The schemes

After the contentious meeting with her family and Lord Cedric, Elaine hoped that the matter of the arranged marriage would be resolved peacefully. However, Cedric, unwilling to accept rejection and driven by a desire to secure the alliance for his own gains, devised a more desperate and dark plan.

A few days after the meeting, as the academy was bustling with the usual academic fervor, Cedric acted on his nefarious intentions. He hired a few unsavory characters from outside the Collegium to quietly abduct Elaine, planning to force the marriage agreement under duress.

Elaine, unaware of the imminent danger, was returning from a late study session in the library. As she walked through one of the quieter courtyards of the academy, the hired men approached her, posing as students needing assistance.

Before Elaine could sense their true intentions, they attempted to grab her, intending to hustle her away to a waiting carriage outside the academy grounds. Startled and frightened, Elaine struggled, but her attackers were prepared for resistance.

Luckily, Leo, who had grown increasingly worried about potential repercussions from Cedric, had decided to make sure Elaine got back safely that evening. As he approached the courtyard, he immediately sensed something was amiss. Seeing Elaine in distress, he acted without hesitation.

With a rush of adrenaline, Leo called upon his Soul Reaper skills, specifically summoning the Revenant's Grasp to ensnare the attackers with ethereal tendrils. The surprise and confusion allowed him to pull Elaine away from their grasp and confront the men directly.

"Leave her alone! This ends now!" Leo commanded, his voice echoing powerfully through the courtyard. The attackers, realizing they were outmatched by Leo's unexpected abilities, fled, knowing that further actions would likely result in severe consequences under Collegium law.

Shaken but unharmed, Elaine clung to Leo, her breath ragged from the shock. "Thank you, Leo... I didn't know what to do," she managed to say, her voice trembling.

Leo held her gently, reassuring her with his presence. "It's okay, Elaine. You're safe now. I'm here," he said, his tone protective. He guided her to a nearby bench, staying close as she calmed down.

Once Elaine had regained her composure, Leo helped her report the incident to the academy authorities. The security measures were immediately reviewed, and an alert was sent out to ensure the perpetrators were captured and that Cedric was investigated for his role in the scheme.

The next day, with clear evidence of his involvement, Cedric was summoned by the academy's council. Faced with undeniable proof and the severity of his actions, Cedric was expelled from the academy, and legal actions were initiated by the local authorities.

Elaine's parents, horrified by what their decision had nearly caused, apologized deeply to Elaine, promising to respect her choices henceforth. They were grateful to Leo for his bravery and vowed never to pressure Elaine again regarding her marital or personal decisions.

In the following days, Elaine and Leo grew even closer, their bond strengthened by the ordeal and Leo's unwavering support. Elaine, empowered by overcoming such a personal threat, felt a renewed sense of autonomy and determination about her future.

Leo, relieved that Elaine was safe, realized how deeply his feelings for her had grown. He vowed to himself to always protect her, and if possible, to one day reveal the depth of his emotions.

As they continued their studies and daily life at the Collegium, both Elaine and Leo looked forward to a future where they could explore their relationship without fear, strengthened by the trials they had faced together.