LORD VAEL?!
The powerful, arrogant minister of the royal council was standing there holding a clipboard, directing pedestrian traffic! And standing right beside him was a polished teenage girl in a sharp school uniform, leaning in to kiss his cheek.
"Bye, Dad! Don't forget my lunch later!" the girl called out.
"Have a good day at school, sweetheart," Guard Vael replied, his face filled with warm, paternal pride.
Aeryn blinked in utter disbelief. NO WAY... is that VIENNA?!
A sudden, quiet chuckle escaped Aeryn's lips. Seeing the most prestigious, terrifying politician of the Old Realm standing in a humble security guard uniform, happily waving goodbye to his beloved daughter, brought an overwhelming wave of relief to her chest. In this world, at least, they were whole, safe, and happy.
Inside the building, the hallways were buzzing with students. Aeryn somehow found her assigned classroom and took a seat near the back, staring out the glass window at the blue sky.
Soon, the morning bell chimed. An elderly woman stepped into the classroom, clutching a stack of papers.
"Okay girls... today I am going to..."
The strict, commanding voice was instantly recognizable. Aeryn's head snapped up. She stood up so fast her chair screeched loudly against the floor.
"SAKINA!" Aeryn blurted out.
The elderly teacher stopped mid-sentence. She adjusted a pair of sharp reading glasses on the bridge of her nose, looking over the rims with profound disapproval.
"Ms. Thalen, I certainly did not expect such an outburst from you," Sakina said strictly, her tone laced with severe authority. "As a matter of fact, I prefer proper honorifics and a respectful salutation if you please. It is Ms. Sakina."
Aeryn didn't care about the reprimand. A brilliant, tearful smile spread across her face. "Yes, Ms. Sakina!" she said happily, and kept staring at her former guide, her support and her most loyal person with pure joy.
"Now, sit down and take your seat," Sakina instructed, turning back to the chalk board. "As I was saying... today we have a new transfer student joining our class."
Ms. Sakina walked to the doorway and motioned for someone outside to enter.
A girl walked in. She wore a trendy jacket, carried a leather backpack, and had her hair dyed in bright, stylish streaks. She strutted in with a confident, carefree posture.
Aeryn snapped upright for a second time, slamming both hands onto her desk so hard her pencil case rattled.
"KAELEN?!" Aeryn gasped, her eyes practically sparkling out of her skull.
Ms. Sakina immediately pressed her palm flat against her desk, squeezing her eyes shut as she let out a long, suffering sigh. "Ms. Thalen... if you disrupt my lesson one more time "
The new girl paused mid-stride, turning to Aeryn with a raised eyebrow and a sly, amused smirk. She looked Aeryn up and down taking in the wild maroon-and-white hair, the hyperventilating excitement, and the total lack of chill.
"Wait..." Kaelen drawled, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Do I know you, or did you just recognize pure star quality when it walked through the door?"
"Don't you know me?!" Aeryn chattered back instantly, practically leaning halfway over her desk. "Girl, we fought... I mean, we are definitely supposed to be best friends!"
Kaelen's face instantly lit up with pure, mischievous delight. She pointed a manicured finger right at Aeryn. "You know what? I don't know who you are yet, but you're iconic. Ms. Sakina, can I sit next to the chaotic white-streaked girl? I feel like we're about to cause severe problems together."
Ms. Sakina didn't even bother picking up her chalk. She simply pinched the bridge of her nose and pointed a sharp, commanding finger straight toward the door.
"OUT! Both of you! Outside the classroom, right now!"
Instead of being remotely upset, both girls erupted into matching, uncontrollable giggles. They grabbed their bags and practically strutted out into the hallway together, standing side-by-side against the lockers. The moment the classroom door clicked shut, Kaelen leaned into Aeryn's shoulder like they'd been plotting mischief together for ten years. Aeryn peppered her with questions, while Kaelen chattered endlessly about her move to the city, leaving Ms. Sakina inside deeply regretting sending them out to gossip uninterrupted.
Suddenly, a tall man in a sharp business suit walked past them down the corridor.
As the two girls were talking, the man halted his steps. He turned around, stepping close to them with an air of absolute, imposing authority.
"Ladies?" he demanded, his voice crisp and sharp. "Why are you loitering in the hallway during class hours?"
Aeryn looked up from Kaelen and her breath instantly hitched in her throat.
"MAERON?!" Aeryn gasped, backing against the wall.
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