I sat down behind Lucien Vale.
No one acknowledged me.
No welcome. No nod. No whispered congratulations. Just a few sideways glances and a lot of silence.
Lucien didn't turn around. His posture was straight, his uniform perfectly pressed, his attention fixed ahead. Not on me. Not on anything in particular.
The tension around him was thick. Like everyone was careful not to disturb whatever mood he was in.
The rest of the sorting dragged on. Names I didn't care about. Houses I didn't understand. But when it was done, Headmistress Hale raised her hand. No speech, no closing remarks. Just a slow clap that signaled we were dismissed.
The moment we stood, Vale students moved in sync — like they'd rehearsed. I scrambled to keep up.
The castle was still shifting. Corridors curved in ways that didn't make sense, but everyone seemed to know where they were going. I didn't want to be the one lost and trailing behind.
We entered the Vale wing. Dark stone, quiet halls, and banners in deep silver and charcoal. Clean. Organized. Unforgiving.
Our rooms were all singles. That alone said something. No roommates. No alliances. No one to cover for you.
When I stepped inside mine, I found a crisp envelope on the desk.
House Vale does not explain itself. You were placed here for a reason. Don't waste it.
No name. No crest. Just that.
I sat down on the edge of the bed. It was stiff, barely comfortable. There was a wardrobe, a desk, and a mirror that didn't show reflections unless you stepped directly in front of it.
I didn't belong here. But pretending I did was all I had right now.
And if Lucien Vale had already decided to ignore me… fine.
I could ignore him back.
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