Garden

"Why are all three of you sitting here anyway?" I finally snapped, glaring at each of them in turn. "Don't you have your own friends to sit with? Of all the tables in this cafeteria, why mine?" I made no effort to hide my irritation. "And you—Claire—keep your hands to yourself!"

Claire pouted dramatically but slowly retracted her arms, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips. "Aww, but I was just getting comfortable," she mumbled, clearly enjoying this far more than she should.

Camille was the first to respond, her tone impossibly sweet. "Why wouldn't I sit next to you, Sera? After your amazing demonstration in Ms. Sinclair's class, I couldn't help but want to be friends with you. You're so talented—someone like me could really use your guidance." She batted her lashes, her expression almost angelic.

Liar! You don't need anyone's guidance, least of all mine! You're a prodigy, practically perfect in every way. Heck, you were probably casting spells before you were even born!

Diana, of course, couldn't resist chiming in. "I've heard so many fascinating things about you, Sera," she said, her green eyes glinting with amusement. "Naturally, I had to see for myself. And, I have to admit, some of the rumors are true. You are a beauty." She punctuated her statement with a playful wink, resting her chin on her hand as if she were completely at ease.

Flattery... won't... get... you... anywhere! (ღ˘⌣˘ღ)

Before I could retort, Claire suddenly stood up, slamming her hands on the table with enough force to draw attention from nearby students. "Don't worry, Sera!" she declared, her voice ringing out across the cafeteria. "If these two are bothering you, just say the word! As Student Council President, I'll make them leave immediately!"

I froze, feeling a mix of horror and secondhand embarrassment as heads turned in our direction. Was this girl for real? Did she not notice the spectacle she was making?

"Idiot!" I hissed, grabbing her shoulders and forcing her back into her seat. "Sit down before you embarrass us even more!"

Claire blinked at me innocently, clearly unbothered. "But I was only trying to help."

"Help? You've practically announced to the entire cafeteria that I can't handle my own business!" I groaned, burying my face in my hands. "God, you three are going to give me a headache." I glanced at the three of them, my frustration mounting. "It's the first day of school, and I'm already regretting ever stepping foot here."

Camille giggled softly, leaning her chin on her hand. "Oh, don't say that, Sera. It's not all bad. After all, you've made such… interesting friends."

Diana smirked, her gaze locking onto mine. "Regret all you like, but something tells me you won't be able to escape us that easily."

Claire, undeterred as always, smiled brightly. "We'll be your support system, Sera! With us around, your school life is going to be amazing!"

I groaned again, already feeling the headache they were determined to give me settling in like an unwelcome guest.

"That's it!" I declared, throwing my hands up in exasperation. "I officially declare we shall not be friends! At most, just… normal classmates! Nothing more, nothing less!"

Before any of them could respond, I quickly scarfed down the rest of my delicious lunch, grabbed my tray, and made a break for it. If I stayed any longer, I might actually start chanting explosion spells.

Finally escaping the chaotic trio, I wandered toward the academy's garden, seeking refuge. As described in the novel, it was breathtakingly serene, a hidden oasis of peace amidst the bustling school. A canopy of flowering trees cast dappled sunlight onto cobblestone paths, and vibrant blooms lined the winding walkways. The soft trickle of a fountain in the center added to the tranquil atmosphere.

I let out a contented sigh. Finally, some peace and quiet.

Or so I thought.

As I rounded a corner, I spotted someone seated elegantly on a stone bench near the fountain. Her pastel pink hair shimmered in the sunlight, cascading down her back like a waterfall of silk. Even from a distance, her presence radiated a gentle warmth.

Lillian Aurora.

The fourth heroine.

Unlike the others, Lillian was a breath of fresh air. She was genuinely kind and surprisingly grounded, despite being the daughter of the King and Queen. If there was one heroine I might not mind interacting with, it would be her. At least, that's what I told myself.

She noticed me before I could retreat. Her sparkling green eyes lit up with recognition, and she waved cheerfully.

"Lady Vandren! Over here!"

I froze. Well, there went my peaceful moment. Taking a deep breath, I walked over, mentally preparing myself.

