A rose to grind

-23-

"Is this true?"

Eton Junta's voice was eerily calm. The only other sound in the silent room, was the sound of the tapping of his nails against the wooden surface of the table. It made me teeter totter the edge of insanity from the suspense that was killing me. Nevertheless, I was more than relieved to answer him.

"Yes. It is true," I affirmed with a dose of confidence. I straightened my back even more, meeting his penetrating gaze head-on. "I thought the principal would have noticed by now...but since you didn't, I had to take the matter into my own hands."

"...why, Yugo?" The pink-headed principal massaged his temples, as if I were the most troublesome thing he had ever encountered, which was partially true. I wondered if his hair would fall off from stress, or if those thin strands of cotton pink would gyrate into snow-pure white, just like his nephew. Though, Domaine didn't have much worries on his shoulders, "You are still my best student. I know you're not irrational. Why out of all the things you could have done—you could have told me! Why did you have to publicize this? Do you not know how much damage to our reputation would that make?"

I sealed my lips into a thinned line.

Selena, standing motionlessly on my right side, had her head lowered. I couldn't help but wonder what kind of expression would have been on her rosy face, now probably thin and blanched. A sad beauty was still beautiful.

"It had to be done," I declared with an unwavering timbre in my voice, like an immovable mountain that stood high. A mountain could not be moved, and my mindset was in that context. My hands were intertwined behind my back, above my derrière and the empty pockets. This could be my only solace — my escape, my salvation. I had already made sure, kept Narcisse in check, to know enough that my impending death was no more than a fable, a future and truth that could never come true. Since this ordeal was all over, wouldn't it make sense for me to live life how I want, not to walk upon eggshells anymore?

A freedom that I would soon have. I could feel my hand grasping on the wispy crevices of freedom. My liberty, and my redemption. I could kiss the plot line goodbye.

"You're smart, aren't you?" Eton Junta's smile was strained on his white face. He was clasping onto the edges of his table, leaning forward as if he couldn't support his weight by himself. It was categorical I would be latest regret if I were to be expelled. It was in the same way as though a pathetic messenger boy's absence would leave the responsibility of delivering letters up to the king, who would in no case, come down from his throne just to remit a message. "You know your wrongdoing. Therefore, you will have to endure the repercussions."

I nodded in affirmation. Of course, a guilty person should face their consequences.

I peeked at Selena, who kept her silence throughout the exchange that it was astounding, and applaudable. Hunched shoulders, a disoriented gaze and an ashen pallor, she looked to be a copy of a skeleton, with a lifeless glint in her ruby-red eyes. The usual gleam of light that could rival the sun's UV rays were gone. Would it be sadistic if I had remarked that it filled me up with so much glee I could hop around and waltz? Even if anyone else condemned me for the suffrage of Selena, I would long be gone.

I didn't jubilate in abusing women mentally, for they were of a fairer sex that should be respected regardless; Selena was a different case. Her misery gave me so much schadenfreude to a perverted degree.

"Selena Veveran, right?" Eton Junta corrected his posture, eloquently wiping under his nose. He called her name, though more of an admission, with a coying hint sympathy. "I wouldn't know what drove you to replace your brother. This could be a scandal that will shock the public, but do not fret, I will keep your name from everyone's mouths. And I do sincerely hope that your family will be prepared for when I file a lawsuit against them for deception."