The next day, Elizabella went to school and took her exams like everyone else. For exam week, the first two days the students take four exams throughout each day and the remaining days are for make-up exams. Usually, depending on the teachers, the students that already did their exams on the first two days would not need to come for the rest of the week.
Some teachers would always ask the students to come for attendance so they had to come even if they finished their exams. With those teachers, the students would quietly talk amongst themselves, read or any other activities that were quiet enough to not disturb the nearby classes.
Elizabella's current classes focused on the history of classical art I, introduction to the history of classical music, music theory I, music appreciation, the ethics of acting, the science of math II, gym, and gymnastics. Her classes were mostly all advanced that included a lot of essay writing and even performing as her exam.
Yesterday in the afternoon, she had a gym class where the exam was just performing basic exercises and stamina. Today, she had to do gymnastics where she had to perform a routine. Moving about so much causes her to expand a lot of energy. The only way to help her throughout the day is for her to constantly be eating.
This was one of the reasons that she always had to carry a lot of food with her. Now that the rumors of her being pregnant had been running rampant, the students in her classes could not help but seriously wonder about her when they saw her eating during her gymnastics exam, let alone during normal class time. The more time passed, it became harder and harder to disprove the rumors, making Elizabella sigh and continue on her own as she was too lazy to explain again that her metabolism was very high.
**********
Throughout her day, she received many looks and whispers as they wondered what sort of love song she would make for the Crown Prince. Many people wondered out of curiosity and others wondered as they were fans of Director Ginny's works. As she heard their conversations, she pondered on how to make the music video.
She had already decided on the lyrics. It was not your typical love song as it did not say "I love you" anywhere. She shuddered at the thought that she would have to say that to him when she does not feel anywhere near that. So she decided to not even mention those three words anywhere in the lyrics.
Since she was not going to mention the dreaded three words, she had to make the visual more convincing. This was where she was debating if she should add certain elements to her song as she had already decided to make it "in your face" style. In the end, she liked the lyrics and even had a tune in mind; she just had to make sure the instruments matched.
She had decided that the song was going to be only using four instruments and vocals so that she would not need to make it so complicated. Elizabella wanted to surprise her audience and shut them up completely; the only way she knew how was to leave a huge impact. She believed that her choice of song and visuals would definitely leave everyone speechless.
"I am sure that even the royals will be stunned," thought Elizabella as she made her way to lunch when Olivia caught up to her.
"Ginny! Let us have lunch together!" said Olivia as she quickly approached her and smiled at her, though a little nervously. "Can we?"
"Of course we can, Olivia," smiled Elizabella as she and Olivia went to find a place to eat outside, since it was a sunny day. "How do you think you are fairing in your exams?"
"Well, I studied as much as I could. Whatever grade I get, I will be happy so long as I passed. Though, I feel, that the exams are not as hard as I had assumed, just a lot to do," said Olivia as they sat on a bench in an empty gazebo next to a tall blooming bush that served as a corner fence for a small flower garden space. "How about you? How are you dealing with all of this?"
"I can handle this level of provocation," said Elizabella as Olivia looked at her in admiration.
"I really do look up to you. I do not know how I would react if I knew everyone was gossiping about me like that and behind my back. I have seen how the students all look at you and even heard their comments about you. However, I have yet to see anyone come up to confront you about them."
"Oh? What do you hear them say?" asked Elizabella as she and Olivia ate their food from home while Olivia seemed to look upset in her thoughts.
"Well, I have heard them say that you must have pestered Prince Wolf and that you seduced him when you had the chance," said Olivia as she made a sour face when she spoke while Elizabella swallowed and looked at her.
"What do you think of all of the rumors you hear?" asked Elizabella as she wondered what or how her friend would think, making Olivia frown and look up at her
"That is ridicules! I have known you since you transferred to this school. I have never seen you chase after anyone, except for that one guy you wanted to be the male lead in one of your productions and after you presented it to the public, you never looked for him again," said Olivia as she took a big bite from her food to ease her frustrations. "It is good that you did not have contact with him again since he did not get a good reputation after he appeared on your skit."
"Oh, him. Actually, I chose that guy because I had heard that he had a few girlfriends in the dark. Having him appear on my skit gave him his five seconds of limelight and they all came out to congratulate him at once, unveiling the truth that he was just playing them..." said Elizabella as she nonchalantly continued to eat while Olivia looked at her in wonder.
"See, I knew you to have high morals. I feel like you can sometimes be sneaky and even calculating since some of your works are a bit cheeky without it being cheeky, if that makes since," said Olivia as they both continued to enjoy their food. "So, for you to go around seducing someone, to me, sounds like a made up drama. I cannot imagine you doing that as you do not seem to care about other higher noble born students and I feel you are completely genuine when you are with me."
"I am glad that you know me enough that you would not believe the rumors going around," said Elizabella with a soft smile forming on her face. "It means a lot to me that I still have a friend here."
"Yes. I am, indeed, your friend," said Olivia as she looked up at Elizabella with her eyes narrowing at her. "That being said, I want to know, why you never told me that you two were an item? That day that he came looking for you, was that not him trying to talk to you alone? See, I never saw you chasing him, but I would not be surprised that he was the one that chased you! Even that day when we saw him in the courtyard, you did not seem flustered and I am sure, even now, that he was indeed looking at you! It all makes sense."
Elizabella paused as she was speechless with her friend's analysis of her relationship with Crown Prince Maxen. Should she correct her or just let her think whatever at this point? She looked at Olivia looking proud of her discovery and eating delightedly next to her, making Elizabella's eye twitch while she decided to just let it be.
"Well, nothing can get passed you," said Elizabella as she and Olivia quickly finished their lunch and headed to their next exam together.