Elysium: Desired by the Cold-hearted Princess [GL]
Chapter 248 248: Stressed

Seraphina's POV

The first thing I did as soon as I opened my eyes was let out a groan of frustration. I was back at Elysium, back to the endless cycle of classes, lectures, and assignments.

As much as I had been caught up in the whirlwind of Electra's problems, my engagement, and whatever the hell was happening in my life lately, I still had to remind myself that I was a student first.

I had every intention of passing my exams and getting into college—assuming I lived long enough to see graduation. At this rate, my stress levels might not let me make it that far.

The thought alone made me sigh, sitting up in bed as I glanced toward the window. Liana, Ashleigh, and Jolene were all still asleep, their rhythmic breathing the only sound in the otherwise silent room.

I took a moment to let my thoughts settle before swinging my legs over the edge of the bed.

Midterms were just two weeks away. That meant that aside from figuring out whatever the hell was going on with Electra—hoping a solution would just fall from the sky—I also had to dedicate myself to studying.

I couldn't afford to fail, not after everything I'd been through in life. Academic failure was just not an option.

I ran a hand through my hair, letting out another sigh.

As if exams weren't enough, Electra's birthday was coming up. The same week as exams, which just made things even more stressful.

I wasn't even sure what exactly Electra and I were to each other at this point. We had both admitted our feelings, we were definitely… something, but there had been no official labels.

It wasn't as if we could openly date either, not with me being engaged to Darius. But still, I wanted to do something for her birthday.

The problem?

I had never celebrated a birthday with anyone before. I had never even had a friend to celebrate with, much less someone I had feelings for.

What the hell was I supposed to do?

I grabbed my phone from my bedside table, scrolling through messages. There were a few unread ones—mostly from Darius and Electra.

Darius: Hey, just a headsup, I'll be visiting Elmeria sometime soon just to keep up the charade of being a good fiancée. I'll let you know when I arrive.

I rolled my eyes at the thought of him coming all the way here, but since I already knew it would happen, I wasn't surprised. Instead, I typed a quick response.

Me: Got it. Can't wait to continue playing the role of a devoted fiancée.

I moved on to Electra's message.

Electra: Skipping first period. Care to join me?

I shook my head, smiling despite myself.

Me: You're the only one who has the luxury of skipping class. Some of us need to pass exams.

She didn't reply, but I wasn't expecting her to.

I locked my phone and got up, grabbing my towel before heading to the bathroom. The cold tiles against my feet sent a shiver up my spine, but I ignored it. My mind was already spiraling with thoughts of how to plan something for Electra.

She wasn't the kind of person who liked big, extravagant celebrations. I knew that much. If anything, she probably hated the idea of some grand party with hundreds of people showering her with empty well-wishes, not like I could throw her a party anyway.

But that meant I had to get creative.

By the time I was dressed and heading toward the cafeteria, I had a few ideas brewing in my mind. Maybe something simple, something that wasn't flashy. A dinner date? A gift? But what the hell do you get a girl who has everything?

"Earth to Seraphina," a familiar voice called.

The moment I turned toward the voice that had called out to me, my breath caught in my throat.

It was Yuna.

She stood just a few feet away, arms crossed over her chest, a smirk tugging at her lips, but it still wasn't the same Yuna I had known before. The girl I had considered my best friend was gone, replaced by someone… harder, colder.

I felt my brows furrow as I took her in.

Electra had been right. Yuna had physically changed, and it was more noticeable now that she was dressed in her school uniform.

Her messy bun—the one I had always thought was cute—was gone, replaced by sleek, straight hair that framed her face in an almost severe manner.

Her thick-rimmed glasses were missing, and in their place, her striking green eyes were unshielded, the color somehow looking even more intense.

She had lost weight too, her already petite frame looking leaner, sharper. Even the way she stood was different—there was confidence there, but not the kind I remembered. This wasn't the shy, slightly awkward girl who used to cling to my side, and act like my big sister.

No, this was someone else entirely.

"Are you checking me out, or…?" Yuna's voice broke through my thoughts, dripping with amusement.

I blinked, realizing I had been staring.

Rolling my eyes, I crossed my arms over my chest. "I was just… noticing how different you look."

Yuna scoffed, shifting her weight to one side. "Yeah, well. I finally decided to stop looking like an easy-to-push-around fool, and this is the result."

Her words were casual, but there was an underlying sharpness to them that hadn't been there before. It made my stomach twist uncomfortably.

What had happened to her?

She had been suspended from school for a month, but could that really be enough time to change someone this drastically? Or had she already been changing before then, and I just never noticed?

I studied her face, searching for the girl I once knew, but the warmth in her eyes was gone. She wasn't smiling with the same carefree energy she used to have. It was like she had built up a wall, one that I had no idea how to break through.

I sighed. "Yuna…"

Her smirk faltered for a fraction of a second before she cocked her head, pretending to be amused. "What? You don't like the new me?"

"It's not about liking or not liking it," I said carefully. "I just… I feel like I don't even recognize you anymore."

Yuna let out a short laugh, shaking her head. "That's because you don't, and I don't recognize you either, so it's only fair."

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.