Alexi Lennon was dead.
"We're getting a lot of funerals these days."
Theo was standing next to Cleo. All of the teachers, as well as the remaining students, were standing in rows, dressed entirely in black. Four students had died, and Alexi was the fifth.
"It's not the same when you know that they are actually able to return to their real lives."
Theo was right. All of the people who had died so far were transmigrators from the real world. When each of them died, they would send a message to the rest of the people still trapped in the book, telling them that they were okay. It made their deaths easier.
"I know," Cleo said. "I just hope that my best friend is okay."
"What do you mean?"
"Apparently I died."
"What?"
"My body in the real world is not working anymore. Everyone else still has functioning bodies, while mine is just...dead. My heart stopped beating and everything."
"So you don't feel the little connection you have towards your body? As if it's calling you home?"
"No...I've never felt that actually."
"Never?"
Cleo shook her head.
"Wow...that's really strange."
***
In response to all of the casualties that had occurred during the school year, the professors and the headmaster decided to let all the students off on break early. Cleo was not entirely surprised. It was around this time in the novel that the remaining fifteen students were supposed go on break. But it was not supposed to be this early. Something was definitely wrong.
As Cleo walked out of the school grounds, she passed by the librarian, Mr. Augustus. He gave her a knowing smile and a wink. Then he mouthed something at her, and left.
Give my regards to your father.
Cleo was about to run after him to ask what he meant, Ms. Mintz waved her over.
"Be safe, okay?" she said, handing Cleo a shimmering, silver chain. At the end of it hung a diamond shaped pendant, carved with a unique star design. "Give this to whoever you hold most dear."
Cleo nodded, unsure what else she could do.
"I promise you'll have your happy ending. I'll make sure of it. You'll have the happiest ending of them all."
Ms. Mintz patted Cleo on the head, and sent her on her way. As she stepped back into the school building, she risked a look back towards Cleo. She could not believe how much Cleo had gone through, and how she had never been there to support her. Then the carriage was gone, and along with it, the only one who could change the future.
Cleo arrived at her mansion safe and sound. Her maid, Fiona, was there to greet her.
"Are you alright, my lady?" Fiona asked, spinning Cleo around to check for dents and bruises. "I'm sure the academy has been treating you well. I won't be seeing any signs of amnesia this time, now will I?"
"No...?" Cleo responded, still dizzy from the spinning.
"Well then, we have to get you clean and tidy. Then you'll need to brush up on some court etiquette. I can't have you waltzing in there like a donkey drunk on alcohol."
"Go where?" Cleo inquired, trying to remember if anything important was supposed to happen during the break.
"Why, the imperial ball of course! Once I'm done with you, you'll be the most beautiful woman to have ever existed! You'll shine even brighter than the north star!"
Cleo gawked at Fiona.
"Now, now. You may be a donkey with a temper, but I will not have you looking like you just stepped out of a barn. Off to the shower, my lady!"
***
"Hey Cecil," Theo said, waltzing around his friend's room. "Shouldn't you write an invitation to Cleo asking for her to be your partner to the ball?"
Cecil was sitting on his bed. He flopped onto his back, stroking his hands through his hair. His jacket was off, and his shirt was half unbuttoned.
"I don't know..." he sat up. "What if she rejects me?"
"I'm sure she wouldn't. You just have to ask, that's all. The worst she can say is no."
Cecil glared at his friend. "We both know that's never the case. Especially not with girls."
Theo shrugged. "It's your struggle, not mine."
Cecil narrowed his eyes, a mischievous grin making its way onto his face. "What about you? Who are you taking to the ball?"
"Is this your idea of a comeback?" Theo grinned, putting his hands on his hips. "I have no need for a partner. I'm good enough on my own!"
Cecil shook his head in defeat. "Fine, fine, fine. I'll write to her. Hopefully she'll reply."
***
"Nathan!" Madeleine called, bursting into Nathan's bedroom. "I need you to help me with something."
Nathan, or Nathaniel Chevalier as the rest of the world knew him, was getting dressed. His upper body was bare, exposing his chest and ab muscles. His dark purple hair glimmered in the light leaking in, past the drawn curtains.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"I need you to help me become Cecil's partner for the ball."
"No."
Madeleine huffed. She was not used to rejection. She was a princess of a kingdom, for goodness sake! He should be honored that she had gone to him for help. She let out a breath, calming herself.
"You're such a strong and reliable man," she cooed, throwing herself onto Nathan, hands brushing over every inch of his uncovered skin. "Won't you help me?"
Nathan tensed up in surprise. Madeleine smiled. No man could ever resist her charms. She squeezed Nathan into a tight hug, touching her chest to his. She kissed him on the neck, and then on his strong, muscular chest.
"Of course I will," Nathan said, his hands wandering up Madeleine's spine. "But I require payment."
He slipped her dress down her shoulders, down her waist, until it rested on the floor in a pile of ruffles and fabric. He picked her up, and threw her on his bed. He pounced on her like a beast going to devour its prey. Stripping the remainder of Madeleine's clothes off, Nathan whispered into her ear.
"Shall we begin the negotiations?"