Chapter 38: The Major Villainess’ Introduction! (1)
The next morning, Verena woke up feeling like absolute garbage. Her body still felt sluggish, her limbs weighed down by the lingering effects of the system's penalty.
Even standing up felt like a personal offense to her dignity.
Still, she dragged herself through her morning routine, slapped on a tolerable expression, and made her way to class.
Classes were... well, classes.
Professors droned on about celestial alignments, magical fluctuations, and theoretical applications of Zodiacal Weaving.
Normally, Verena might have paid attention, if only to avoid embarrassing herself later.
But today, she was barely holding herself together.
Every time she shifted in her seat, her muscles protested like she had run a marathon in high heels.
She was just about ready to throw herself into the nearest bush for a midday nap when, out of nowhere, Evelyn approached her.
"Lady Verena," Evelyn said, hands clasped together with a surprising sense of urgency. "Would you... have lunch with me today? Outside? In the garden?"
It was surprising. Evelyn had never initiated an invitation before. At least, not with such a determined look in her eyes.