𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄'𝐒 𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐘𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐇 ~ [Darius x fem!oc]

Chapter 2

Marigold poked at her food and sighed.

It was an ordinary Wednesday lunchtime and the Hexside cafeteria was filled with the chatter of students and the clatter of dishes.

Just a few tables away sat Darius, who looked a little bored as he listened to Odalia excitedly talk about something.

"Come on. "Eda poked Marigold in the side, "He said you could always ask him for help. So just do it. You need his help now. We need it."

Marigold groaned in annoyance and gave Eda an exasperated sideways glance.
On their last trip to the library, they had been caught and scouts from the Emperor had brought them home.

Her dad had been anything but thrilled. The whole evening she had heard how dangerous it had been and that the scouts had only let them get away with it because they were still children. Maybe next time they wouldn't be so lucky.

History should better not repeat itself according to him, which is why Marigold was temporarily placed under house arrest. They were also banned from the library for life, except when they needed books for schoolwork.

But that didn't make Marigold stop, not by a long shot. She would continue, no matter what might come.

She would not let them get her down. She owed that to the memory of her mom. She wasn't going to become a wild witch, but she wanted to choose her own future and she would fight for it, no matter what it took.

So she put down her fork and puffed out her cheeks in frustration.

"I'm- I'm going. "Marigold said, looking directly at Raine and Eda now.

"Great, "Eda grinned and winked.

Marigold sighed and glanced over at Darius, who was now staring at the ceiling while Odalia continued chatting.

"And- and what should I say?" she asked with a lowered voice, "I just mean, I can't go up to him and say: 'Hey Darius, would you like to commit a crime that could get you killed?' Yeah I'm sure that'll work."

Raine shrugged. "After all, he seemed happy, maybe even exited with the idea of becoming your 'partner in crime' at the libary. So why do you think he would have changed his mind?"

"Maybe he thought about it again or wasn't serious?" Marigold suggested, "Besides, Odalia is still sitting in front of him and I think she'd be more than happy to sell us all out to the Emperor Coven and we all know that."

Eda pushed her lips forward and after a moment's thought said, "Just 'disgust' her away."

Marigold raised a brow and Eda laughed. "Oh Mari, I think your mere presence will be enough there."

She rolled her eyes and looked pleadingly at Raine. They just grinned and leaned back on their chair. "Don't sit right next to Darius, though, or you'll 'disgust' him away right along with you. He has a problem with dirt."

Marigold was about to give a snarky response, but then she looked down at her school uniform and realized they were probably right. In the last lesson, they had had to rid the roots of a moving plant of louse infestation. This was not a difficult task in itself, but in order to get to the roots without hurting the plant, they had to dig through to the roots by hand. Of course, Marigold had washed her hands before lunch, but her clothes were still full of dirt. Eda and Raine didn't mind, but they were right about Darius.

Marigold had often seen him turn up his nose when someone walked next to him with dirty boots or when someone dressed 'totally unfashionably', as he always called it.

Marigold merely sighed again, picked up her lunch tray and dropped down right next to Odalia.

"Hello," she said, "how are you doing?"

"What are YOU doing here?" Odalia asked, staring at her in horror.

Marigold ignored her and looked over at Darius, who had now sat up properly. All boredom had disappeared from his face. Instead, excitement glistened in his eyes.

"Well, hello Marigold. How about we go somewhere else to talk in private," he suggested, raising a hand to reach for Marigold's, but pulling it back when he saw that her sleeve was covered in dried mud, some of which was coming off and falling in small chunks right next to Odalia's plate.

Darius screwed up his face and withdrew his hand. "Come on Marigold."

She stood up and followed Darius out of the cafeteria. On the way out, he got himself another small juice box of apple blood. They walked down the hall and slipped into an empty classroom before anyone could see them.

Darius leaned against the doorframe and sipped his apple blood while looking at Marigold. For a few seconds, his eyes lingered on more dirty parts of her school uniform before he said, "So? Planning another trip to the library?"

Marigold snorted. "I wish it was that easy!" She sat down on one of the tables closest to the door, "But it's not. I'm forbidden to go to the library, so I wanted to ask you if you could help me."

Darius now took a step closer. "I might have an idea. "He began to smile, "Tonight at twelve we'll meet on the building across from the library, yes?"

Marigold frowned and tilted her head. "And why exactly may I ask?"

"You may not," he winked, "and you'll see."

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So, what do you think so far of the story?🥰🥰