Chapter 99: _ First Ally

Prince Ajax sat motionless on the sunlit rock and a beautiful smile began to spread across his face as his fingers closed securely around my hand.

"Thank you for telling me, little mouse," Ajax purred. "Now... let me tell you how we’re going to burn their game to the ground."

"Whose?"

"First, let’s talk about the Princes. You see, Elira, what you feel toward those jerks... it isn’t some anomaly or dark curse. It’s simply the standard affliction nearly every female initiate in this academy suffers."

I pulled back. "What?"

"They are irresistible royal high-borns," Ajax said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "It’s entirely natural for a markless girl thrust into their orbit to mistake standard royal charm for something deeper."

I frowned, shifting on the warm stone surface. "Is that what you think it is? Just an infatuation?"

"Of course," Ajax purred, leaning in closer until the subtle scent of golden tea wrapped around me like fine silk. "You are overwhelmed. But you’ll notice you don’t feel that wild, uncontrollable panic around me, do you?"

"Well... no. I don’t feel that way toward you at all." I admitted, looking straight into his silver-gold eyes.

The words left my mouth before my brain could put a filter on them. The silence that followed was so loud you could hear the waterfall across the lake.

My cheeks instantly flared white-hot. "I—I mean! I didn’t mean it like that! I just—"

Ajax threw his head back and let out a rich laugh. "No offense taken, little mouse. You’ll come around eventually. Once I help you get over your silly little infatuation with the other princes, you’ll see things clearly."

His gaze dropped to my lips as he brought his hand up to gently cup the side of my face. It was undeniably romantic.

For a second there, my eyes fluttered shut, and then my brain exploded into a mess of vivid, conflicting memories.

I didn’t see Ajax at all even though he was right there.

I felt Raice’s cold lips bruising mine in the dark courtyard. I felt the pressure of Ivar’s mouth pressed against my forehead before he stole my memories. I saw Zev’s dangerously handsome, grinning face as he held my hands and led me to the Great Hall, radiating magnetic charisma.

My blood spiked with panic. I snapped my head back, breaking Ajax’s grip and scrambling a foot away on the flat rock.

"I’m sorry!" I gasped, breathing heavily as I put my hands up defensively. "I’m sorry, Ajax, I... I can’t do that. I don’t want that between us."

Ajax froze, his hand hovering in the empty air. A subtle flicker of surprise crossed his face before he smoothly drew his hand back, resting his wrist on his knee.

"I don’t want another royal romance or a game of chess. I want a real friendship. A genuine ally. That’s what I need right now." I explained.

Ajax stared at me for a long moment, scanning my features as if re-evaluating his entire strategy. Slowly, the arrogant smirk melted into a surprisingly warm smile.

"An ally," Ajax repeated, nodding. "Fair enough, Elira. A real alliance it is." He glanced up at the sky, where the soft violet clouds were darkening into a deep indigo. "We should probably head back. The sun is setting, and if we stay out past curfew, even my royal immunity will draw annoying paperwork."

"Gladly," I sighed, pushing myself up from the rock.

The walk back across the boundary line was surprisingly peaceful. The wardens at the outer gate once again saluted, looked at the sky, and conveniently pretended a markless Dragon initiate wasn’t strolling through the sovereign archway after hours.

Because it was late, the main residential pathways were blissfully empty of the massive crowds from earlier. Most students were already tucked away in their dorms or out in the shadowy alcoves conducting their usual night shenanigans like whispering in dark corners, sneaking contraband potion vials, or making out behind the marble pillars.

"Don’t worry about Eldritch," Ajax said quietly as we navigated the quiet torch-lit courtyard of the Dragon Wing. "Tomorrow afternoon, I will pay him a personal visit in his office. I’ll make sure your practical marks are restored and that he understands messing with you means answering to the Lion Sovereign House."

My jaw nearly dropped. "Really?"

He only smiled before continuing, "As for Headmistress Maisie, her political influence inside Last Bastion is strong, but it isn’t stronger than mine. You stand before the Realm Council and testify however you want. Give the truth you wish to relay. I’ll make sure you don’t get burned by her fallout."

A suffocating boulder that had been resting on my chest since morning finally dissolved.

"Ajax... thank you," I breathed, looking up at him with genuine gratitude. "Seriously. Thank you so much."

"What are allies for?" he purred, stopping at the archway leading into the residential dormitories.

Around us, a few second-year initiates lounging on the stone steps stared at us in stunned silence, their eyes darting from the Crown Prince to my faded tunic. Nearby, a couple making out against a pillar completely stopped, the girl’s mouth hanging open in shock.

I ignored them all. "Thank you for taking me out today. I... I actually really enjoyed seeing the realm. It was breathtaking."

"The pleasure was mine, little mouse," Ajax said, offering an elegant bow. "Get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a loud day."

I smiled, waving goodbye before turning and hurrying up the winding stone stairs to the third floor.

I reached Room 3B, grabbed the iron latch, and pushed the door open.

The moment the door clicked shut behind me, the warm scent of lavender soap, dried herbs, and crackling hearth-fire wrapped around me like a blanket. The room was illuminated by the orange glow of the fireplace, our three narrow beds neatly made with heavy woolen blankets.

CRASH!

Miriel dropped her hairbrush, and Bren instantly stood up from her desk, both of them whirling toward me like starved hawks catching sight of prey.

"ELIRA!" Miriel shrieked in a harsh whisper, sprinting across the floorboards and grabbing my shoulders. "You’re alive! Where were you?! What did he want?! Did he threaten you?! Did he kiss you?!"

"Step back, Miriel, let her breathe," Bren ordered, marching over with her arms crossed.

Her dark eyes scanned me from head to toe for injuries. Her gaze landed on my left sleeve. "What was the bracelet, Elira? Did he tell you what it is exactly? Tell me you didn’t sell your soul to the Lion Prince."