"Lady Aurora," I greeted with a polite smile. "It's… a surprise to see you here."

"Please, just Lillian," she said, her voice as soft as the garden breeze. "No need for formalities."

I hesitated before nodding. "Alright, Lillian."

She patted the spot on the bench beside her. "Sit with me? It's such a beautiful day, and I'd love some company."

Not wanting to seem rude, I complied, settling into the seat.

"I didn't expect to find you here," Lillian said, her tone light and conversational. "Most students are still in the cafeteria or exploring the main halls."

"I needed some fresh air," I admitted. "The cafeteria was… a bit much."

She giggled, a sound like chiming bells. "I can imagine. The first day always feels overwhelming."

For a moment, we sat in companionable silence, the garden's peaceful ambiance wrapping around us. Lillian's presence was soothing, and I found myself relaxing despite my initial wariness.

"So," she began, tilting her head curiously. "What do you think of the academy so far?"

"It's… grander than I expected," I said honestly. "Almost too perfect."

Lillian smiled, her gaze drifting to the fountain. "It does feel like a dream sometimes, doesn't it? But perfection often hides its flaws."

Her words caught me off guard, a flicker of something deeper in her tone. Before I could dwell on it, she turned back to me, her eyes sparkling again.

"I'm glad we crossed paths today, Sera," she said. "I hope we can get to know each other better."

For once, I didn't feel the urge to run. Instead, I nodded. "Maybe we can."

Lillian's smile widened, and in that moment, I thought that perhaps not all heroines were destined to be a source of my misery. Perhaps. As far as I knew, there weren't any anomalies with Lillian's character. She was normal.

Thank the heavens.

"Do you like the garden?" Lillian asked, her voice as gentle as the breeze carrying the fragrance of flowers.

"It's nice," I admitted, letting my gaze wander over the vibrant blooms and lush greenery. "I've heard about it before—how breathtaking it is. I guess I do like it a lot. It's really peaceful here."

Lillian's laughter was soft, like wind chimes. "I'm glad to hear that. You seem like someone who appreciates moments of quiet beauty."

I blinked, a little surprised by her insight. "I suppose I do."

Her smile grew. "In that case, why don't you join my club?"

"Club?" I echoed, tilting my head in confusion.

Lillian nodded enthusiastically. "Later this week, the Student Council will introduce the clubs. Students can join different extracurricular activities or form groups centered around hobbies. I plan to start the Gardening Club—a place for those who want to take care of nature around the academy, including this garden."

A Gardening Club? That was unexpected. Most noble daughters in the novel, especially one as high-ranking as Lillian, would never concern themselves with something as mundane as gardening. They preferred tea parties, piano recitals, or embroidery circles.

"Gardening, huh?" I said, folding my arms. "Why gardening?" (✿´‿`)

Lillian's expression softened, her gaze drifting to the blooming flowers around us. "There's something calming about tending to plants. They don't ask for much—just care, attention, and a little patience. In return, they bring life and beauty to the world. Besides," she added with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, "it's nice to get my hands dirty once in a while. It's grounding."

I couldn't help but smile at that. Lillian Aurora, daughter of the King and Queen, talking about getting her hands dirty? It was oddly endearing.

"You don't seem convinced," she said, tilting her head as she studied me.

"It's not that," I said quickly. "It's just… unexpected. Most nobles don't care about things like this."

"That's precisely why I want to do it," Lillian replied. "Everyone deserves a space to breathe and connect with nature, regardless of their background. And I think the academy could use a bit more of that."

Her sincerity was disarming, and for a moment, I didn't know how to respond.

"Will you consider it?" she asked, her green eyes meeting mine with hopeful earnestness.

"I'll… think about it," I said cautiously.

Lillian clapped her hands together, her smile radiant. "That's all I can ask for. I hope you'll stop by when we start."

As she spoke, I couldn't shake the feeling that Lillian Aurora was different—not just from the other heroines but from the character I thought I knew in the novel. She seemed real in a way that caught me off guard, and for the first time since arriving at this academy, I didn't feel like I had to run.

Maybe, just maybe, this Gardening Club wouldn't be the worst idea after all.