Elysium: Desired by the Cold-hearted Princess [GL]
Chapter 82 82: Unhealthy Obsession

Third-person Pov

Irina shook her head at Electra, the expression on her face a mix of exasperation and concern. "Electra, you definitely deserve to get called to the principal's office again for this," she said, crossing her arms. "And don't for a second think you're going to miraculously get away with it like you did after drowning Yura. This time, you might actually face some consequences."

Electra leaned back against her chair, a confident smirk spreading across her face as if Irina's words amused her more than they worried her. "Oh please, Irina. Astor's threats are as empty as ever," she said, waving a hand dismissively. "What's she going to do? Write me up again? I'll sit through another one of her agonizing lectures and walk out like I always do—untouched."

Irina sighed heavily, her frustration evident. "That's the problem, Electra. You're starting to think you're invincible, but you won't be if you end up killing someone because of that temper of yours. And honestly, I don't get what's going on with you lately. Why the hell did you even go to Seraphina's room and nearly kill one of her roommates? What was the plan going there?"

Electra rolled her eyes, clearly unbothered by Irina's accusations. "First of all, Irina, don't act like you wouldn't have done the same if someone had disrespected one of your little girlfriends," she said, her tone sharp. "And secondly, it wasn't 'nearly killing.' I just taught that brat a lesson, and she had it coming."

Irina raised an eyebrow, skepticism written all over her face. "A lesson? Electra, you bashed her head to the point where she bled and could have died. You've become so reckless these days, and you're no longer thinking about the bigger picture. What happened to being strategic? Now it's like you're lashing out at anyone who looks at you the wrong way."

Electra stood up abruptly, her smirk fading as a more serious look settled on her face. "You think I'm no longer being strategic because of this one kid? Let me tell you something, Irina. That girl, Liana, had the audacity to call Seraphina my bitch—to her face, mind you, and when I confronted her about it, she had the gall to repeat it in front of me like she thought she was untouchable. Disrespecting Seraphina is the same as disrespecting me, and I don't let things like that slide."

"Electra, we can't keep pretending that this recent attitude of yours isn't becoming a problem," Irina said, her voice laced with frustration. "You need to admit that you made a mistake this time."

Electra arched an eyebrow, her eyes still trained upward. "And what mistake would that be, Irina?" she drawled, feigning ignorance.

Irina let out an exasperated sigh. "You know exactly what I'm talking about. The situation with Seraphina, and your obsession with her, is getting out of hand. You're pushing things too far, and I don't like what your obsession is turning you into."

Before Electra could respond, the classroom door creaked open, and the upper class president—a tall girl named Martina—stepped inside. Her gaze swept the room before landing on Electra, and clearing her throat nervously, she approached Electra's desk.

"Electra, Principal Astor has requested to see you," Martina said, her voice calm but her eyes cautious.

Electra finally tore her gaze from the ceiling, offering Martina a brief, disinterested glance. "Did she say what it was about?"

Martina shook her head. "No, she just asked that you come to her office as soon as possible."

Irina rolled her eyes dramatically. "But of course," she muttered under her breath, shaking her head in disbelief.

Electra shot her a sidelong glance, smirking slightly. "Always the dramatist, aren't you, Irina?" She rose gracefully from her chair, smoothing the wrinkles from her skirt. "I'll be right back. Try not to miss me too much."

"Don't flatter yourself," Irina retorted, but there was a hint of concern in her eyes as she watched Electra leave the classroom.

As Electra approached Principal Astor's office, her attention caught a familiar figure standing outside the office, and her steps slowed when she figured out who it was.

The sight of Seraphina standing outside, her face buried in her hands and her shoulders shaking, was unexpected. She narrowed her eyes, immediately wondering what had caused little Seraphina to end up in tears.

The sight tugged at something deep inside her, though she would never acknowledge it.

Seraphina hadn't noticed her yet, too absorbed in her own despair, and Electra stopped a few feet away, silently observing. There was something fragile about the way Seraphina stood there, her frame trembling slightly, and Electra felt a flicker of curiosity—and irritation.

She thought of pretending like she didn't see anything but didn't like the thought of anyone else seeing Seraphina like this either. That, she decided, was her reason for intervening.

Finally, she stepped closer, her presence enough to make Seraphina pause mid-sob. The girl looked up slowly, her tear-streaked face turning toward Electra.

The irritation in Seraphina's expression as she realized who it was didn't escape Electra's notice, and Seraphina quickly wiped her cheeks, trying to compose herself, but her swollen eyes betrayed her.

"Why are you crying outside the principal's office like a child, Seraphina?" Electra asked flatly, crossing her arms and tilting her head. She made no effort to soften her tone, though her words lacked their usual sharpness.

"What are you doing here?" Seraphina shot back, her voice hoarse from crying.

Her attempt at sounding indignant fell flat, and the vulnerability in her tone was still too obvious.

Electra raised an eyebrow at the deflection. "Astor called for me," Electra replied simply. "But it looks like you've beaten me to it. What's going on?"

Seraphina turned her head away, as if refusing to let Electra see her cry any longer. "It's none of your business."

Electra clicked her tongue, her irritation mounting. "You're standing here crying like a child in the middle of the hallway. It's everyone's business now."

The words made Seraphina stiffen, and for a moment, Electra thought she might lash out. Instead, Seraphina's shoulders slumped further, and her voice came out as a resigned whisper. "My father's dying."