Chapter 75 - Valeriana's Plan
75 Chapter 75 - Valeriana's Plan n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Zeph strode through the imposing gates of the academy as thalia trailed behind him.
Students couldn't help but sneak glances at him, well aware that he held the prestigious first rank.
As he reached the towering doors of his classroom and pushed them open, a vast hall greeted him, its rows of seats akin to those he had seen in university lecture halls.
Memories of his previous life flooded his mind.
Zeph selected a seat in the front row as for him the lectures that even those third-year students didn't wanted to miss couldn't possibly be entirely useless, right?
Ofcourse, he had no intentions of becoming a bookworm but there were areas where he needed to improve and also his decision to sit in the front had a different motive as well.
Zeph felt amused by how others perceived him as a studious type occupying the first row in the classroom as for him, his primary goal was to become the center of attention for the heroines.
After all, by the end of the day, he needed someone to handle certain tasks for him and who could be better than heroines.
He took a glance at Thalia who was seated beside him was taking out her notebooks as her gaze met him he offered a slight smile making her face form a blush and then he calmly began to prepare his own study materials.
As he observed the situation, he couldn't help but hear Thalia's laughter, sounding more like the maniacal cackle of a character from a horror story.
Understanding slowly washed over him, and he felt a strong urge to curse himself for not anticipating this turn of events.
He knew he had to rein Thalia in before she spiraled into a true Yandere, a scenario he absolutely wanted to avoid at all costs.
Afterall the thoughts of having to eventually take her life with his own hands weighed heavily on him.
' Guess I'll have to set things right in her mind'
BANG
All eyes in the room turned toward the door, where a woman with striking ash-grey hair and piercing blue eyes made her entrance.
Her countenance was as cold as ice, and she was immediately recognized as Valeriana Hedrian, the second-ranking student in the first year.
She strode confidently toward an available seat, which, coincidentally, happened to be right next to Zeph.
Ignoring the curious gazes that followed her, she settled beside him.
From an outsider's perspective, Zeph was now seated between two girls, a situation that only he truly understood.
After all, he had accepted this arrangement due to Valeriana's unyielding determination to become a perfect ruler.
It was impossible for her not to delve into his hidden secrets for achieving the top rank.
Zeph turned his gaze toward Valeriana, a warm smile on his face and a glint of gold in his eyes. "Good morning, Ariana," he greeted her with a nickname, catching her off guard.
Her usually expressionless face now bore a trace of confusion as she tilted her head, trying to comprehend this unexpected familiarity.
Zeph, aware of the thoughts racing through Valeriana's mind, couldn't help but intentionally think, 'Guess that should be enough to make her leave.'
Valeriana's eyes widened, and her left hand clenched into a fist as she comprehended Zeph's plan to create distance between them.
She met Zeph's gaze and simply nodded in acknowledgment.
Zeph, pleased with the results of his manipulation, reciprocated her nod.
Guinier had given him the power to make them hear what he wanted, and this was precisely what he had intended to achieve – steering people based on his objectives.
As he turned his attention to his desk, a sudden slap beside him caught his attention. Turning, he saw Thalia's face buried between her palms, her pout forming due to her cheeks getting squished by her hands, 'How cute'. Zeph couldn't help but find it utterly endearing, and he thought, 'This girl is really something.' He felt a mused inside, knowing what she was thinking before putting his hand on her laps, completely subduing the fallen Maiden in love.
Valeriana's POV
I couldn't help but feel a shock when I saw Zeph attain the first rank.
I've always known that he was weaker than me in grasping academic concepts, so I couldn't understand how he managed to achieve such high marks.
Perhaps he had some hidden secret or method that allowed him to claim the top spot, but what could it be?
I had been groomed from my childhood to become the perfect queen for my kingdom, and I strived to excel in every aspect of my life.
Now that Zeph had outperformed me, I felt a profound sense of confusion.
Hadn't I worked harder?
I excelled in lectures and question-solving, so how had this happened?
