After the ball, class resumed as usual. It was a bit uncomfortable since I was once more the center of attention. The new rumor was that I fell out of favor with the Prince.

I became a new target at the school as a result. The people who had a problem with me before saw it as an opportunity to get even with me. Unfortunately for them, I didn't give a d*mn about their petty issues with me.

When one person defaced my history book, I merely shrugged. I don't pay attention in history anyway.

When one girl went to shove me, I grabbed onto her and used her as a cushion to soften my fall.

When one tried to make me trip, I just jumped over their outstretched foot to avoid it.

When another purposely dumped their cake onto my lap, I just picked it up with my hands and shoved it in my mouth. I couldn't let it go to waste after all.

So really, being bullied like this was nothing. It was so pitiful I couldn't help but laugh at their attempts. I've been treated far worse, so this was nothing at all to me.

The only thing I did dislike, was the student council room. Everytime I saw William, I suddenly felt as though my heart was being twisted.

Although I was good at acting and could pretend as if nothing was wrong, it was still incredibly painful to be around him. So I started avoiding him as much as possible. I even made sure to keep our conversations short and casual.

After the ball, he tried speaking to me on numerous occasions. However, I couldn't face him just yet. I came up with strange excuses to avoid talking to him.

"I'm sorry, I have to go wash my hair."

"Terribly sorry, I have to go sort my porcelain thimble collection."

"I would stay to speak, but there is a full moon tonight and I must avoid possible werewolves at all cost."

So on and so forth. Eventually, he stopped trying to speak with me. As a result, the atmosphere in the student council room became gloomy and uncomfortable.

And I wasn't the only person acting differently.

As Millie and I walked down the hall, I spoke to her, "Ah, it's finally the weekend. Do you have any plans? I only get one day off, but we should go to the new bakery that opened up. I hear they have good cakes!"

I looked over at Millie who hadn't responded. She stared straight ahead deep in thought with an expressionless face. Lately, she's been staring into space and acting a bit distracted.

To make it worse, the way she stares is kind of creepy... Okay, not kind of. Incredibly creepy.

I grabbed her arm and tugged on it, "Millie?"

"Hmm?" She turned to me and a smile covered her face as if she just realized I was there. "What is it Seri?"

I frowned, "Are you okay? You've been acting strange lately."

She giggled lightly, "I'm fine. I've just been thinking about a few things."

For some reason those words make me shiver.

I grabbed her hand and stopped her. I looked at her with a serious expression, "Did something happen?"

Her face froze. It was only for a moment, but thanks to my observational skills it didn't escape my attention.

Sure enough, something must of happened.

I pulled her out of the hallway and found somewhere more private. She looked at me in confusion, "What are you doing?"

I placed my hands on my hip. "Now we have privacy. So tell me what is wrong."

She glanced at me with uncertainty. She pursed her lips. Then her eyes looked into my eyes without glancing away.

"You and William... Are you still friends?"

Ahhh. I see what this is. This is the whole "the boy I like was mean to my friend, so whose side should I take?" scenario.

I sighed, "Well Millie... It's a bit complicated. I still think of him as a friend, but I need time to get over what happened."

"Do you like him?" She cut in quickly.

I blinked, "Huh?"

"Do you like him? Do you want to be more than friends with him?"

Yup. Millie definitely likes William. She must feel threatened by my friendship with William. I never knew Millie would be so possessive...

Although, I did enjoy teasing William so much I found myself growing interested in him... But the night at the ball made me realize I could only see him as a friend.

I shook my head, "No. Me and William can only be friends. I'm not interested in him romantically."

Good looks aren't everything. And also... I refuse to be a Queen.

Millie stepped closer to me, "What about Dante then?"

My cheeks blushed. What the hell is with this questioning?! Wasn't she concerned about William?! Is she perhaps hoping I like someone else? Is she really that worried that I like William?

I gave an awkward smile, "We are just friends. Only friends."

She frowned, "Do you like him romantically?"

I forced out a chuckle, "What is up with this line of questioning?? Either way, you don't need to worry about me going after your man."

She tilted her head, "My man?"

I patted her shoulder, "As your best friend, I will support you. Now we should get going before we get in trouble for being late."

As I turned away, Millie's face turned grim. She bit her thumb as she followed me. Millie felt extremely irritated instead of feeling reassured.

As I entered the room, William glanced up at me. We both quickly looked away at the same time. The air in the room felt stiff as I sat down quietly.

As we did our work, nobody spoke due to the awkward atmosphere. Artie, Lucius, and Mathias felt as if they were being suffocated. Millie bit her thumb in irritation. Dante stared at me with sharp eyes. William frowned and did his work even though he didn't have any motivation.

