CHAPTER 16
1177 Words
Annabeth / Annika's POV
After leaving the hospital, I was about to head straight to the cafeteria to check if Natasha was there. I needed to ask her something—and knowing her, she'd definitely be there. That girl lives for food.
But I stopped mid-step when I passed a crowd of students gathered outside a restroom.
This was the same restroom where I killed that woman earlier.
A grin slowly formed on my lips. So... they finally found the body? Took them long enough.
I was about to walk past them when a familiar voice reached my ears. My eyebrow lifted as I turned and quietly walked closer.
"I didn't do it! Why do you keep asking me the same thing?! Someone already asked me that earlier—!"
"Because, Ms. Hybee, you were the one found inside the restroom—"
"And then?!" Natasha snapped irritably. "So just because you saw me there, you assumed it was me who did that? Isn't that restroom? People go there to do business!"
Given her situation, it wasn't surprising that her suppressed hatred toward the Royalties was starting to surface. I let out a quiet laugh at the sight of her. She was cute when she was angry—though most of the time, her attitude still annoyed the hell out of me. She was too loud when she's mad. Makes me want to cut her lips off.
" Calm down, Miss. You're being defensive now." Caleb said, eyeing her suspiciously.
"How can I calm d- "
"Then why were you running as if you'd done something and didn't want to get caught?" Josiah cut her off, with a narrowing eyes he asked. "Isn't that sus?"
So someone really did see Natasha inside the restroom. But why was she there?
"I-I ran because I got scared, okay?! What is wrong with—"
"Don't talk to me in that tone, woman. I am a Royalty," Josiah snapped.
Natasha immediately fell silent, lowering her head.
Tsk. Poor Natasha. She's scared of him?
Since I had no intention of handing Natasha over to the Royalties—and since I still needed her—I decided to step in. If she got locked up, I'd lose my source of information.
"She didn't do it."
I spoke calmly as I stepped out from where I was standing. Everyone turned toward me, and the Royalties' expressions darkened the moment they realized it was me.
"What? I haven't even said anything yet and you're already mad?" I said with a laugh, standing beside Natasha, who was staring at me in shock. "Chill."
"Hey, Tasha. Looks like you got caught up in some trouble. Didn't know you were into—"
I stopped mid-sentence when she suddenly grabbed me and hugged me tightly.
I froze.
What the hell does she think she's doing?
I was about to yell at her when I heard her sniff—then sob.
Why is she crying?
I had never really experienced being hugged before... except when I was a child, or that one time when the queen hugged me at the palace. But this was different. I didn't even know why she was crying.
My mind screamed at me to push her away—but my body betrayed me.
What I did next shocked even myself.
I lifted one hand and placed it at the back of her head, the other resting on her back, gently patting it. I was... hugging her. Comforting her. Whispering soothing words I didn't even know existed in my vocabulary.
"It's okay now, Tasha," I said softly. "I know you didn't do it."
Of course you didn't—because I did.
My smile faded, my expression turning blank. I didn't like this. This wasn't good. I couldn't control my own body, and that was so damn unsettling.
Annika... are you still there?
"I-I was so scared, Annika," she cried. "I thought something happened to you."
Anger and sadness stirred inside me. I am Annabeth—friends are not my thing. And yet here I was, hugging her, comforting her like a real friend.
This is bad. This isn't me. My heart can't even feel a single affecton towards her, but my body refused to let her go.
When I finally snapped back to my senses, I pulled away from her immediately. She stepped back as well and looked straight at me. Her face was drenched in tears, her nose red.
"Your snot's coming out," I said flatly.
It wasn't true—I was just teasing her. She wiped her nose and tears anyway.
"Where have you been, Annika? I waited for you in the garden."
"I told you I'd be back."
"But you never did."
"I was about to, but I fell asleep—"
I stopped myself.
Why was I explaining? She's not my friend. There's no reason to do this.
"And?" she asked, waiting.
Instead of answering, I turned toward the Royalties and the unfamiliar faces around us. My voice turned serious.
"Like I said, she didn't do it."
"Then who did?" Light asked with a mocking grin. "You?"
I rolled my eyes and fixed my hair. "It could be. It could also be you. We'll never know who has their hidden evil, right? And from what I heard, you don't even have evidence that she did it—so why are you forcing it on her? Maybe you're just covering something up and using—"
"So what are you saying? That we killed her?!" Caleb yelled. "Why would we kill someone when we'd be the ones to solve it?! Are we idiots?!"
This dude needs to calm down, he's about to break everyone's ear drum with his ugly vocals.
I smiled sweetly at him.
"And why would I kill someone if I'd be the one dealing with the consequences?" I replied calmly. "Am I stupid? Maybe it could be me—but I wouldn't waste my time killing useless students. I have better things to do than stain my hands for nothing."
He had no response—just stared at me in silence.
Speechless now? How stupid.
"That's why we're questioning Ms. Hybee, because she was seen—"
"You're questioning her?" I cut him off. "Because from what I'm hearing, you're not questioning—you're accusing her. Insiting that she's the one who did it. It's like you've already decided she's guilty."
He stayed quiet. Guess there was nothing more to say.
"If there's nothing else, Natasha and I are leaving," I said—but the Royalties blocked our way.
"So where do you think you're going?! You think this is over—"
"Your Highnesses!"
A woman's voice interrupted us. We all turned—including me. She was panting as she reached the Royalties.
"Your Majesties," she said excitedly, "Princess Luciana has awakened!"
In an instant, the Royalties disappeared from in front of us.
I smiled to myself.
Haha... you really care about Luciana, huh? Let's see if there's still a Luciana left for you to return to.
- Writer
