Chapter 78: Not telling you
Sophia’s sharp eyes turned to Vlad. If one could kill with eyes, Vlad would have died a thousand deaths from her piercing gaze. The intensity of her stare was almost palpable.
"I thought you were a decent person," she muttered with a deep frown, her small fists clenching at her sides. "How could you do that with Lady Seraphina!?"
’D-did Sera tell her about my appearance in her room?’ Vlad gasped inwardly. ’Judging by her reaction, she must have told her everything, about that accidental k-kiss as well.’ His face flushed slightly at the memory.
"Senior Sophia, whatever happened last night was an accident," Vlad explained, his tone flustered and a hint of guilt hidden within it. "Nevertheless, I will take full responsibility for my actions."
His declaration made Seraphina release a soft gasp, her hand gracefully covering her mouth, her pink eyes slightly widening.
Sophia released a long sigh, pressing her forehead between her fingers, before turning her gaze up at him.
"Take care of her on the date. Do not stress her out," she demanded, pointing her index finger at him with absolute finality, leaving no room for discussion. After all, Seraphina should not be mistreated in such a delicate condition.
"I will keep your words in mind," Vlad replied with a defeated sigh. He was done trying to correct them that it was not a date but a ONE-ON-ONE MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT.
Moreover, Seraphina was the one who increase his blood pressure. Sophia should be saying those words to her, not the other way around. Again, he was in no mood to argue.
Sophia looked back and forth between Seraphina and Vlad, her emerald eyes darting like a hawk surveying its prey.
"Move down," she ordered Vlad.
Heeding her command, Vlad lowered himself to her level, his posture reaching almost a sitting position, as if he were perched on an invisible chair. His knees bent, bringing his face parallel to hers.
She grabbed his cheeks with both hands, stretched them out, and muttered, "You are so oblivious, Vlad. Why have you not commented on Lady Seraphina’s dress yet?"
’Why should I?’ he muttered inwardly, his eyebrows turning into a deep frown as his eyes turned to Seraphina, who was looking at him with an amused smile. She was clearly enjoying whatever was wrong with Sophia. Her eyes sparkled with mischief.
Now that he looked at her clearly, he took in the full picture. She wore a striking black evening dress that flowed elegantly around her figure, the fabric catching the fading sunlight like liquid shadow. The off-shoulder neckline left her collarbones exposed, her pale skin contrasting beautifully with the dark material. A crimson sash wrapped around her waist and blossomed into a large bow at the front. The dress was thigh-length, revealing her knees and slender legs below, ending with black high-heeled sandals that added inches to her height. Scarlet fabric lined the inner folds, creating flashes of red with every subtle movement. Combined with her fiery crimson hair cascading freely over her shoulders, she looked less like a noble lady to Vlad and more like a captivating enchantress who had stepped straight out of a fairy tale.
"Will you not be cold in that dress?" Vlad asked with a straight face, his voice carrying a hint of genuine worry.
His answer caused deep frowns to form on both the girls’ faces.
"You got zero out of ten points as a gentleman," Sophia declared, using all the strength her little hands could muster to pinch his cheeks. The attempt was entirely futile; he did not even feel the pain, the sensation no more than a mosquito bite against his tough skin.
"Well, you can wear my jacket if you feel cold," Vlad murmured in a low tone, looking sideways. "You are looking beautiful."
Sophia released the grip from his cheeks in satisfaction, a small nod of approval accompanying her release. Meanwhile, Seraphina remained frozen in place, her eyes lowering to the ground. She had heard countless praises for her beauty at balls, banquets, soirées, and even within the academy. The praise Vlad had given was the barest minimum of them all, yet it caused butterflies to flutter wildly in her stomach.
"If you have satisfied your curiosity, let us go now," Seraphina said to Sophia as she reached the spot beside Vlad. Her voice was steady, though a faint tremor lingered beneath it.
"I was just worried about you, Lady Seraphina," Sophia hissed with a pout, her emerald eyes still narrowed. Her voice turned softer as she continued, "Enjoy the evening."
Seraphina nodded with a faint smile, a gentle curve of her lips that softened her features. Sophia pivoted on her feet and went inside the building, her small figure disappearing through the towering doors.
"Where are we going, by the way?" Vlad asked once Sophia had left, his brow arching with curiosity.
"To the city," Seraphina replied, walking forward, her every movement graceful and deliberate, her crimson hair swaying behind her like a fiery banner.
"But we are not allowed to leave the academy," Vlad said, catching up to her with quick strides.
"Those rules do not apply to the President." Her voice carried a note of casual authority.
"What about me?" Vlad asked, giving her a sidelong glance.
"Oh my? It is 3:27 already," Seraphina gasped, quickening her pace, her motion somehow remaining elegant despite the urgency. "We should hurry."
"Seriously, Sera, what about me?" Vlad asked from behind, his voice now carrying a hint of genuine worry.
Naturally, his question was not answered. The duo stepped out of the main opened iron gate of the academy, reaching the stone path with towering stone walls on each side, the same path he and Chloe had first taken when entering the academy. The familiar route brought back memories of that first day.
They walked side by side, their footsteps the only sound in the completely silent environment. The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the stones.
"I am curious," Seraphina finally broke the silence, her voice soft and contemplative. "Did you tell your girlfriend that you are with me?"
"I don’t have a girlfriend," Vlad replied, the obvious answer leaving his lips without hesitation.
"What about Chloe?"
"She is family."
"Hmm..." Seraphina quietly nodded at his revelation, her expression unreadable, a thoughtful hum escaping her lips.
"I also have a question," Vlad said, his eyes fixed straight ahead on the path before them. "What is this one-on-one meeting supposed to be about?"
"It would have been a simple meeting with me in my office, where the Crownbearer could ask for some guidance or gain some information about the exams," she revealed, her tone light and casual.
"So why the sudden change in the event?"
"Not telling you," Seraphina replied with a smug smile as they reached the path’s end, which ended with a simple wooden door without any wall above it, standing alone.
