24 Adonis (2)

"Why are you so mad at me? I don't think I've ever done something wrong to you," I said as I pouted my lips to hide the seriousness behind my question. I want to know why she hates me... so much.

"Excuse me? Have you forgotten what you did to me when we were kids? You chased almost all of my friends away, leaving me no one but Serene and Elliana! And even after that, you kept annoying me every time you went to the palace," she said, almost yelling.

Oh...

"Oh, understandable," I said and chuckled. "I swear in the name of Castiello, I'll annoy you more from now on, Princess Krishiella," I continued and winked at her.

"Goodness gracious, I can't believe you!" She said and stood up to go to another table.

Haaa... So that was the reason why she hates me so much.

I chased her 'friends' away, because I knew they were talking behind her back. Not only did I know, but I even heard them talking shit about her and I couldn't stand it. I threatened them that I would tell their parents about how they called her names and after that, they stopped talking to Krishiella.

I hated that the people whom she treated nicely were doing the exact opposite to her. She deserves a lot better than that—she deserves the best.

Though, she doesn't know about that because I kept quiet about it. I played as a villain just so I won't tarnish the family names of those so-called-friends of hers, and I would also hate it if she got hurt because of it.

As for the part where I annoyed her whenever I came to the palace, I only kept approaching her because I wanted to be her friend. I did not want to stay in the shadows forever, defending her name in her absence. I wanted to be beside her as her friend. But she hates me because I chased her 'friends' away, which made her annoyed whenever she sees me.

When I realized she would never turn to look and smile at me the way she does with Elliana and Serene, I decided to just get on her nerves if that's what it takes for her to even look my way. If I can't make her like me, then I'll make her hate me instead. After all, if you get annoyed with someone, there are times when you keep thinking about them. I... I want her to think of me even if it's in a bad way.

If only she knew how I truly felt and what really happened before, then I wouldn't be having a hard time trying to converse with her.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Elliana said as she put her hand on my shoulder. I sighed and said, "Nothing." She looked around and saw Krishiella. "It's Krishiella again, isn't it?" She said as she looked at me with a pained expression.

I hate the look in her eyes. I don't want anybody to feel pity for me.

I chuckled and said, "Come on. Just because I'm sighing, it doesn't necessarily mean that it's related to her, you know?" She shook her head and said, "You're only like that when it comes to her, Adonis. Don't kid with me. I know you better than anyone else."

I removed her hand from my shoulder and said, "Whatever. Believe what you want to believe."

"I want the best for you, Brother. But this is not within my expertise. Even I am always rejected by Noah," Elliana said and sighed. "Oops! I accidentally said his name," she whispered as she covered her mouth. "N-No, forget I even said anything. You did not hear anything, okay?" She said as her hands and lips were shaking.

Before I could even speak, she had already left to go to Krishiella's table.

Noah? What the hell is up with that guy?

KRISHIELLA'S POINT OF VIEW:

After the tea party, I said my goodbyes to them before leaving. Of course, I also said goodbye to Adonis even if I don't like him.

I laid on my bed and stared at the ceiling.

Classes in the academy should start soon. I think that was the reason why Duchess Lianne held a tea party for Elliana, so she could make acquaintances with other people her age.

From what I can remember, the academy started accepting women last year. Of course, my Father did not allow me to go there since most students would still probably be men. Well I did not really care whether I could go there or not because I have the best tutors in the entire empire, so it wouldn't make a difference.

But the situation right now is different from before. If I did not care back then, well now I do.

****

A few days have already passed since the tea party. Several letters were sent to me just like before, and I responded to them one by one.

"This is the last letter, Your Majesty," the maid said as she handed me the letter. I unsealed it and read the contents.

Oh...

'...classes will start two months from now. Please send us a reply so we could enroll you to the school.'

I smiled when I read the content.

Hmm...

I immediately stood up and went to see my Father, taking the letter with me.

I knocked on his office door, and after hearing his response allowing me to come in, I went inside right away.

I curtsied and took a few steps forward to his table. "Yes, my daughter. What is it?" He said as he stopped scribbling on the paper and placed his pen on the table.

Without hesitating, I immediately told him my purpose. "Father, I want to go to the academy." He leaned his back against the chair as he furrowed his brows. "Krishiella, you can ask for anything but that."

How can I make him say 'yes' without seeming like a brat?

I cleared my throat and gave him a sophisticated smile. "You see, Father, I've been interested in a lot of subjects lately, which also includes magic. I know that the academy will be mostly comprised with male students, however, a lot of intelligent women also strive for better education. Not only nobles are allowed to study there, but also commoners if they are deemed worthy. Although I have the best tutors in the empire, I believe that studying there with other students will give me more experience and I could also form connections with them and maybe even learn a thing or two from them and from their experiences. Also, I do admit that the studying here in the palace is good, but being in a different environment is also good for learning. I won't go there to have fun, Father. I will go there to study. So if you will, please allow me to go there," I said continuously without pausing.

He sat straight and sighed.

"Alright. You can go."