n

n

n

"You still haven't told me a thing about your fiance yet.

"

nWe were currently at the Academy backyard, sitting inside one of the pavilions that littered around. It was a hot afternoon, the sun was blazing overhead and blinding. Several people are also staying on the other pavilions and were either having an afternoon tea or just gossiping.

nGwen puts down her cup and stared and bit her lip. Beatriz was at her side sipping her tea in silence, looking ridiculously elegant.

nPeeking at me, Gwen pouted,

"It's not like it's important isn't it?

"

nOne of my brows raised at what she said,

"Marriage is not important? That's new…

"

n

"We're not married yet!

" She exclaims and flushed after that.

nSome noble girls who heard her yell gazed at us and that made Gwen even more embarrassed.

n

"Nadia, you bully…

" She mutters.

nIt's not my fault she likes letting out an outburst like that all the time, why is she saying I'm a bully now?

n*clink*

nThe silent Beatriz puts her cup down on the saucer and stares at me. I got distracted by how pretty she is now…

nHmmm. I have never heard of Beatriz in the novel, I wonder why some new characters are being thrown into me.

n

"My brother is an idiot,

" She states and munched on a cookie.

nI blinked at Beatriz, she seemed very satisfied as she chews, and that's when I realize she likes sweet things. My brother and she are really alike…

n'Why do cold and beautiful people always have a hidden cute side? That's really unfair you know!'

nGwen jerked her head at Beatriz's side,

"Conrad is not like that!

"

n

"Ah, so his name is Conrad,

" I mumbled and smirked at Gwen.

nShe widened her eyes for a moment and glares at me.

n

"It's not!

"

nStill smirking,

"Oh? You already slipped up, why are you being in denial?

"

n

"They're both idiots,

" Beatriz comments which made Gwen's face looking like an over-ripe tomato now.

nI stifled a laugh, seeing that Gwen is about to cry, made me want to tease her more.

nAra~ Am I slowly morphing into a villainess now?

nGwen looked at us with accusing eyes,

"You two are so mean…

"

n

"I can be meaner,

" I teased.

n

"I'm just stating the fact,

" Beatriz replies.

n

"… Not as mean as Bea though,

" I added and drink my tea.

n

"…

"

nI noticed that Bea stiffened in her seat so I looked at her worriedly.

n

"Are you okay?

"

n

"…

" Beatriz's eyes bored at me,

"I like it…

"

nMy brows scrunched up at that. Like what?

n

"What is?

" I inquired.

nBeatriz averted her eyes and gazes at her teacup.

n

"Bea…

"

nWe were silent for a while as I processed this information. Eventually, I snickered in my mind as I examined the black-haired beauty in front of me.

n'Damn it! She's so cute! She's like my brother Nathaniel, both are deres!'

nSmiling,

"I'm calling you Bea now then,

" I declared.

nMy scrutinizing eyes saw her reaction. Watching as her cheeks slightly reddens as she looked more and more relaxed now.

nAhh now I want her as my sister!

n

"Miss Nadia?

" A voice suddenly calls out behind me.

nThe three of us turned towards the owner of it and saw a good-looking tall man smiling down at us.

nAnother gorgeous person appeared!

n

"Yes?

"

nThe mysterious guy, who has a long black hair tied into a ponytail, held out a gloved hand at me.

n

"I am Conrad Ethalion, congratulations and welcome to the council.

"

nI didn't know which part of his greeting to react to. Hearing a familiar name, looking at that awesome face, or about the congratulating and welcoming thing. I am so confused…

n

"???

"

n

"Conrad! She's still have to agree! What are you saying now?

" Another one appeared out of the blue.

nIf I am not mistaken, both of them looked familiar now like I have seen them somewhere before, but where?

nThe other guy who appeared smiled at us, especially at me, and waved his hand.

n

"Hello, I'm Eon.

"

nI thought about it and then glanced at Gwen who was seeming to be even more disturbed.

nSeeing her reaction, I immediately concluded that all my notions are correct. From the one named Conrad, and to the person who calls himself Eon.

n

"I am Gwen's older brother, we've met before!

" He uttered while wearing that wide smile of his.

nThe mention of Gwen's name made Conrad glanced at her direction, the former began to panic and I could almost see her screaming like a lunatic inside her mind now.

nTo end Gwen's misery, I looked up at them with questioning eyes. They still haven't told me about this whole council fiasco.

n

"Why are you looking for me again?

