Elizabeth's smile didn't falter, but her gaze sharpened.
She locked eyes with André, "I'll take him in my carriage, Lord André."
She glanced at Louise, "Besides, I'm sure Louise wouldn't mind a bit of family time, wouldn't you?"
Louise pressed her lips. "I believe I had that before you came along. But I doubt you care."
She then glared at Alexander, who found an interesting spot on the floor.
Elizabeth's hand still rested against his arm, her touch warm and insistent.
André stepped forward—flashing his easy grin, though it didn't reach his eyes.
"Ladies, let's not turn this station into a battlefield.
Elizabeth I appreciate the offer, but we have his travel covered. Besides, I'm sure you're busy."
He then reached for Alexander's hand.
But Elizabeth pulled him away with a giggle.
"Mhm, that's no way to talk to your princess, Lord André.
Not to mention, you pulled this trick once before and you kept him the entire night."
Her smile remained warm and inviting.
André's grin faltered, "Oh, you know how time flies, speaking of which…" he reached for Alexander again.
Elizabeth giggled as he pulled him away once more. "Lord André, I believe I gave you plenty of time with Alexander before.
Now unless you're to tell me you squandered that time…"
She trailed off, holding André's gaze.
André paused with his hand mid-air.
The platform had quieted around them, with the train whistling loudly for a final call.
The tension between the groups swelled into a bubble, isolating them.
As the train finally pulled from the station, André raised his hands in surrender.
His expression was a mixture of amusement and resignation.
"Alright, alright, your Highness," he said, stepping back with a theatrical bow. "I know when I'm outmatched."
André shot Alexander a meaningful look, "Take care of yourself, buddy." He then flashed that easy smile.
Alexander felt a pit of guilt settle in his chest as Elizabeth grinned triumphantly, looping her arm with his.
"Yeah, see ya."
He whispered, avoiding his gaze as Elizabeth practically dragged him off the platform, chatting happily.
Hinata followed a respectful step behind.
André let out a low whistle once they were out of earshot.
"Goddess, I knew it was bad but-"
Louise cut him off with an irritated huff.
"That idiotic troglodyte, I can't believe I let you convince me to help him."
André rubbed the back of his neck with a sheepish chuckle—meeting her judgmental glare.
"Hey, Lou, give the kid a break, you can't expect him to change overnight."
Louise folded her arms, stomping her foot.
"Overnight? How hard is it to not step into flames? Uncle, he's an idiot, a moron, a… a…"
André stepped to Louise with a sigh, placing a hand on her cheek.
Louise paused, looking up with caution.
"Lou, relax, I know you're angry but shouting into the void isn't changing anything."
His voice was gentle, his thumb lightly brushing against her cheek in a soothing motion.
"Alexander has a lot on his plate, and so do you, just… be patient, can you do that?"
Louise rolled her eyes—her hands drooping to her sides.
"Patience, uncle, there isn't enough in the world."
She shook her head, "But fine, I'll wait, if only to prove how hopeless he is."
André smiled, pulling his hand back with a weary laugh. "That's my girl."
Louise huffed again, turning to leave.
"Don't patronize me, uncle. I'm only doing this because you asked."
Béatrice, who had remained silent throughout the ordeal, turned to André.
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"If this proves to be a waste of time, you'll regret it."
Her expression was unchanged, but the threat was clear.
"I know what I'm doing, Béatrice."
He replied, keeping her gaze, "Besides, if we went your route, he'd be consort by morning."
Béatrice narrowed her eyes, but said nothing.
André took her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers.
Béatrice fell in step beside him as he followed after Louise.
— — —
Classes went by in a haze for Alexander.
From professors droning on about subjects like mathematics, to learning foreign languages and anatomy.
Not that he paid much attention anyway.
He was lost in his mind, mulling over his upcoming lunch meeting with Louise.
He knew she'd be furious.
After all, he ditched her and her family.
All because Elizabeth batted her eyelashes and tugged him along.
Louise's warning played in his head over and over.
"Stay away from Elizabeth. She's dangerous."
And yet, here he was.
Fresh from a carriage ride where they spent the whole time cuddled up and chatting.
Her hand never leaving his knee.
It felt good—even with the guilt in his chest.
"It's not my fault," Alexander grumbled.
Just then, there was a pause in class.
Professor Dereck was standing at his chalkboard with a raised eyebrow.
"Did you have a comment, Alexander?"
Alexander sat up—on the board was a diagram of the essence nodes in a Hakshi's body.
"Uhh, I didn't," he stammered, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
The scattered snickers and curious gazes.
"I have no comment, sir." He flashed a wry smile.
The professor tossed up his chalk and caught it. "Strange, you're usually attentive in class."
"I-I am, sir, I'm just… tired."
Professor Dereck chuckled.
"Aren't we all, anyway…"
As the professor returned to teaching, Alexander slumped in his seat.
Damn it…
The bell finally rang, indicating the end of morning classes.
Alexander gathered his books hastily, dodging curious questions as he slipped out the door and down the hall.
Straight for the library.
Upon reaching it, Alexander was greeted with a quiet calm of murmuring students and shuffling papers.
He stepped inside, spotting Louise sitting in a secluded corner with her friend Anna.
Between them was a pile of books, and two packed lunches.
Alexander walked over quietly, pulling on his collar.
Louise looked up as he approached, her eyes narrowed into slits. "Speak of the devil." She grumbled.
Alexander chuckled nervously as he glanced over at Louise's friend, Anna.
"Hi Alexander, I've certainly gotten an earful about you."
She giggled, gesturing to the seat across the table.
Alexander smiled wryly as he took his seat, dropping his bag with a soft thud.
"Oh… really?"
"Mhmm."
Louise reclined in her seat, she had yet to offer a greeting.
Like she was waiting for Alexander to make the first move.
Alexander tapped a finger on the table as he glanced at Anna, who watched him with a nosy smile.
He glanced back at Louise.
"Look, about this morning…"
Alexander began, his voice trailing as he searched for the right words.
Louise scoffed, "This morning? I'm surprised you remembered—with how fast you folded."
Alexander bit his lip.
"I know you said she's dangerous, but I just don't see it."
He admitted, "I know she's intense, I'm not dense, but she hasn't done anything wrong."
"Yet."
Louise added.
"Elizabeth hasn't had a reason yet."
She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table.
"But mark my words, the moment she has one—you'll see the snake behind the smile."
Alexander shifted in his seat with a groan.
"Look, I get it, you don't like her. But throwing around accusations like that isn't fair. I won't cut her off, she's been nothing but supportive."
Louise paused before reclining in her seat with a huff.
"The puppet never sees the strings until they're cut."
She grumbled.
"But fine, I'm done saving pawns."
She grabbed a book from the pile.
It had a thick leather jacket with golden letters embroidered on the front.
She slapped on the space before Alexander.
"Start here."