Immediately Arin stepped into the hall, the admiration and hailing that had been directed at Rhory, Koa, and Tiago suddenly seized as people began looking past them toward the figure standing behind them.
Although Arin was not as tall as the others, something about the composure with which she carried herself drew attention all the same. Soon whispers began to travel through the crowd as people leaned closer to one another, quietly commenting on her long hair and the striking smoothness of her skin beneath the light.
Tiago, Koa, and Rhory quickly realized that the attention they had been enjoying moments ago was no longer fixed on them.
Turning back to see who had stolen the spotlight they had just entered with, their eyes landed on Arin.
She stood there looking almost unconcerned with the attention she had drawn, her expression composed yet faintly alluring, as though she had stepped into the hall without the slightest awareness that the entire room had begun watching her instead.
Arin took advantage of the brief moment as the boys paused to look at her and began moving forward. For a fraction of a second, they thought she might stop to speak or fall into step beside them, like she had once attempted.
But she simply walked past them, chin lifted just enough to seem demure, a subtle elegance that left the brothers both annoyed and struck with surprise.
They could not comprehend how her aura had shifted in mere seconds, now commanding the room despite their own imposing figures.
Arin didn't slow until she reached the area where food and snacks were laid out. She might have been nonchalant in her past life, but the sight of food always ticked her fancy. It aroused her senses. Frankly it was the only love language she ever knew and very pleased with.
Especially when the treats looked as divine as these.
Just as she reached for a cupcake, a light tap landed on the back of her hand. She turned to see who had done that and found Roldar standing there, holding what appeared to be a fan stick.
"Now you come to me? I am not in such dire need of your help," she said dismissively before shifting her gaze back to the food.
"Everyone is watching you. Now is not the time to act so carelessly. First impressions matter, child," he said.
Arin frowned and glanced around.
Sure enough, she realized many of the gazes in the hall were indeed fixed on her.
Oh.
She mouthed the word silently.
She had assumed that once she walked in, the attention would drift elsewhere. It had not occurred to her that people would still be watching her afterward.
But perhaps that was simply to be expected.
After all, she was new to the academy grounds.
Arin did not immediately turn away from the attention.
Instead, she remained where she stood, quietly taking it in. For a moment she allowed herself to bask in it, letting the whispers and curious glances settle around her. When her eyes drifted toward the Crane brothers, she noticed they looked offended and displeased.
And it pleased her more than it should have.
She might have continued enjoying their irritation a little longer if the mood in the hall had not suddenly shifted.
From the opposite side of the chamber, a much larger set of doors opened. The sound drew everyone's attention as a group of girls began to enter through it.
There was no announcement for them.
They simply walked in.
Yet that alone was enough to redirect the room.
Boys, being boys, quickly moved closer toward the front to get a better look at the newcomers.
'They almost looked like dogs wagging their tail in sight of a good meal.' Arin thought to herself in amusement at the effect the girl's presence had stirred.
Just then, a thought surfaced in Arin's mind, making her frown slightly.
She leaned a little closer toward Roldar.
"Why are they not being introduced?" she asked quietly.
Roldar gave a small smile.
"You are quite observant," he said. "You notice things rather quickly."
That was not an answer.
Arin looked at him expectantly.
"It is simple," he continued. "Their presence does not hold the same weight as the others who were formally announced."
"By others you mean males?" Arin asked before quickly realizing her mistake. She cleared her throat. "Us males?"
"Precisely," Roldar replied, completely undeterred, offering no further explanation.
Arin's frown deepened, and she scoffed internally.
Her thoughts were interrupted when two towering male figures suddenly stepped through the same doors the girls had entered from.
They appeared to be guards, but they did seem like ordinary guards.
Arin could tell from their attire alone. The clothes they wore were far too refined and elaborate, bearing the unmistakable elegance of royal service.
The murmuring and admiration that had filled the hall only moments ago quickly softened as the room's attention shifted toward them.
People stared in quiet anticipation… including the girls that had walked in earlier.
Then a girl stepped through the doorway behind the two men.
She wore a mask.
Yet even with the mask covering half her face, there was something about her presence that immediately set her apart. She seemed radiant and majestic.
Her long blonde hair fell over her shoulders, and like Rhory, Koa, and Tiago, she too wore a ceremonial uniform. The design resembled the academy attire, but it was far more magnificent—perhaps even more extravagant than the versions worn by the Crane brothers.
Arin narrowed her eyes slightly.
For some reason, the girl felt familiar.
She could not explain why.
But Arin did not have to wonder for long.
The girl slowly lifted her hand and lowered her mask.
Arin's eyes widened instantly.
It was her.
The same girl who had cornered her in the woods.
Before Arin could fully process the realization, murmurs began spreading rapidly through the hall.
"The princess…"
"The Emperor's daughter…"
"The Imperial Princess is here."
The whispers traveled quickly, each one tightening the knot forming in Arin's chest.
Horror crept over her.
She had crossed paths with the Emperor's daughter.
Of all people, the Emperor's daughter.
What if the princess recognized her?
Without hesitation, Arin turned her head away, intending to put as much distance as possible between herself and that direction.
Before she could fully retreat into the background, however, her gaze drifted toward the Crane brothers again.
Rhory, Koa, and Tiago now stood near the front of the hall, watching everything unfold.
But something else caught Arin's attention.
The same arrogant brothers who had insulted, belittled and bullied her earlier were now bowing politely to every young lady who passed them.
Each maiden who walked by was greeted with courteous nods and respectful words.
Especially by Tiago.
Among the three, he bowed the lowest whenever a lady crossed his path or even so much as glanced in his direction.
Arin scoffed quietly under her breath.
It was almost laughable.
The same men who treated her like she was beneath them were suddenly the very picture of politeness toward every other woman in the room.
Though… she supposed it made sense.
After all, they did not know she was one.
Her gaze eventually drifted back toward the Imperial Princess.
The princess was moving slowly through the crowd now, her eyes sweeping across the hall as though carefully observing everyone present.
For one terrifying moment, Arin felt as though that searching gaze might land directly on her.
Panic surged through her.
Without a second thought, Arin quickly turned away.
She could not afford to be seen by her.
But before she could take another step, the sound of marching boots echoed across the hall.
Arin paused and turned slightly, trying to see what the sudden commotion was about.
And in that small moment of movement, her gaze landed on the princess.
She was no longer across the hall.
She was only a few feet away.
Arin felt her heart leap into her mouth from panic.
Before she could turn away again…
the princess lifted her eyes.
And met hers.
The sound of marching boots grew even louder. For a moment, Arin could not tell if the pounding she heard was soldiers' steps or the frantic beating of her own heart.
Just as the marching suddenly came to a halt, a thunderous voice rang across the hall.
"His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor!"