Chapter 21 – The Fine Art of Pretending (And Failing at It)

(Astria's POV)

Deep breaths.

Stay composed.

Do not let them see that anything is wrong.

I was good at that.

I had perfected the art of smiling through everything years ago.

So why—why —was Aurelle of all people trying to ruin that now?

I could feel her gaze on me, watching, waiting.

For what, exactly?

For me to crack? To admit that, yes, this conversation was uncomfortable as hell?

Not happening.

I was fine.

Totally fine.

"Sure," Aurelle said, dragging out the word, her voice almost teasing. "You've totally moved on. That's why you look like you want to throw me out a window right now."

I did not.

Okay, maybe I did.

But that was beside the point.

"Don't be ridiculous," I said, forcing a calm tone. "Why would I—"

"Because you still care," she interrupted, her smirk growing. "That's the only reason you'd be this defensive."

My eye twitched.

Hael, the absolute menace, let out a low whistle. "She's got a point, Astria."

"She does not," I snapped, whirling on him.

Big mistake.

Hael grinned like he'd won the lottery.

"Ohhh," he said, "that was fast. Didn't even hesitate."

I clenched my jaw. "I don't have time for this."

Aurelle raised an eyebrow. "For what? A conversation?"

"For whatever this is," I shot back.

Aurelle's smirk widened. "Oh, you mean a conversation about how you're clearly not over me?"

I scoffed. "Clearly not over you? You wish."

She tilted her head. "Do I?"

I hated how smug she looked.

Like she knew something i didn't.

Like she had some kind of upper hand.

Which, to be clear— she didn't.

I was in control here.

I was—

Wait.

Why was Morana staring at me like that?

Her expression was unreadable, her gaze flicking between me and Aurelle.

I suddenly felt… exposed.

Like she was seeing something I wasn't ready to acknowledge.

I tore my gaze away.

Big mistake number two.

Because now, Aurelle was watching Morana watching me.

And her smirk changed.

Oh no.

I knew that look.

She had figured something out.

"So that's how it is," Aurelle murmured, mostly to herself.

"What?" I asked, more defensive than I meant to be.

Her gaze flicked back to me.

And then, with a knowing smirk, she said the worst possible thing she could have said.

"You don't actually hate Morana, do you?"

Silence.

A heartbeat.

Then—

"What?" I blurted. "Of course I do."

Too fast.

Too desperate.

Hael choked back laughter.

Morana blinked, eyebrows raised.

And Aurelle?

She just leaned in slightly, eyes alight with amusement.

"No, you don't," she said, far too confident. "You just want to."

I scoffed. "That's ridiculous."

"Is it?" she mused.

Morana cleared her throat. "Okay, can we stop talking about me like I'm not standing right here?"

Aurelle ignored her.

"Tell me something, Astria," she continued, "why does Morana laughing with someone else bother you so much?"

"It doesn't."

"Right," Aurelle nodded, pretending to agree. "And that's why you immediately stormed over, right?"

I opened my mouth.

Closed it.

Aurelle grinned.

I hated her.

"So predictable," she sighed. "You always react the same way when you feel like someone's slipping away."

I hated her even more.

Because that?

That wasn't fair.

"Shut up, Aurelle," I muttered.

"Did I hit a nerve?" she asked, voice almost sympathetic.

Hael was eating this up.

I wanted to shove him.

I wanted to shove everyone.

Instead, I did what I always did.

I smoothed down my expression, straightened my shoulders, and forced a smile.

"Not at all," I said lightly. "Like I said, I don't care."

Aurelle just shook her head.

"Right," she murmured. "If you say so."

And the worst part?

She didn't believe me.

Because, deep down, neither did I.