Pre-week.

Stepping into the academy dining hall, Alexander was greeted with a posh and extravagant hall. 

It was a large open space with a high ceiling and large windows. 

Dotted around the room were long wooden tables packed with students and lunches. 

The meals consist of fresh meats and bread, with either a side of fruit or cheese and a glass of water or milk. 

The atmosphere was lively, filled with the jovial chatter of friends and or budding alliances. 

But despite the regal setting, kids were still kids, and that didn't change no matter the setting or world.

There was no doubt that students were picking out their future rivals and enemies.

Or worse targets to bully…

"Where are we sitting sir Alexander?" Jules asked curiously, following Alexander with his arms crossed.

Alexander shrugged. "No clue," he answered, "I don't want to sit with anyone I can't get a read on."

Jules smirked, his expression amused, "I see." He said, his orange eyes gazing over the dining hall. "But your reasoning eludes me, are you paranoid or conceited?"

Alexander gave Jules a quick side-eye. "Neither, I'm just cautious."

That, and I don't want to make any more… 'friends'.

Jules nodded slowly with a smile, holding a skeptical look in his eyes. "Is that so?" He replied softly, "Interesting…"

Alexander rolled his eyes, "why are you so annoying." 

Jules didn't answer, he simply laughed while pointing out a vacant table in the corner. "Claim us that table Sir Alexander, I'll retrieve our meal." 

Alexander looked over at the table, which was near a window, and cozily hidden behind a large pillar.

"Good eye," Alexander said softly, unaware he was complimenting Jules. 

"Mhmm." Jules waved Alexander off as he headed towards the food counters. (Long counters packed with hot foods and baked goods.)

Alexander headed towards the table, his mind wandering back towards his interaction with Louise. 

"I still don't know what I did wrong," Alexander murmured as he took a seat with his back to the window. "I've never seen her become so icy before."

Alexander knew talking to himself wouldn't fix anything, so he knew he'd have to ask her at some point.

But when?

Lost in thought, Alexander barely noticed Elizabeth approaching his table, flanked by two girls who looked of high-noble status. 

"Alexander, I was wondering where you were hiding," Elizabeth said with a soft giggle, rounding the table to sit next to him.

Blinking in surprise Alexander quickly sat up, watching in stunned silence as Elizabeth graciously slipped into the seat beside him. 

"E-Elizabeth." He stammered.

Her pink eyes watched him intently as a soft smile crossed her lips. "Alexander." She replied, tilting her head.

Alexander let out a soft chuckle as he glanced at Elizabeth's company, the two girls sitting across from her. 

They were the usual type, haughty girls who followed the most popular. (you know the type.)

"Do you like my friends, Alex?" Elizabeth asked as she turned to face them, gesturing out a hand, "Lady Chloe and Lady Juliet of the sixth and fourth major house respectively."

As Elizabeth introduced them, both girls gave a subtle bow as they raised a hand to their chests.

Alexander returned the gesture but kept an eye on Elizabeth.

"Chloe, Juliet, this is lord Alexander, of the Nova house." Elizabeth continued, gesturing a hand towards Alexander. "He's been my friend since forever." 

Elizabeth then giggled as she grabbed Alexander's hand under the table. "Have you eaten yet?"

Alexander gulped as he felt Elizabeth's touch. 

She was always touchy as far as he could remember, But this time it was different, less innocent.

Maybe I'm just overthinking this. 

Elizabeth was bound to change, at least a little, and she still seems like my friend…

Alexander resolved to deal with Elizabeth even though it was uncomfortable. 

Mostly because she hadn't done anything wrong, and he liked how easy she was.

"Alex?" Elizabeth called to him, her voice barely above a whisper as she grew closer. 

Alexander cleared his throat as he leaned back, Elizabeth's closeness sent a shiver down his spine. "Uh, I haven't eaten yet, but Jules is—"

"Jules?" Elizabeth called the name like it was a rare artifact. "Don't you find him repugnant?"

"You could say that for the seventh House as a whole." The girl, Chloe, chimed in with an irritated scoff. "They're all buffoons."

Alexander let out a soft laugh as he glanced at Chloe. 

