[Julian’s POV]
The room felt large after Kiera left.
I never understood her. For a principal, she was an odd character—so calm yet strangely silly in her own way.
Was it just two sides of the sa coin, or a completely different persona?
It was hard to say. But what really threw were the questions she asked. Despite calling it an interview, there was nothing about academics or the Academy itself.
What disturbed most was how much she knew.
Withdrawing from the Royal 8 ten years ago… Who even rembers that?
I thought I’d managed to keep my identity under wraps, and I doubted anyone cared enough to link to it after all this ti.
The royal family wouldn’t care; redith, who ran the challenge back then, was unlikely to have any connection with Kiera; and that left only mother and Lady Ophelia.
How did she know?
Was she bluffing, fishing for answers? Or had soone been talking?
I shook my head, trying to make sense of it all. Her gaze was sothing else—like she could see right through any facade I tried to put up.
It reminded of how Ophelia would probe for reactions without giving anything away herself.
But if Kiera had ties with Ophelia... no, it still didn’t add up.
I took a breath, pushing the thoughts aside for later. The important thing now was focusing on what lay ahead. This year had to be different.
Creakk…
My mother waited outside, looking relieved as soon as Ophelia opened the door.
"How did it go?" she asked softly.
"Strange," I admitted with a small chuckle. "But good."
She nodded, understanding more in one look than I could explain in a hundred words.
Then Ophelia stepped in behind my mother. Her presence was both reassuring and suspicious.
"How was it with the principal?"
"She was different than I expected, she’s certainly an Interesting person."
"Oh?" She arched a brow, curiosity mingling with amusent. "Not unique?"
"No you’re right, she is unique."
So after trying to set the mood in a good tone, I aid to ask her sothing purely out of speculation
"Have you ever ntioned my withdrawal from the Royal 8 to anyone?"
Ophelia’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"Did soone she bring it up?"
"No," I said quickly. "Just wondering."
A knowing smile touched her lips, and her gaze was as piercing as ever. "I like keeping secrets to myself, Julian."
Her expression told she wasn’t lying, but it left in my own head again. If not Ophelia, then who?
I know that being a background character at the academy cos with consequences.
However, I’m certain that if anyone discovered the ’’ they t years ago, the risk of the story’s plot deviating from what I know would significantly impact the main storyline.
And I’m not willing to take those chances of going through all of that.
____
[Francine’s POV]
This makes my seventy-ninth ti attending Aethel Academy.
Surprisingly, I’m excited.
To think sothing so trivial would actually feel new.
The admission exam is in a few days, and here I am, getting restless instead of bored. I wonder if that ans I’m starting to go senile.
There are other things too—strange happenings that don’t fit the usual pattern. The most notable? Lady Ophelia.
She always dies. Always. No matter what I do, she finds a way to end up dead.
Even when I managed to keep her breathing for a day longer, sothing unexpected would happen, and stubborn Diana Florence would have to rebuild the family from scratch again.
Yet this ti, Ophelia lives. I’ve racked my brain trying to think of soone who could save her, but nothing cos to mind.
All that matters is that she’s alive and Diana might not even be Diana this ti around. It’s a relief—I won’t lie—but it also leaves wondering about the rest of the changes.
I need to focus on what’s coming next because if this many things are different already, predicting anything will be impossible.
Especially with those four insane won about to enter my life again. Each one problematic in their own way, and sohow always revolving around despite my best efforts to avoid them.
Princess Audrey Glacia, the Ice Queen. She’s okay most of the ti, but she’s really hard to talk with even in all my lives I struggle to find good footing with her.
Princess Elenore Blanchfleur, The Saintes. The least problematic person out of the 4, for soone who’s easy to socialize with It’s always good to have her close when tis are rough.
Princess Aziel Elandria, formally known as Elandria’s Grace but everyone knows her as The Sylph. She’s the fastest person I’ve ever seen in my life and probably the most shyest girls I have t in every lifeti, if I were to talk with her once she would disappear before I could get a word in with her.
And finally, Princess Umi Azura… She alone gives more headaches than all the others combined.
The heretic that has the ability to read the emotions of people. A master manipulator and has a deep hatred for n.
I’ve spent lifetis fighting them, diating peace between them—nothing ever sticks. Maybe this ti will be different. Or maybe I’ll find a river to throw myself into before they arrive.
But I’m not afraid of dying. Just tired of it.
"Francine!" A voice snapped back to reality—a familiar royal attendant’s voice tinged with reverence and fear. "Where are you?"
I slipped out from behind the large pillar I’d been hiding behind, brushing dust from my dress as I erged into view.
"There you are," he said breathlessly. "We’ve been looking everywhere."
I tilted my head slightly. "Everywhere except here."
An awkward pause followed before he hurriedly continued: "Your presence is requested at the palace eting."
Another pointless discussion about so minor noble dispute or a strategic alliance we already had firm control over no doubt. But I knew better than anyone that playing the dutiful princess kept things running smoothly.
"I’m on my way."
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