Chapter 144: The Little Surprise
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CHAP 144: The Little Surprise
{Elira}
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Cambria groaned but laughed, covering her face with one hand. "That’s not how invitations work, Nari."
"It is now," Nari declared proudly, stabbing her fork into her mashed potatoes as if sealing the rule. "We will be Elira’s plus-four. No dignitary in the world can top us."
Juniper muttered dryly, "Oh yes, the King will be trembling before the mighty Nari and her gang."
Nari gasped and clutched her chest. "Exactly. He should."
Even Tamryn gave a tiny snort at that, though she tried to hide it behind her glass of water.
I couldn’t help it, I laughed. Truly laughed. The heaviness snapped slightly, letting the warmth seep through.
"Thank you," I whispered, so soft it almost vanished under the cafeteria noise.
They didn’t need me to say more. Their smiles, wide, mischievous, and genuine, were enough.
Selene’s voice hummed again, quieter this time, as if smiling with me. "See? Family."
I agreed with Selene. My friends are the family I have now. Well, apart from my mates.
My friends and I lingered a little while longer at the table, laughter still clinging to us like threads of light.
But eventually, trays were emptied and the buzz of the cafeteria dimmed as groups began shuffling out.
"Come on," Cambria said, sliding her chair back. "If we don’t leave now, Nari might start predicting dessert shortages."
Nari arched a brow. "That’s not a prediction. That’s a certainty."
We laughed again, standing and gathering our things. The flow of students pressed us toward the doors, voices bouncing off the walls.
Just as I stepped out into the corridor, a flicker of movement tugged at my attention. My gaze caught on a girl slipping into the entrance of the third-year cafeteria.
I only glimpsed her side profile, the gentle curve of her jaw, the flow of her hair. But something within me jolted. Familiar.
I froze mid-step, eyes straining to catch more before the door closed behind her.
The others moved ahead, but I lingered, my chest tightening.
That profile—I had seen it before. I think it was in the hallway, weeks ago, when just another student was passing by. Back then, I’d brushed it off, convinced my mind was playing tricks on me.
But now... seeing her again...
My thoughts whirred. ’Is it the same person? Or am I imagining it again?’
Finally, I came to a conclusion. Until I saw her face clearly, I wouldn’t know. But unease clung to me, settling low in my stomach.
"Elira?" Nari’s voice pulled me back. She had stopped a few steps ahead, tilting her head at me. "You coming?"
I blinked, forcing my features into a calm expression. "Yeah. Coming."
I caught up with them quickly, but the image of that side profile shadowed me, even as we returned to our dorm to grab our study materials.
But soon enough, we were swept along with the stream of first-years heading to the designated study hall.
The long room was already buzzing when we entered, rows of desks lined neatly under the glow of overhead lamps.
Pages rustled, pens scratched, and the soft hum of focused chatter filled the air.
We found our usual corner and settled in. Nari spread her notes dramatically, muttering about how history always found a way to bore her.
Cambria had already pulled out two thick textbooks, as though she meant to conquer the entire syllabus tonight.
I pulled out my notebook and reached for a pen when a soft vibration buzzed from my phone on the desk.
Looking down at it, I noticed a notification. My heart skipped a beat when I recognized the sender. It was a message from Rennon in my private group chat with the brothers.
Rennon: [Don’t forget, Elira. You are training with me right after school tomorrow.]
I blinked. Training... right.
Today had felt like a blur—classes cut short, the announcement, the heavy atmosphere of the auditorium.
Because of all that, I hadn’t gone to the small training hall like usual. The sudden schedule change for Founder’s Day briefing had thrown everything off.
Quickly, I typed back:
Elira: [I won’t forget. Thank you for the reminder.]
Then, before my face revealed anything, I turned the screen dark and slid the phone back to my desk.
---
The next day blurred into its own rhythm—classes, notes, and chatter in the hallways. But by the time the final bell rang, my chest thrummed with the memory of Rennon’s reminder.
After grabbing my backpack from my locker, I walked toward the small training hall. On the way, I pulled up my roommates’ group chat and typed quickly:
Elira: [Heading to my "secret mission" now. Don’t wait up.]
The typing bubbles appeared almost instantly.
Nari: [Please don’t die on us, Elira.]
Cambria: [Bring snacks from your mission.]
Tamryn: [Just come back in one piece.]
Juniper: [Suspicious. Very suspicious.]
A smile tugged at my lips. Their voices came alive in my head with each reply, easing some of the tension coiled inside me.
The campus paths grew quieter as I neared the training hall. When I reached the wooden double doors, I paused for a second, tightening my grip on the strap of my backpack before pushing them open.
My steps faltered immediately.
I had expected Rennon, calm and patient, perhaps already stretching or waiting with a practice sword.
But instead, three figures turned toward me at once.
Rennon stood at the center, glasses slipping slightly down his nose, exactly as I had pictured. To his left, Zenon straightened, his arms crossed, expression unreadable as ever.
And beside him—of course—Lennon leaned against the wall, a grin already spreading across his face.
All three brothers were present.
My heartbeat stuttered. I blinked, suddenly aware of how small the room felt with their gazes fixed on me.
"You’re early," Rennon said gently, adjusting his glasses.
"Or maybe," Lennon drawled, smirk deepening, "we’re just impatient."
Zenon’s eyes narrowed slightly, a sharp glint flashing behind his composure. "Don’t waste time with nonsense. She’s here. Let’s begin."
I swallowed, my fingers tightening around my backpack strap again as I stepped further inside.
This... wasn’t what I had expected at all.