Walking back to my apartment, I was suddenly met by the sight of someone obviously waiting for me on the academy grounds.
With her dirty blonde hair that reached below her shoulders and her voluptuous body squeezed into a black uniform, I felt a headache start to emerge.
Yes, the person who was seemingly waiting for me was Bellatrix Rue, the one I had exto... made a deal with as James during an excursion. Although I wouldn't mind having her around when I was socializing with other people, letting Zero meet her on his own couldn't be said to be anything but a mistake.
In my mind, there was but one possible explanation for her wanting to meet Zero, which wasn't a reason I particularly enjoyed. She just didn't want to lose to her cousin.
Bringing out a smile while preparing for the collision that was now bound to happen, I couldn't help but think about the situation at hand.
I still hadn't decided whether or not I would allow Zero to become part of political play, but the Rues did appear to be a good ticket in.
'However... I'm guessing I won't have the opportunity to get along with both...'
Bellatrix or Caroline, at some point I would have to choose between them.
To be honest, I didn't particularly like either of them, even with Bellatrix having seemingly mellowed out quite a bit.
'Come to think of it, that stupid red hair was also quite keen on getting along with me. At this point, wouldn't it be easy for Zero to firmly plant himself within the political structure of Mensch?'
Though it was hard to say how influential one could become just by merely getting along with the heirs of the noble houses, it would be foolish to think nothing of it.
"... are you listening to me?!"
A very agitated voice brought me back to reality, making me realize that I had already made it to the lady waiting for me.
Looking up at her strained face, it reminded me a lot of the time we spent in the cave during the excursion. A face that was trying its best not to completely lose it.
"Oh, I'm sorry Bella! I was just thinking of some stuff. Did you have something you needed to talk with me about? Because it looks like you were waiting for me."
With a sigh, she knew that it would be for the best to try and reset her mind, as it would bring her nothing good by acting exasperated.
"Haa... Well, you are right, I was, indeed, waiting for you."
Fixing her slightly disheveled hair, she continued on, acting as straightforwardly as always.
"As you seem to be good friends with Sophie, I felt like I should also try and get along with you. So I was thinking about inviting you to a cup of coffee."
Still keeping my signature bright smile on my face, there was but one question I had on my mind. A question we had to ask not because it was important, but merely out of spite.
"Hmm? But didn't you talk about how dangerous I was at the club? Why would you want to be around someone like that?"
"Guh!"
Her face paled a bit when she realized that Zero wasn't about to just let the incident go, no matter how much in the wrong he was.
As I had the freedom to choose between two Rues who both wanted to get close to me, I didn't feel a need to tip-toe around Bella.
'So, how will you react? Will you be able to sell your pride to appease Saint Zero, even though you know you were right?'
Of course, Zero also knew that they had been right about how tendencies, and how dangerous he could be if he continued to act impulsively. So how could he understand that she would want to get close to him?
After a couple of seconds, a slightly frustrated Bella had no choice but to back down.
"About that... I'm sorry. I don't actually think you are dangerous, it was just something I said on the spur of the moment. If you would just let me..."
"Ah! I'm sorry but I have to get going! I have an appointment with Dr. Smith! I'll see you later!"
And with that, I ran away, knowing fully well how frustrated Bellatrix must have been when she didn't even get the chance to finish her sentence.
****
[Bellatrix's Pov]
"What...?"
Seeing the small back of Zero running away from me, it took a couple of seconds before I realized that I had been completely ignored.
"That fucking...!"
*Stomp!*
Unable to control my frustrations, I punished the ground below me while gritting my teeth.
'Wasn't he supposed to be a saint?! How can he just leave a beautiful woman like me here without a care in the world?!'
"Bellatrix? What are you doing?"
A very familiar voice rang out behind me, a voice that I had only recently started to hear again.
Turning around, I quickly regained my composure and put on a smile as I looked at my younger cousin.
Caroline Rue, daughter to the sister of my father. The one who would do anything to win the seat of the head of the family in the future.
However, when looking at her now, I had a feeling that something had changed. As if the hidden blade inside of her eyes had dulled a bit.
Crossing my arms, fully aware that it exaggerated my chest a lot, I still didn't want to let my guard down.
"What do you want, Caroline?"
The petite girl already had an expression that told me she didn't feel like putting up appearances right now, so I didn't feel guilty about my crude response.
"What do I want? Aren't you the one standing in the middle of the street, stomping your feet? Also, this is the way to the freshman building, so if you don't mind, I will just continue on my way."
As she started to walk past the quite embarrassed me, I couldn't help but open my mouth one more time. "Say, Caroline... Are you sure about this?"
With her feet coming to a halt, she turned to me once again, "Sure about what?"
"About your decisions. I know that you don't believe us, but..."
"Shut up..."
Though her face couldn't have been said to be friendly before, it was nowhere near the pure hatred that was coming from her ambiance right now. "Caroline..."
"I said shut up! Don't you dare try and talk to me about my decisions. Wasn't this already clear? At this point, nothing else matters but who becomes the next head of the Rues."
"Even to the point where you are risking your life by getting close to Zero?"
"As if you aren't going to try to do the same. I wonder, why else would you be standing around here, obviously waiting for a freshman to come by? As far as I know, there would be no other freshman than Zero that you could have ever set your sights on. Or rather, I'm guessing Adam was the one who thought about it."
No matter how I felt about my cousin, there was no helping the fact that she was quite bright. Almost too bright sometimes.
Putting my hands up in the air, I didn't deny her accusations, "Haa... Yeah, you're right. I am planning on getting closer to Zero, even if only to even the playing field between us. However, I am not planning on risking my life by being as close as you are. Didn't you see what he is capable of?"
Suddenly, she took a step towards me, allowing me to see the clarity that her eyes inhabited. "I know exactly what he is capable of, but I am also well aware of what makes him tick. I know it to such an extent that it wouldn't be hard for me to 'accidentally' make him regard both you and your brother as his enemies."
It was hard to refute my little cousin when her face carried with it absolute confidence. A face that told the story that if she truly wanted, she could utilize the monster that was Zero as she wanted.
However...
"There is no way that is true. That man... That thing isn't something that can be leashed with logic, that much I am sure of. And if you have such a good read on him, I think you should know that better than me. If there is one thing I am sure of, it's that Zero can't be controlled."
Calling her bluff, I stood tall, not allowing myself to feel even an ounce of fear when hearing the empty threats coming out of my cousin's mouth.
"Pfft...! Hahaha! Of course, you wouldn't fall for that!"
Creating some distance between us, Caroline finally let her face relax a bit, allowing me to ask one last question.
"So? Are you still going to get close to him? Even when knowing you can't control him?"
Flicking away a lock of hair from her face, she smiled brightly as she answered me.
"Absolutely. Even if the holy water was poison, I would still drink it."