Elysium: Desired by the Cold-hearted Princess [GL]
Chapter 251: It goes from bad to worse

Chapter 251: It goes from bad to worse

Seraphina’s POV

The second the lunch bell rang, I was out of my seat, snatching up my books and my bag with a speed that should’ve been impossible for someone my size.

My goal was simple—get out. Get as far away as humanly possible from her.

Even with three different teachers rotating into the classroom, I had felt it the entire time. The unwavering, calculating stare from my left. The occasional shift of her posture that somehow felt deliberate, like she was testing me—seeing how I’d react.

I had never felt so watched before.

I wasn’t an idiot—I knew what was happening. Iris Aurelian wasn’t just sitting beside me because it was some kind of coincidence. No, she was here because she wanted to be, and whatever her reasons were, I didn’t want any part of it.

So, as soon as I was free, I moved.

Running through the narrow rows of desks, I bolted for the door, barely waiting for anyone else to leave. I was determined to put as much space between us as I could, but just as I reached the hallway, I heard quick footsteps behind me.

Then—tap.

I flinched. My body tensed instinctively, and for a split second, my heart jumped into my throat.

I turned sharply, already prepared to glare at whoever had dared to touch me, and there she was.

Iris Aurelian, standing behind me, looking calm—smug even—with that same unreadable smile on her face.

My fingers clenched around the strap of my bag. She wasn’t even trying to hide it anymore. My patience, which had been wearing dangerously thin all morning, snapped.

"What the hell do you want?" I demanded, my voice lower than I expected, but sharp nonetheless.

Iris tilted her head slightly, studying me in a way that made me feel like I was under a microscope.

"I wanted to talk," she said, her tone light, almost playful.

I scoffed, turning to leave. "Yeah, well, I don’t."

But before I could take another step, she moved—quickly, cutting off my path.

"I think we got off on the wrong foot," she continued, still smiling. "You seemed really uncomfortable when I sat beside you earlier. It was like you were trying to pretend you didn’t know me."

I felt my stomach drop.

I had spent the entire morning pretending I didn’t know her, because I didn’t. Not in this reality, anyway, but her words—her specific choice of words—sent a chill down my spine.

I met her gaze, narrowing my eyes. "I don’t know you," I said carefully.

Her smile didn’t waver, but I noticed a flicker of something else in her eyes.

"Really?" she mused. "That’s funny. Because I feel like I know you."

I let out a deep, frustrated sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose before looking directly at Iris.

"How in the world do you know me?" I asked, my voice sharper than I intended. "Because as far as I’m concerned, we’ve only briefly met at your father’s house. We were barely in each other’s presence for more than five minutes, and I don’t exactly think that counts as knowing each other."

Iris let out a nervous laugh, tucking a strand of her red hair behind her ear.

"I didn’t mean it like that, Seraphina," she clarified quickly. "I just meant that we’ve seen each other before, which isn’t a bad thing, is it? And since we happen to be in the same class now, I thought maybe we could, I don’t know, start fresh? You’re the only familiar face I’ve met here so far."

I eyed her suspiciously. Her tone was casual, maybe even friendly, but something about her was rubbing me the wrong way.

"That’s funny," I muttered. "Because you seem to know a lot more about me than just my face."

I crossed my arms, watching her carefully. Her lips parted slightly, but before she could respond, I continued.

"How do you know my name, Iris?" I pressed. "Because now that I think about it, I never mentioned my name back at your father’s house."

For a brief second—so quick I could’ve missed it—Iris froze. Then, as if rehearsed, she let out a soft chuckle and shook her head.

"Oh, that?" she said, shrugging. "It’s not a big deal. I saw your name earlier when I borrowed your notebook, remember? It was written on the front page."

My jaw clenched.

That was a lie.

She had borrowed my notebook earlier, but my name wasn’t written anywhere on the cover. It was on the inside, sure, but there was no way she had flipped through it while the teacher was lecturing—not without me noticing, and even if she had... something about her answer felt too convenient.

I felt an unsettling chill crawl down my spine, but I forced myself to keep my expression neutral.

Iris, still smiling, clasped her hands together.

"Anyway, since you’re heading to the cafeteria for lunch," she continued, "how about we go together? I don’t exactly have any friends here yet, and it’d be nice to get to know each other."

My entire body stiffened.

"No."

I hadn’t even thought about the answer before I blurted it out.

Iris blinked at me, her smile faltering slightly. "No?" she echoed.

I shook my head, gripping my bag tightly.

"I prefer to eat alone," I said flatly, stepping back. "And I already have plans."

That wasn’t a complete lie anyway—I did have plans to meet with Yuna, which was still very important to me, and even if I didn’t, I’d have to lied. I was more than desperate to put distance between me and whatever Iris was thinking.

I turned around before she could say anything else and made my way down the hallway, my heart pounding harder than it should’ve been.

As I walked down the hallway toward the old classroom where I was supposed to meet Yuna, I kept my phone in my hand, quickly typing out a message to Electra.

Seraphina: Iris is here. In my class.

I didn’t know how Electra would react, but she needed to know before she got blindsided. There was something off about the entire situation—something that made me feel like Iris hadn’t transferred here just for the sake of education.

Before I could even lock my phone, a message from Yuna popped up.

Yuna: I hope you didn’t forget we’re supposed to meet.

I let out a small breath, ignoring the way my stomach twisted with anxiety. It had been a long time since Yuna and I had a proper conversation—one where she wasn’t looking at me like she wanted to slap me across the face.

Me: I’m on my way.

I was only a few doors away now. Slowing my pace, I inhaled deeply, mentally preparing myself. I hated confrontations, but there was no avoiding this one.

Once I reached the door, I hesitated for a second, gripping the handle tightly. Then, exhaling slowly, I pushed the door open.

The sight that greeted me made my stomach drop. Yuna was sitting on top of one of the desks, legs crossed, her arms resting lazily at her sides, but she wasn’t alone.

Standing beside her, leaning against the desk, was none other than her twin sister—Yura.

I immediately felt my throat go dry.

What the hell was she doing here?

I took a cautious step forward, my heartbeat picking up speed. Yuna turned her head toward me, a weird smile creeping up on her face.

"Glad you could make it, Seraphina."

And the way she said my name sent chills down my spine.