"Rule 1: Don't punch anyone before breakfast."
"Rule 2: Ignore your siblings."
"Rule 3: Pretend to give a shit about the Montagues"
"Rule 4: Don't strangle anyone who calls you 'Her Grace.'"
Andrea Zimmel Montague chanted these 4 phrases like a mantra as she buttoned up her titanium-white blazer— the unmistakable three-headed black dragon sewn into its fabric. She popped a protein bar into her mouth while straightening the collar of her jet-black button-up. Breakfast of Champions— or of an orphaned heiress from the great Montague clan where most of her siblings are busy with usurping the Clan headship. With too many knives pointed at her and not nearly enough therapy.
Same thing basically.
She was 3rd ranked among the first-years, earning her the title 'Regent'. Crowned with the weight of unwanted responsibilities, wearing a mask of icy detachment. The academy's very own 'Ice Queen' — by force, not choice. She was revered, looked up to, powerful.
She hated every bit of it.
People, students and adults alike paved the way for her— not out of respect, but fear. Not the fear that gave one power. But the fear others can use to exploit the masses.
The kind that made you alone.
Andrea put on her storage ring, making sure she had everything she needed for the day at the academy. She glanced at the mirror— gazing at her calm, composed reflection, her porcelain complexion polished with subtle make-up enhancing her already divine features. Her short, layered hair framed her sharp cheekbones, lavender highlighting the tips of her pure white hair.
She glanced at her phone to check the time, it was 8.20am— only 10 minutes till the gates closed.
Good thing she lived right next to the black castle they call the Academy— living in the prestigious mansions reserved only for the top 10, 'The Royals'.
She exited her bedroom gracefully making her way down the spiral staircase. The mask of the Ice Queen she had been forced to manufacture— settled in, her eyes draining of emotion. She strode on the marble tiles en route to the front door.
"Andy, hurry up! We'll be late!" A voice chirped from outside.
"I'm here Lilliana," Andrea indifferently spoke to the girl waiting outside her mansion's entrance.
Andrea had to refrain a frown, she couldn't comprehend how Liliana could have a fully charged social battery this early in the morning. Then again, Andrea had never been a morning person— or a people person.
Liliana La Lorfresca, 2nd ranked in the first years earning her the title 'Princess' even though she already was as she's the heiress of the great Lorfresca clan.
She had dirty blonde hair tied in a double bun with emerald green eyes glistening in the sun. She sucked on a lollipop as she stood with a hand on her waist— waiting for Andrea.
Liliana smiled gleefully as she hooked her arm around Andrea's as the pair walked on the patio exiting Andrea's mansion of a dorm.
They walked to the large onyx structure in a comfortable silence— Liliana was quite chatty but she knew people's limits. That's a quality about her Andrea loved very much. Walking past a row of beautifully trimmed foliage, Liliana broke the precious silence.
"You know, that nameless disciple of Leon Horton's joining today, heard that his eyes are like a dog's from Jennifer" she snided a remark.
Andrea gave Liliana an expressionless glance.
"So? What's that got to do with me?"
Liliana let out an exasperated sigh.
"Don't you feel pissed that some rando just gets to waltz in here just because Leon's his mentor— like what about the rest of us who worked our asses off and earned our places!" she chided.
Andrea just looked at Liliana and bluntly concurred.
"Liliana, do you really think Headmaster Cassius—the Headmaster Cassius—would let some random into his school? He might be nameless, but if he proved himself to Headmaster Cassius, that says something."
Liliana's face contorted in fury as she opened her mouth but closed as soon as she realised Andrea's point. A small pout formed on her pretty face as she bickered about the 'nameless'.
"So what— from what I heard he's a dick too, Josiah told me that the nameless told him to get the fuck out of his way when he came to talk with the headmaster."
Andrea just shrugged, calmly disputing.
"I'll judge the guy when I see him for myself, you know how dramatic Josiah can be."
