Chapter 8
Roxana
It's been a whole day since I last saw Zero.
After receiving the news that my biological father— the Grand Duke himself— would be coming to see me, I could barely breathe. My heart's been stuck somewhere between my ribs and my throat ever since.
What was he like? Where do I come from?
These were questions that constantly circled my head like vultures. But before I can even get the chance to face him, the Vatican had other plans for me. Apparently, I'm to enroll in their prestigious school— Twilight Academy.
A school for the social elite and for the magically inclined— the ones deemed "useful" to the Empire. Hunters, healers, seers, summoners… and apparently walking cautionary tales like me.
Ellis explained it all before we parted ways. I don't just fall into one part of their hierarchy. I checked off both: noble by blood, weapon by design. I'm expected to learn what it means to be the Elaine—the Empire's shining little saint. Whatever that meant.
For now, I was given a private room in the Vatican as a temporary living arrangement. The school had dormitories, but due to my "special circumstances", the Helios Guardians thought it'd be best I stayed at the Vatican headquarters until better arrangements were made.
Now for my current predicament: I was being given attention I wasn't used to — or wanted. I sat stiffly in front of a grand vanity while a pair of female attendants fussed over me like I was a prized doll. My skin itched under the expensive fabrics, my heart thudding uncomfortably. The way they gushed over me only made it worse.
"Elaine, your hair is so soft and beautiful! It really does look like glancing at the sun," one attendant chirped, running a brush gently through my long blonde hair.
I fought the urge to groan. Glancing at the sun? Was I supposed to be flattered or blinded?
Their hands were gentle, working makeup onto my face with practiced ease. Just a touch of powder, a faint hint of color to my cheeks, something shimmery at the corner of my eyes — enough to "enhance my natural beauty," they called it.
I felt like I was being painted for display.
Before I could argue, they spun me toward a full-length mirror standing against the far wall. The attendants clapped their hands together, practically beaming as they urged me to look.
And I did — but I barely recognized the reflection staring back.
Gone was the girl who fixed her own torn hems, who scrounged through worn, secondhand clothes in a village that wasn't even real. Instead, a stranger stood there. A stranger in an immaculate uniform far too flashy for my taste.
The crisp white jacket hugged my shoulders, trimmed in sharp black lines with polished gold buttons glinting like medals. The pleated skirt flared just past my knees, but still stopped far too short for my liking, exposing more of my legs than I was used to. Knee-high black socks clung to my calves, paired with glossy brown loafers that clicked faintly on the marble floor when I shifted my stance.
A red bow was knotted at my throat, silky and symmetrical. It made me feel… decorated. Like I was just a toy they were having fun playing dress up with.
I turned slightly, frowning at my reflection.
The girl in the mirror had hair like sunlight, skin like porcelain, and eyes that still held the storm of everything she'd been through. She looked noble. Untouchable.
She didn't look like me.
"See? Absolutely radiant," one of the attendants cooed behind me, clearly pleased with their work.
Radiant. Right. I felt like I was wearing someone else's life.
The attendants fussed with my jacket one last time, straightening the collar and adjusting the bow, when one of them chimed, "Your escort is waiting outside for you, Elaine."
Escort? I blinked.
Curiosity tugged at me. I drifted toward the tall window, brushing aside the sheer curtain. Beyond the polished glass, I caught a glimpse of black hair shifting in the morning sunlight as someone turned to walk down the Vatican steps.
It was Zero.
For a brief, traitorous moment, warmth stirred in my chest. He was here. Despite everything, despite the frustration and confusion he caused me, part of me still felt steadier knowing he hadn't disappeared.
I cleared my throat, forcing my expression neutral.
Don't get comfortable. You can't afford to forget what he did to you. I grabbed the unfamiliar school bag waiting by the door, the crisp fabric of my new uniform still foreign against my skin.
The attendants followed behind me, their footsteps echoing off the marble floors as I stepped through the Vatican's grand entrance. The heavy doors opened, spilling sunlight across the broad courtyard lined with ancient stone columns and statues of saints.
And there he was.
Leaning casually against the brick archway that framed the Vatican gates, one leg perched, the other planted firmly. His white uniform mirrored mine—sharp, structured, trimmed with black and fastened with polished gold buttons. But unlike mine, his jacket proudly displayed the silver Dusker insignia on his lapel, gleaming like a medal of honor.
He looked… different.
He wasn't the exhausted, haunted boy I'd seen nearly collapsing in Ellis's office. His posture was relaxed, his dark eyes scanning the quiet courtyard. The crisp lines of his uniform, the stark contrast of white against his black hair and sharp features—it all softened him, painted him in an unsettling glow of false purity.
