"Uhm ..."
Lilian glanced at Bella who had been watching her. Her brow furrowed.
"What?"
"I don't know ... I think there's something different about you ..."
Lilian gasped. Not expecting one of her friends to have sharp intuition. She smiled and waved her hand.
"Maybe it's just your feeling. We haven't seen each other in two months."
Bella nodded, her eyes still looking for something, but the next second she shrugged.
"Right, we haven't seen each other in a long time. It's not just you who changed, she did too." Bella refers to Winni, who had been looking down, blushed because her new fiancee approached.
"Good morning, Lady Lilian and Lady Bella."
"Good morning, Sir Neil." Only Bella answered her greetings, Lilian just nodded.
"Ohh, I also hope to have a fiance soon ..." Bella whispered after they were far from the two lovebirds.
"What's the point of having a fiance? You should enjoy your time as much as you want now."
Lilian could not understand how the system in this country. Here, the age over ten years can have a fiance. Once their fiance selected, at the debut and coming-age-ceremony, the engagement will be legalized and a year later the marriage will be held. Ah ... talking about fiancee, Lilian was sure her parents would discuss the matter with her. In the original script, the fiance who will be paired with her was...
"... Sir Colin."
Lilian blinked as the name left Bella's mouth. A boy his age stood before them. A smile spread on his lips. His golden hair gleamed in the reflection of the morning sun. His eyebrows look neat like ants line up tidily. Lilian's shadow reflected in his black eyes.
"Ah ... good morning Lady Lilian, Lady Bella." He reached out like a gentleman. Bella, slightly blushing, reached out. Lilian looked at his outstretched hand. So this person will be her fiancée? Hmm ... not bad, but he's too young like a younger brother next door.
Ahh I don't want to be considered a pedophile! The conflict in Lilian's head stopped when she heard her name called.
"... Lady Lilian?"
"Ah ... sorry ... good morning." Lilian calmed her mind that was still in conflict.
"Is something bothering you?" Colin showed little concern. Lilian didn't know if that was his nature or did he already know they would get engaged later because that was being nice first?
"No, nothing."
"If there's anything I can do please say it, I'll be happy to help."
Lilian smiled politely and said thank you. After exchanging pleasant words, he finally left.
"Wow, Lilian! Do you realize he always glance at you every time he talk?"
"No."
"Why are you so cold?" Bella scowled.
"What are you talking about?" Winni, who finished her conversation with Neil, returned.
"I'm talking about winter in spring." Bella answered sarcastically and preceded entering the dormitory.
***
"So ... in the next month's festival, our class will hold a drama performance."
The class president stood in front of the room and clasped his hands. "I have sorted the manuscripts that we are going to play. Our performance titled is 'Alexandria'. This is about the love of Mark Antony and Cleopatra VII. I think you all know the rest in history."
The class president did not explain further. This was the first thing he said after the class over on the first day. There was noise from young nobles throughout the class. But no one protested his opinion. Lilian put her head on her palm and placed it on the table, not interested.
"Well ... the head of committee for this performance is Sir Neil Alteriz. The role has been decided. Mark Antony will performed by sir Colin Linnz and the one who will play the Cleopatra is ..... Miss Lilian Lesnerg. Congratulations!"
Huh?
"So?"
Colin nodded while his other classmates didn't argue.
"Is there no one else? I don't want to play Cleopatra." Lilian refused firmly. She did not want to participate in such unnecessary activities.
"Lady ... I know you are a very kind person. But isn't this a challenge for you? Playing a bad woman outside your character? I'm sure this will be amazing! " The class president tried his sweet talk.
Lilian cursed in her heart. Is he serious? She? Playing a bad woman? Lilian smiled broadly.
"Sir Gullivan, maybe someone can play that role better than me." ...Although I'm sure there's no one better than me, I'm the actress In Ha, you know. Despite she praise herself, she didn't intent to do anything with this kid's play. Because if she took this role, something gonna happen when they perform.
The class president looked thoughtful. "How about this, let's practice first and see how you play it, if it doesn't look right, I'll replace you with others."
"Yes, that's right Lady ... I'm sure you will look charming." the other student tried to soothe her mood.
Lilian snorted. Ahh whatever.
The day after the next day, they gathered in the auditorium in the academy to practice. Lilian glanced at the script.
This script...Seriously?
The other supporting characters have prepared themselves in their respective positions, waiting for the cue from Lilian as the opening act. Lilian cleared her script and stood in the middle of the stage.
"I know this is all a letter of destiny, but what power do I have?" slowly her tone turned delicated at the end of the sentence, her soft expression turned sharply, staring fiercely at octavia, Antony's wife. "I love him! You better step back before I stabbed you!"
The student who plays Antony's wife stammers. She suddenly felt inferior. The lady in front of her looks different. She seemed to have unusual confidence, intelligence, and beauty.
Well, Lilian had heard a few stories about Cleopatra's beauty. She said, no one would turn their heads after the first sight. 'Just see how they can turn their heads away from me.'
"Woahhh what did I say? That role suits you the best! " The Class president applauded in the middle of silence.
Lilian smile driely. She wanna slapped her own face. Her mind was disturbed. She forgot that at the beginning of the meeting, she wanted to practice carelessly so that they would cancel the intention of making her Cleopatra, but looking at the script in her hand, without realizing she lived her role perfectly.
'In Ha!! Youuu stuupidddd!'