Back in the room, Yvonne collapsed onto the bed, exhaustion and anger crashing into her at the same time.
She didn't understand it.
No—Alessandra didn't have powers.
That was what they all believed.
Was that why she had been treated so badly? Because she couldn't summon Ember like everyone else? Because she was seen as useless?
And now… because she was unfortunately stuck in her body, she would have to pretend she had no powers too. No Ember!.
The thought alone made Yvonne chest feel tight.
The Ember she awakened so late in life—the powers she hadn't even fully mastered yet—she wouldn't be able to use them freely anymore. Not here. Not in this place. Not while wearing Alessandra's face.
Dammit.
Yvonne clenched her fists into the soft sheets.
Seriously? Out of everyone in Valeria... Why me?
"Miss Alessandra?"
Yvonne lifted her head and saw Naomi stepping into the room. She walked closer, her brows knitted together in concern, though curiosity flickered faintly in her brown eyes.
"What are you still doing in bed, Miss Alessandra?" she asked. "You'll be late for breakfast if you don't get up."
"I'm not hungry," Yvonne replied curtly, the irritation in her voice impossible to hide.
After everything that had happened, how could she be hungry?
Naomi didn't forced her mistress. Instead, she sighed softly and said, "Miss, today is the first day of classes. You really shouldn't miss it, even if you're tired."
Yvonne frowned.
She sounded… excited.
"I know what happened last night wasn't easy," Naomi continued, her voice gentle, "but this is what your heart has always wanted. I'm happy for you."
"…Huh?"
Yvonne stared at her.
What her heart wanted?
What on earth was she talking about?
Seeing her mistress confusion, Naomi smiled knowingly. "Miss, no need to act innocent. I may not have served you for long, but I've heard plenty of rumors."
Rumors?
"About you and Young Master Eric," she added.
Ah.
So that was it.
Naomi leaned closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "Everyone knows your feelings for him are real. Even if it started as one-sided love… it doesn't seem that way anymore."
Yvonne brows furrowed deeply.
One-sided love?
So Alessandra had liked Eric… that much?
As Naomi spoke, something clicked in Yvonne mind.
If she wanted to survive here—if she wanted to escape without exposing herself—she needed to understand the girl whose appearance she had stolen.
She needed to know Alessandra.
"Naomi," Yvonne said carefully, "can you tell me more about… myself?"
Noami blinked.
"My personality. The rumors. Everything," Yvonne added. "Since I lost my memories, I'd like to know who I used to be."
Naomi tilted her head, considering, then her eyes lit up.
"Oh!" She smiled and sat on the bed. "There are many rumors about you, Miss."
Yvonne sighed inwardly.
So she really was popular—for all the wrong reasons.
"You can start anywhere," Yvonne said. "I want to hear everything."
"Well," Naomi began eagerly, her gossipy nature fully awakened, "people say you're the most pitiful person in the academy."
Pitiful.
That sounded promising.
"They say you don't possess any powers," she continued. "Or rather, that you're not gifted."
Just as she thought.
"But," Naomi added quickly, "I also heard that your body is… unresponsive to Ember."
"Unresponsive?" Yvonne echoed, raising an eyebrow. "You mean… Ember doesn't affect me?"
"Yes." Noami nodded. "You can't use Ember, and other people's Ember don't work on you either. Your body naturally rejects them."
Ah.
That explained a lot.
Or rather… it complicated everything.
"So," Naomi continued, oblivious to her mistress internal panic, "aside from that special body of yours, people also say you're… well…"
She hesitated.
"…Lovesick?"
Yvonne grimaced. "Lovesick?"
"I'd say obsessed," Naomi corrected honestly. "From what I heard, you confessed to Young Master Eric the moment you met him. You followed him everywhere, interfered in his private affairs, and never gave up."
What a devoted affection...
No wonder that guy always gives her attitude.
"And because of that obsession," Naomi went on, "you applied to Phoenix Crest Academy."
Yvonne froze. This Alessandra is really vain...
"…Even though you had no special talent that would qualify you for admission."
"…Wait. How did I even get admitted then?" Yvonne asked slowly. Then freeze as if struck by lightning. "Wait—what did you say?"
Naomi blinked. "Miss?"
"Phoenix Crest Academy?" I shouted. "You mean this place is Phoenix Crest Academy?!"
"Yes," Naomi said, confused. "Didn't you know?"
No.
No no no no no.
Phoenix Crest Academy. This is the legendary Academy—the training ground for elite defenders of the kingdom. A school meant for combat, strategy, and battlefield survival.
Only nobles and wealthy families could attend. The only poor students here were those chosen by the once-in-two-years lottery.
This place wasn't just a school.
It was a death trap for someone like her.
"No…" Yvonne muttered. "This is too much…"
"Miss?" Naomi called worriedly.
Calm down, Yvonne.
You'll escape eventually. She promised herself as she took a deep breath and forced herself to focus.
"How did I get admitted?" Yvonne asked again.
Naomi smiled softly. "Your elder brother helped you."
Yvonne freezes.
"…Brother?"
"Yes." Her expression brightened. "Lord Raphael."
The name rang unfamiliar in Yvonne ears.
"One of the most talented and handsome young men in Valeria," Naomi continued proudly. "He works in the capital. Everyone says he cherishes you deeply and would grant any request you make."
Any request.
So Alessandra wasn't completely alone after all.
Someone… loved her.
And for the first time since waking up in this unfamiliar body, Yvonne felt something unexpected tighten in her chest.