
Ms. Lura's voice was flat.
Seraphina straightened.
"My apologies, Ms Lura. I didn't know where my classmates were, and Kael helped me find the auditorium."
"Ohhh really, cause I remember quite well you brought papers to me in this very room or did Kael help you then as well?"
A murmur of chuckles erupted. Which only caused Seraphina to huff.
Ms. Lura stared at them for a moment before turning her attention back to the class.
"Take your seats."
Kael said nothing.
He walked into the room.
I didn't look at him as I passed my row, Seraphina still attached to him.
"Politics," Ms. Lura said, writing the word across the board, "is often misunderstood as the simple competition for power."
She turned toward us.
"It isn't."
"Politics is negotiation. It is compromise. It is the management of conflicting interests between individuals, communities, institutions, and, in the case of international relations, entire nations."
She wrote another word beneath it.
Power.
"Power is useful," she continued. "But power without diplomacy creates resistance. A ruler may force obedience, but obedience is not the same thing as loyalty."
I found myself paying attention.
This was actually interesting.
Ms. Lura walked slowly across the front.
"Let us begin with something simple."
She looked at her junior students.
"What is the most effective way to resolve a conflict between two political parties?"
A girl near the front raised her hand.
"Negotiation."
"Correct."
Another student raised his hand.
"Compromise."
"Also correct."
A third answered.
"Understanding what each party actually wants rather than focusing only on what they're demanding."
Ms. Lura smiled.
"Excellent."
She continued.
"What happens when one side refuses to compromise?"
A student answered immediately.
"Then the stronger party can impose its demands."
Ms. Lura shook her head.
"Can it?"
The student hesitated.
"Technically."
"Technically," she repeated. "But what happens afterward?"
Another student answered.
"Resentment."
"Exactly."
She turned toward the board.
"An agreement achieved through intimidation may hold temporarily. But if one party feels humiliated, threatened, or ignored, the conflict hasn't actually been resolved."
I wrote that down.
For some reason, the words stayed with me.
Maybe because I understood them more than I wanted to.
Ms. Lura continued.
"A successful agreement requires both sides to believe they have gained something."
She turned around.
"Now let's make this more difficult."
Her gaze swept through the room.
"What happens when both sides believe they are right?"
Several hands went up.
She chose a student.
"They need evidence to determine which position is stronger."
"Sometimes."
Another student answered.
"They need to identify what they actually disagree about."
"Better."
She continued around the room.
Then her eyes landed on me.
"You."
I blinked.
"Me?"
"Yes."
The class looked at me.
"What would you do if both sides had legitimate arguments and neither was willing to concede?"
I thought for a moment.
"Separate the argument from the person making it."
Ms. Lura's eyebrows lifted slightly.
"Explain."
"If both sides believe they're being personally attacked, they stop listening to the argument." I continued."So I'd make them focus on the issue instead of trying to prove that the other person is wrong."
Ms. Lura nodded.
"Good."
She smiled faintly.
"And what if one party refuses to listen?"
"Then you change the incentive."
"How?"
"Give them a reason to cooperate."
"Such as?"
I shrugged.
"Something they want."
Ms. Lura looked impressed.
"Very good."
She turned back to the board.
"Political negotiation isn't about making everyone think the same. It is about finding enough common ground for people with opposing positions to move forward together."
I wrote the sentence down.
For a moment, I forgot Kael was in the room.
Then Ms. Lura asked another question.
"What is more dangerous in negotiation: pride or fear?"
Hands rose.
She called on one of her junior students.
"Fear."
"Why?"
"Because fear makes people act irrationally."
"Correct."
Another student added, "Pride can be controlled. Fear can make someone destroy an agreement simply because they don't trust the other side."
Ms. Lura nodded.
Then she looked toward us again.
"Freshman?"
I raised my hand.
She pointed at me.
"Pride."
"Why?"
"Because fear usually tells you what you're afraid of losing. Pride can convince you that losing something is better than admitting you were wrong."
The room went quiet.
Ms. Lura stared at me.
Then she smiled.
"That is a remarkably mature answer."
I shrugged.
"It happens."
Then I heard a quiet voice from behind me.
"Unless pride is protecting something."
I froze.
Kael.
I slowly turned my head.
He was sitting a few rows behind me, one arm resting against his desk.
His eyes met mine.
Ms. Lura looked at him.
"Explain."
Kael didn't look away from me.
"Sometimes someone refuses to compromise because compromising means admitting that they care about the outcome."
My chest tightened.
I frowned.
"That's not pride."
His gaze sharpened.
"It can be."
"No."
The word left my mouth before I could stop it.
Several students looked between us.
Kael leaned back.