He didn't mean to laugh aloud, he didn't even expect it, but the idea that other high-class nobles found Jules annoying was hilarious.

Chloe, seeing she pulled a chuckle from Alexander, smirked confidently. "It's honestly a surprise they haven't failed at their duties. I suppose it only shows the resilience of the kingdom."

Elizabeth smiled as she rolled her eyes. 

Just then, a voice of betrayal cut through the air. "Do my eyes deceive me, or is this my rival seeking the company of others?!? 

It was Jules, carefully balancing two steaming plates of food. 

Elizabeth looked at him curiously, watching with an unreadable expression as Jules sat across from Alexander. 

Much to the dismay of Chloe and Juliet.

"To think my rival would abandon me so shamelessly." Jules continued as he slid a plate towards Alexander, "It seems betrayal never comes from enemies."

Alexander sighed as Jules dramatically placed a plate of food before him, before reaching into his blazer pocket and retrieving paper-covered cutlery. 

"Whatever," Alexander grumbled, using his free hand to open the paper packet. "I'm not playing your game."

Jules chuckled as he turned his attention to Elizabeth. "So, your highness, how do you plan to spend this week, before school begins?"

Alexander looked up, "hasn't school already started?" He asked, cutting into the conversation.

Jules tilted his head as he gave Alexander a knowing look. "Oh, now you want to talk, sir Alexander."

"Just answer the question."

"No, Sir Alexander." Jules answered, "This is pre-week, the academy does this every year to acclimate the first years to academy life."

Alexander hadn't heard of such a thing, then again he wasn't listening to Béatrice's explanation… given earlier circumstances.

"So what happens after the exams?" Alexander asked.

"As far as this week, nothing." Jules replied, "But following that is the entrance ceremony."

Alexander tilted his head curiously as he processed the information. "Seriously…" he muttered under his breath, using his free hand to massage his temple. "… a whole week, for nothing?"

That seemed like an incredible waste of time, but perhaps there was a catch to it. 

Maybe some kind of secret exam no one knows about?

But, it could equally just be that this was how high society did things. 

Time was money, and with enough money, someone could have all the time in the world.

As Alexander mulled through his thoughts, another group of students strolled through the dining hall. 

Drawing everyone's attention.

A woman strode in at the center of the group, followed by two women and three males. Unlike everyone else, these students wore black and gold uniforms. 

"Who are they?" Alexander asked quietly, turning to Elizabeth. 

Elizabeth smiled as she gestured towards the girl in the center of the group. "You don't remember her?" She asked teasingly.

Alexander narrowed his eyes as he looked up to see the girl in the center. He noticed she had white hair and cold pink eyes. 

She looked extremely similar to Elizabeth, but wasn't as cute, she was beautiful though.

Suddenly Alexander's eyes widened. 

That was Princess Victoria.

Elizabeth giggled at Alexander's reaction. "Yes, she's president of the student council." She said, leaning against Alexander, her warmth unsettling him.

"O-oh," Alexander replied as he looked down to see Elizabeth holding his arm while watching her sister. 

"Don't tell me." Jules said with a dramatic sigh, "You have an interest in the first princess and the second." Jules shook his head. "Not only is my rival unfaithful, but greedy."

"I don't like Victoria." Alexander hissed, "I only saw her once, and she called me an idiot."

"Seems like you get called that a lot these days." Jules teased.

Tell me about it…

Elizabeth sighed as she looked away from her sister. "Unfortunately we grew apart, but I guess that's the difference between the heir and the backup."

As the group continued to talk they were unknowingly being watched by two hidden gazes.

One was Louise, who sat amongst other quiet students who seemed to be outcasts of sorts. 

She watched Alexander with a close gaze, barely touching her food in the process. 

And the other was Mimi, who watched from that group of quiet outcasts. 

Both women were no doubt thinking the same thing.

'Is Alexander an idiot?'

Louise and Mimi could see right through Elizabeth's façade.

She had changed and for the worse. 

A/N: (Jules knows she's full of it too, but unlike the others, he lives in chaos. He wants to see the inevitable shit show this devolves into.)