It was unfair how good he looked like this. Like he belonged to some untouchable world that I was still new to.
I tightened my grip on the school bag, dragging my gaze away before it lingered too long.
I know better. I know who he really is beneath that polished uniform.
Still… it was a nice change. Of course he looked good. The universe just loved making my life harder. I tried hard to ignore the irritating skip in my chest.
I adjusted the strap of my school bag and made my way toward him, the attendants lingering behind like shadows. The morning air was crisp, the Vatican courtyard unusually quiet, save for the faint song of birds overhead.
Zero's eyes flicked toward me the moment I approached. His posture straightened, his face unreadable— expression locked in the cold, sharp-edged professionalism I was quickly learning to associate with him in public.
"Ready?" His voice was flat, efficient. All business.
I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms. "You know," I muttered, "after everything we've been through, you can relax a little around me. I'd rather not spend the whole day stuck with some mindless drone."
For half a heartbeat, his mask held. But then, the faintest smirk tugged at the corner of his lips—barely there, but enough to stir something rebellious in his gaze. He swung his bag over his shoulder, the Dusker insignia on his chest catching the light.
"You'll regret telling me that," he drawled, voice low but teasing. "Not that I'm complaining. I might be your dog, but that doesn't mean I'm the obedient little puppy the Vatican wants me to be."
I flushed slightly, regretting my words already. His smirk deepened, clearly satisfied with my reaction, before turning away from the Vatican gates.
"Let's go, sunshine," he called over his shoulder, striding ahead with all the ease of someone who didn't care about rules or appearances, despite the sharp uniform he wore. "First day back in the cage."
I sighed, adjusting my skirt and hurrying after him, already wondering what I'd gotten myself into.
***
The ride to Twilight Academy passed mostly in silence, save for the steady hum of the transport vehicle and the occasional snide comment from Zero when he caught me fidgeting with my uniform.
I'd never seen a car before. As far as I was concerned, this was a luxury that only the rich could afford to experience. It just reminded me how much my life had changed in just a matter of one week.
***
By the time we arrived, my nerves were twisting themselves into knots.
Twilight Academy loomed ahead like some grand castle out of a storybook—towering spires, stained glass windows glinting in the sunlight, the school crest emblazoned across the arched gates. Students in pristine uniforms flowed through the courtyard, laughing, talking, forming little cliques that were impossible to miss.
We barely set foot through the front gates before the atmosphere shifted.
It started with whispers—a ripple of curiosity that spread through the students like wildfire. Heads turned. Eyes followed us.
The girls locked in on Zero instantly.
"That's him… the Dusker."
"No way, he's younger than I thought…"
"He's gorgeous… like a fallen angel."
"He's the youngest Dusker in history, right?"
Despite the praise, Zero's expression remained blank, entirely unfazed by the attention. If anything, he looked annoyed.
I, however, wasn't spared either.
"The Elaine… that's her."
"Look at her hair—it's like spun gold."
"She's beautiful… she doesn't even look real."
"Figures she's a noble…"
I tugged self-consciously at my jacket, face burning under the weight of so many stares. I wasn't used to this—the praise, the scrutiny—it made my skin crawl.
Zero, of course, took it all in stride, not slowing his pace as we wove through the courtyard.
"This happens every day?" I asked under my breath, glaring at the groups shamelessly gawking.
Zero snorted softly, eyes forward. "I wouldn't know. I never show up."
***
The classroom fell silent the moment we walked in.
The same whispers began all over again—the Dusker, the Elaine, rumors blending with admiration and fear.
Zero sauntered toward an empty seat like he owned the place, slinging his bag down without a care. He blended perfectly into the pristine rows of desks, but somehow still stood out like a black star against the sterile walls.
The teacher walked in… and of course, it wasn't just any teacher. It was Ellis, but I should have expected as much.
He strode to the front of the room, all effortless confidence and that maddeningly smug grin plastered across his face. His eyes swept over the class, sharp and observant, before locking straight onto Zero.
"Good morning, class," Ellis began, voice light, almost musical. "And an especially warm welcome back to our favorite runaway, Zero."
The room collectively turned to stare at him again, the whispers erupting all over—amusement, awe, confusion.
Zero visibly withered, slouching deeper into his seat as if the chair could swallow him whole. His arms crossed tight over his chest, jaw ticking in irritation.
I tried not to laugh but failed miserably, a small snicker escaping me.
