Soon enough, we made it back to the academy in one piece, though Claire and I were left carrying the majority of the bags. Tessa, of course, had declared that paying for everything was more than enough effort on her part—which, to be fair, was understandable.
We headed straight for the garden, where the rest of the group was already waiting for us. The serene space had become our go-to spot for brainstorming and casual chats, and today was no different.
"Hey! We're back!" Claire called out, waving enthusiastically as we approached.
Camille glanced up from the table, her icy-blue eyes catching mine. She smiled softly, and for reasons I couldn't explain, my heart did an involuntary flutter.
"It looks like you guys went all out," Camille said, her gaze flicking to the numerous bags Claire and I were hauling.
"You don't want to know," I replied with a heavy sigh, already feeling the day's exhaustion creeping in.
"Oh, it was fun! We had Tessa pay for everything because, you know, rich family and all that," Claire said with a mischievous grin.
Tessa smirked, clearly unfazed. "I willingly paid, so you can stop acting like I was forced into it."
"How did it go for you guys?" I asked, eager to shift the conversation away from our chaotic shopping trip.
"Everything went smoothly," Lillian chimed in, her voice as calm and composed as ever. "I've finalized the list of everything we need for the maid café. We've got it down to the last detail."
"Let me guess," Tessa said, raising an eyebrow. "You covered all the costs, didn't you, Lillian?"
"She did," Diana interjected with a sly smile. "But I managed to get us a nice discount. Nobody beats me when it comes to negotiations."
I blinked, trying not to question Diana's particular brand of 'psychological warfare.' "I mean, less money spent is always a good thing…" I said hesitantly.
"Well, should we take a break for now?" Claire asked, plopping herself down onto a bench with dramatic flair.
Everyone nodded in agreement, and the tension from the day's activities seemed to ease as we settled into the tranquil atmosphere of the garden.
As I turned to step away, I felt a gentle but firm hand wrap around my arm. I looked back in surprise.
"Lillian?" I asked.
She smiled, her expression soft but purposeful. "You don't remember, do you?"
"Remember what?" I asked warily, already feeling a twinge of unease.
"The bet," she said simply, her smile widening. "From the exams. I beat you, remember? You agreed that whoever scored lower would have to do anything the winner asked."
My stomach dropped as the memory came rushing back in vivid detail. "Oh no…" I groaned.
"Oh yes," Lillian said, her tone playful but her eyes sparkling with intent.
I sighed, already bracing myself for whatever she had in mind. "Alright… what do you want me to do?" I asked, half-hoping it would be something simple. Knowing Lillian, it was probably a hug or something innocent like that. A kiss, maybe—but definitely just on the cheek.
"Go on a date with me," she said, her voice clear and unwavering.
My brain short-circuited. "E-Eh?" I managed to stammer, feeling my face heat up instantly.
"A proper date," she clarified, stepping a little closer. "Just the two of us, spending time together. No one else."
I stared at her, wide-eyed, while blood rushed to my cheeks so quickly I thought I might pass out. "Uh… okay. Sure," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "But… when?"
"How about an hour from now?" she suggested, her smile warm and a little mischievous. "Take your time, change into something nice, and meet me by the fountain."
I nodded dumbly, still processing what had just happened. "Y-Yeah. Okay."
As she released my arm and turned to join the others, I stood there frozen, the reality of the situation finally hitting me.
Lillian Aurora—the radiant, angelic princess of this academy—had just asked me on a date.
What have I gotten myself into?
Back in my dorm room, I paced relentlessly, wearing a trench into the floor as I scanned my meager wardrobe for something remotely suitable. Tessa, my ever-sly and ever-teasing roommate, wasn't back yet—thankfully. The last thing I needed right now was her commentary.
"What would look good?" I muttered to myself, rifling through hangers. "What even is date-appropriate for a princess?"
My fingers hovered over a soft pastel blouse, then a sleek black dress, before I groaned and dropped onto my bed. "Why am I overthinking this? It's just Lillian… It's just Lillian!" I exclaimed, burying my face into my hands. But even as I tried to convince myself, my mind kept flashing back to her warm smile, her soft, lilting voice when she asked me out, and the way her golden-blonde hair shimmered in the sunlight.
Okay. Maybe I had a reason to overthink.
After a few deep breaths, I sat up, brushing my hair back. "Alright, focus," I told myself firmly. "You're going to meet Lillian Aurora. The princess. She probably looks flawless in her sleep. I can't just roll up in my usual everyday outfit."
I stood and dove back into the closet, pulling out an array of options. Casual-but-classy? Too plain. Elegant? Too much. Maybe something with a softer vibe? But what if she expects me to match her royal elegance?
