Read The Rising of the Black Lotus :: Not everything is a fairy tale

After the small incident, Annabell's first day was rather uneventful. She spent most of her time greeting people and lost count of how many individuals she had spoken to. She finally understood what her brothers meant by the statement. "We can't take three steps without having to talk to someone."

Up to that point, Annabell had only spoken with the twin sisters, Rosalia and Diana, and Gael. Dominick, on the other hand, did not count since they had known each other for a decade. Annabell's conversation with Ezariel had left her feeling uneasy about her time at the Academy.

"I never expected to come here and have everyone at my feet, being loved and celebrated by all. It's not even like that in the capital. There are families who despise the royal family, even though they are from the White Kingdom. There are powerful dukes who seek to overthrow the crown. There are also individuals who aspire to be the school's gods. In fact, being the princess will only bring me more problems than solutions." the princess finished eating her pudding, and her brown eyes gleamed with joy as the sweet taste exploded inside her mouth.

"But everyone loves you." However, Rosalia spoke with a defeated tone. The joy seemed to have been sucked out of the twin sisters.

"Moreover, people are still people, whether I'm the princess or not. It doesn't make any difference. They have their own desires, Rosa. Most of them don't like me for who I am, but rather for who they think I am and what I represent to them." Annabell stated, unfazed.

Her brothers had warned her that the image of the Lotus Dormitory was one thing, but the reality inside was different. What mattered was how she conducted herself in the Academy.

While people might admire her for being a princess, this was mainly just in the public eye. Annabell was almost certain that things would be different in the dormitory or with those in close proximity.

"We might be considered kind and righteous, but we have a tyrant as the Chief of the Dormitory." she gestured towards Gael, attempting to alleviate any guilt for using such words. "Those were her words, not mine!" Platinum focused its gaze on the remaining pudding and remarked.

"You might have a point, but you seem so passive about all of this."

"I have no guards, and my parents won't have any contact with me for at least a month. They won't know anything unless someone dies. My father, my mother, and my brothers all studied here, and the royal family is not a fairy tale." Annabell finished her pudding with a sense of satisfaction. "Do you really think I'm going to come here acting like a queen? Not everything that others see is the truth."

In just one day, Annabell had heard several rumors, some from the Lotus people and others from outside. None of them were good, but outsiders seemed to defend the princess tooth and nail. However, in the Lotus building, their posture changed, and Annabell simply ignored it. Anything she did could only make the situation worse.

They were about to get up when a girl and a boy sat at the table. It wasn't so unusual, but since it was clear that they were about to leave, the situation got a little weird. The woman had a macabre smile on her face, with white clothes and blonde hair covered in curls.

"Please keep sitting!" the girl said, waving to people passing by. Gael opened her mouth to say who the blonde was, but she said before. "I'm Lizzy, I'm in my third year." The blonde's smile became more and more frightening.

Annabell ran her hand over her own face and thought for a few seconds.

"Do I look like this when I smile a lot? It makes sense that he would think my face would tear." The princess pinched her own cheek. It should just be in her head.

"Well, as your senior, I have a favor to ask of you." Lizzy said.

"Yes, Lizzy is a great veteran, always reciprocates her favors. And even the Black Rose people like her." the boy added. Annabell found the whole thing even weirder; those two even scared her. The man's eyes were completely wide, and with each word, he tilted his body more forward.

"If by the third month of class, the Academy does not recommend anyone to be the next head of the dorm, the director opens the voting to the public." Lizzy said. "To be more direct, go ahead of the list and say you don't want the job."

The princess looked at Lizzy perplexed. She stopped for a few seconds, wondering if she had heard it right. After a few seconds, Annabell simply felt like laughing. That was the most unusual situation of her entire life.

"Sorry, but no." Annabell said, getting up from the table. She didn't want to hear that anymore.

"What?"

“I said I wouldn't withdraw. My brothers, parents, grandparents, and countless others in my family have held this position. Besides, I find the job interesting. I’m sorry, but I can’t do it for you, Lizzy” Annabell explained, her tone sweet and polite. She never intended to give up the position; in fact, she always had the ambition to be the head of the dorm. At the end of the day, it was just a title. “Do you need anything else?”

“You can try next year!” Lizzy suggested, getting up and holding Annabell’s arm.

“We both know that if I refuse the position this time, the probability of me getting it next year... is practically nil.” Annabell said, causing Lizzy to loosen her grip on her arm. She grimaced at the blonde's audacity.

Lizzy stood in front of Annabell, not moving and not seeming to mean to. Her face alternated between a scary smile and an indignant expression. Annabell couldn't help but think that some people in this place were actually quite scary at times.

“What time do classes start?” Annabell asked Diana, as if nothing strange had just happened. “Lizzy, don't think I'm going to accept anything you ask of me, let alone be obliged to fulfill your desires.” she added, before walking away.

At that time, Annabell was more concerned with the schedule of her classes.

"I have an animal care class. Who creates these schedules?" she asked Diana, making a face as she showed her schedule.

"The Academy itself. Let's say the director is only here to maintain order." Diana replied, pointing to the castle's entire structure. "He makes all the decisions. I have a class on... how to dispose of a body without leaving a trace. I really hope I never need to use it! My sister has a class on baking.

"They must have switched our schedules by mistake. It's easier for me to dispose of a body, not to mention my sister loves candy." Rosália chimed in as she ate a cupcake with orange icing. She looked around nonchalantly and added. "If the school catches fire, it's my doing!" She raised her hand and walked away, and Annabell couldn't help but notice the mischievous smile on her face.

Dominick appeared behind the small group.

"Your class is in the outer courtyard. I'm heading there, so I'll take you." he said.

Annabell knew what Dominick wanted to talk about, but she didn't want to hear it. As they walked away from the cafeteria, he spoke up. "You need to be more careful while at the Academy." he said, his tone no longer cheerful.

"This is the only place where no one will be able to help you. People aren't always nice here, and there's no one to set limits on them."

"The director is just a figurehead, I know that. But accepting everything others say won't work either, and I'm not looking for enemies. I know how to handle myself, Dom." Annabell replied, trying to reassure her friend.