Ellis's grin widened, clearly feeding off the chaos he'd created. "It's such a rare treat to have him grace us with his presence. Try not to overwhelm him, everyone."
"Kill me," Zero muttered under his breath, eyes narrowing into slits as he glared up at Ellis with pure, concentrated loathing.
Ellis winked in response, entirely unfazed, before turning back to the class to begin roll call and announcements.
I leaned toward Zero's desk, unable to resist teasing him. "Didn't realize you were so popular."
"Don't," Zero warned flatly, eyes still locked forward, his scowl deepening.
Ellis scribbled a few notes across the board with a flourish, the chalk clicking sharply against the surface.
"Alright, let's see who's actually awake this morning," he announced, eyes glinting mischievously. "Why don't you help us out, Zero?"
The entire class shifted, necks craning, eyes wide like they'd just been told royalty was about to demonstrate brilliance.
All eyes fell on Zero.
He didn't move.
For a moment, I wondered if he was going to ignore Ellis entirely, but finally, with the most exaggerated sigh I'd ever heard, he scraped his chair back and stood. His expression could have curdled milk.
"I hate you," he muttered as he passed Ellis, who only smiled wider.
The class collectively held its breath as Zero stalked toward the board, every movement dripping with reluctant grace. The infamous Dusker, youngest in history, the Empire's grim reaper—here to flex his legendary skills.
He stopped at the board… stared at the problem… and stared even longer.
Silence.
A few nervous giggles bubbled from the students.
Zero turned, chalk dangling between his fingers like it offended him. His face was completely blank as he addressed the room:
"I have no idea how to solve this."
A beat of stunned silence—then the classroom practically shattered into shocked whispers and muffled laughter.
Ellis outright cackled from his desk.
I clamped a hand over my mouth, shoulders shaking as Zero's deadpan stare swept over the room, entirely unbothered by the growing chaos.
"You think I'm supposed to care about this crap?" Zero yawned tiredly, rolling his shoulders like this was beneath him. "Who needs math when it comes to slaying vampires? Without me, you'd all be a little less safe, don't you agree?"
The girls actually swooned—the sound of dreamy sighs rippling through the room as his low, serious voice settled in the air like some ridiculous spell. A few boys groaned in frustration, muttering under their breath about favoritism and theatrics.
I pressed my hand tighter over my mouth, looking away before I burst out laughing completely. This was getting hard to watch—major cringe.
And of course, the universe wasn't done with him yet.
That's when the cocky student from the back stood, voice dripping with smugness. "This is the guy protecting our Elaine?" His arms crossed, eyes narrowing on Zero like he thought he had him cornered. "Can't solve basic math, but we're supposed to trust him? I bet I could best this loser in a duel any day!"
The room stilled, tension clicking into place.
Zero chuckled, slow and dangerous—the kind of laugh that didn't belong to a carefree teenager. His hand drifted toward his sword, fingers brushing the hilt with casual promise. His eyes darkened, no hint of humor left in them.
"You sure about that?" he asked quietly, the challenge hanging in the air like smoke. "I might just take you up on that, since you're so confident."
One of the girls near me sucked in a sharp breath. Even the cocky ones in the back shrank down a little, eyes darting to the sword like it might leap off his hip on its own.
Someone whispered, "He's really going to draw it…"
Another voice, breathless, "He's a Dusker—they don't bluff."
The arrogant student hesitated, mouth opening—then quickly shutting, realizing far too late the predator he'd just taunted.
Ellis cleared his throat, stepping in to break the tension. "Let's save the bloodshed for after school, shall we?" His grin twitched wider. "First period's enough violence for now."
"Hey now, I know I've been gone a long time, but I remember the rules. Student's belonging in the same track when offered a challenge of strength must oblige to accept." Zero drew his sword just barely for the students to see.
"Or were those just hollow words to try and scare me? I can tell you're a hunter in training due to that sword leaned against your desk."
The cocky student clicked his tongue, rising in anger. "You think you're better than me just because you're a Dusker? You don't fool me! I'll show you I'm more suited to protect Elaine than you are!"
Zero broke out in a low, amused laughter, sweeping his black hair out of his face. "Well, you heard his answer, teach. Let's call for a recess. We can resume once I put this bastard back in his place."
The room erupted into whispers, students shifting anxiously in their seats, excitement and dread crackling in the air.
Ellis just grinned wider, eyes glinting with a shrug of his shoulders. "Recess it is."
Zero's eyes met mine for a brief second—his smirk widening like he lived for this chaos—before turning back toward his challenger.
Oh no, I thought, heart sinking as they filed out of the classroom.
This… is going to be a disaster.