Liliana's eyes narrowed but she nodded at the common sense Andrea was spitting.
By the end of their friendly debate they had reached the gates of the castle— a sea of students dressed in white already filtering their way in the grand architecture. They made their way in and darted off to their homeroom— Their teacher Ms. Minerva Scott.
By 8.30am sharp, all the students of Class Solaris were present— Andrea and Liliana sitting in the middle row of chairs. There were 40 people per class in this institute hence the room was overflowing with a cacophony of chatter. The seats were set up in the format of lecture halls, with stairs going up to the back rows.
"Silence Solaris!" A sharp yet elegant voice tore through the chatter like a dagger. At the front a woman with cascading black hair with purple highlights, her porcelain features flawless— a gentle smile decorating her face.
The cacophony whittled down to a pin-drop silence as the entire room respectfully focused their attention on Minerva.
"Thank you, I hope you all have had a lovely weekend— I just have a few announcements to tell you all before I'm out of your hair and you hurry to your classes."
Minerva paced around the front of the room as she sped through the announcements— making sure to take her time with the important ones.
"Remember Solaris that the Christmas Festival Royale is only in two months— train well so that you can enjoy the festivities…"
She paused momentarily letting her point simmer into the students minds. She then continued her tone going up a beat with excitement.
"I only have one more announcement, as you have heard from the rumours we do have a new student joining us today and yes he is the disciple of Leon Horton."
As soon as Minerva mentioned the new student— the face of every student hardened apart from Andrea maintaining her icy demeanor. They heard rumours alright, just not good ones.
Minerva's smile faltered but she held strong under the gazes of Judgement.
"Contrary to what you may assume, he has earned his place at this institution and has the approval of our headmaster himself. Please keep an open mind and give a warm welcome to the newest member of Solaris."
She gracefully turns her head facing the door of the classroom— so does the rest of the classroom.
"Come in, Kerrigan."
Everyone's breath instinctually hitched— the anticipation was palpable, even Andrea and Liliana, the 2 royals of Class Solaris had an insatiable curiosity.
In walked a tall boy adorned in the academy's black and white uniform, 6ft in height, taking strides to stand next to Minerva. Decent face. Not swoon-worthy. A solid 7, maybe 7.5 if he smiled. Which he didn't. His skin was pale yet flawless, his onyx-black hair done in the style of a two block. His eyes were heterochromatic, his left eye a rich onyx— his right an ashen grey, both orbs gazing with an indifference at the class in front of him.
He had a visible scar on his neck, going from the front of his neck, along the left— all the way behind his left ear. Before anyone could get a good look at it, he tilted his body enough to hide it perfectly.
He brimmed with apathy. The class of students could see that clearly to their distaste. Whilst the class broke into murmurs of judgement— the Regent of the first-years broke her persona of the Ice Queen as she stared at the boy named Kerrigan.
Liliana noticed this— waving a hand in front of her best friend.
"Earth to Andy, Earth to Andy— you better not swoon for this jackass!"
Andrea didn't respond as she leaned back and quietly stammered, holding her hand to her stomach as it clenched.
"Shut up… he's dangerous… very dangerous…"
Just then Kerrigan observed the judgmental crowd in front of him— noticing Andrea's gaze, he met her icy gaze with one of his own.
Andrea flinched. She didn't know what she felt, it wasn't fear, admiration or an emotion at all.
She could just tell that Kerrigan was dangerous.
Very dangerous.
***
"Sheesh… tough crowd." I quietly mumbled as I glanced at Minerva.
Poor Minerva tried to stay composed—sweating bullets once she realized they hated me just as much.
"Silence Solaris!" Minerva bellowed, the class instantaneously went quiet, as if she pressed the mute button on a remote.
Their eyes of judgement fell on me once again— I didn't care and just waited for instructions.
"Thank you…" She turns to face me with a wry smile "Why don't you introduce yourself Kerrigan?"
