RHEIN'S POINT OF VIEW
I spent the whole day pestering Justin. It became my personal mission—following him through the halls, poking him with questions, tugging at his sleeve whenever he tried to slip away. He was quiet as always, but the flicker of irritation in his eyes only made me grin wider.
When he finally left the academy grounds, I trailed after him right up to the entrance of his dorm. I knew he was preparing to head out toward the Dark Palace again, his secret assignment calling him into enemy territory.
I told Forelody to go to our dorm first to rest. She complained that we should stop asking Justin but I am too stubborn to quit. Now, I am all alone in this pestering journey.
"Come on, just tell me a little," I pressed, stepping in front of him like a wall.
He sighed. For the first time, a faint smirk tugged at his lips. Then—miracle of miracles—he gave in.
"Yes!" I pumped a fist in triumph. "Victory for Rhein!"
But before I could celebrate further, a firm hand caught my wrist and tugged me backward.
"Rhein."
I spun around to find Dylan, his dark eyes unreadable.
What happened to him?
His grip was steady, commanding, and without another word he pulled me along the corridors.
I sighed in defeat. I will just ask Justin again some other time.
By the time we reached the cafeteria, the severity on his face had softened into something almost—almost—like a smile?
We sat across from each other with trays of food between us. Silence stretched long enough for the sound of clinking forks and murmured conversations from nearby tables to fill the space.
Now that I realized, it's been days since the last time we spoke to each other.
"Busy lately, huh?" I sensed sarcasm from his tone. Or was I imagining it? "I called you earlier. You didn't hear me."
I faked a laugh. I was not imagining it.
"I'm sorry. Why did you call me earlier?"
He cleared his throat, gaze fixed on his plate. "I was going to ask you to help me draft the outline for the acquaintance party next week. But... I finished it on my own. We'll just hold a meeting tomorrow to finalize everything."
I blinked. "Oh." Guilt pricked at me. "Sorry. I couldn't help."
"It's fine."
The silence between us was quite eerie.
Where's the bitterness coming from?
After eating dinner, he insisted on walking me back to my dorm. At the door, he paused. His gaze lingered on me, quiet and steady.
"Good night, Rhein."
"Good night."
Wait, what? Did he just drag me to have dinner?
The next morning, I nearly dropped my spoon when Dylan slid into the cafeteria seat beside me.
Lovely and Kate gave me a teasing look. Even Allie! I rolled my eyes in annoyance. They smiled even wider.
"What—what are you doing here?" I asked Dylan, startled.
He shrugged casually, though his expression was more serious than the gesture. "I don't really have friends I eat with. From now on, I'll join you."
I gave a questioning look at Tyler. He just shrugged.
My lips twitched. Is he serious?
Before I could respond, Justin appeared with his usual unhurried stride. He's with the other JAZA members. He glanced at us, then dragged another table over and pressed it against ours, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Great.
I noticed Dylan's expression. His jaw tightened. His brows furrowed. And then came the glare. A sharp, pointed, unmistakable glare in Justin's direction.
Justin didn't even flinch. He calmly stirred his drink as though Dylan's hostility was nothing more than a breeze against his cheek.
Back then at the Mnarr palace, it was the playful Dylan who annoyed the hell out of Justin. Why are their roles reversed this time?
Dylan's eyes kept narrowing with each second that passed. I couldn't take it anymore.
I signaled Forelody that I would leave temporarily. She just nodded while happily eating her green apple.
I shot up from my seat, grabbed him by the wrist, and dragged him outside before the tension could snap like a whip across the cafeteria.
Once we were in the courtyard, I spun on him, planting my hands on my hips. "Okay, what is your problem with Justin?"
He had the audacity to look slightly sheepish. "I... might be jealous."
My mouth fell open. "Jealous?"
"What if he ends up being your closest male friend instead of me?" Dylan muttered, looking away.
"Oh, so this is about me being around him recently?" I blinked at him, incredulous. Then I laughed. "Dylan, I just asked him to give me regular updates on his spying missions in the Deorcanen. That's it. But he refuses me every time I ask so I've been irritating him lately until he gives up. Hopefully, he will."
"I'm insecure," he admitted bluntly, running a hand through his hair.
"What for? I mean, there's nothing wrong if I am friends with him. Well, we are indeed friends."
"I want to be your closest male friend."
"You're acting childish."
"I know. I am. This feels awful but I can't avoid feeling this way, Rhein."
I sighed, shaking my head, but a smile tugged at my lips.
"Well, be rest assured, Dylan. No one's taking your spot."
His eyes are a little brighter now, as though those words had lifted a heavy weight off his chest.
JUSTIN'S POINT OF VIEW
Dylan had practically dragged Rhein away like a jealous dog snatching up a bone. His stiff posture, the tightness in his jaw, the way he glared at me across the table—it was all too easy to read.
And I admit it—I enjoyed every second.
I couldn't stop myself from smirking. My friends noticed it as well. They just shook their head in disbelief.
For someone who tries so hard to play the role of the unshakable leader, Dylan is terribly transparent when it comes to Rhein.
Strangely enough, instead of annoyance, I felt something lighter... warmer. I liked watching her bring out that side of him, that raw humanity he usually kept hidden.
Rhein. It's not that I hide the information away from her. Honestly speaking, she deserves to know the truth. She deserves to hear what I uncover about the Deorcanen Clan.
It's just that refusing her was the only way I could think of to get her stick with me. It felt good that I could get my revenge to Dylan's games.
I am satisfied now.
When classes ended that afternoon, the halls buzzed with the usual chaos—students shoving books into their bags, chairs scraping, voices rising as they spilled out of the classroom like a flood. I slipped into the current, quiet and unnoticed, my gaze fixed on Rhein. She was adjusting the straps of her backpack, still chatting absentmindedly with Allie.
Perfect timing.
I timed my steps so that as I passed her, my shoulder brushed against hers. "Sorry," I murmured, making it sound accidental. In that moment, my hand moved with practiced ease, sliding a folded scrap of paper into the small outer pocket of her bag.
She didn't notice a thing.
By the time she glanced up, I was already walking past, blending back into the crowd. A faint smile curved at my lips.
She'd find it later.