And Mary, the airhead she was, continued serving sweets as if there was nothing wrong.

I finished my work and nodded, "Well I finished. So I will be heading out early."

"Mmn." William only mumbled and nodded in approval.

I stood up and left the room.

____

After Seri left, Artie looked at William with a serious expression. "You have to apologize."

William looked at him in surprise, "What?"

Artie sat back and crossed his arms, "You have to apologize for what you said to her. I can't take another second of this."

Lucius nodded in agreement, "That's right. I hate Seri, but even I can't stand this awkward atmosphere. You need to make up with her."

William frowned, "I tried.. But she won't even speak to me."

Dante suddenly looked at William with unbridled rage. The room's temperature felt as though it had plummeted drastically.

Dante growled out, "You haven't apologized yet?"

William gulped under Dante's murderous glare, "Not.. Yet..."

Dante clenched his fists and had the urge to reach for the sword that's always at his side. He didn't care who it was. Anyone who hurt the one he loved would pay the ultimate price.

As his hand moved towards the blade, he stopped himself. No. He couldn't hurt William. He had made a promise after all.

And Dante was the type of person who took his promises seriously.

Dante reluctantly held back. He forced himself to look away and say no more. William couldn't help but let out a sigh in relief when Dante looked away.

Dante never acted like this towards William. He was always obedient and at Williams side protecting him. Dante never had turned his killing intent towards William.

However, whenever Seri was involved he acted unpredictably. Of course everyone knew the reason why Dante acted so violently whenever someone was interested in Seri or made her upset. However, no one knew the extent to how much Dante felt about Seri.

William sighed, "I know I should apologize, but I don't know how..."

Mary looked around in confusion, "Wait. Why does Prince William need to apologize? Did something happen?"

Everyone ignored her.

Lucius spoke, "Just buy her flowers. Girl's love flowers."

Artie frowned at him, "That won't work for Seri."

Lucius nodded with a serious expression, "That's right. I forgot she's not a girl."

Artie's face twitched, "That's not it. She values presents that are personal. She hates impersonal gifts the most."

Lucius frowned, "So what would you give her?"

Artie smiled proudly, "Well I've sewn her a teddy bear before and she loves it so much she sleeps with it every night."

Dante growled, "You did what?"

Artie froze as though he had been struck by lightning. He suddenly felt like crying under Dante's cold glare.

Mathias looked up from his book timidly, "Perhaps... Make her chocolate?"

William thought for a moment, "She does like sweets..."

Millie looked at William with a gentle face, "I think you shouldn't do anything. I spoke with Seri earlier and she said she's far too hurt to even look at you."

William slumped down in his chair from depression.

Dante glared at Millie, "You're not usually helpful. What are you trying to do?"

Millie glared back at Dante without fear. "Why must you assume I have ulterior motives?"

Dante's glare grew colder, "Because you are jealous of Seri and William's friendship and want to destroy it."

She sneered, "Why the hell do I care about William's and Seri's friendship? Plus I don't need to do a thing. He's already destroying it himself."

Williams head hit the table as he fought back tears.

Dante's glare deepened, "Doesn't matter. You're clearly enjoying it. Are you really such a jealous and petty person that you want to see her so miserable and alone?" He smirked, "I'm sure Seri would love to know how despicable you are behind her back."

Millie snapped, "I'll f*cking show you-" She stopped herself quickly. She sat back and took a deep breath. She smiled innocently, "Of course I'm not like that. I'm merely concerned about her after all."

Dante frowned, "I'm sure."

Everyone else in the room watched the two frightened and surprised by the argument. It was like watching a lion and a tiger fight. Both were terrifying in their own way.

No one ever dared to speak back to Dante... Except Millie.

Millie couldn't stand Dante the most out of everyone. Unlike the others, she wasn't too afraid of him. However, she also knew not to provoke him too much.

Besides, Millie wasn't the type that liked direct confrontation. She preferred to hide in the background and do things more discreetly.

Millie bit her thumb in irritation as she looked at Dante.

Artie cleared his throat, "So.... Chocolate?"

William pulled his head back up and nodded slightly, "It's worth a try... But I've never baked before. Should I just go buy some?"

Mary stepped in proudly, "No! You need to make it yourself!" Her eyes sparkled, "Nothing taste better than something made by the one you love. When you bake, all of your feelings and love go into each ingredient. When your baking is filled with love, naturally the one you bake for will feel that same kind of love."

William blinked, "Right... And how do I do that exactly?"

She smiled at him, "I will show you!"