"HOW DID YOU EVEN COME UP WITH THAT IDEA?" Craige asked, his eyebrows raised as he stared at me after the whole crystal ball incident. I shrugged, letting a small smirk play at my lips. Honestly, it's personal. The main reason I did it? I didn't want them to win, and I didn't want to lose. That's the only way to make sure neither side comes out on top. My pulse was still racing from the adrenaline of the fight, and I could feel the lingering heat of exertion on my skin.
He muttered a spell under his breath, a soft golden glow enveloping us, instantly drying our soaked bodies and uniforms. The crisp fabric of my jacket now clung comfortably, giving me a sense of control amidst the chaos.
"If we can't win, no one shall," I whispered, my voice low but sharp. Even Professor Frost looked stunned, her usual composure faltering as she struggled to believe what she had just witnessed. But she didn't question me—there's nothing in the rules that says we're not allowed to break it.
Everyone rushed to the Princess after the fight. They called me shameless for doing what I did just because winning was impossible. A disgrace? Perhaps—but the princess knew who was truly disgraceful: her, for failing to protect it. Their muttered comments barely hid the shock in their eyes as they watched me stand there, untouched by the chaos around me.
She dismissed everyone's complaints since, technically, I hadn't broken any rules. I could feel their glares boring into me like tiny daggers, prickling against my skin.
"I should've done the same thing. I didn't think that was possible," someone muttered, disbelief lacing their tone.
"That's rare for her…to actually use her brain," another whispered, as if acknowledging some hidden potential I had always carried but rarely showed.
Honestly, their comments made me wonder about the life she must have led for people to talk about her like that. Are you really that stupid, Seraphina? Or just a pushover? The thought alone made my jaw tighten.
After class, Craige and I headed to the cafeteria for lunch. The hall smelled of sizzling meats, fresh bread, and a hint of spiced fruit from the morning's harvest.
We sat at a table for four, but someone quickly plopped down beside us without invitation.
"Did you do that just to get Raiven's attention, huh?"
Oh my gosh.
The question startled me, and I let out a sharp sigh. Why are they so obsessed with that boy? Before I could even process their approach, they grabbed my mango shake and poured it all over me. The thick, sweet liquid dripped down my hair, soaking my sleeves and uniform. They laughed, loud and cruel, echoing off the cafeteria walls.
Raige immediately grabbed the girl's wrist, his fingers firm but controlled.
"What the hell? Let go of me!" she snapped, yanking free.
"Sorry, Ate Sera, I didn't mean—It just looked fun—"
I didn't let her finish. I slapped her across the face, the sharp crack silencing nearby chatter, then snatched Raige's shake and dumped it over her in one swift motion. The cold liquid splashed and stained her uniform instantly.
"Oops," I said casually, wiping the shake off my face. If Sera lets you do that to her, don't even try it with me. Rage hummed through my veins, warm and insistent.
"Do you think Raiven will like it when he hears what you just did?"
My eyes twitched. I am starting to hate that name. Ever since I woke up, it's been mentioned constantly, as if it's intrinsically tied to my existence.
"Go ahead. Tell him. Make sure you describe every detail," I said, grabbing the tray again from the table and without any second thought, throwing the food and everything at her. Food splattered across her uniform, a mess of colors and textures that seemed almost artistic in its chaos.
While Craige is also shocked by what he witnessed, he brushes it off and immediately goes to my side and pulls me away from them, creating some distance from the three freshmen.
The whispers around us only fueled it more.
"Lady Seraphina!" Everyone looked at her, the young and innocent girl, the so-called heroine. Fear and confusion mixed in their eyes as they sought guidance from the Princess, they immediately started to tell their side of the story, but leaving what they did to me first.
"Your Highness…" she stammered as people ran to her, hiding behind her like children in a storm.
"Do you even realize what you have done? You can face punishment—"
"Oh wow, Your Highness…" I didn't let her finish what she wanted to say because I know for pretty sure that she will be one sided, she will never hear my side. I smile at her, but you can hear the frustration in my voice right now.
"Now you care about consequences if I'm the one acting," I added as I smile, but you can see how my lips twitch as I force myself to calm down, turning my frustration into a forced smile.
"How kind of you to ask what happened. How nice of you to assume the whole story. Or should I ask—do you even care to hear my side?" With that, I can't help but stop smiling anymore. I clenched my fist at that moment just to make myself aware of what's gonna happen if I explode my frustration.
I've been piling up my frustration for the past few weeks because of what's happening and how the hell I end up here in this world. And now, this, I will have to face these side characters who want to be on the good side of these characters.
She didn't expect me to talk back. I can see how shocked she was, and the same time, confusion is evident on her face.
"You're already a senior, and they're just first years. You could just…understand—" she began with a word like I am the one who started all of this.
"So?" I cut her off sharply. "Does that justify their actions toward me? They're freshmen, and I'm a fifth-year student. Older than them? Great logic! Then should I disrespect my professors too, since they're older than me, and they'll just 'understand' because I'm younger?"
"That's not what I mean, Lady Virel."
And now she's using that title. Huh. What is she trying to imply? To draw boundaries? I stared her down, the tension between us thick enough to taste.
"You don't have to go that far—throwing food at her. You've crossed the boundaries—"
I rolled my eyes. Then, Raiven and his group suddenly appeared, feeding the whispers around us. Their arrival only added weight to the tension in the room.
"So, throwing juice on me is not crossing boundaries? Really, Princess? Are you even thinking?"
I no longer care if this act stands against a member of the royal family. If they choose to punish me, behead me, even, then so be it. Perhaps I would welcome it, for it would finally bring an end to all of this…to everything.
But I will never bow to those who dare look down on me.
"Lady Seraphina, watch the way you speak…"
I turned toward the voice that cut through the silence. It was Raiven. I simply stared at him after he uttered those words, my nails digging even deeper into my palm. So that's the kind of man he is… no wonder they call Seraphina delusional. I can't tell if he's doing this on purpose or if he's just naturally this self-righteous.
My gaze shifts to the Princess. She's smirking at me, making sure I see it. She steps closer, takes hold of my collar, still damp with juice, pulls out a handkerchief from her pocket, and wipes my face before letting my collar fall back into place.
Everyone watches us intently.
"This is how the world works, Seraphina," she whispers.
I knew it. I fucking knew she was only pretending, pretending to be kind, righteous, benevolent. She wipes my face again with that dainty handkerchief she pulled from her pocket as if she's doing me a favor.
I no longer care how they see me. I don't care if I live or die in this world. I don't want to stay here. I may have been an orphan in my old world, but I'd rather return to that hell than remain in this godforsaken realm of demons.
At least there, they weren't like this. At least there, I had friends.
I slap her hand away. It was strong, strong enough to make a point, but not enough to knock her to the ground. I know how vile she is, how rotten her mind can be, but even I wouldn't go that far.
Still, everyone gasps. They rush to her aid. Even Raiven, who strides toward us immediately, moves to support her.