Ep. VII: Cold war
1869 Words
The Lady Versus The Genius
(Battle of Campus Elites)
Ep. VII: Cold War
Yurime's POV
(Hachiban University: Director's office)
"Ha… how did you know?" Confusion filled my head as I stood up. "Are you after my life, too?" I mumbled.
Seiichan's chair screeched on the floor when he stood up.
"Kill you?" he chuckled. "Do you take this face for a blood-thirsty man?"
"Yes. That is the same face of the person who bullies me, remember?"
"You are too cold! On my birthday, I want you to meet that person as Lily Anne Vaughan-Cromwell. No one else but the three of us would know about it. Are you in?" I feel like another Seiichan is asking me. He isn't the same person who saved me the other day.
Everyone likes to see Lily Anne. Not in a stunning dress but bloodied on the floor.
"What's in it for me, Director?" I asked.
"Peace and harmony, Lily Anne." he walked, spinning the keyholder on his index finger, "On the side note, I liked that name better. It suits you best." he paused.
"You mean your brother will stop bullying me and my sister?" I clarified.
"Guaranteed! That's the first benefit. Second, he will give you all the gifts he has for you for the past fourteen birthdays you had and the fifteenth for this year. The third is you and your sister will get stunning attire for your birthday," he walks over to the tiny space.
That person must be very into Lily Anne. Meeting him up for all those benefits is like winning a lottery.
"Not bad, Director Hachiban," I responded. "I am in for as long you promise he will keep his distance from me. He can't touch me. That's one thing I'm gonna ask out of this aside from not telling anyone who I really am."
Seiichan laughs like I said a joke, "Don't worry, he might be shivering and stammering throughout with you," he can't stop laughing. "He's your biggest fan. He only saw you in pictures when you were like, I don't know, maybe 2 or 3, but you're still in Kensington Palace at that time. It's funny because he's in love with Lily Anne without even having to meet her."
I feel my heart pounding louder at those words. Somehow, I feel like I was moved. Why would anyone like to be with a Lady whose throne is unsure? Well, I'm hoping that that guy Seiichan talks about is kind enough to accept that he is a duke. I am not sure either and will be willing to fight against those trying to dethrone my father.
The conversation ended there, and he called Chiyo next. He told me that I could go back to class while they talked. I was slowly walking down the hallway. Just like earlier, the people are still moving away from me. This is better, although silent war, unlike the usual battle, never ends.
I reached the classroom just in time for the next subject. I entered our classroom, and everyone was not paying attention to me except that evil guy at the back. He stands up from his seat.
"Everyone, get out!" he said after I closed the door. "Except for Hanazaki."
Uehara, Yoshida, and the other friend brought their stuff, and the others followed. He waited until everyone was out.
I sighed in despair, "Your brother promised me you would stop chasing after my sister and me. What do you want now?"
"Don't be so stup!d, Hanazaki. I won't splurge more time bullying you," he said, walking closer to where I stand. "I just want to tell you that this war will resume after my birthday. Understand?"
"Bring it on! You know I'm not backing down from you," I responded.
"General Hanazaki, is he your uncle? Adoptive father, perhaps? He works for the Lady of Cambridge as her guardian. If you admit how you are related to that girl, I might consider calling off that war."
I'm holding myself not to laugh. Seiko Hachiban may be the guy Seiichan is talking about. This is my chance for payback. After all that slime and putting me in jail. He needs to learn a real lesson.
I walked closer to him with my chin up, "You mean that man you were talking to earlier? I know you saw me. You even squinted your eyes on me," I sauntered, passing him, "Obviously, he is my Dad," I paused an inch from his back.
He immediately goes in front of me, "So, you're Lily Anne's relative?" he asked with his eyes full of curiosity.
"Let's say that Lily Anne and I were very close. Everything I tell her, she believes it. And just so you know, I have already told her about you bullying me, and she said that she will make you pay for it." I responded.
Hachiban's expression changed as he put his hands in his pockets. He looked terrified, "Oh well, the Lady can't avoid our nuptial. I promised to look for that person trying to steal her throne, and I will do it even when she hates me." ~ I couldn't help but adore that. At some point, this evil person still has a heart. Seiichan is correct; all his care belongs to Lily Anne only.
"I can take that back, you know. We often see each other, so it's easier for me to talk to the Lady of Cambridge." I tease him.
"Good thing that she has someone to talk to. Seems like I worried too much," Hachiban mumbled. I stared at him for a moment as he gave me second thoughts. He noticed that I paused, so he cleared his throat and looked away, "Tell her that I want to see her too before we get married."
I'm thinking of using Lily Anne to blackmail him to stop bothering Chiyo and me, but how can I play someone's heart? It will be heartbreaking once he discovers I am Lily Anne and plays tricks on him. That wouldn't be very nice. So, he really is. He really is my troublesome betrothal.
He left me standing in the middle of the room. As he closed the door, everyone started going back to their seats. This is how standing alone in a crowded room feels like, then?
That was the last time he ever talked or looked at me. After two weeks, nothing bizarre happened, like showering in the corridor with slime or going down the stairs with falling objects or eggs flying on your back and behind your back. I finally got the experience of being a typical student in this school. They are still not talking to me, but it's okay for as long as they wouldn't touch me.
•••>>>O
"Hachiban?" ~
(To Be Continued)
- Writer
