Robert smiled at their friendly banter. A second female figure made her way towards them, her eyes on her phone. It was a young lady with pure black hair and shimmering golden eyes, looking dazzlingly beautiful under the soft evening lighting. She was wearing a cut sleeve dark blue dress, her inky hair flowing down her shoulders. The woman found her seat, which coincidentally happened to be on Robert's side.
None of the three spoke for some time. The council president came on the stage. She gave a brief overview of the events and then invited the school representative for the speech.
Athanasia couldn't bear to watch the boring speech any longer and turned to the person beside her to chat. Oh, it actually turned out to be someone she's familiar with.
"Hello there, Mr. Robert."
"Oh, hello to you too, Miss Athanasia."
They both went silent, unsure of what to say.
Athanasia suddenly remembered, "Aren't Willow and Adelia also taking part in the play? Charlie's in it too."
"Your brother?"
Athanasia nodded. Robert muttered thoughtfully, "I actually met him a few days ago. It seems like he's friends with Will and Adel."
Athanasia pretended to be surprised at that. Well, she already knew it anyway. It was her who gave him the idea of befriending his crush in the first place.
"...That concludes my speech. Now, I would like to invite the council president back on the stage for further proceedings."
The girl came back as the school representative stepped down. "Now, it's time for the second event. Before we start, I want to tell you all that today's performance is, in fact, quite special..."
Backstage, some time ago~
"Eww, this looks so ugly!" Adelia screeched as she held one end of her rag-like dress in disdain.
The costume designer tried to placate her, "Miss Astor, please calm down! This is how it's supposed to be, according to the story. The mother and father are poor!"
"I know that, but can't we be poor in style?! Do poor people have no sense of fashion? This is basically a sack!" She threw her hands up and flat out refused, "I'm not going on the stage wearing this monstrosity!"
Louise looked in the mirror in satisfaction as the stylist finished pinning her hair up. She couldn't help but imagine herself and Adelia, standing side by side, like a real, married couple.
Everyone looked warily as Adelia continued to throw a tantrum, but no one dared to step in. Louise's eyes curved into crescents as she looked sweetly at the enraged brown-haired girl.
"Don't worry, sweetie," She came from behind and whispered in Adelia's ear, "Even in these rags, you're still the most beautiful person to me."
Inching closer, Louise pecked her ear, leaving the other girl stunned. "My pretty Adel."
Adelia couldn't say anything or even react for a moment. She recovered soon and cried flusteredly, "...Get- Get away!!"
Hah, even though she knows this antagonist is acting, it was all too embarrassing! Mark her words, this is the blush of embarrassment and anger! Not because she thought Louise was very romantic and cool just now, okay?
Louise made a wronged expression and locked her hands around the other girl's waist, putting her head in her nape. "But I didn't do anything wrong, Adel. Why're you getting mad?"
Adelia blushed even more at that. Her face was red with an indignant expression as she tried to get away from her.
Strangely, Louise quite liked her current appearance and couldn't help but tease her even more. She didn't let go and pouted, "I was only completing you, darling. Why don't you like it?"
"W-Who the hell wants your compliments!"
(Yes, this is an astonishing moment in this stupid novel. Adelia. Doesn't. Want. Compliments. Wow. #Surprised #Astonished #Astounded #stupefied)