Elysium: Desired by the Cold-hearted Princess [GL]
Chapter 215 215: Handling Betrayal

Electra's POV

As we made our way toward the dining hall, the familiar scent of roasted meats and warm bread filled the air, but unfortunately, appetite was now nonexistent—not with her sitting at our usual table.

From a distance, I could already see Deena seated beside Penelope, her expression casual, like she didn't have a single care in the world. Like she hadn't plotted to kill me.

My fists clenched instinctively, my nails pressing hard into my palms as my mind replayed what Seraphina had told me during that nightmare.

Deena had plotted my death.

Deena, one of the few people I had trusted and believed was a friend of mine, actually wanted me dead.

The shock of it still hadn't worn off, but now that I knew the truth, I wasn't about to sit around and let her succeed. I needed to be careful around her and not get too cocky, and more importantly, I needed to find out who was pulling the strings.

Because if Deena was following orders, that meant someone else wanted me dead, and it definitely had to be someone with more power than her—not like she had any power to begin with. The only reason she wasn't considered a regular student was because she was a part of my friend group, but without me, she'd be nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

I could have confronted her now. I could have grabbed her by the throat, slammed her against the table, and demanded to know who she was working for, but that would be too easy and too obvious, and I didn't like when things were easy, especially when it came to dealing with getting betrayed.

Another reason I ask as going to let her be was because I wanted answers, not just from her, but from whoever had ordered her to betray me.

So, for now—I would wait. Despite how hard it would be and how furious I currently was, I would play the part of the clueless princess, and when the time was right? I would find out who was behind her and make them pay.

We reached the table, and Deena's eyes immediately flickered toward me. A smile stretched across her lips—one I had seen a thousand times before, back when I thought she was on my side.

"Electra!" she greeted, her voice light, friendly. "You guys took forever getting here. Pen and I were about to start eating without you guys."

I forced a smirk, sliding into my usual seat across from her. "That would've been a grave mistake," I said smoothly. "You know I don't like sharing my food."

Deena laughed, shaking her head. "As terrifying as ever."

Irina and Roxana sat down beside me, but I could feel Irina's sharp gaze darting toward me, sensing the tension I was trying to mask. I picked up my glass of water, taking a slow sip as I studied Deena carefully.

She was calm. Too calm, clearly because she had no idea that I knew the truth, and the thought alone made my stomach churn.

No matter how much I hated betrayal—a part of me still remembered the Deena I had once trusted, and the sentimental side of me that now existed as a result of living as Electra Hook was still holding on to the thought of everything being a misunderstanding, even though the dream had been enough to show me that it wasn't.

But if it ever came down to it…if I truly had to confront Deena, would I be able to do what I always did to people who crossed me?

Would I be able to hurt her, or would I let her go?

I clenched my jaw at the thought, hating that I was even worrying about this.

Penelope snapped her fingers in front of my face, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Electra," she said, tilting her head. "What are you thinking about so intensely, and why in the world are you glaring so hard? You look like you're about to hurt someone."

I blinked, realizing that I had been staring too long. Damn it.

I forced a chuckle, shaking my head. "It's nothing; don't mind me."

Irina, sitting beside me, narrowed her eyes. "Are you sure?"

"Positive," I lied smoothly, reaching for the drink that had been served on the table as part of dinner. "I just got lost in my thoughts, but it's nothing significant."

The last thing I needed was for them to sense that something was off, especially Deena. So, I changed the subject, trying not to let my anger show even though it was much harder than I expected.

Clearing my throat, I leaned forward slightly, casually resting my chin on my hand. "Can I ask you all something?"

My friends turned their attention toward me.

"Would any of you ever betray me?" I asked, keeping my voice light. "If someone rich—or maybe someone more powerful than me—offered you something better and asked you to betray me in return?"

For a moment, they just stared at me, confused.

Then—

"What the hell, Electra?" Roxana blurted out, looking completely baffled. "Are you sure you're okay?"

I turned to her, raising an eyebrow. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well," she muttered, crossing her arms. "First, you randomly professed love for me and Irina earlier, and now, you're asking if we'd betray you? Don't you see how very weird you're being right now?"

She gave me a pointed look. "Why would you even ask something like that?"

I simply shrugged, ignoring the way Irina and Penelope were still watching me closely. Instead, I turned my gaze to the one person I actually wanted an answer from.

Deena.

She was sitting perfectly still, her expression unreadable, but I knew her well enough to see the slight stiffness in her shoulders.

Interesting.

Still staring directly at her, I repeated my question.

"So?" I said, tilting my head. "Would anyone here betray me?" I let the words linger for a second before adding, "To the point of plotting to kill me?"

The air at the table shifted, and for a split second, I could have sworn that I saw Deena's fingers twitch, but then—

"Electra," Penelope sighed, giving me an exasperated look. "What's wrong with you today?"

Irina nodded. "Seriously. This is weird, even for you. Suddenly asking about betraying? That's not very normal of you."

"Is it?" I mused, still watching Deena closely. "I'm just curious."

I smirked slightly. "Hypothetically, of course."

Deena finally spoke, her voice calm and controlled. "That's a pretty extreme hypothetical," she said, giving me a small laugh. "Why would we ever betray you, Electra? We're all best friends, and we've been best friends since forever. Why would you even think of something that outrageous?"

I lifted my drink to my lips, taking a slow sip before answering. "Good question," I murmured. "Why would I?"

Deena held my gaze, and at that moment, I knew one thing for certain—she was hiding something, and that was all the confirmation I needed.

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