The palace lights were already on when Francis arrived. The guards stepped aside immediately as his car rolled through the gates, the familiar path leading him toward the private entrance Ethan usually used.
He stepped out, adjusting his sleeves slightly, his expression calmer than earlier but still thoughtful. The drive back after dropping Aura home had given him time to think. Something about the day hadn't sat right with him.
Too many sudden information and changes. Too many things unsaid. He walked inside, the quiet elegance of the palace greeting him as always.
Ethan was already waiting in the sitting room.
"I dropped her home," Francis said as he entered.
Ethan nodded. "Alright."
Francis didn't sit immediately. He studied Ethan first, as if confirming something in his expression. "We need to talk."
"I figured."
Francis finally sat, leaning slightly forward. "Why are you back with Stephanie?"
Ethan didn't answer immediately.
He exhaled slowly, leaning back. His mind drifted to earlier that day. The tension. The distance. The decision. It had been a day filled with quiet drama, the kind that didn't explode loudly but weighed heavily in every glance.
That morning, Ethan had noticed it again.
Aura was avoiding him.
Not aggressively. Not obviously. Just enough. She greeted him politely. Responded when necessary. But nothing more. The warmth from before had vanished completely. It was clean, controlled distance. He had tried once to catch her gaze, but she looked away before their eyes met.
That small movement felt sharper than rejection.
'what if she really decided…'
He leaned back slightly, watching her talk softly with Francis. Their conversation looked easy. Familiar. Comfortable. It tightened something inside him.
'I can't drag this any longer.'
His fingers tapped lightly against the desk.
'I need to move now…'
He had decided then.
If he delayed, he would lose the chance entirely. And worse, whoever was trying to create trouble between him and Aura would strike first. He couldn't risk that. Even if it hurt her. Even if it hurt him.
Before the instructor comes in...
Ethan stepped out of class, his eyes immediately finding Stephanie across the corridor. She was laughing with a few friends, her posture confident as always. He walked toward her.
"We need to talk."
She blinked slightly happy, surprised. "Now?"
"Yes."
He didn't wait for her answer. He turned and walked toward the quieter end of the hallway. Stephanie followed, curiosity replacing her surprise. Several students noticed. Whispers started immediately. Are they together again?
Aura saw too. Her fingers tightened slightly around the strap of her bag, but she said nothing. She watched them disappear down the hall, her calm expression slightly falling apart.
Inside, something twisted again.
They stopped near the empty lounge area used occasionally by student council members.
Stephanie crossed her arms lightly, studying him.
"This is sudden."
"I know."
"So… what is it? Do you change your mind about me?"
Ethan exhaled slowly. "We're getting back together."
She froze, then turned excited.
"What? I thought you were just trying to divert attention slightly?"
"It's public. Starting today."
Her eyes widened slightly. Then narrowed. "Are you serious?"
"Yes."
Stephanie stepped closer, searching his face. "With...me?"
He didn't answer immediately. Silence stretched between them. She understood enough to know there was more behind it.
"You don't suddenly come back to me because you want to try or you live me again, so it's just part of the plan ? Is that the reason," she said quietly.
"No."
"And what is that reason?"
Ethan looked away briefly. "It doesn't change the arrangement."
"Arrangement," she repeated slowly.
"Yes."
Stephanie studied him carefully. She was smart enough to understand what he meant. A public relationship. A display. Something controlled. Something calculated.
"You want me to play along," she said.
"Yes."
She tilted her head slightly. "And what do I get?"
Ethan met her gaze. "A chance to be a bit closer, that's all. Until it's over."
That was enough. She believed she'd win him but...
Stephanie smiled faintly. "You're honest, at least."
He didn't respond.
She stepped even closer, lowering her voice. "But I have a question."
Ethan remained silent.
"You're in love with someone else… aren't you?"
The words were quiet, but sharp.
He didn't answer.
Her eyes narrowed. "Is it Aura?"
Silence.
He didn't deny it.
He didn't confirm it.
But he didn't deny it.
Stephanie's expression changed. Something darker flickered briefly in her eyes before she masked it. She stepped back slowly, crossing her arms again.
"I see."
' That bitch...' she thought
Ethan spoke quietly. "Don't put your heart into this."
She let out a small laugh. "Too late for that, don't you think?"
"This is temporary."
"Everything is," she replied calmly.
Students passing nearby glanced toward them. Stephanie noticed immediately. Her expression shifted, brightening slightly. She stepped closer to him deliberately, closing the gap.
From a distance, it looked intimate. Intentional.
"Then let's make it believable," she said softly.
He didn't move.
She leaned slightly closer, her voice almost teasing. "You can't look like you're tolerating me."
"I know."
"Then act like it."
She turned, walking back toward the main hallway. Ethan followed. By the time they re-entered the crowded corridor, the shift was obvious. They walked side by side. Stephanie spoke lightly, smiling occasionally. Students noticed immediately. The buzz spread.
Aura saw them return.
Their closeness.
Their quiet conversation.
Their shared space.
She lowered her gaze, calm expression hiding her pain and disappointment.
When they passed her, she spoke politely.
"Student council meeting later, Francis said I should let you know."
Ethan paused slightly. "Yes."
"Alright."
Nothing more.
No warmth.
No familiarity.
Just polite distance.
It hurt him more than anger. He wanted to hold her, to tell her. No...he couldn't stand her coldness. He'd tell her...
Stephanie noticed everything. The politeness. The distance. The tension. It didn't escape her. She smiled faintly, satisfied.
"Are they back together?"
"I knew they looked sus the other day "
"They look nice together. I'm jealous."
" I prefer Aura though, they looked perfect."
" She's dating Francis though"
" That's hard to choose, two hoties with different personalities. Ahhh"
Stephanie leaned slightly closer to Ethan .
' I'll get rid of her myself. You're mine.'
her gestures deliberately casual. She spoke softly, laughed lightly, occasionally brushing his sleeve. To others, it looked natural.
To Ethan, it felt calculated. He allowed it. The plan required it.
Aura stayed quiet.
Francis watched, in disbelief, but looking at Aura, he was worried she didn't look okay.
" Hey, are you ok?"
" I'm fine" she gathered her thoughts.
He started making jokes to distract her and make her happy. She laughed a bit and he was relieved, although...he had a wild guess.
Avery misunderstood again.
Vincent observed, silent and smiling.
The buzz grew louder as the day went on... another drama quietly unfolded