A week had gone by after the incident with the elves, and I still felt a surge of shame whenever I recalled it. During that week, I was officially on 'rest', according to Julie. She had told the others that I needed some time to recover from the injuries I had sustained.
But the truth was, I was already healed, thanks to Jade's potion. So, instead of resting, I spent most of my time training. I used the skill points I had earned to increase my strength and speed, hoping to become stronger and faster than before.
Julie and I also started investigating who had cast a control spell on Lila, making her attack me and Lydia. We questioned Lila, but she said she had no memory of what happened. She only remembered having a terrible headache, and then everything went black.
I didn't see much of Zara and Zoé during that week, but I didn't mind. They were probably busy with their own things. And as for Lydia, she hadn't visited me since the last time we talked. I felt a pang of embarassement when I thought about what I had said to her.
"I'd rather be hurt than see you dead." It sounded like something out of a cheesy romance game. I wondered if she hated me for saying that, or if she felt anything at all.
Today, I had to go back to school. I couldn't keep skipping classes, and I needed a change of scenery. All I had been doing was staying in my room, training and investigating. I missed the outside world, and the other students.
I took a shower and put on my uniform, feeling a bit nervous. Zara was waiting for me outside the room, looking impatient.
"Let's go, or we'll be late for class," she said, grabbing my arm and dragging me to the carriage. We got inside, and I sat on one side, while Zara sat on the other. She looked angry, and I wondered why.
"Why did you save Lydia, instead of letting her die?" she asked me coldly, staring at me with a piercing gaze.
"I don't really know why," I said honestly, shrugging my shoulders. I didn't have a good answer for her. I just acted on instinct, without thinking. But I could tell that Zara didn't believe me. She looked skeptical and annoyed.
"If you say so, but keep your distance from Lydia. You clearly can't trust her," she said, with a serious expression. "You are suppose to be on my side not hers Aaliyah" I nodded, not wanting to argue with her. I knew she had a point, but I still felt sorry for Lydia. She was a victim too, in a way she almost died.
"Today, a new student is coming to class," Zara said, changing the subject. "She's supposed to be very talented . Maybe you'll like her." She said it with a hint of sarcasm, and I rolled my eyes. I wasn't interested in romance, especially not after what happened with Lydia.
The carriage stopped in front of the school, and we got out. I helped Zara out of the carriage, and then we walked to the classroom. It seemed that today we had etiquette class, which was one of my least favorite subjects. I hoped the new student wouldn't be too annoying.
Zara and I entered the classroom, and I saw that most of the seats were already taken. We managed to find two empty seats in the back, and we sat down. I looked around, and I saw that the teacher was already there, standing in front of the blackboard.
She was an old woman, with gray hair tied in a bun, and a wrinkled face. She wore a long, dark dress, and a pair of glasses. She looked strict and stern, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. She was Mrs. Dubois, the etiquette teacher. She was notorious for being harsh and demanding, and she had a reputation for giving low grades and detentions.
She cleared her throat, and began to speak.
"Good morning, class. Today, we are going to learn about the proper manners and etiquette for different occasions and situations. You must pay attention, and take notes, because this is very important for your future. Remember, you are not only students, but also representatives of this school, and of the magic world. You must behave accordingly, and show respect and dignity at all times."
She went on to explain the rules and norms for various scenarios, such as greeting someone, introducing yourself, making a conversation, giving a compliment, accepting an invitation, apologizing, etc. She used a lot of examples and anecdotes, some of which were quite boring and outdated. She also asked us questions, and expected us to answer correctly and politely.
I tried to follow along, but I found it hard to stay focused. I already knew most of the things she was teaching, and I didn't see the point of memorizing them. I thought that etiquette was more than just a set of rules, and that it depended on the context and the person. I also thought that being honest and sincere was more important than being formal and polite.
I glanced at Zara, and I saw that she was also bored. She was doodling on her notebook, and occasionally yawning. She didn't seem to care about the class, either. She was more interested in other things, like princess I things and politics.
We both looked up, when we heard a knock on the door. Mrs. Dubois stopped talking, and frowned. She walked to the door, and opened it. A girl entered the room, and I felt my eyes widen.
It was the elf princess.
She was wearing the same uniform as us, but she looked different from the day I meet her. She had long, purple hair, that fell over her shoulders, and bright, green eyes, that sparkled with mischief. She had a slender figure, and a graceful posture. She had pointed ears, and a fair complexion. She was beautiful, and she knew it.
She smiled, and bowed to Mrs. Dubois.
"Good morning, madam. I'm sorry for being late. I'm the new student, Alexandra. I hope you don't mind if I join your class."
Mrs. Dubois looked surprised, and a bit annoyed. She didn't like interruptions, or latecomers.
"Good morning, Miss Alexandra. Welcome to our class. I'm Mrs. Dubois, the etiquette teacher. Please, take a seat, and don't disturb the others."
She gestured to an empty seat in the front row, and Alexandra nodded. She walked to the seat, but not before scanning the room with her eyes. She seemed to be looking for someone, and I had a bad feeling about it.
She saw me, and her smile widened. She winked at me, and blew me a kiss. I felt my face turn red, and I quickly looked away. I heard Zara gasp, and whisper in my ear.
"Is that the elf princess? How does she know you? What is she doing here?"
I shook my head, and whispered back.
"I don't know. But I don't like it. She's trouble."
I hoped that Alexandra would leave me alone, and focus on the class. But I knew that was unlikely. I think that she had a crush on me, and she wanted to marry me.
But I didn't love her, and I didn't want to marry her. I wanted nothing to do with her.
I wished she would go away, and leave me alone. But I knew that was not going to happen. She was here, and she looked like she was not going to give up.
She was going to make my life hell.