"

nConrad removed his eyes off Gwen and turned to me,

"The Student Council decided to appoint you as the first-year's representative.

"

n

"Only if you accept! But you will right? It's the council after all!

" Eon chips in while grinning at me.

nMy head cocked to the sides,

"So what if it's the council?

"

nHe sure looked like I am seriously going to agree just like that.

nEon innocently stares at me like he's confused as to why I asked that.

n

"Well, because it's the council? The highest authority aside from the Academy's staffs among the student body? No one would reject a seat unless they're dumb.

"

nNow I kind of want to deny their invitation just to spite this dumb guy.

n

"You guys went on your way without waiting for us,

" Another voice interrupts.

nI caught sight of the smiling figure of Prince Ezekiel who was striding in our direction. A guy was walking alongside him.

n

"Good Afternoon Prince Ezekiel,

" the three of us greeted.

nEzekiel turns to me who was still sitting down,

"We formally invite you to join the Council.

"

nHe was looking down on me while wearing that gorgeous smile. I then looked at the other guys around us who were all good-looking as hell and I cursed at the fate even more.

n'Damn it! If this is all I see every time I am in the council, how am I supposed to reject them?! But no, let's not be easily swayed. I am a strong independent woman.

"

nThe prince smiled even wider like he knows what's running on my mind and I suddenly got scared of what he's going to say to tempt me more.

n

"Nathaniel also stays at the Student Council room,

" He said,

"-everyday.

"

n'Whatever. I am a strong independent woman who adores handsome and beautiful people.'

n

"I accept.

"

n

"Pfft…

" Conrad snorted at the side but I ignored him.

nI stood up and shook their hands as they rained welcoming greetings on me.

n

"Come to the Student Council's room tomorrow, we are going to officially introduce you in tomorrow's assembly,

" Ezekiel uttered.

n

"Okay,

" I replied.

nConrad grins at me,

"I hope you have your game face on. The whole student body will be watching.

"

nOkay, now I am getting nervous.

n------------------------******

nMy hands are sweating.

n

"The both of you are going to be called out soon,

" A teacher reminds us and then left.

nWe were at the side podium being blocked by the curtain. Ezekiel was giving out a speech while the other officers stood there at the back, looking formal.

nMy hands are seriously sweating.

n

"Hello Miss Nadia,

" The guy beside me greeted.

"I'm Noah.

"

nHe has black hair that is styled neatly at the side and has a friendly smile. Appearance-wise, he's not as good-looking as the others from the council, but he looked like he could be popular among noble girls.

n

"Hello,

" I responded. It came out flat and cold due to my nerves so I got worried that I might have offended him somehow. After all, we are going to work together.

n

"Ah, I envy Miss Nadia's ability to not get nervous,

" He commented which made me blinked in surprise.

n'But I am nervous!'

n

"The rumors about you being a dignified lady are true,

" He adds even more.

n'Just wait a minute. Stop complimenting me it's making me embarrassed!'

nFor the reason that I have nothing to say, and because my nerves are kicking off in a notch, I just gave him a smile in return. It might have come off as a grimace but I haven't had the time to figure that out because they are calling us now.

n'Let's just get this over with.'

nThe both of us stepped out from the shadows and joined them in the center. My eyes saw hundreds of students whose eyes are pinning on us.

n'Fake it till you make it.'

nMy mouth stretched into a smile and I just then heard all of their loud applause. I was seriously holding myself upright because I am on edge right now and my knees are buckling under my dress.

n'Hallelujah to big skirts.'

nEzekiel approached us together with the others and was holding two bouquet of flowers. One specifically bunch of red roses were given to me and I took it with glee. I have never received a grand bouquet before so I was happy.

n

"We officially welcome you to the Student Council,

" Ezekiel announced and another round of applauses can be heard.

nMy eyes caught sight of Nathan who was sitting at the front, watching us. Ezekiel saw who I was looking at and whispered.

n

"Nathan bought that specifically for you,

" He declared.

nI couldn't stop a laugh from escaping and snickers at him.

n

"He's such a cute brother, isn't he?

"

nEzekiel stares at me for a while and smiled,

"Hmm…

"

nThe event ended and Gwen and Beatriz congratulated me after. Nathan was also there, waiting for us.

n

"…

"

nBeaming,

"Thank you for the flowers, brother~

" I uttered.

nNathan didn't say anything and avoided my eyes,

"Hmph.

"

nIt was his usual response but I could see through him. He's happy.

n