Chapter 76 : Who are you!?

Morning sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows of St. Freya’s Year Two Class A, casting colorful patterns on the aged wooden floor. Dust motes danced in the beams. Ailiya yawned uncontrollably, tears pricking her eyes, as she sluggishly unpacked her books and ink bottle for the day’s lessons.

Beside her, Aurora had no such scholarly intentions. Straddling a chair backward, arms draped over the backrest, she loomed over Ailiya, her rhythmic tapping on the desk creating a subtle psychological pressure. “So? So?” Her voice was urgent, like a mother fretting over her daughter’s future. “How was Lady Liliane yesterday? Fever gone? Good spirits? Did she eat well? Like the porridge you made? Say anything special?” With each question, she leaned closer, her emerald eyes blazing with gossip and concern, leaving Ailiya no escape.

Ailiya wiped her pen nib with a soft tissue, tilting her head to avoid Aurora’s “spill-or-I’ll-annoy-you-to-death” stare. No way I’m mentioning the bath… I’d be dead meat. The midnight confession was off-limits too—Liliane’s private moment. “She’s fine,” Ailiya replied flatly. “Fever’s down, spirits up, won’t die anytime soon.” Glancing at the angel-carved ceiling, she predicted, “With her workaholic streak, if she’s even slightly better, she’ll be back today, not wasting a second.”

As if on cue, a rising wave of excited chatter and gasps erupted from the corridor. Ailiya grimaced, digging a finger in her ear. “Ugh, Prince Leon again? Struts in like a king on parade, making sure everyone notices.”

The classroom door swung open, a throng of students pouring in, buzzing loudly. But at the center wasn’t Leon—it was Liliane, in pristine white school uniform, her gentle smile radiant. Sunlight bathed her, gilding her silver hair with a holy glow, as if she were shimmering.

Gone was the icy, unapproachable queen. She tilted her head, listening patiently to a classmate’s question, nodding and smiling with a warmth that felt like spring.

Clatter. Ailiya’s pen fell, ink splashing like a tear. Her eyes widened, mouth agape. A hallucination… I didn’t sleep enough! Liliane, chatting and laughing? More absurd than undead throwing a party!

“Aurora…” Ailiya grabbed her arm, voice trembling. “Pinch me, hard! I’m not awake!”

Aurora, equally stunned, didn’t hesitate, twisting the tender flesh of Ailiya’s inner thigh. “Ow!” A suppressed yelp snapped Ailiya awake, tears welling from the pain. Not a dream.

In the crowd, Isabella, like a loyal knight, cleared a path for Liliane, eagerly offering her notebook. Liliane signed it with elegant script, adding a kind word. “Thank you for your support, Isabella.” Isabella, clutching the blessed notebook, nearly fainted from joy. Spotting Ailiya and Aurora staring, she stiffened, her fangirl grin vanishing. She cleared her throat, resuming her haughty noble air, tucking the notebook away like a sacred relic.

“Hey,” Ailiya hurried to her, whispering, “What’s with her? Know anything?”

“How would I?” Isabella huffed, a hint of smugness in her tone. “She was like this when she arrived this morning.” Her adoring gaze followed Liliane, shining in the crowd. “But isn’t it great? Her warmth and greatness should be seen by all!” And I can get daily autographs!

Aurora’s face darkened, fists clenched. “No… this isn’t right,” she muttered, pained. “This isn’t Lady Liliane… Not this polished, smiling-at-everyone act!”

Before she could finish, a soft voice, like a sigh, sounded behind her. “Oh? What kind of Liliane do you like, Aurora?”

The trio froze, whipping around. Liliane had slipped through the crowd, standing silently behind them. Without waiting for an answer, she reached out, gently tucking a stray golden lock behind Aurora’s ear with an intimate, practiced ease. “No matter how I change, I’m still me.” Her voice was soothing, her violet eyes locking onto Aurora’s, as if she were the only one in the world. “Are you… worried about me? Thank you, Aurora. I’m glad to have a friend like you.”

Blushing furiously, Aurora’s resolve crumbled, stammering wordlessly under the onslaught of Liliane’s charm.

Something’s wrong… very wrong. Ailiya’s instincts screamed. This flawless social finesse, disarming warmth—it wasn’t Liliane. It was predatory, a calculated mask to lull prey.

The bell rang, and Liliane returned to her seat, smiling. But instead of her usual diligent note-taking or reading arcane tomes, she pulled out a compact mirror and powder, calmly touching up her makeup. Skipping class?! She’s definitely off.

Suspicion took root in Ailiya’s mind.

At the break, Liliane’s desk was swarmed with lunch and tea party invitations. She smiled, declining sweetly. “Thank you all, but I’m sorry—I have plans for lunch.” Her gaze cut through the crowd, locking onto Ailiya in the corner like a hawk spotting prey. “I’m spending it with Ailiya, doing something very, very fun.”

Plans? With me? Since when? Ailiya blinked, confused.

Under the class’s mix of curious, jealous, and shocked stares—including Aurora and Isabella—Liliane approached Ailiya’s desk. With a soft snap, she placed an object on it: a finely crafted black leather collar with a gleaming silver bell.

Leaning close to a frozen Ailiya, her flawless smile intact, Liliane whispered in a voice laced with seductive malice, audible only to them, “Let’s start our game.”

Ailiya’s pupils shrank, fear icing her veins. “Haha…” Her laugh was hollow, her body rigid with dread.