The Next Day
Solace's POV
Solace was stressed, to say the least. It was because the principal herself was treating his blindness, and most of all, we—me, Nolan, Phoebe, Lex, Lily, and Vivi—were going up a year and being promoted to second year.
What in the world was happening? The situation was getting too out of hand.
He was currently leaving the library with Love after a long session of listening to the history narrated by Love.
Sometimes I feel Love speaks fake. I don't know why, but there is something about her that feels like she forces herself to speak a certain way. Of course! I would not ask her why. I am grateful to her, honestly; if not for her, I wouldn't be able to learn anything. I also didn't want to ask the main cast. No, it's not because the main cast didn't study; they simply didn't need to.
I was jealous, to say the least. I was at least hoping that Lex would need to study. But it seemed that bastard had already studied when I was in a coma. Damn.
Nevertheless, today's topic in the library was all the time periods and the history of ages. She only taught me about the Stone Age and how it was then.
There were four major time periods.
The earliest was the age of stone or masses. Then came the medieval period, or the period of kings. Then came the period of conflicts. And lastly, the modern era.
Now in each of these periods existed ages. And keep in mind that the ones I talk about are from the lens of the Kingdom of Theon. The history covered in today's topic mainly revolves around Theon. So there might be unexplored history in Different Kingdoms.
In the Age of Stone, there were three major events that took place.
First was that the humans, who were low in population, migrated all over the supercontinent.
Some Natives remained where they were, but most migrated.
The next important event was that 9 different tribes came together after a manslaughter in the region.
And from that unification formed a council of Theon for the first time.
This unification happened due to three tribes that are still prevalent in the present-day Theon.
Those three tribes are the tribe of Theon, which is the current royal family. Theron tribe, which is the family of Vivi and Lily. And the third tribe was the Sanguivar, which was known for its blood rituals. In fact, this tribe is the most famous because in the present day they are the church.
Yes, the church is run by the Sanguivar family. And the main villain, or, to say, the patriarch of this family and the only surviving member of this family, is the Pope of the Church of Loom, Francis Sanguivar. The man behind all this.
I was blown away when I first heard it. And to be honest, I was becoming more and more interested in this world's history. I was curious to learn the secrets surrounding me and the world around me.
Breaking me out of my thoughts was someone's voice.
"LOVE" a girl's voice cried out, and before he could get any answer, the girl dragged Love with her.
He was stunned.
Suddenly he was all alone. What the hell just happened? He thought.
***
Love's POV
Love had been walking out of the library with Solace. After their tedious study session, she was exhausted, to say the least. She had been keeping up the act of a friendly and kind girl for so long that it had started affecting her. She was doing her job pretty well. Not only that, but she was slowly getting close to the blind guy in the group. And to be honest, he was much better looking than she thought. Sure, he was on the shorter side, but at least he was cute. He also had little vampire teeth.
'Now I just have to wait until he falls in love with me, and then I can extract all the information the church wants from him.' She thought
While they both were around a turn in the corridor, she collided with someone
"LOVE!"
She recognized the voice instantly
Too late.
A girl collided into her personal space and hooked an arm through hers, warm and solid and inescapable. Love barely had time to register the expensive citrus perfume before she was being dragged sideways. She even left Solace all alone in the corridor.
Alexia was tall, sharp-featured, and golden-haired in a way that screamed "expensive bloodline." Rank three in second year. Heir to one of the largest trade-defense corporations in Theon. Brightfall Logistics. Loud. Emotional.
Decided they were friends after Love had once pointed her toward the restroom during orientation.
That was it.
That single act of humanitarian heroism.
"Oh no," Love muttered. "I was having such a peaceful five seconds."
Alexia beamed, entirely ignoring that. "You're perfect timing. I need you."
"That sentence has never ended well," Love replied dryly.
Across from them stood Leon Hartmann, leaning against the wall. Tall, broad-shouldered, posture relaxed in a way that suggested he'd never once had to prove himself. His uniform was immaculate.
He was ranked two. Heir to Hartmann Security, the company that hated Brightfall Logistics with a passion bordering on ancestral trauma.
He glanced at Love, then at Alexia's grip on her arm.
"… Is she being kidnapped?" Leon asked.
Alexia scoffed. "She's being consulted."
Love sighed. "I didn't agree to this."
"You helped me find the washroom that one time," Alexia said brightly. "We're friends now."
Leon snorted. "That's the weakest origin story I've ever heard."
Love raised an eyebrow. "You'd be surprised how many tragedies start that way."
Alexia rolled her eyes and finally released her arm, though she stayed close. "Ignore him. He's being unbearable today."
"I'm being realistic," Leon replied calmly.
Alexia rounded on him. "Men are dogs."
There it was.
Love closed her eyes for half a second.
Ah. This kind of conversation.
Alexia jabbed a finger toward Leon. "You know what? Every man I've ever trusted has either lied, cheated, or treated affection like a currency."
Leon tilted his head. "And every woman I've ever seen chase 'love' conveniently forgets the part where someone else is paying the bill."
"That's because men insist on making everything transactional," Alexia shot back. "Power, money, control. You don't want partners; you want investments."
Leon's jaw tightened, just a fraction. "And women don't want people. They want outcomes. Security. Status. Feelings, as long as they're convenient."
Love leaned against a nearby pillar, folding her arms.
"So," she said mildly, "is this where I'm asked to arbitrate the eternal war between testosterone and trust issues?"
Alexia turned to her instantly. "Yes. Tell him men aren't worth it."
Leon looked at her too, eyes sharp now. "Or tell her that romance is just branding with better lighting."
They waited.
Love studied them.
Two sides of the same wound, really.
She exhaled.
"Love," she said flatly, "is mostly bullshit."
Alexia's mouth fell open. Leon blinked.
Love continued, unbothered.
"It's projection mixed with biology and social storytelling. People fall for versions they invent. Not the real person. When reality shows up, they either adapt or resent each other for ruining the fantasy."
Leon crossed his arms. "That's… bleak."
"It's efficient," Love replied. "Which is more than romance usually is."
Alexia frowned. "So you don't believe in it at all? I believe true love is real; it just takes time to find the person"
Leon too, nodded.
Love looked at Alexia with a look of stupidity. 'Weren't you two the ones to generalize men and women? How come you agree on this'
Love tilted her head. "I believe people want it to be real. That doesn't make it reliable."
For a moment, the argument stalled.
Then Alexia smiled, slow and knowing. "That's what people say right before it hits them."
Leon nodded. "Yeah. The ones who dismiss it the hardest are the ones who lose control fastest."
Love scoffed. "That's not how probability works."
"When it happens," Alexia said, her voice lowering despite herself, "everything slows down. You start noticing stupid details. The way they breathe. The way they stand when they think no one's watching."
Leon added quietly, "And they don't even have to do anything. Time with them just… feels fuller."
She crushed the thought instantly.
"You're both romantic idiots," she said coolly. "With unresolved childhood issues."
Alexia laughed. Leon smirked.
"Sure," Leon said. "We'll see."
Alexia grinned. "Can't wait."
Love stepped away before they could say more.
Their bickering resumed behind her, familiar and endless.
As she walked toward the outer gardens, the academy's light dimmed, shadows stretching long across the stone paths.
Her smile faded.
Night was coming.
And with it—
The leash around her throat tightened, just a little.