I stood in front of Room 318 for a full thirty seconds, psyching myself up like I was about to walk into battle rather than a dorm room. Jerry had gone suspiciously quiet on my shoulder, which was never a good sign. Even his tail had stopped twitching.
"Alright," I muttered. "Just walk in. Act normal. Don't be weird."
Jerry whispered, "You are always weird."
"Not helping."
I pushed the door open.
The room was warm, softly lit by enchanted lanterns floating near the ceiling. Two beds sat opposite each other—one neatly made with military precision, the other clearly untouched. A large bookshelf stood against the far wall, filled mostly with thick texts, and a vase of fresh lilies stood on the windowsill, their petals glowing faintly in the evening light.
And standing beside the made bed, sliding a stack of folded uniforms into a drawer, was her.
Princess Seraphina Valefleur.
She turned when she heard the door, long chestnut hair swaying with the movement. Her hazel eyes landed on me—soft, polite, unreadable—and her expression shifted into something I could only describe as pleasantly formal.
"Oh," she said, voice smooth but reserved. "You must be my new dormmate."
I swallowed, straightened my back, tried not to look like a dying raccoon. "Yes. Mavis Van Buqeat." I bowed stiffly. "A pleasure."
Jerry whispered in my head, "Why are you bowing like that? You look like your spine is breaking—"
I mentally elbowed him.
Seraphina blinked slowly—almost amused—and set the uniform aside.
"I wasn't informed that I'd be sharing my quarters," she admitted. "But I suppose it was bound to happen. The academy is… growing."
I nodded, trying to appear composed. "I hope sharing with me won't be an inconvenience."
"Not at all." She motioned to the room. "I don't mind company."
Her posture was immaculate, every movement practiced and elegant. And yet, there was a softness to her voice—gentle, almost soothing—that made me relax despite myself.
Until she spoke again.
"Before anything else," she said, folding her hands neatly, "I'd like to address what happened during the exam."
My soul left my body.
"Oh—uh—that?" I waved a hand. "That was nothing."
"It was not nothing." She stepped closer, expression apologetic in that polite, princely way. "Cassian should not have acted so recklessly. I realize he did not intend to injure you so severely, but nonetheless…" She lowered her head slightly. "I apologize on his behalf."
I froze.
Princess Seraphina Valefleur—heir to the Kingdom of Fides—was apologizing to me.
Jerry muttered, "This is ridiculous. The swine should apologize himself."
I cleared my throat. "You don't need to apologize. Really. He said it was an accident—"
"That does not excuse it." Her eyes held mine for a moment, steady and warm. "And while Cassian can be… impulsive, he is not malicious. I hope you were not too shaken."
Was I shaken?
Yes.
Did I want to admit that?
Absolutely not.
"I'm fine," I said. "I'm sturdier than I look."
A tiny smile tugged at her mouth. "So I've heard."
I stiffened. "Heard? From who?"
"Alya. She mentioned you… have a tendency to survive very odd situations."
I shot a mental dagger at Jerry, who promptly pretended to nap.
Seraphina returned to organizing her dresser with smooth, practiced motions. "If you need anything," she added casually, "you may ask. I understand the first week can be overwhelming, especially after… everything."
Her voice softened on the last word.
I looked away, suddenly unsure what to do with my hands. Or my face. Or my entire existence.
"…Thank you," I murmured.
She hummed in acknowledgment.
An awkward silence settled.
I drifted to my side of the room, setting my bag on the empty desk. Jerry slithered down my arm and onto the wood, inspecting my belongings like a judgmental snake god.
Seraphina glanced over her shoulder. "Your summon is… quite unique."
Jerry lifted his head proudly. "As he should be," I muttered under my breath.
Her lips curved—not into a smile, not quite, but something close. "I look forward to seeing him in training."
Jerry froze. "…Training?"
I quickly shot him a look. Behave.
He hissed back. Never.
Seraphina shut her drawer and dusted her hands lightly. "I'll be in my evening class soon, so you're welcome to settle in. If you have questions about the academy, I'll answer what I can."
She spoke politely, warmly even, but with a faint layer of distance—as though she were used to holding people at arm's length, even when she didn't mean to.
I nodded. "I—yeah. I appreciate it."
She moved toward the door, but paused with her hand on the handle.
"Mavis," she said softly.
I looked up.
"I hope your first few days weren't too miserable. I know the exams can be… harsh."
I stared at her, taken aback by the sincerity in her voice.
Then—just as quickly—her mask returned, smooth and composed. "We can speak more later."
And with that, she slipped out of the room, leaving a faint scent of lilies in the air.
I exhaled slowly.
Jerry curled around my wrist. "I see why you were staring at her during the exam."
"I WAS NOT—!"
"Mmm."
I groaned and dropped onto my bed.
So much for a quiet school year.
If the princess was going to be living two feet away from me…
I was doomed.