Leona : Unreachable

Episode 06 - The Banquet

Chapter 6 – The Banquet

Leona stepped into the hall with Kael. Naya walked in beside Leo. The atmosphere shifted the moment they arrived. Students fell silent, eyes drawn to the pair.

“They look stunning…”

“Kael and Leona… they’re perfect together…”

“Like royalty…”

Leona felt uneasy. Their stares were too sharp, too long. She hadn’t come to be displayed. The lights dimmed. A professor stepped onto the stage.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending our director’s birthday celebration—Mr. Alexander. Students, tonight is yours to enjoy to the fullest. I hope you all have a wonderful evening. Thank you, Mr. Alexander, and happy birthday. Let’s all sing together!”

The crowd began singing. Kael lowered his gaze and offered his hand to Leona.

“Dance with me,” he said softly.

Leona shook her head. “I want to sit with Naya.”

But Naya was already dancing with Leo. Leona hesitated. Kael gently pulled her toward the center of the floor. She tried to resist, but Kael kept leading. Meanwhile, in a corner of the hall, a group of girls whispered among themselves.

“Where’s that stupid kid?”

“Why isn’t she here yet?”

The girl they were looking for was Eris. After what happened recently, they’d been searching for a new target to vent their anger. Tonight, they chose Eris. The leader of the bullies, a student named Mireya, had tricked Eris into believing the event had a superhero theme. They told her to wear a Spiderman costume. Eris, naïve and trusting, believed them.

But when she arrived, she realized no one else was dressed that way. Embarrassed and confused, she ran to the restroom. Mireya and her gang kept calling her, pretending to be concerned. Eventually, they found her in the restroom, yanked off her jacket, and shoved her into the hall. Everyone froze. Then laughter erupted.

“What is this…”

“Spiderman?”

“This is hilarious!”

Mireya and her gang laughed loudly. Almost the entire hall joined in. Even Kael. Even Naya. Leona stood up. Her expression changed. For the first time… she was angry. She walked toward Eris, pulled a tablecloth, and gently draped it over Eris’s trembling body.

“What’s your name?” Leona asked, calm but firm.

“My name is… Eris Valtor,” Eris replied softly.

“Who told you to wear this?”

Eris pointed toward Mireya and her group.

“Okay. Stay here,” Leona said.

She turned and walked straight toward them. Without hesitation, she slapped Mireya hard. Mireya stumbled and fell to the floor.

“Don’t be disrespectful. I’ll keep my eyes on you. If you ever touch my friends again—understood?” Leona said, voice sharp.

The hall fell silent. In the corner, the professor and Mr. Alexander watched the scene unfold.

The professor leaned in.

“Mr. Alexander… do you know that student? Her name is Leona Virelle. There was a small issue recently. We tried contacting her family… but there’s no data.”

Mr. Alexander frowned.

“Leona Virelle…” he murmured.

“Why does that name feel… off? Never mind. Send me her photo later. I’ll look into it. Something doesn’t sit right.”

Leona was still standing in front of Mireya. Her expression shifted—anger rising, her eyes sharp, her tone turning cold.

“If I ever see you bully someone again… you’re done. I’ll make sure of it,” Leona said directly to Mireya.

Mireya froze, trembling at her words. Naya began to panic. She was the only one who knew the truth—Leona came from a mafia family. The entire hall was stunned. Leona was known for being gentle, kind, and soft-spoken. But tonight, her dark aura began to surface. Her voice, her presence… it was something else entirely. Without saying a word to Naya or Kael, Leona took Eris by the hand and walked out of the hall. Naya called after her.

“Leona… wait!”

Leona didn’t respond. Kael and Naya followed behind quietly, unsure what to say.

Leona led Eris to a private changing room nearby. She called her assistant.

“Bring a dress and makeup. Now.”

Thirty minutes later, everything arrived. Leona handed Eris the clothes and began doing her makeup herself—carefully, gently, restoring Eris’s dignity. Naya tried to speak.

“Leona… I’m really sorry…”

Leona turned, her face still tense.

“You said you were my friend? Then why did you laugh with them? Was it funny? I’m asking you—was it funny, Naya?” Leona snapped.

Naya was speechless. Tears welled up in her eyes. Leona turned to Kael.

“And you, Kael. You enjoy laughing at people? She’s a bullying victim. And you two… you sided with the bullies. You think it’s fun? Fun to humiliate someone? Fun to laugh at someone? Is it fun—I’m asking you!!!” Leona shouted.

Kael and Naya were stunned. They’d never seen Leona like this. They quickly apologized, stumbling over their words.

“We… we didn’t mean to…” Kael said quietly.

Naya began crying. “I’m sorry, Leona… I shouldn’t have laughed…”

Leona paused. Her breathing slowed. She turned back to Naya.

“I don’t like seeing you act like this. You know I hate bullies. But tonight… you laughed at Eris like you were backing them,” Leona said, her voice softening.

Eris, seated quietly, finally spoke.

"Leona… you’re so kind. You lent me your things. You saved me from being bullied. I’m sorry for troubling you… and I’m really grateful,” Eris said gently.

Leona smiled faintly.

“From now on… you’re my friend. Okay?” she said, adjusting Eris’s freshly styled hair. Eris nodded slowly. Leona stood and took her hand.

“Come on. Let’s go back to the hall.”

They began walking back into the hall. Everyone turned in surprise—Eris looked stunning. Her soft pastel dress and gentle makeup made her glow. Several boys immediately approached, hoping to dance with her. Leona smiled. Eris began to smile too, her confidence slowly returning. Leona glanced at Naya.

“Go dance with Leo… before he runs off looking for someone else,” she said casually.

Naya hesitated, still feeling guilty. She stepped closer to Leona.

“I’m really sorry, Leona…”

Leona nodded lightly.

“It’s over,” she said simply.

Kael approached politely.

“Would you… like to dance with me?”

Leona looked at him for a moment, then replied, “No.”

Kael blinked. “Why not?”

Leona smiled and made a gesture toward her stomach—hungry.

Kael chuckled at the signal.

“Alright then, let me escort Princess Leona to dinner,” he teased.

Leona rolled her eyes.

“Ugh, Kael… I’m seriously starving. The moment we arrived, you asked me to dance… and I haven’t eaten since I left the house.”

Kael laughed softly.

“Very well, my dear…”

Leona stopped. “What’s with the ‘dear’ stuff… ew, Kael. I haven’t accepted you yet, okay?”

She walked toward the buffet table. Kael followed, still grinning.

“So you’re saying… you might accept me someday, right? Right? Right? Right?” he said, overly excited.

Leona picked up a plate.

“Kael, I’m trying to eat. If you keep this up, I might throw up on you.”

“As you wish… my queen,” Kael said, still teasing.

Leona felt herself start to blush—but she held it in.

To be continued...