Princess Astreia’s words were light and airy.
It was like a boulder crashing into a calm lake, stirring up a huge commotion in the cafeteria.
“And if I say no?”
This was no longer a provocation—it was outright contempt!
But Vivian stepped forward, her righteous aura bursting forth, her golden priest robe billowing without wind.
“Princess Astreia, it seems you still don’t understand the situation.”
“I don’t know what’s so special about you that Dean Layana took you on as a direct disciple, even personally escorting you herself, having us Griffin Guards carry you back to the Central Academy… but that does not give you the right to ignore the rules and act so brazenly in public!”
Dean Layana’s direct disciple?
The moment that title was uttered, the entire cafeteria erupted.
Gasps of disbelief rang out one after another, everyone’s faces painted with incredulity.
“What? Dean Layana’s direct disciple? Did I hear that wrong? The Magic Dean who’s never taken any disciples except her own daughter, Laxana?”
“Are you kidding me? Dean Layana is wise and powerful beyond measure! How could she take on a woman with such vulgar manners and corrupt character? Look at her—aside from her freakish figure, what does she have?”
“Exactly! Doesn’t the Dean know what this woman has done in public? Taking her as a disciple—doesn’t she care about her own reputation? This is a stain on the Central Academy’s honor!”
“Miss Laxana is so outstanding, and she’s only the Dean’s daughter, not a direct disciple. Why should an outsider like her get that? Unless… unless she did something shameful? There must be something shady going on!”
“This is so unfair! It’s an insult to every student who works hard!”
The clamor grew louder and louder.
But Astreia remained unfazed, not even bothering to raise an eyelid at the accusations and speculations that would have crushed an ordinary person.
Though Vivian had deliberately highlighted that point to pressure her, she didn’t respond.
“Hehe~”
Astreia just narrowed her eyes, lazily twirling a lock of her golden hair with her finger, and taunted:
“Maybe Dean Layana took me on as a disciple on a whim because she saw I’m friends with Laxana? Who knows~”
This flippant response only added fuel to the fire.
“See? I told you! She got in through the back door thanks to Miss Laxana!”
“So she’s a connection hire. No wonder she’s so arrogant, even daring to defy the Head of the Discipline Committee!”
“What a disgrace! Getting in through a friend’s influence and still flaunting herself without restraint—she’s utterly shameless!”
Listening to the murmurs and seeing Astreia’s utterly unapologetic attitude, Vivian’s patience finally ran out.
“Smooth talker!”
Vivian let out a cold shout, wasting no more words.
She leaned forward slightly, one hand shooting out like lightning, aiming straight for Astreia’s shoulder.
“No matter what you say, you’re coming with me today!”
Just as a fight seemed about to break out in the cafeteria, Wendy’s brows twisted into a deep frown.
He couldn’t let things escalate any further!
“Wait!”
In a moment of desperation, the Prince suddenly stood up, spreading his arms to block between Vivian and Astreia.
Facing the aggressive Vivian, he steeled himself and began the most awkward explanation of his life.
“W-Well… President Vivian, please hear me out! There’s a reason we’re like this! It’s not what you imagine! There’s a deeper reason… yes, a deeper reason! If you don’t believe me, you can go ask Dean Layana directly!”
“You!”
Vivian looked at Wendy, who was blocking her way with a face full of anxiety, clearly shielding the woman behind him.
A surge of inexplicable confusion and irritation rose in her heart.
She slowed her movements, trying to reason with him:
“Prince Wendy, you don’t need to be afraid of her. If you’re being coerced, just say it. I, and the entire Discipline Committee, will certainly defend you! No one will be allowed to bully you!”
Coerced?
Wendy smiled bitterly inside.
In a sense, he was indeed being coerced.
But could he say that?
If he dared to nod, that madwoman Astreia would absolutely tear this entire cafeteria apart right then and there!
Seeing that she clearly wasn’t going to let this go, Wendy made a decision that made him feel so embarrassed he wanted to die on the spot.
He spun around abruptly, and under the stunned gaze of over a hundred onlookers, he threw himself publicly into Astreia’s soft and warm embrace, burying his face deep within.
