Confrontations...An Introverts worst nightmare
Corvina never thought she was going to be this over her head. Immediately after, Crewel had dragged her shopping. There was a time when Corvina would have relished donning the most luxurious and extravagant garments and going on to the loudest and brightest revels that would go on for days at least. Back then, she was a careless princess. No one had anything exceptional to say about the second-born royal, and she was free to chase her pleasures as long as it didn’t directly interfere with any of her politically involved kinsmen.
But now, Corvina couldn’t feel more out of place. She tried to shrink into herself even though it was just Corvina and Crewel in the boutique, for now. Corvina tried to distract herself by watching Crewel. It was easy to get lost in his movements. He was so passionate and focused on finding garments that most would choose with minimal care. It was endearing.
Corvina watched as Crewel picked up another outfit, a hopeful glint in his eye. But as soon as his fingers touched it, he turned and threw it back. Displeasure now marked Crewel’s face.
“I meant to ask earlier…but is this your boutique?”
“Oh! Yes! I apologize. It seems nothing is what I envisioned for you.”
“Ah, that’s not what I meant. I was merely wondering…have you heard of or seen fae fabrics before?”
“Only in legends. I heard it’s the best fabric in the world.”
“Yes, because of the magic power and longevity of fae, certain crafts were perfected while others were neglected. Fortunately, fabrics are of the former.”
“Is there any reason you’re bringing up legendary fabrics? If you have a specific preference, I’ll try my hardest to make it happen, but I can’t guarantee I’ll match up to the artisans you’re used to.” Crewel stood up straight and stared pridefully into Corvina’s eyes. Corvina quickly looked away. Eye contact with this man turned overwhelming quickly.
“I have some acquaintances or former companions; while we have grown distant, we still remain in consistent contact while I travel. They happen to be a skilled fabric maker, and their fabrics are sought all over the world. However, the only way to reach them is through a preexisting contact. In your case, I would be the contact.”
Crewel ran forwards and grasped Crovina’s arms. “Really?! You would do that for me, Pet?!”
“Of course, if it gets you to stop stressing about my wardrobe; besides, this companion is aware of my dressing habits and such. They will be better suited to explain than I am.”
“Oh, thank you! Thank you! Pet, you truly are spectacular!” Crewel leaned in and kissed both her cheeks, “How could I ever repay you?”
“No need to repay me; it’s been a while, so I’m looking forwards to it. But I must ask why you are so insistent on dressing me up today?”
“I guess you could say it’s just my way of showing affection. I didn’t have much as a child, so I tend to splurge nowadays. Don’t think too much of it, and just enjoy!”
“There used to be a time when I used to live for this. I used to thrive on being the most glamorous at an outing. But I suppose that era is long since over….”
“I won’t push, but I hope that you know that I will be a real companion to you. I will listen to you when you’re ready to speak. Just don’t push yourself.”
“Thank you…”
“Now, let’s lighten the mood. What do you think of these?”
“You have to understand something very important. It’s one thing to act smug and tough after winding yourself up while surrounded on your home turf with your allies by your side. But once the adrenaline wore off, I realized, and rather painfully, that I preferred to stay on the outlines. I’m sure Malleus didn’t mean it anyway….”
“Now, now I know the great Prefect that faced overblots armed with nothing but her own wits cannot be scared of a bit of socializing. Besides, I never said you had to pull what you’re making Corvina do….”
“You talk a big game now, Jade, but I wonder how confident you would be in this situation,” Yuu grumbled.
“Oh, Prefect,” Jade smiled sweetly, “I wouldn’t let it get that far” Jade smiled his horrifying smile.
“That’s reassuring.”
“It was meant to be reassuring. Now go! And remember, smile!”
And just like that, Yuu was thrust into shark-infested waters by an over-smug eel. Yuu was eating Uunagi tempura when she gets home.
The Diasomnia crew had returned, and to add insult to injury, everyone knew what had happened. That dragon-bitch had the audacity to bring his new fiance here, and Crowley enrolled her on the spot. His new fiance was playing the doe-eyed maiden as she leaned against him while playing with his hair. The draconic traitor looked so smitten too.
It brought Yuu a small consolation that all of his retainers were looking as miserable as she was feeling inside. Sebek looked close to angry tears, Silver looked miserable, and Lilia was shooting Yuu apologetic glances, but even she could tell his exhaustion.
It seemed like a wall of shadows surrounded her. Their eyes bore into her soul and fed off her shame and misery. She could hear the murmurs and discern them. They weren’t flattering to her, but at least they didn’t treat the newcomer any better. In fact, most were suspicious of Crowley’s enthusiasm when he usually gatekept the school under lock and key. Yuu could use that. But at the same time, all she cared about was surviving.
“Why is everyone bunching up together, darling?” A delicate voice crooned.
“It’s nothing to worry about; people are just feeling a little restles-”
“I asked my beloved, not a decrepit old bat” It seemed this bitch had some venom. It was the first time Yuu had seen Silver look angry, and Sebek was right alongside him. Yuu anticipated a two-on-one beatdown, except Lilia gracefully lowered his head and kept the boys down. Yuu understood who called the shots.
