Seducing the forbidden ice princes

Chapter Eleven

Eira’s POV

Morning’s rays filtered through the windows, bathing my dorm room in a golden hue. I sat on my bed, fingertips following the lines of my uniform. My heart raced as though I was stepping onto the ice for the first time.

The campus was chaotic. Everyone was aware of the situation. Rumors from the day were still circulating and I was officially everyone’s friend.

You might expect me to be ecstatic as if I’d finally succeeded after Ares and Aria humiliated me. Yet it weighed on me. Claiming victory was meant to shield me and serve as my weapon and edge, but everything seemed unstable.

I glanced toward the courtyard. People were gathering, some chuckling, others murmuring, yet some glancing my way. That sensation caused my stomach to tense. This situation, where every gaze could hurt, was starting to affect me.

A gentle tap on the door interrupted my thoughts and I turned.

“Eira?”

It was Lucien, always so composed. My heart skipped a beat and my body heated for no reason. I invited him in, attempting to maintain a cool tone.

He entered, his gaze sweeping the room for any sign of trouble. I acknowledged him with a nod, whether he had arrived to talk about yesterday or to warn me about another thing.

"You seem calm," he remarked, slightly tilting his head. His tone was curious yet cautious.

“I’ve figured out how to pretend,” I replied, squeezing out a smile. If I can’t prevent them from speaking, I could at least manage my reactions.

Lucien's gaze tightened. “Being in the spotlight is wonderful, but challenging. You've just taken a big step, Eira. All eyes are on you now”.

I took a breath. “I understand that. And being confident is the only way I can manage this, isn’t it?”

He simply observed me briefly, then gave a nod. “We'll find out how it unfolds. Just keep in mind that appearances can be deceiving”.

I was aware of that. Lucien never put anyone at ease, instead he constantly doubted them.

But I still asked because I needed to know, “Do you think they’ll listen to your words?”

He appeared softer now. “Some people will like you, others will despise you. This is what comes with having influence. You forced them into this”.

Before I managed to speak, a second knock came, this time louder. Kellen.

“Eira”.

I braced myself. Kellen consistently filled the air with tension, even during calm moments. From the first time I met him, it existed, the animosity, the irritation, the sense that I was out of place.

I opened the door and there he was, arms folded and jaw clenched. His gaze swept over me icily. He didn’t smile or attempt to act nice, he didn’t even notice Lucien in the room.

"You’re awake," he stated, lacking any warmth.

“Yeah,” I replied, attempting to sound casual… “You came early."

“I wanted to see how you’d manage today." He seemed to believe I would fail quickly. “If yesterday signified anything, it’s that appearances count and at this moment you appear… weak."

Weak. That hurt. I wanted to respond but I held back. This was Kellen. He didn’t trust me but viewed me as an intruder or a gold digger like he had muttered under his breath when I first suggested this arrangement.

I told them firmly, "I can manage myself." And I ignored his stare because people are often underrated like this.

He angled his head slightly and I think I caught a glimpse of surprise, but it quickly vanished. “Time will tell."

He spun around and walked away the next second as Lucien let out a breath. I sensed his eyes on me once more.

I said, “He’s a little … difficult.”

"Yeah," Lucien replied, calmly. “That doesn't mean you've been defeated. It just means the fight is starting so you should be ready."

I realized he was right. Yesterday wasn’t a victory, it was a moment in the spotlight… but now I will be watched, challenged and put to the test.

By afternoon, as expected, they were still murmuring and pointing at me. Some gawked while others exchanged notes. Some dared to scowl and I sensed gazes following me as I headed to class. Each step conveyed something. Each glance had the potential to spark gossip.

Aria made sure I noticed her. Positioned near the staircases, she looked at me with an expression that seemed like she was ready to annihilate me. She remained still as I passed, but it was as if she was scheming something as she remained quiet.

I continued walking, expression neutral heart beating fast. She was enraged but refused to show any reaction or she could use it against me.

Even the teachers were murmuring quietly as I walked by, eyebrows lifting, heads bobbing. I sensed their attention on me and held my chin up in false confidence. I had wanted this in the first place. I had forced Lucien and Kellen to carry it out. So I wasn’t going to fall at this point.

During lunchtime, the cafeteria was way too loud, more than usual. People were gossiping and probably spreading rumors about me, with envious looks and others were upset.

“Did you hear that? They really claimed she's their mate.”

“Do you really think that’s true? I think it’s just a joke.”

She's brave… for sure… but Kellan doesn't even seem to like her. How will that work then?”

I ignored the voices, stopping in the queue to grin at the girl handing me my meal. Everything is for appearance’s sake now. I needed to look composed as if nothing could affect me.

Lucien appeared next to me quietly the next moment. He avoided getting too close or talking to me like I expected. He just remained there, patiently allowing me room, amid the chaos.

“Can you go home on your own?” he asked, no doubt glancing around at the bitter looks on the faces of most of the girls and deciding I was in danger.

“I think I’ll be fine on my own for now, they’ll get used to it soon enough” and I really hoped they did cause I couldn’t bear their scrutiny for much longer.

He nodded as we passed through the cafeteria and I noticed that while he protected me and acted as a shield, he still didn’t trust or care about me other than being physically attracted to me.

Kellan didn’t show up for lunch and I was happy he didn’t. I didn’t need his presence making me uneasy, especially now that I was a target for others.

By the time lunch finished, I had gathered bits and pieces of information. The students chatted about how Aria must be planning something and how the princes didn’t seem so close to me since Lucien was unbothered and Kellan looked bitter.

I stepped into the courtyard to think about what I had gotten myself into as the snow crackled beneath my boots on my way to a bench. Even the sun appeared to be watching and waiting for what happened next.

I took a seat as my chest tightened, my head swirling. This was just the start. Yesterday changed how others saw me but it didn’t lessen Kellen’s hatred or stop Aria and whatever she was planning, It didn’t even make Lucien trust me more.

I closed my eyes and allowed the breeze to brush against my face. The claim was a minor victory, but the battle had just started.

Still… I felt a sense of satisfaction. I got their attention and had secured a place in this school. I made them—the princes, the most influential guys here make me their mate. That was enough for now.

I opened my eyes and stared at the campus. To make it through I needed to be clever and patient. I had gotten through tough times before. I could handle this. Regardless of Kellen’s opinion of me and no matter how Lucien looked at me, I had them in the palm of my hand. And tomorrow, the real game will start.