The late afternoon sky turned golden-orange as the academy bell rang five times, marking the end of the midday classes. Young nobles poured out of the main building—some heading to the library, others to the garden, and the rest to the training grounds. But among them, only a few refrained from sneaking glances at Alexa as she walked gracefully down the main corridor.
She walked calmly, yet her gaze and posture radiated an unseen aura—cold, elegant, and... defiant.
> "She never seems shaken, even with the entire academy talking about her," whispered a young noble from House Caelvare.
> "That's because she's a Zevarelis," his friend replied. "Don't you know? Her father and eldest brother are the strongest swordsmen in all of Solveria."
---
In the upper reading room of the academy, Alexa sat alone near a large window overlooking the garden. An open book on ice magic lay before her, but her mind wandered. She replayed everything that had happened since the joint magic exam.
> Someone is watching. Someone is trying to bring her down slowly—silently.
Footsteps approaching snapped her from her thoughts. She looked up and saw Eiden Vaelthorn standing before her, holding two cups of warm tea.
"For you," he said casually. "You forgot lunch."
Alexa looked at him for a moment before nodding. "Thank you."
Eiden sat across from her without invitation—but Alexa didn't mind. A brief silence settled until his voice returned, this time softer.
> "They won't stop, Alexa. You know that, right?"
Alexa turned her gaze to the window. "I know. They think I'm easy to destroy because I'm a girl. Because I'm the little sister of the Zevarelis swordsmen. Because I'm not the heir." She looked back at him, her eyes glowing with fire.
> "But they forgot… I'm still a Zevarelis."
Eiden smiled, just a little. "That's the answer I was waiting for."
---
In another corridor, just behind a massive pillar facing the training hall, Crown Prince Thalionric stood, listening from a distance. He hadn't meant to eavesdrop—but the look in his eyes changed clearly—jealous, and slightly... wounded.
> "Since when were you two that close?" "So close… and I never even realized it?"
He clenched his fists, then turned away without a sound, his white-and-gold cloak swirling behind him as he headed to his chamber.
But before closing the door, he whispered softly,
> "You're still mine, Alexamysa…"
---
[End of Chapter 22]