*✩‧₊˚༺˗ˏˋ ☀︎ˎˊ˗ ༻*✩‧₊˚

The morning air was crisp as Aster walked through the academy’s grand hallways, her thoughts preoccupied with a question she couldn’t bring herself to ask. Over breakfast, she had almost asked Aunt Sally how they had traveled from Helios to Crescentis, but something made her hesitate.

She could still picture the moment clearly.

“Aunt Sally,” she had begun, lifting her cup of coffee, letting its warmth steady her. “Uhh… never mind.”

Aunt Sally had only chuckled. “Don’t tell me you’re nervous about your second day at school.”

Aster had laughed, shaking her head. “I’m actually excited.” She quickly changed the subject, pushing aside the question that refused to leave her mind.

Now, as she walked toward her classroom, she sighed and ruffled her hair in frustration.

‘Ugh… why is it so hard to ask?’

“Miss Aster!”

Katharina’s cheerful voice pulled her from her thoughts. She was already seated inside, waving excitedly. “I can’t believe we’re in the same class! Isn’t that great?”

Aster’s worries faded. “Lady Katharina.” She smiled as she stepped inside. Having a friend in class was comforting, then her gaze unconsciously drifted across the room toward Ranley.

‘I never imagined it…Lord Ranley, here, as my classmate’  she thought, her heart fluttering with restrained excitement..

He was laughing, casually leaning against his desk while chatting with his best friend, Jarrett. Aster’s heart did a small flip. The way he carried himself, the effortless charm: it made her even more determined to get closer to him. Maybe she could finally ask him about the necklace.

But before she could dwell on the thought, an unwelcome voice cut through the air.

“Oh, how sweet,” Flavia sneered. “The commoner found a friend.”

Aster stiffened as Flavia turned to Katharina. “Lady Katharina, you really shouldn’t associate with people like her. She’s only going to take advantage of you.”

“I can’t believe the academy allows someone like her to leech off our education,” Isadora added, smirking.

Whispers spread through the room. Aster lowered her gaze, gripping the strap of her satchel. What was Ranley thinking? Was he looking at her in pity?

Before she could sit at the back of the classroom, Katharina stood and took her hand without hesitation. “Come on, sit beside me. Don’t listen to them. In the academy, we’re all equals.”

Aster felt warmth spread through her chest. She followed Katharina, trying to ignore the sting of humiliation.

Flavia’s eyes narrowed. With slow, deliberate steps, she approached. “The charity case has a defender?” she said mockingly, her voice dripping with condescension.

Katharina didn’t waver. “Miss Aster is here because she earned her place… unlike some who’ve had everything spoon-fed to them.”

Flavia’s expression darkened. “Why– you!” With a huff, she raised her hand, about to strike Katharina. But before she could, Aster instinctively stepped forward, lifting her satchel to block the blow.

“That’s enough, Lady Flavia,” Aster said firmly, meeting her gaze head-on.

For a fleeting second, something unreadable flickered in Flavia’s eyes…irritation, yes, but also something else. Aster had always kept her head down, yet now, as she stood her ground, there was an intensity in her blue eyes that made Flavia hesitate. Just for a moment, she could have sworn she saw flecks of gold swirling in those deep blue depths, shimmering before vanishing as if they had never been there.

Even Aster’s light brown hair seemed to catch the glow of the sunlight streaming through the arched windows, hints of gold weaving through the strands before flickering away. ‘Just a trick of the light’ or so Flavia told herself.

She hated how striking they were, how they made Aster–if only for an instant, look like someone who belonged.

The room fell silent, waiting to see what Flavia would do next. Even Isadora and Renie were watching, intrigued.

Then, Ranley stood and made his way toward them with a smooth, practiced ease. “Lady Flavia,” he said with a charming smile, “it wouldn’t do for a noble like you to tarnish your reputation over a scholar student.”

Aster blinked. Was he… defending her? A rush of gratitude swelled in her chest. But then, his words settled in.

Over a scholar student. He might as well have said commoner. Well, it’s true… but… did he have to say it like that?

Katharina caught it too. Something about his tone didn’t sit right with her. It wasn’t insincere, but it wasn’t entirely genuine either. It felt more like he was playing the role of a noble gentleman, putting on a show, defending a helpless commoner to make himself look good.

Flavia scoffed, flipping her hair. “I won’t lower myself to her level.” With a graceful turn, she walked back to her seat.

Aster exhaled, tension still coiled inside her, but at least the moment had passed.

“Let’s all get along and settle down,” Professor Lily’s authoritative voice rang out, silencing the murmurs as she entered.

She stood at the front, a woman in her forties with sharp emerald eyes. Her red hair was pulled into a neat chignon, and she adjusted her glasses as she surveyed the class. Everyone stood and greeted her before taking their seats.

“Today, we begin with history.”

Aster straightened. History was one of the few subjects she genuinely enjoyed. As Professor Lily delved into the lesson, she found herself completely absorbed in Crescentis’ history.

By the time class ended, students began filing out, chatting amongst themselves. Aster, however, still had something to do.

Katharina gathered her things and turned to her. “Will you ride with me again in my carriage today?”

Aster shook her head apologetically. “I’m sorry, Lady Katharina. I need to stop by the library first.”

Katharina nodded. “Alright, but don’t stay too late! And by the way, aren’t we friends? Just call me Katharina.”

“How could I possibly?”

“Am I the only one who thinks we’re close now?” Katharina pouted.

“Uhm… okay, La- I mean, Ka-Katharina,” Aster said shyly. “Then please, just call me Aster too.”

They both laughed before waving goodbye.

“See you tomorrow!”

‎₊˚✧[At the Library]✧˚₊

The scent of aged paper and ink lingered in the air as Aster browsed the shelves. She approached Madame Briswell, holding the same old book about Helios.

“Excuse me, Madame Briswell. Do you know what happened to the missing pages in this book?”

The older woman adjusted her spectacles. “Ah, that book… It’s quite old. I doubt you’ll find another copy. Some students tear out pages for research instead of borrowing the entire book. It’s frustrating, really.”

Aster’s heart sank a little. “So there’s no way to find the missing information?”

Madame Briswell shook her head. “Not unless you get very lucky.” Then, with a knowing glance, she added, “Keep an eye out for those kinds of students. It’s part of your job, after all.”

Aster nodded, though she felt less hopeful than before.

As she made her way to a desk, she absentmindedly traced the worn edges of the book.

Helios.

There were still so many unanswered questions.

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