Then, with a tone that was both tearful and aggrieved, yet filled with “love,” he said in a low voice:
“You… all of you misunderstood… I… Astreia and I truly like each other… We are… I… Astreia and I truly like each other…”
Before he could finish.
A hand suddenly grabbed Wendy’s chin, forcefully lifting his pretty face out of the comfort zone.
Then, before anyone could react, Astreia lowered her head and pressed her lips against Wendy’s still chattering mouth.
A domineering kiss, full of possessiveness.
Wendy’s eyes went wide in an instant.
He looked into Astreia’s emerald starry eyes, which held a teasing smile, and his body instinctively wanted to struggle.
But reason held him back at the last moment.
He had just publicly declared that they were “truly in love.”
If he struggled now, wouldn’t that be slapping his own face in front of everyone and telling them he had been lying?
Then he and Astreia would really be “invited” for tea by the Discipline Committee.
His struggling motion froze halfway, and finally turned into a helpless sigh.
Wendy gave up resisting.
He closed his eyes, forced himself to relax, and even awkwardly, clumsily, began to reciprocate her plunder.
This scene completely ignited the whole cafeteria.
“You… you’re both utterly shameless! Beyond saving!”
Watching the two kiss in public as if no one else was there, Vivian trembled with rage, her righteous face flushed crimson.
Burning with fury, she suddenly waved her hand and barked orders at the stunned Discipline Committee members behind her:
“What are you standing there for? Everyone together! Separate them now!”
But at the very moment she gave the order.
There was a faint trace of hesitation in Vivian’s movement.
Her gaze uncontrollably fell on Wendy’s face.
Watching the Prince’s cheeks slightly flushed from being forced to endure, his eyelashes trembling from struggle and submission, and that expression of both humiliation and indulgence, confused and intoxicated…
An inexplicable thrill struck her heart without warning.
‘I want to… keep watching…’
The thought had barely arisen when Vivian startled herself.
No! That’s wrong!
She was a paladin serving the Goddess of Light, the President of the Discipline Committee—how could she have such thoughts?
But somehow, seeing Astreia “bully” Wendy like this, a nameless fire erupted from the depths of her heart.
‘Why… why isn’t it me kissing him?’
‘If only this man… were mine.’
Once this insane thought appeared, it could no longer be suppressed, growing wildly in her heart.
Just as the Discipline Committee members steeled themselves to carry out the order.
A girl in the crowd suddenly pointed at Astreia and let out a terrified scream.
“Ah! I remember! It’s her!”
“It’s her!”
“The one who splattered the Eldest Princess of the Makari Empire into a pulp at the Duel Arena a couple of days ago—it’s her!”
That scream hit like a thunderbolt out of the blue.
Everyone, including the Discipline Committee members who were about to move, snapped to attention.
With that reminder, they finally recalled that although that duel had not been public, quite a few teachers and students from the Magic Division had been present.
After the incident, rumors had spread around the academy that a terrifying murderous maniac had arrived, whose methods were extremely brutal.
But today, everyone had been fooled by Astreia’s lecherous appearance, never connecting her to that legendary violent madman.
Now that they thought back…
Everyone took a huge step backward in unison.
Deep fear was written on every face.
Are you kidding?
The Makari Princess’s Golden Armor was a top-tier magical equipment, granting the wearer combat power comparable to a high-level mage!
And she had been beaten into a meat paste by this woman barehanded.
Now provoke her?
That would be asking for death!
For a moment, the atmosphere in the cafeteria was frozen solid.
The Discipline Committee members didn’t dare to advance or retreat, all stuck in place, not daring to take another step forward.
Until…
“Pop!”
A crisp, wet sound rang out.
Astreia finally ended the long kiss, contentedly releasing the nearly suffocated Prince.
Wendy’s legs went weak, and he gasped heavily, his face so red it seemed ready to drip blood.
Without bothering to wipe the glistening traces from his lips, he said haltingly to Vivian, who stood frozen in place:
“P-President Vivian… how about we… go find Dean Layana?”