The applause from the press event didn't last.
It never did.
By the next morning, Aristella felt different, sharper, colder, like the walls themselves had formed opinions.
Mira noticed it the moment she stepped into the hallway.
People weren't just whispering anymore.
They were choosing sides.
Some smiled at her openly, eyes bright with admiration. Others stared with thinly veiled hostility, stepping aside as if she carried something contagious.
A flyer fluttered past her feet.
She bent and picked it up.
KNOW YOUR PLACE.
TRADITION BEFORE CHAOS.
Mira stared at the words, then crumpled the paper slowly.
"Cowards," she muttered.
Leo appeared beside her like a summoned spirit. "You're officially controversial."
"Is that supposed to comfort me?"
"Absolutely not," he said. "I just thought you should know."
They walked toward class, but the tension followed them like a shadow. A group of noble girls passed, whispering loudly enough to be heard.
"She's embarrassing the academy."
"She thinks applause means approval."
"She won't last."
Mira stopped walking.
Leo froze. "Mira, "
She turned slowly.
"If anyone has something to say," Mira said calmly, "say it to my face."
Silence.
The girls looked away instantly.
Mira scoffed and kept walking.
Leo grinned. "That was hot."
"Don't encourage me."
Class didn't improve things.
The professor hesitated every time Mira raised her hand. Students shifted uncomfortably when she spoke. The air felt like it was waiting for her to fail.
And then,
A note slid onto her desk.
She unfolded it.
YOU DON'T BELONG HERE.
LEAVE BEFORE YOU GET HURT.
Her fingers tightened.
Leo leaned over. "That's not dramatic at all."
"Ignore it," Mira said, though her chest felt tight.
Then the door opened.
Prince Adrian walked in.
The room went unnaturally quiet.
Mira didn't look at him.
She didn't want to.
Not right now.
But she felt his attention anyway, steady, assessing, protective in a way that annoyed her deeply.
He sat.
And for the rest of the lesson, anyone who whispered too loudly earned a single, freezing glance from him.
It worked.
After class, Mira tried to leave quickly.
She failed.
"Miss Lawson."
She stopped.
Not because of his title.
Because of his tone.
Adrian stood behind her, expression unreadable. "Walk with me."
"No."
"Please."
That stopped her.
Please?
She turned slowly. "What."
He lowered his voice. "You're being targeted."
She laughed sharply. "I noticed."
"This is escalating faster than expected."
"Your world is fragile," she snapped. "One girl talks back and suddenly everyone panics."
His jaw tightened. "That girl is you."
"And?"
"And they will make you pay for it."
Mira crossed her arms. "I'm not scared."
"I am," he said quietly.
That caught her off guard.
She stared at him. "Why?"
"Because you don't see the danger the way they do," Adrian said. "They don't hate you for what you did. They hate you for what you represent."
"And what's that?"
"Change."
Mira scoffed. "I didn't ask to be change."
"No," he agreed. "But you are."
Before she could respond, a sharp voice cut through the hallway.
"Mira Lawson."
Lady Seraphina.
She stood with two other noble girls, posture perfect, expression cool.
"The council has issued a complaint," Seraphina said smoothly. "Your behavior has been deemed disruptive."
Mira laughed. "That's rich, coming from you."
Seraphina's eyes flicked to Adrian. "This concerns you as well, Your Highness."
Adrian straightened. "Then speak."
Seraphina smiled thinly. "The academy will be voting on whether Miss Lawson remains suitable as the Lucky Star."
The words hit like a slap.
Mira's breath caught. "Voting?"
"Yes," Seraphina said calmly. "Democracy can be… selective."
Leo appeared behind Mira, jaw tight. "That's insane."
"It's tradition," Seraphina replied. "And traditions matter."
Mira found her voice. "And if they vote against me?"
Seraphina leaned closer. "Then you leave."
Silence.
Heavy.
Brutal.
Adrian's expression darkened. "You won't touch her."
Seraphina raised a brow. "You can't protect her forever."
Mira lifted her chin. "I don't need protection."
Adrian looked at her. "You don't have to face this alone."
She hesitated.
Just for a second.
Then she shook her head. "I'm not running. And I'm not apologizing for existing."
Seraphina smiled. "We'll see."
She turned and walked away, heels clicking like a countdown.
Mira exhaled slowly.
Leo swore under his breath.
Adrian stared after Seraphina, then turned back to Mira.
"This just became dangerous," he said.
Mira met his gaze, fire in her eyes.
"Good," she replied. "I'm tired of being polite."
And somewhere deep within Aristella Institute, the balance of power shifted.