I nodded and stepped forward. Already in the spotlight, but now officially. Taking in a deep breath— my lungs filling with the cool air.
"My name is Kerrigan…" I spoke, no I mean that's it. Nothing more, nothing else.
The room blinked at me, confused until I finished it off with.
"That's all you need to know about me."
Their confused gazes transfigured into scowls within seconds, apart from a student in the middle— she looked like she didn't give a damn.
I turned back to Minerva who had a vein bulging in her temple— she tried to simmer their hate but I instead added gasoline. She sighed before murmuring.
"Thank you Kerrigan— Go take a seat, anywhere in the classroom. End of Announcements, I'm out of your hair now."
It took everything in me not to laugh as I walked on the stairs as I looked around to pick my seat. Minerva walked out, exasperated. I actually did feel a little bad for her.
I could easily tell from their faces that they were praying that I wouldn't sit next to them— it would be answered as I took my seat, in the back row— in the corner. Where no one could bother me, and I wouldn't have to bother pretending.
I made myself comfortable, or at least I tried to. It wasn't easy when you had the entire class boring their gaze into your soul. I instinctively put a hand over the scar on my neck— hiding it out of insecurity. Suddenly a certain sound caught everyone's attention.
"Papa!" Corvus mewled from atop my head of hair— jumping onto my shoulder.
'FUCK!'
Yup. Definitely not invisible anymore.
I completely forgot about Corvus still in my head— looks like he just woke up right now. My body stiffened whilst I patted Corvus, their overbearing gazes were overwhelmingly uncomfortable. Headmaster Cassius confirmed with me that blood pact animals are permitted onto the grounds so this should be fine— right? Corvus sensed my discomfort and leaned into my touch— I only looked at Corvus as I didn't want to look at any of them.
"Excuse me, Kerrigan is it…" a gentle voice of a girl called out to me, snapping me out of my stupor.
"Huh?..." I look up to see I think the most beautiful person I've ever seen— like I haven't really been outside so anything's beautiful to me.
She had a calm, composed reflection, her porcelain complexion polished with subtle make-up enhancing her already divine features. Her short, layered hair framed her sharp cheekbones, lavender highlighting the tips of her pure white hair.
The interaction caught me so off-guard to the point I allowed myself to lightly blush— I instantly straightened up, jolting Corvus who mewled in confusion.
"Yeah… Do you need anything from me or something?" I stammer a reply, recovering from my shock.
The girl nodded but didn't say anything— instead her gaze drifted to Corvus who was looking at her with intrigue. I blinked in confusion as I looked at the two of them interchangeably— unbeknownst to me the entire class stared at us with their jaws to the floor. I then notice a blush creeping up on her cheeks and I finally realised that she was too ashamed to ask me.
I then directed my gaze at her and asked.
"You wanna pet him right?"
She nodded— her face going more red. I just blinked and looked at Corvus who was still jolly— I sighed exasperatedly and looked back at her.
"Sure, why not… go ahead, I doubt he'd mind." I mumbled.
The girl didn't skip a beat and sat next to me as she immediately started petting Corvus, who was still on my shoulder. That's when I noticed the entire classroom's incredulous expression— I raised an eyebrow at them in confusion as I didn't see the problem.
I glanced back at the pair and this tiny little bastard Corvus was having the time of his life— he was mewling in bliss as a cute girl was petting him. This was particularly surprising as he never paid attention to anyone else apart from me, I felt a pang of jealousy creeping in. The little shit then had the gall to smirk at me— that's when I realised— he was imprinting after Leon, taking in all the attention from the girls.
'I need to limit Corvus and Leon's interactions ASAP!'
My attention was then stolen by another girl who had stormed to my area with unbridled rage mixed with confusion. She had dirty blonde hair tied in a double bun with emerald green eyes, her footsteps thundering throughout the classroom.
"Andrea what on earth are you doing next to dog-eyes?!"
'SHE CALLED ME WHAT!!'