As the doctor had instructed, Severine was stuck with an arm sling for at least three weeks.
Which meant that when she finally returned to the academy—only two days later—she had no choice but to wear it in full view of everyone.
It was almost funny, really… how the entire world could shift in just forty-eight hours.
Before this, when Emily Rhodes dragged her around like a fish caught on a hook, the young lady had always been careful. Always choosing deserted hallways and quiet corners.
No matter how much Emily detested Severine, she still had to consider the family's reputation.
Her parents might overlook petty scuffles between classmates, but they would never tolerate anything that could stain their name.
So Severine's incident had been carefully covered up from prying eyes.
Yet somehow, after a mere two days of absence, the entire academy already knew that "Miss Vale had fallen out with the Rhodes twins."
Severine ignored the constant stares directed at her throughout the lectures.
When it was time for lunch, she went to the cafeteria as usual. The chefs arranged by the academy were five-star chefs—very professional.
So, the food they cooked was quite pleasant.
She had woken up late and even missed her first class due to the two-hour ride from Winterhall Enclave to St. Michael Academy.
Without breakfast, it felt like her stomach was touching her back.
All the while, those stares still stuck to her like glue, as if they were trying to pry open her skin and look deep inside.
Some were curious, some envious of her receiving Damien's attention in any form, while most simply gloated over her misfortune.
Despite the lingering gazes, she straightened her spine and walked toward the tray section.
As she picked up the plate, her fingers halted mid-air.
Perhaps it was due to her dampened mood, or the restriction of using only one hand, that she lost her appetite.
Forget it, she mused. I'll eat later.
The silver designs on her cuff links and collar glinted under the cafeteria lights.
This was a specially assigned uniform. Although all were wearing blue blazers, only a handful of them had silver designs adorning their clothes.
It showed their prestige and their academic value.
As for the students with golden motifs, there were only three. Damien Rhodes, Emily Rhodes, and Emmett D'Arden.
All were the main characters, and Severine wished for nothing more than to stay away from them.
Just as she turned around, a student with a plain blue blazer collided with her. He raised his hand and knocked the food tray out of his hand with a loud crash.
The entire cafeteria fell silent.
The food spilled on her clothes, soaking into the fabric and sticking to her skin.
It left a greasy mark on her clean shirt, difficult to cleanse. It made her feel dirty all over.
If it was hot... Severine didn't dare to think about the consequences.
"My bad," the male student said, smiling insincerely. "The floor is a bit slippery today."
Since morning, this was the second time someone had played a 'silly' prank like this.
The sudden laughter around her pierced her ears, stabbing deep inside her chest.
Those giggles and hushed whispers inflated the boy's ego. He puffed up his chest, and his eyes darted secretly toward the upper floor.
A performance for the particular spectator. This was what it was.
What else was there not to understand?
"Step aside," Severine said, without a shred of frown or flush of embarrassment.
It sure irked the boy. How could his performance be completed if the lead refused to play her role?
"Hey, I was just joking, you know. How about I help you," his gaze was stuck to Severine's chest as he continued, "with the stains? They should ho away if I rub properly."
Before he could touch Severine again, a plate slammed onto him.
A bowl of soup, salad, fried rice, stir-fried pork... all of it landed directly on his body. Bits of food slid down his face and onto his already dripping chest.
Perhaps the shock was too great; he forgot to fight back.
The entire cafeteria experienced another silent moment, their gazes travelling to the person who caused the mess.
Alina sneered, dusting her hands as if she had touched something dirty. Her usually cheerful face, which showed her emotions like a mirror, was scrunched up.
"My bad. My hand is a bit slippery today."
Her words taunted the boy as she draped her arm around Severine's shoulders.
"You fine?" she asked. Her cat-like, bright eyes filled with obvious concern.
Severine blinked, then calmly shrugged the arm off her shoulder.
She disliked it when others touched her. Even if Alina was the heroine of the novel, Severine couldn't bring herself to like or dislike her.
A stranger. That was all she was.
"You!" the boy finally snapped out of his shock. "Are you out of your mind?"
Who in their right mind would defend someone against Rhodes?
That was the collective thought of everyone present, except the person involved.
Alina let out an incredulous laugh. "Why not ask yourself? Fucking pathetic piece of shit."
Then came the coercion of an Awakener. Although it was less intense than what Severine had experienced before, it was enough for the boy to tremble and take a step back in fear.
Alina Hart had a bloodline of a feline creature. The corners of her bright yellow eyes were lifted upward.
With her long brown hair, she indeed was both heroic and charming, but
her loud cursing gave Severine a headache.
She stared at the right side of the cafeteria where the academy's untouchables liked to sit.
Damien's narrowed blue gaze was filled with overbearing superiority, while Severine's dark eyes remained silent—calm like the depths of the ocean that hid millions of mysteries.
Damien's lips pressed and a frown appeared on his face.
"Alina Hart..." he gritted in snnoyance.
After all, he never thought there would be someone who would protect his enemy. It was so absurd and unbelievably annoying.
I wanted to avoid the plot, Severine thought helplessly, staring back at the angry heroine.
Yet here they were, with male lead and female lead in the same space, with her being the connecting link.
Placing the empty tray back, she grabbed Alina's arm. "Let's go."
"You wait for me. This grandmother will teach them how to be a human," Alina rolled up her sleeves, about to bypass Severine. Her cheeks puffed up in anger.
Severine winced when her arm touched Alina's. And that was enough for the kitten's anger to vanish like a deflated balloon.
"Shit," she cursed without any image of an educated lady, yet her yellow eyes looked pure. "Did I hurt you? Let's go back."
It was this contrast that made Severine hesitate to yank her hand away.
"Hmm," she mumbled.
As they left the cafeteria, she didn't give Damien another glance.
This whole situation had spiraled out of her control... Again.