Chapter 194: Food
"I am a Frost. So... it’s not like a momentary dip in my popularity will lead to my downfall."
Victoria, knowing Alicia’s concern, clarified her stance to ease her worries.
Or at least, she put on a brave front.
Her words lifted Alicia’s mood while also shifting the focus away from a topic that was still too awkward to discuss.
Honestly... Victoria was worried about the elections.
She knew her rival, Ashlyn, wasn’t leaving a stone unturned to ensure her defeat.
The position of student council president was extremely important to Victoria, as she understood the benefits it would bring to the Frosts and the Veltran Empire as a whole.
Her father had always fought everything alone, so Victoria wanted to become a pillar of support for him—however small that contribution might be.
"And yes—"
Both Alicia and Diana turned to her as she suddenly raised her voice.
"Kael isn’t suspended forever, if that’s what you’re worried about. Though a clear timeline hasn’t been made public, it won’t be that long—at least, that’s what I learned from the senior instructors. So stop stressing over it."
Victoria flicked Alicia’s forehead playfully, making her pout again—
Though the small smile on the little girl’s face was obvious.
The truth, however, was different...
It was the current council president who had informed Victoria about Kael’s suspension.
That, however, wasn’t what surprised her.
It was how the punishment was decided that shook Victoria’s understanding of Kael completely.
The president, being close to Instructor Zenur, had learned what truly happened in the headmaster’s office.
That was when Victoria learned the truth.
It was Kael who suggested the suspension—and the headmaster had readily agreed.
Victoria didn’t know what to feel about it.
The headmaster, who had never favoured anyone, was openly showing his regard for Kael.
And Kael...
How had he even formed such a connection with someone like the headmaster?
A Sovereign, no less.
Victoria had initially attributed the sudden rise in Kael’s strength to some illegal methods he might have used to gain such a boost in power, but—
Seeing his relationship with the headmaster and the ease with which everything seemed to be going in Kael’s favour—from the narrative about him in the academy to his suspension—
Victoria had begun to have doubts about everything.
Maybe... Kael had involved himself in something bigger than what appeared on the surface.
What if—
Victoria shook her head in disbelief as another theory appeared in her mind.
But still... the more she thought about it, the more it seemed real.
The chances of something like that happening, given the relations between the Frosts and Kael, were a real possibility.
Maybe... her assumptions were right.
Maybe—
Kael was planning something against their house by forming some sort of alliance with the headmaster.
But—
The headmaster’s neutral stance in world politics was a known fact.
Why would an individual like that go out of their way to help someone in their revenge—a kid, no less?
Though the Frosts weren’t the strongest power in the world, they were still one of the major powers.
The headmaster should have known the consequences of plotting something against their house, which could also be equated to a move against the Veltran Empire itself.
One after another, new possibilities erupted in Victoria’s mind, pushing her into a state of overdrive.
She had to discuss everything with her father and prepare sufficient countermeasures.
Though the chance of Kael being able to do any serious damage to House Frost was near negligible, Victoria wasn’t a fool to bet the future of her house on her assumptions.
Each of Kael’s moves was surprising to her, be it in fight or in his relationship with the headmaster... and Victoria wasn’t interested in suffering another loss at his hands simply because she underestimated him.
Though she had presented a warm front before her sister and Diana... from the inside, Victoria had other plans.
Ella had suggested her to recruit Kael into their faction... and Victoria had indeed taken the advice to build a plan that would be most beneficial for her.
And for that—she had to first put her sister’s mind at ease, so she wouldn’t be conflicted when deciding whom to support.
After all—Victoria wanted them to support Kael... she really did.
"Hey! You didn’t tell the exact location."
Victoria was brought out of her thoughts by Kevin’s loud voice as he shouted while leaning against the trunk of a tree.
Kevin and Noah had already arrived downstairs, but not knowing where the campfire was arranged, stood near a tree waiting for Victoria and the rest.
Victoria found her little brother’s antics... cute.
Kevin had always been the one to do all the weird stuff among the Frost siblings, and many of his actions had always been supported by... Kael.
Victoria shook her head again to remove all unnecessary thoughts, shifting her focus to the task at hand.
"It’s not in the academy. We’ll have to go out."
Victoria replied as the three of them walked towards Kevin and Noah, who—
Victoria paused for a second as she felt the intense gaze from Noah, but just as she reciprocated it, Noah immediately averted his eyes, as if caught doing something illegal.
Victoria didn’t dwell on the weird guy and kept her pace as she walked in the direction of the academy’s gate.
"Oyy, will they allow us to go out at night? I thought it needed some serious permissions—"
"With me here, I don’t think anyone would try to stop us."
Victoria interrupted Kevin while lightly shrugging her shoulders.
"Huh... yeah, that’s true. By the way, what are we having for dinner?"
The question made Victoria stop in her tracks as she turned to look into Kevin’s round eyes.
A long silence ensued between them as Victoria thought about the answer.
Honestly... Ella had invited her just an hour ago, and Victoria agreed without thinking much.
So neither had Ella elaborated, nor had Victoria cared to ask.
But right now, as everyone’s eyes were fixed on her, Victoria felt that she had to at least give some sort of answer.
"Sister—"
"Food."
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