Elysium: Desired by the Cold-hearted Princess [GL]
Chapter 220 220: This Miserable Feeling

Electra's POV

I was mid-sentence, having a serious conversation with Irina, when Penelope suddenly burst into my room without warning.

The door slammed open, and she practically stumbled inside, her eyes wide with urgency, and at her intrusion, I felt my irritation spike instantly.

I had told them all before—just because my door wasn't locked didn't mean they could barge in unannounced. I shot her a flat look, my arms crossed over my chest.

"Penelope, what the hell are you thinking?" I snapped. "Did your brain finally short-circuit, or do you just enjoy testing my patience?"

She barely reacted to my tone, which meant whatever she had to say was something big or very stupid. "Sorry if I interrupted anything important," she said quickly, "but—have you heard the news?"

My brows furrowed.

"What news?"

She hesitated, and immediately, I felt my annoyance flare up further. "Penelope," I said slowly, "how many times have I told you—if you have something to say, just say it. No stupid build-up. No pointless questions. Spit it out."

She let out a dramatic sigh, rolling her eyes before moving further into the room. Without another word, she dropped down on the sofa, right between me and Irina, and then she pulled out her phone, scrolled for a few seconds, and then shoved it into my hands.

"Check this out," she said.

I snatched the phone from her, already irritated—but curious. I had no idea what I was about to see, but I also wasn't expecting much—maybe it'd be something annoying, but definitely nothing major, but the moment my eyes landed on the article staring back at me—my entire body went still.

I felt my grip tighten around the phone, my breath catching in my throat.

I stared, blinking once—then twice—as if that would change the words glaring back at me, but it didn't.

The headline remained clear and taunting:

"PRINCE DARIUS ORION OF ALDORIA TO MARRY LATE MAJOR GENERAL'S DAUGHTER, SERAPHINA HOOK."

My blood ran cold.

For a long moment, I just stared at the screen, unable to fully process what I was seeing.

Then—I let out a low, bitter laugh. A laugh so void of humor, it made Irina glance at me sharply.

Penelope, eager as always to stir the pot, leaned in slightly.

"Well?" she asked. "Are you surprised? Were you not given a heads-up at all?"

My fingers dug into the phone as I turned to her, my expression carefully blank.

"You're telling me," I said slowly, "that Seraphina, little dove Sera, is engaged. To the Prince of Aldoria."

Penelope nodded eagerly. "Yup."

"And this was just announced?"

"Yes, a few hours ago. You know I'm always in every kingdom's business, so the news just popped up suddenly, and because I recognized the name, I figured that you'd also like to know."

I felt a faint ringing in my ears.

So it was real? The news of Seraphina getting married was actually real?

I leaned back, gripping the phone tightly as I read through the article, and as I did—something sharp and ugly twisted in my chest.

The article talked about how Seraphina had accepted the prince when he expressed his interest in her, how the king himself had given his blessing, and how she would soon be known as Lady Seraphina Orion.

I couldn't tell what irritated me more—the fact that this was happening or the fact that I had to find out through a damn news article. Seraphina didn't exactly owe me an explanation or anything, since we weren't an item, but for someone that claimed to like me so much, I just didn't expect to be blindsided like this.

Across from me, Irina was watching closely—too closely. I could feel her gaze, feel the way she was waiting, and feel her analyzing every shift in my expression.

So I did what I did best—I masked everything.

I forced my lips into a smirk, tossed the phone back at Penelope, and leaned back against the couch as if I didn't have a care in the world.

"Well," I said, my voice bored, "good for her."

Penelope blinked while Irina stared, and I could tell that neither of them bought it.

Penelope tilted her head, a slow smirk creeping on her face. "Huh," she mused. "You know, I was expecting more of a reaction."

I raised an eyebrow at her. "And why the hell would you expect that?"

"Because it's Seraphina," she replied knowingly. "And last I checked, you two had a thing going on."

My jaw clenched, but my smirk didn't waver. "A thing?" I repeated, letting out a low chuckle. "Please, Penelope, don't be stupid. I don't get involved with people."

Penelope just grinned.

"Oh, come on," she teased. "We all know how obsessed you are with the girl, and we saw how much effort you put into making sure she was able to leave for Aldoria. The Electra I know wouldn't do that for just anyone, and now she's now engaged to some prince? You have to feel something about that."

I kept my expression impassive.

"I don't," I said simply. "She can do whatever she wants, Pen. It's her life and her business."

"Even if it means marrying someone else? You know she stops being your 'little dove,' right?"

My smile faltered—just barely, and Penelope's eyes flickered with amusement.

She noticed, of course she did. The annoying brat was too perceptive for her own good.

"You're unusually calm about this, Electra," Irina finally spoke, her voice measured. "Considering you were just asking questions about betrayal yesterday. Doesn't this count as a betrayal?"

I turned to her, eyes narrowing slightly. "You think?" I challenged.

She studied me for a long moment. Then—she smirked, and that was when I knew that she saw right through me.

I was pissed, and I didn't even know why. Was it because Seraphina was engaged? Was it because she hadn't told me herself, or was it because—deep down—some stupid, ridiculous part of me had assumed that she would always be in the palm of my hands no matter what?

I didn't have an answer, but whatever was going on with me, and whatever this miserable feeling I suddenly had was, I hated it.