Ch 27: Amber Eldoryn
Amber Eldoryn stood behind Eleena, and it was only when Lucien entered the hall that she finally discovered the reason for Eleena’s restlessness.
Lucien entered behind the Vice-Headmistress, accompanied by a golden-haired girl whose beauty was almost unnatural, as if she had grown up in a household where she was never even allowed out in the sun. The girl’s skin was white and unblemished, her golden hair cascading down to her waist like a waterfall, and her black eyes sparkled with excitement and anticipation.
Amber turned her head to look at her friend Eleena, who had frozen, her body as still as a rod. Amber could, to some extent, sense what Eleena must be experiencing. She had known Eleena for so long that she could pinpoint the cause of her friend’s restlessness since entering the hall: Eleena had likely seen Lucien walking beside the golden-haired girl beforehand.
Amber sighed and nudged Eleena slightly. "Is everything okay?" she asked, unable to watch her friend struggle like this.
Eleena did not turn her head but simply nodded. "Umm."
Lucien and the Vice-Headmistress had already climbed the stairs and reached the high-raised platform. Lucien moved to the back and stood on the right side beside the other professors, while the Vice-Headmistress stepped to the center of the platform, a microphone in front of her mouth.
"I am extremely sorry for delaying the morning prayer," the Vice-Headmistress apologized and even bowed her head slightly. She added, "Since it is already late, we should begin the morning prayer."
***
Just like yesterday, the morning prayer proceeded with everyone standing as still as pillars. Afterward, the Vice-Headmistress exchanged some pleasantries, never once mentioning the golden-haired girl or the reason for the delay.
Once the morning prayer had ended, the students began to exit the hall, forming small groups as they made their way through the huge doors at the back. They talked among themselves, and most only glanced for a moment at the golden-haired girl, who stood at the back of the girls’ line without moving, as if she were waiting for someone.
Amber looked at Eleena, who had her head turned—not to her, but to the golden-haired girl—and seemed completely focused on analyzing the newcomer. It did not suit Eleena’s noble status at all. "If you keep staring at her like that, you will put a hole through her head," Amber joked. Yet her words were true, because the intensity of Eleena’s gaze hardly befitted the noble reputation she carried.
Amber crossed her arms over her chest and waited for Eleena to realize her mistake.
As realization finally dawned on her, Eleena became flustered and turned her gaze toward Amber. "Was it that obvious?" she asked, seeming unable to believe she had been so blatantly staring at someone else.
Amber nodded, a slight smile on her lips. "Yes, you were eyeing her like a vulture."
Eleena sighed at Amber’s words. "Do you know who she is? I do not think I have ever seen her," she asked.
Amber shook her head, a touch of reluctance in her gesture. "No, I do not know her. Never seen her either," she replied, turning once more to look at the girl for what felt like the umpteenth time. No matter how much she looked, Amber could not remember ever seeing a face that even remotely matched the girl's.
"Everyone is already leaving the hall. We should also go back to our classes, your highness," Eleena said. Amber turned her head to see that the hall was quickly emptying.
"How many times do I have to tell you that you can call me by my name, Amber?" Amber said, putting her hands on her waist. She hated that Eleena kept calling her by her title, no matter how many times she had been told otherwise.
"Umm, I am sorry. It is just a habit of mine," Eleena said, a smile finally easing the creases in her face.
"Okay, smile more. You do not look good with that tense face," Amber advised. She disliked how Eleena was so tense that her face betrayed every worry in her mind—her eyes, usually full of energy, looked dull, and her lips, usually raised in a smile, now turned downward.
Eleena nodded and smiled, but the smile did not reach her eyes. Amber sighed, and before she could take a step toward the door to leave the hall, since nearly everyone else had already gone, Lucien climbed down from the platform and began to approach them.
Eleena, seemingly noticing Amber’s stare, turned her body forward to watch Lucien slowly make his way toward them. Amber waited, her fists clenched, ready to protect her friend if Lucien had any ulterior motives.
But Lucien did not even give them a second glance. He walked past with his hands in his pockets, his usual impassive face not so much as twitching, nor his eyes turning toward them. His pitch-black hair was slicked back, and as he passed by, Lucien’s pleasant fragrance filled Amber’s nostrils.
He smells good, Amber thought, turning to watch Lucien disappear past them without so much as a single glance in their direction.
Lucien only stopped when he reached the golden-haired girl, who was looking at him with a slightly anxious expression. But there was no fear in her eyes, nor did her body language suggest she was afraid. She seemed merely anxious, like a girl whose crush had just come up to speak to her.
What is going on?
Amber could not help but notice that the girl did not fear Lucien, who was feared by everyone. Amber herself felt uneasy around him—the power he carried within his body was greater than anyone else she had ever met at their age. Lucien was just one year older, yet the gap in strength was incomparable. And the girl, likely around Amber’s own age, was looking at Lucien as if she had seen her savior. There was respect in her gaze, and perhaps the tiniest hint of fear, as if she worried she might disappoint his expectations.
Lucien mumbled something inaudible, and the girl responded with an audible "Yes." Lucien then turned toward the door and started walking, the girl closely following behind him.
Amber felt cold radiating from her right side, and when she turned her head, she saw Eleena clenching her fists tightly, her jaw set. Tiny ice particles seemed to leak from her body.
Amber sighed for what felt like the umpteenth time. She could already imagine that the academy was going to become so hectic that she would have rather chosen to attend next year instead.
***
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