Lost in these thoughts, I entered the classroom. In my preoccupation, I pushed the door open with more force than intended, causing it to swing open loudly, though I paid little attention to it.
I observed Zeph taking the front row with Thalia seated beside him, and I couldn't help but glance towards her.
'" Zeph~ My Zeph~ Zeph Loves Me~ Zeph~ My Zeph~ Zeph Loves Me~ Zeph~ My Zeph~ Zeph Loves Me~ Zeph~ My Zeph~ Zeph Loves Me~ I really love Zeph~ I really love Zeph~ "'
'Ugh'
I couldn't fathom what nonsense she was going on about.
It gave me a throbbing headache, and I wondered if she had gone mad.
Given my ability to read people's thoughts from a young age, it didn't take long to regain my composure, but her thoughts were truly unsettling, and I couldn't help but feel sorry for Zeph.
Then, I noticed the seating arrangement with Zeph positioned in the middle of a large table.
'It could be easier,' I thought as I moved towards the seat and took my place beside him. As I settled in, I began organizing my study materials for the upcoming classes.
"Good morning, Ariana,"
Zeph greeted me, and the use of a nickname caught me off guard.
'What's gotten into him?' I couldn't understand why he had suddenly given me a nickname. It didn't sit well with me, and I felt the need to signal him not to use names that could lead to misunderstandings among others.
'" Guess that should be enough to make her leave '"
As I heard his thoughts, I realized the motives behind his use of the nickname. 'So, you want to hide your secrets of your rank, by getting rid of me.'
I simply nodded and began contemplating my future plans to unearth his secrets for achieving the top rank.
Thalia's POV
I slid into the seat next to Zeph, a rush of emotions flooding over me.
I couldn't help but take out my books, and as I turned to face him, my eyes locked onto his, causing my heart to skip a beat.
His golden eyes held an irresistible allure, and I found myself fixating on his lips.
'No! Stupid Thalia, calm down, control yourself,' I scolded myself mentally.
GULP
I swallowed hard, feeling a lump in my throat, unable to tear my gaze away from him.
The thought of Zeph had me in a daze, and I couldn't help but let out a nervous chuckle.
My thoughts spiraled into a whirlwind of obsession.
'He really loves me'
It feels amazing.
Should we plan a grand celebration for our marriage, or should we keep it a secret?
'How romantic~'
I couldn't contain my excitement, and I instinctively covered my face, overcome with shyness about the future I envisioned.
Suddenly, the classroom door swung open, and the Hedrian girl entered, taking the seat beside Zeph.
My heart bristled with resentment, but I pushed it aside.
After all, I needed to concentrate on our marriage.
'Guess two children will be good. No, what if he wants three?'
Lost in my daydreams, I heard him say, "Good morning, Ariana," and it stung.
Didn't he say he loved me?
Why hadn't he given me a nickname like he had with the other girl?
I glanced downward, clutching the fabric of my dress and gave myself a light slap on the face.
'Come on, Thalia, you're not a child anymore.'
My mind swirled before suddenly I felt Zeph's hands on my lap, it felt warm, I can't help but again feel.
' I really love you ,Zeph '
.....
Zeph, seated in the middle, was about to strike up a conversation with Thalia when the door swung open, revealing a silver-haired boy.
At least, that's how she appeared to others.
Danny moved towards a vacant seat beside Thalia, which initially brought a frown to her face, as she wondered if Zeph would misunderstand her sitting beside a boy.
However, Zeph's grip on her became firmer, as if he was silently communicating for her not to reject the newcomer.
Thalia didn't have any issues to begin with, and if Zeph was okay with it, then she was too.
Zeph, looking at « Diana » felt satisfied, as they were soon to become roommates.
...
The classroom doors swung open, and Professor Banzihum from Chrintain Valley entered.
He was the same professor who had been intrigued by Zeph's answer, finding it remarkably similar to his own theory.
This had sparked his interest in Zephyr Liander.
The class began, and the theory lessons commenced.