"Then what is it?"
"Fear."
He raised an eyebrow.
"You just said pride."
"That was before."
A faint smile touched his mouth.
"Convenient."
I narrowed my eyes.
"Not everything is about winning."
"Isn't it?"
"No."
"Then why argue?"
"Because being right doesn't require winning."
"Sounds like something someone says when they're losing."
A few students laughed, while I just stared at him.
Ms Lura asked another question.
This time, both Kael and I raised our hands.
My eyes lifted instinctively while his gaze never left mine.
"Kael."
He leaned back slightly before answering.
"When two sides refuse to compromise, the solution isn't always to force an agreement. Sometimes you have to understand what each side is afraid of losing first. People protect things they value, even when they pretend they're fighting for something else."
He said while still looking at me.
There it was again.
That unbearable feeling that every conversation between us had two meanings.
I swallowed.
"And sometimes," I said, before I could stop myself, "people already know what they're afraid of. They just refuse to admit it."
Kael's expression barely changed but his eyes did.
Something flickered there—something guarded and sharp.
"Or," he replied calmly, "they admit it and realize there's nothing they can do about it."
My fingers tightened around my pen.
"That doesn't mean they have to walk away."
"Maybe walking away is the only honest choice when you know you're unwanted."
The words landed harder than they should have.
I stared at him.
"Maybe," I said quietly, "some people convince themselves they're unwanted because it's easier than finding out they were wrong."
The room had gone completely silent. Everyone was now watching us as we threw points at each other.
Kael's jaw tightened.
For a moment, neither of us looked away.
Then Ms. Lura cleared her throat.
"Well," she said dryly, "I believe we have just discovered why political negotiations are so difficult."
A few nervous laughs broke the tension.
She walked back toward the board.
"Both of you have made valid points. Unfortunately, neither of you appears particularly interested in compromise."
I looked down at my notebook.
Kael said nothing.
Ms. Lura picked up a marker.
"So perhaps this will be useful."
She wrote across the board:
RESEARCH PROJECT — NEGOTIATING POLITICAL COMPROMISE
"Pairs," she announced. "You will research a historical or fictional political conflict and develop a realistic proposal showing how both sides could reach a mutually beneficial agreement. I want evidence, reasoning, and an explanation of what each side would have to sacrifice."
A collective groan moved through the classroom.
"It is due the next time we meet."
She began calling out names.
I barely listened.
Until—
"Akilah."
My head lifted.
"Kael."
My stomach dropped.
A few students immediately exchanged looks.
I stared at her.
"You're joking."
"No."
"But—"
"You are both intelligent."
She looked at me.
"Very intelligent."
Then at Kael.
"And apparently incapable of leaving the other alone."
My cheeks burned.
Kael looked away.
Ms. Lura shook her head.
"You've both demonstrated strong arguments today," she interrupted. "Now you can demonstrate whether you understand the principle you're so eager to discuss."
Kael leaned back in his chair, completely composed.
I glared at him.
He gave me the smallest, most infuriating lift of his eyebrow.
I hated him.
I hated him so much.
My mouth fell open.
"Professor—"
"No."
"But—"
"No."
"This isn't fair."
"It is extremely fair."
She picked up her papers.
"And perhaps working together will teach you both something about compromise."
The bell rang.
Everyone began moving. I hurriedly grabbed my bag trying to catch up with Ms Lura.
"Professor Lura."
I followed.
"I don't think you understand."
"I understand perfectly."
"We don't work well together."
She smiled.
"That's precisely why I paired you."
Then she walked away.
I stood there.
Speechless.
Behind me, I heard a quiet laugh.
I turned.
Kael.
He looked almost amused.
"This isn't funny," I snarled.
He gave me that infuriatingly calm look.
"See you later, partner."
Then he walked away.
I wanted to throw my notebook at him.
Thankfully, the assignment was take-home.
Which meant I didn't have to see him for the rest of the day.
That was a blessing.
At lunch, I found a quiet bench beneath one of the large trees overlooking the courtyard.
I had my political science notes open across my lap and a small container of carrots beside me.
I munched on one while reading.
I was halfway through a section about diplomatic alliances when someone dropped onto the bench beside me.
"Hey."
I looked up to see Taylor.
"Hey."
He leaned over.
"What are you reading?"
I turned the page.
"Political science."
He pulled a face. "You can't be serious."
I laughed.
"As serious as I'll ever be. I enjoy the class," I said.
"Mkay if you say so, I mean loving a class is one thing but political affairs. You're not even in the class and you're already studying," he stated.
"If anything I would say you're a bookworm."
"I am not a bookworm," I tried defending myself.