A knock at the door nearly sent me jumping out of my skin.
"Hey, Sera, open up!" Tessa's voice called from the other side.
I froze. Of course, now she showed up. Taking a deep breath, I opened the door, trying to feign nonchalance. "Hey, Tessa."
Her sharp crimson eyes immediately flicked to the chaos strewn across the room. Clothes were everywhere—draped over furniture, spread across the bed, and even hanging precariously off my desk lamp. She leaned casually against the doorframe, smirking. "Planning a fashion show, or did a tornado hit in here?"
"Neither," I said quickly, but my tone betrayed me. "I just… have something to do, that's all."
Tessa raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. She stepped inside and crossed her arms. "Something? Or someone?"
My face flushed instantly. "N-None of your business!"
Her grin widened, predatory and full of mischief. "Oh, it's definitely my business. You're all flustered, there's a mountain of clothes everywhere, and you've got that look. Spill it, Sera. Who's the lucky person?"
I groaned, covering my face with both hands. "It's Lillian, alright?! She asked me on a date, and I said yes, and now I have no idea what to wear, and—why am I even telling you this?"
Tessa's laughter filled the room, light and amused. "Because deep down, you know you need my expert advice," she said, plopping onto my bed like she owned the place. "Alright, let's see what we're working with."
I watched, half in horror and half in curiosity, as Tessa sifted through my clothes. After a few minutes, she held up a flowy, knee-length dress in a soft lavender shade. "This. Simple, elegant, and it won't look like you're trying too hard."
I stared at it, then back at her. "You're… not wrong."
She tossed it to me with a wink. "Trust me, Sera. Lillian will love it. And if she doesn't? Well, she's got terrible taste, and I'll take you on a date instead."
I gawked at her, my face heating again. "W-What?!"
"Relax," Tessa said with a laugh, waving me off. "Just messing with you. Now hurry up. You've got a princess to impress."
As Tessa's laughter faded down the hall, I looked down at the dress in my hands, smoothing the fabric between my fingers. I still felt a flutter of nerves, but there was something else mixed in—anticipation. Maybe, just maybe, this date wouldn't be so bad after all.
I slipped into the dress, paired it with simple accessories, and took a final glance in the mirror. Not bad, I thought. Tessa actually had decent taste, which was a surprise in itself. Taking a deep breath, I headed out, my heart racing with each step toward the fountain where Lillian had asked to meet.
When I arrived, the sight that greeted me made me pause in my tracks.
Lillian was already there, sitting gracefully on the edge of the fountain, the soft light of the setting sun casting a warm glow over her. Her pastel pink hair flowed like silk over her shoulders, the hues catching the light in a way that made it shimmer beautifully. She was wearing a flowing white dress that complemented her ethereal aura, and atop her head was a wide-brimmed sun hat that added an elegant yet casual charm.
She looked like a vision of serenity, and yet, her outfit was understated enough to serve as a clever disguise. After all, a princess like Lillian couldn't exactly wander around without drawing attention.
As I approached, her sparkling green eyes lit up, and her face broke into a radiant smile. "Sera," she greeted warmly, her voice soft and melodic. "You look lovely."
My cheeks immediately felt like they were on fire. "I—uh, thanks. You look… incredible," I managed to stammer, feeling utterly inadequate next to her.
Her smile deepened, and for a moment, she just looked at me, as though studying every detail. "I'm glad you came," she said, her tone both teasing and sincere.
I gave a nervous laugh, trying to hide my flustered state. "Well, you did kind of leave me with no choice."
Her chuckle was light and genuine, and she stood up, smoothing her dress before extending her hand toward me. "Shall we?"
I hesitated, staring at her outstretched hand for a second too long before finally taking it. Her fingers were soft but steady, and as she led me away from the fountain, I couldn't help but feel the warmth of her touch spreading through me.
"So," I asked, trying to fill the silence as we walked. "Where are we going?"
Lillian's smile turned playful, a glimmer of excitement dancing in her eyes. "It's a surprise," she replied.
"A surprise, huh? Should I be worried?"
She laughed again, a sound so soothing it could calm a storm. "Not at all. You'll just have to trust me."
I glanced at her, the pink strands of her hair catching the light and framing her serene face. Trust her? Oddly enough, I found myself doing exactly that. Despite all the chaos that surrounded this academy, Lillian always had a way of making things feel steady, even peaceful.
As we walked hand in hand through the cobblestone streets, the faint hum of life around us, I realized something. For all my nerves and overthinking, I was actually… enjoying myself. And as Lillian guided me toward whatever surprise she had planned, I couldn't shake the thought that this date might just be one of the most special moments I'd ever had.