Days had passed since that painful night, but I hadn't seen Elian anywhere, not in the academy hallways, not around the courtyard. It was strange, the absence of someone who had once hovered so close to my life.
Prince Indraneel, on the other hand, made occasional appearances. Sometimes I caught glimpses of him from afar, usually in the same class as mine. Our paths crossed just enough to remind me of the tension still simmering beneath the surface, but he never approached. His gaze would sweep past me as if I didn't exist at all, like he was trying to erase my very presence from his world.
I tried to focus on the routine of my days, leaning into the quiet support Adrien and Cassianus offered. Still, the silence left space for thoughts I wasn't ready to face.
Prince Indraneel's deliberate disregard, treating me as if I didn't exist in his world cut deep. That kind of dismissal carries a unique weight, a sharp sting that gnaws at the heart. At first, the pain felt unbearable, like a cold shadow settling over every moment of my day. But somehow, with Adrien and Cassianus steadfast at my side, the ache grew more manageable. Their friendship was a quiet shield, a source of strength that helped me stand a little taller, and breathe a little easier.
Just as the days seemed to wash over me in this fragile balance, news came whispering through the academy halls: Elian was returning.
Elian's return to the academy was like a sudden gust stirring the still air impossible to ignore. Whispers fluttered through the halls the moment he stepped onto the grounds, his familiar smirk pulling at the corners of ears and eyes alike.
I couldn't help but wonder where had he been all this time? What had kept him away from the academy for so long? The questions circled in my mind, gnawing at curiosity and wariness alike.
But the answers soon became clear, though darker than I expected.
Almost as soon as Elian reappeared, strange rumours began to spread whispers that I was the one bullying him, that I had pushed him to fake injury, that I was nothing but a troublemaker stirring discord. Some even said I was sewing division between Elian and Indraneel, trying to own Indraneel's heart for myself.
His words, coated in cunning charm, wove easily through the crowd, turning allies into skeptics and friends into distant silhouettes.
Worst of all, these slanders seemed to gain power when Adrien and Cassianus weren't near at their absence, I found myself increasingly isolated, the cold murmurs growing louder, the accusing gazes sharper.
It was as if Elian had mastered the art of manipulation, casting shadows that lengthened as I tried to navigate the days growing darker around me.
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The chatter and clatter of the academy canteen usually offered a sense of normalcy, but that day it quickly turned into a nightmare. A group of girls cornered me near the food stalls, their sneers sharp and their eyes cold. Before I could react, one of them yanked at my sleeve and shoved me to the ground. Feet pressed down on my chest, pinning me helplessly.
Laughter rang out a few steps away as others kicked over my table, sending trays and food crashing to the floor. The dull thud of their boots against the table echoed the pounding in my heart.
"Looks like Quincey's falling apart," one of them jeered. "Maybe he should just disappear."
Desperation clawed up my throat, but I kept quiet. The humiliation stung, but it wasn't the first time. Memories surged unbidden visions from a past life where I was similarly bullied, shunned, and beaten for the simple crime of liking someone who didn't want me. The fear, the helplessness, and the loneliness felt like fresh wounds reopening.
I pressed a trembling hand against the cold floor, trying to steady myself. The past and present collided in a painful spiral I wasn't sure I could escape.
The relentless taunts and harsh kicks continued, their jeers cutting through the din of the canteen like knives. I covered my face as a tray clattered nearby, the metallic crash echoing my rising panic. The crowd's laughter morphed into whispers, then stares some filled with disdain, others with indifference.
Just as the pressure of their boots and the weight of their cruelty peaked, a sudden shift pierced through the chaos.
"Enough!" Adrien's voice rang out, sharp and commanding.
Cassianus appeared right behind him, his eyes burning with a fierce look that sent a ripple of unease through the bullies. Together, they moved swiftly toward the group, their presence like a shield breaking through the torment.
The bullies scattered almost instantly, unwilling to hold their ground against Adrien and Cassianus's resolute gaze.
Adrien knelt beside me, voice gentle but firm. "Quincey, why didn't you say anything?"
Cassianus's jaw tightened as he surveyed the remnants of the ruined meal. "You don't have to endure this alone. We're here always."
Their support wrapped around me like a lifeline, yet memories of past pain still lingered, casting shadows over the fleeting comfort.
The memories surged through me like a tidal wave, dragging with them a flood of painful emotions I hadn't fully faced before. Tears spilt down my cheeks as my heart pounded wildly in my chest. Desperation clawed at my throat, and a whispered plea escaped my trembling lips.
Ding!
System Notification.
Painmeter: 57%
The notification of the system rings in my head, overlaying the painful memories, making my mind more chaotic, dragging me back to the memories I had before I met the system.
"Please… stop… I wouldn't dare to like someone again… please…"
.
The room becomes quiet and I can't hear any sound except for the ragged breaths escaping me. I curled into myself, fists pounding weakly against my temples as sharp pain radiated through my head. Tears streaked down my face as I whispered hoarsely, "Please… stop… it hurts so much…"
My arms wrapped tight around my own body, clutching myself like a fragile, broken thing. "I… I won't like anyone else again," I choked out between sobs. "Please… just make it stop… it hurts…"
Adrien and Cassianus exchanged worried glances, their hearts aching to see me so shattered, so vulnerable.
The words barely left my mouth when everything began to blur. The sounds around me faded, the shouts and footsteps turning into distant echoes. My knees buckled beneath me, and darkness swallowed my vision as I lost consciousness.
Adrien's arms caught me just in time, his voice laced with panic as he called out, "Quincey! Stay with me!"
Adrien's grip tightened gently around me as Cassianus crouched nearby, his face etched with concern. "Stay with us, Quincey," Adrien urged, his voice steady but filled with worry. "You're not alone."
Cassianus reached out, brushing the damp strands of hair from my forehead. "We'll protect you. Always. No one's going to hurt you like that."
Adrien gently brushed a stray tear from my cheek, his voice soft and steady as he spoke. "Quincey, you're stronger than you think. We're here, and we won't let anything happen to you."
Despite his comforting words, the overwhelming ache inside me grew unbearable. My vision blurred, and before anyone could react, I fainted, losing consciousness on the cold floor.
Cassianus's arms were immediately around me taking me from Adrien's arms, steady and strong as he carefully lifted me away from the crowd, concern etched deeply across his face.
Adrien's voice then rang out sharply, cutting through the stunned silence of onlookers. "If something like this happens again, I won't let it slide. Everyone involved will face justice and that means prison."
A hush fell over the crowd, fear and respect flickering in their eyes. Adrien and Cassianus, both from powerful noble families, carried an unspoken weight that made it clear his warning was not empty.
Hours later, I slowly opened my eyes, blinking against the gentle light. Adrien's calm smile met my gaze, while he adjusted the blanket tucked around my shoulders. Cassianus stood nearby, his eyes never leaving mine, fierce but somehow making you feel warm and safe when looking at them.
"We're here, Quincey. You don't have to face any of this alone," he said quietly.
Cassianus nodded, his gaze steady and unwavering. "Whatever you need, we'll be by your side."
Their presence was a balm to my battered spirit, offering a fragile hope amidst the darkness.
Adrien said softly. "You're safe here."