Chapter 184: The Princess Redeeming Herself Under the Knight's Nose and a Unique Rivalry Between Best Friends (1)
The tense nerves and the sensation transmitted through her body seemed to split into two entirely different dimensions.
It was clearly her, yet somehow, it wasn't.
The humiliation flooding her heart threatened to drown her.
Her beautiful eyes were misty, glistening with unshed tears.
She bit her lip—a gesture that looked stubborn at first glance but revealed a pitiful vulnerability upon closer inspection.
Her tearful gaze tugged at one's heartstrings, stirring an uncontrollable urge to comfort her.
Especially when such an expression came from an icy beauty, it only made her seem more fragile and endearing.
And yet, seeing Violet with such a look of grievance and silent accusation in her eyes gave Shia the faintest twinge of guilt, as though he'd committed some heinous crime.
"You... Are you satisfied now?" Violet's voice came out hoarse, trembling faintly.
Shia raised an eyebrow but didn't halt the movement of his hands under the desk. His actions continued with unrelenting resolve.
"But wasn't it you who wanted this?" His voice lowered, tinged with a teasing edge.
"It was you who invited me to the classroom this afternoon.
It was you who locked the door behind us.
It was you who made the offer."
He leaned closer, his warm breath brushing against her ear as he whispered. "How could I refuse you, Violet? Wouldn't that break your heart?"
The way he spoke, as if indulging her whims, left no room for dignity.
Violet froze for a moment, biting her lower lip even harder. Her hands clutched his wrist in desperation, her gaze full of confusion and helplessness. She looked like a shipwrecked sailor clinging to a piece of driftwood.
This man is infuriating!
She had come to him for help—what else could she do?
If he had agreed to help her directly, would she have been forced to resort to this?
Shame and self-loathing welled up within her. The situation had exposed her in a way that made her want to curl up and disappear.
This wasn't like her at all. She wasn't someone who would ever stoop so low.
Yet here she was, doing things she never thought herself capable of.
Worse still, she wasn't even repelled by it.
Why? Why was there a faint sense of acceptance in her heart?
Her shame burned hotter, and she wanted to change—needed to—but the image of her aunt, the queen, suddenly came to mind.
Even though she was a queen, her aunt often looked burdened, carrying the weight of their kingdom's plight.
Her aunt had always said that Violet was still young, that she didn't want to share too many of her worries.
But Violet saw it all—she knew the struggles of the Silvermoon Kingdom.
That was why she had come to the Seven Shields Academy—to make herself stronger, more capable.
Even now, she justified her actions as a necessary sacrifice for her country.
With that thought, her hesitation faded. Violet turned her head slightly, meeting Shia's gaze head-on with a steady resolve.
She would endure this, for the sake of her kingdom.
Her newfound determination made her cooperation all the more enticing, and Shia couldn't help but savor the moment.
The mood shifted suddenly, though, with the faint sound of a door clicking open.
The small noise sent a jolt of panic through Violet, her heart nearly stopping.
She instinctively turned her gaze toward the source of the sound.
Sunlight filtered through the narrow crack of the door, casting a long shadow across the classroom floor.
A slender figure stood in the doorway, backlit by the light. For a moment, Violet couldn't make out her features.
Someone had come in!
Her heart pounded in her chest, her face flushed an even deeper red. She felt as if she might faint from the sheer embarrassment.
The figure stepped forward, her movements confident and unhurried.
Violet squinted as her vision cleared, and she finally recognized the newcomer—Aph.
Aph wasn't wearing her usual knightly attire, her curvaceous figure on full display in more casual clothing.
As she entered, she immediately noticed Violet's flushed cheeks and teary eyes. The dim classroom, with its drawn curtains and secluded atmosphere, only added to the ambiguity of the scene.
Aph's mind jumped to conclusions almost instantly.
For the sake of the Silvermoon Kingdom, the princess had endured so much.
Violet had grown up, it seemed—mature enough to make such sacrifices for her homeland.
Aph felt a mixture of admiration and heartbreak. She couldn't bear to see her beloved princess shouldering this alone.
Her heart ached, and her protective instincts flared.
She strode forward, her tone soft but firm. "Shia, the princess has already shown great maturity. Could you not be a bit less harsh on her?"
Aph's misunderstanding couldn't have been more perfectly timed.
She was genuinely moved by what she thought was Violet's willingness to humble herself for their nation's sake.
And yet, under the desk, Shia's hand didn't stop, continuing its wicked dance.
Violet was trapped, her body betraying her with subtle trembles. She bit her lip harder, praying Aph wouldn't notice the truth.
Aph stepped closer, her concern deepening. "Princess, are you feeling unwell?"
Her words and her expression were filled with worry. She even glanced disapprovingly at Shia, clearly blaming him for pushing Violet too hard.
"I'll take you back to rest if you're not feeling well," she offered, extending a hand toward Violet.
Panic surged through Violet. If Aph got any closer, the truth would undoubtedly be exposed.
Her hand darted under the desk, grabbing Shia's wrist tightly. Her tear-filled eyes met his, silently pleading.
"Help me, please. Don't let her find out."
Violet's voice was practically begging. Being bullied in front of her big sister was already humiliating enough, but if Aph discovered the truth, Violet couldn't even begin to imagine the horror.
Catching her desperate gaze, Shia cleared his throat deliberately, breaking the tense atmosphere and drawing Aph's attention.
"Aph, are you here for me or for her? Do you need something?" he asked casually, his tone as if nothing unusual was happening.
With his intervention, Aph's focus shifted. She sat down on the other side of Shia, casting a concerned glance at Violet before deciding to get straight to the point.
"I'm here to talk to you. The wine you had us help develop seems to be doing quite well on the market recently, doesn't it?"
Shia nodded lightly. "Yeah, it's doing alright."
"Well, I was wondering if you'd consider collaborating with the Silvermoon Kingdom on this."
Aph glanced at Violet, whose cheeks were still flushed. She suspected that the princess hadn't yet broached the topic, so she decided to speak up on her behalf.
"If you have any conditions, you can tell me directly," she added confidently.
Before Shia could respond, Violet's mood visibly shifted.
Sitting beside them, she watched Shia and Aph converse in such a relaxed and friendly manner. Their camaraderie and mutual understanding stung her.
Why was it so different with Aph? Why could he discuss things so easily with her, but with Violet, it always came down to this?
She had gone to such lengths to demonstrate her sincerity, yet Aph's simple words might achieve the same result.
If that were true, then what was the point of Violet's sacrifice?
Her gaze turned to Aph, tinged with irritation, and she couldn't hold back anymore.
"Aph, this is my responsibility. Matters concerning our national finances are not something you need to involve yourself in."
Her tone was firm, but the pauses in her speech betrayed her inner turmoil. Under the desk, Shia's persistent movements continued to torment her, making it a struggle to even finish her sentence.