“Oh…ah…that’s the human…”
“The human who overstepped her station and attempted to seduce you?” The girl practically yelled into the crowd.
“Who overstepped what? Last I checked, you just arrived here, yet you already are making enemies?”
“Oh! The human is trying to bully me! Beloved, make it stop!” The girl fake cried.
“Let me finish. I don’t know you, and I don’t care. You make the wrong assumptions and sound ridiculous. Should I tell them, your highness, who was actually attempting to do the seducing, and rather poorly, I might add.”
“Why you!” The new girl stood to full height, face brightening with rage and humiliation.
“I must agree with our dear Prefect.” A regal voice cut through the chatter like a knife.
“You claim to be a future queen, yet your manners are lacking. Had anyone with sense been in your station, they would have never dared be so presumptuous and rude. Hasn’t anyone educated you that a queen’s true power is her elegance which in turn is comprised of her composure? And where is your composure? You have no right to act proud when you are acting like a petulant child throwing a tantrum for more attention!”
Vil Schoenheit, in all of his regal glamor and glory, stood at the doors of the cafeteria. He strut in as proudly as a peacock with a halo of light descending behind him. Vil truly looked divine. And based on that save, Yuu was willing to swear her life away to this guardian angel.
“Prefect! I knew something came up when you didn’t attend our lunch date! And here I find you being harassed by nobodies.”
“Nobodies?!” A disgruntled hiss was heard out from the direction of the new fiance.
“A lunch date?” A cold and clear voice asked.
“What’s it to you, Draconia? You never could take no for an answer, even if Yuu was with me.” The usage of the first name did not go unnoticed by the crowd, and fervent murmurs engulfed the group once again.
“I see.” There was a chill in the air, but it was quickly overpowered by a colder and more violent aura.
“What seems to be the problem?” Corvina appeared at the perfect time. But instead of a feared hush, there was now a fear of wonder. No one had ever seen Corvina put active care into her appearance before, yet here she was with heels higher than Vil’s, tight leather pants, and a tailcoat that wrapped around her figure and accentuated her sharpness and elegance. She was wearing a blazer embroidered with gold and diamond with a white blouse with a white bow around her neck. Her hair was swept back into a coffiure, and she was wearing actual makeup. People always assumed she had eyeliner on, but whatever she was doing currently clearly showed what would happen if she did wear it. Her wings were as sharp as her wit.
The students were concerned that their horrifying professor was kidnapped and replaced, but their doubts were quickly assuaged with a quick “Well? Spit it out!”
“Nothing, ma’am” “We were just going, ma’am” and just like that, the crowd dissipated.
“I’m waiting.”
“It really was nothing, I was giving our new princess a welcome, but it seems I wasn’t received too well. We all know how tough transitioning to responsibility is. I can't blame her for feeling overwhelmed and throwing a tantrum. Now Vil is here to pick me up for our date.”
If Corvina was surprised by anything that was said, she didn’t show it. But Yuu signaled to Corvina that they would talk later, and just like that, the Queen and her Prefect walked out of the hall.
Yuu was left to walk alone with one of her saviors.
“Thank you for helping me!”
“Think nothing of it Prefect.”
“How did you know to find me?”
“A Queen is not without her resources.”
“So…Rook?”
“...Yes...”
“Hah! I got it right!”
Vil sighed exasperatedly again.
“Wait. Where are we going?”
“To lunch.”
“Wait, you were serious?!”
“Of course Prefect!”
“About everything?”
“That depends entirely on you~” Vil’s ice cracked, and he smiled teasingly.
Yuu was glad that Vil wasn’t angry. The last thing she needed was Vil’s explosive rage. She loved her friend, but she didn’t want to stop another homicide today. She had a finite amount of self-control, after all. And Yuu was seconds away from going screw all and letting the devil take the wheel.
“Oh Seven…” Yuu groaned.
“Am I that unlikable Prefect that you can’t even imagine being seen with me?!”
“Vil, It’s not that! Please don’t!”
“I bet you wouldn’t have minded had it be-”
“Okay! Okay! Don’t start now!”
“Fufufu! Oh Prefect, you’re so easy to rile up!” Vil chuckled warmly.
“Agh! Not you too!”
“But on a much more solemn note, if you want to talk about it….”
“I’m alright, I promise.”
“You shouldn’t make promises so lightly. They have real power here! And I know you may have your doubts about what happened between Neige and I during the SDC, but I can help you!”
“I put the entire thing behind me, Vil you shouldn’t worry!”
“But you shouldn’t forget, because of that, you know that I truly understand you! Who better to understand what it feels like to have your hopes built and cradled than suddenly crushed? Who better to understand the resentment of being replaced and overlooked? Who else would understand how it is to live your life while being constantly compared to another deemed far superior? And to top it all off, being unable to react because of the constant scrutiny you are facing? Yuu, I’ve played this role an unfathomable amount of times. I CAN help you!”
“Vil…”
“The point is…you were there for me at my worst and most hideous…I want to repay the favor. So please, tell me, speak to me, and command me. I will play the role of your protector and prince today. So please don’t make me grovel and-”
Vil was cut off by Yuu suddenly rushing in for a hug. “Thank you, Vil. Thank you.”
“Anytime Prefect, anytime.”