"You're sitting alone eating carrots and reading political theory."
"Everyone does it."
"No they don't."
"Well, it still doesn't prove that I am a bookworm."
"Then you would mind me taking the book away from you then," he said trying to snatch the book away from me but I moved it out of the way before he could reach it.
I closed the book now giving my full attention to him "Happy now," I said.
"Yes," he said ruffling my hair.
I swatted his hand away. " You're going to mess my hair up."
He laughed.
Then his hair fell into his face.
I stared at it for a second as he pushed it out of his face.
Without thinking, I reached into my bag.
Taylor looked at me.
"What are you doing?"
"Do you have a hair tie?"
"No."
I found one.
"Lean closer."
His eyebrows lifted.
"Why?"
I gave him a look.
"I'm not going to bite."
He chuckled.
"Okay."
He leaned toward me.
I gently gathered his hair, pulling the strands away from his face.
His hair was softer than I'd expected.
I tied it into a messy bun and patted the top of his head.
"Done."
Taylor blinked.
Then smiled.
"Thanks."
"No problem."
I smiled back.
He cleared his throat.
I looked at him.
"What?"
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"I was going to ask you something."
"Okay."
"Actually…"
He looked nervous.
Taylor.
Nervous.
That surprised me.
"What?"
"I was going to ask if…"
He stopped.
Then tried again.
"If you'd maybe like to go out sometime."
I stared at him.
"Like…"
"Dinner," he said quickly. "Or somewhere else. Whatever you want."
For a second, I couldn't respond.
His expression changed.
"Oh."
He stood.
"Forget it. That was stupid," he said trying to leave.
I waited for a second before grabbing his hand.
"Wait."
He looked down at me.
I smiled.
"No."
His eyes widened slightly.
"I mean…"
I laughed softly.
"Yes."
His face brightened.
"Really?"
"Really."
He smiled.
A genuine, almost boyish smile.
"Then it's a date."
"It's a date."
He hesitated.
Then leaned down and pressed a quick kiss against my cheek.
My breath caught.
He pulled away.
"I'll see you."
Then he walked away.
I touched my cheek.
For a moment, I just sat there.
Taylor was kind.
He was sweet.
He made me feel comfortable.
He didn't make me question myself.
He didn't make me feel like I was something he needed to fight against.
And yet, beneath the warmth in my chest, another thought appeared.
Kael.
A plan formed.
Maybe this was what I needed.
Maybe if Kael wanted to pretend I meant nothing, I could show him exactly how little I needed him.
I felt a small pang of guilt.
Taylor didn't deserve to be used.
I knew that.
But I also knew I needed something.
A way to take back the power I'd given Kael.
I picked up another carrot.
Maybe this was it.
Maybe this was how I won.
By the end of the school day, I was exhausted.
There was no Vanguard training, so I planned to return to my dorm and finish my homework.
I walked through the courtyard with Nadira and Eria.
Nadira was talking about something I'd barely heard when I saw him.
Kael stood near the fountain.
Seraphina was beside him, saying something but he didn't look like he was listening. Instead, his eyes were directly on me.
Nadira noticed home to before looking at me.
"Ignore him."
Kael's gaze was still fixed on me before a smug smirk played on his lips. He turned to Seraphina before he pulled her towards him and kissed her.
It wasn't a long kiss but it did enough to send a message.
I stopped walking.
Both Nadira and Eria froze beside me.
"That bastard." Eria started.
"Don't."
My voice came out too quickly.
"Akilah—"
"I said it's fine."
I forced a smile.
"I should've expected it."
My chest hurt.
But I refused to show it.
"He's a dog, after all."
"And besides, I have a better upgrade anyway," I stated.
"What do you mean by that," Nadira asked confusion written all over her face.
Eria pulled the same face as well.
I looked forward before spotting Taylor near some boys. I walked over to him before patting him on the shoulder. He turned to look at me.
"Akilah—"
Before he could finish his sentence I kissed him on the cheek before giving him a small wink and walking back to Eria and Nadira.
Their mouths hung open at the stunt I just pulled in front of everyone. I could see everyone looking at me and could already tell that this was going to start a rumor but I didn't care; all I cared about was making a statement and judging by the nasty glare Kael was giving me it worked.
"What was that," Eria asked.
"What was what," I asked.
"Don't be okay with dumb with us," Nadira said.
"I honestly don't know what you're talking about," I said, acting confused as I started walking again.
They followed me asking a ton of questions that I didn't answer; I just simply smiled because for once I wasn't the one looking like an idiot.
I was thinking about what I could take back.
My pride.
My confidence.
My control.
I glanced at the setting sun and smiled to myself.
I was about to win this game.