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Chapter 11 - A New Student?

Aldrich Vale sat at the head of the council table, his expression a mask of calm amusement. This council wasn't just an administrative body—it was a collection of competing agendas, each with their own blend of ambition and ulterior motives. It was precisely this complexity that kept him here, though his role as Vice President had been imposed on him by one person: Rosalind Vale, his eldest stepsister and the council president.

Rosalind sat directly across from him, her posture rigidly perfect, her gaze sharp and calculating as it moved over the other council members. Aldrich knew that she saw herself as his family's safeguard in the council, ensuring he didn't unravel their carefully built reputation. She had always been like this, forever trying to anticipate his next move. Aldrich found it both amusing and tiresome—Rosalind was certain she could control him, and her constant vigilance was a reminder of the fine line he danced within his own family.

Beside him sat Aria Blackwood, her cold indifference barely masking the ambition and family expectations that had brought her here. To her right, Lucas Sterling lounged with his typical air of casual defiance, but Aldrich could sense an unspoken tension from their recent conversation. The day before, Lucas had confronted him, pushing him to acknowledge their bond and vowing to become his equal. For the first time, Lucas's ambition seemed genuine to Aldrich—a real, simmering challenge in an otherwise predictable council.

At the table's end sat Evelyn and Celia Vale, Aldrich's other stepsisters, who joined with distant amusement, carefully balancing between family loyalty and their own hidden agendas. And then there was Sofia Ravenscott, his childhood friend, whose steadfast moral compass set her apart from the others. Sofia's quiet, unyielding belief in his potential amused Aldrich; she looked at him as though she still saw some part of the boy he'd once been, but that person was as much a mask as any he wore now.

Rosalind's gaze settled on him, and he met it with a slight smirk, the faintest acknowledgment of her role as overseer. She opened the meeting, her voice crisp. "We have council business to address today. And, if I may, I hope we can remain focused."

Lucas smirked, his gaze shifting to Aldrich. "Careful, Miss Rosalind. If Aldrich senses even a hint of boredom, he'll turn this meeting into one of his twisted little amusements."

Aldrich's eyes glinted with sly amusement. "Oh, Lucas, you underestimate me. I don't need your help to make things... interesting."

Lucas chuckled, leaning forward with a slight, challenging smile. "Who said I was trying to help? I just enjoy watching you squirm for a change."

Aldrich raised a sardonic brow, the words echoing their exchange the day prior. "Bold words, my "friend". But I've never required rescuing, least of all from you."

Aria sighed, her gaze cutting over to Aldrich. "Well, maybe you should consider channeling that 'amusement' into actually participating in council matters, Aldrich." 

Aldrich tilted his head, feigning interest. "Participate? Oh, I think everyone here is doing enough… participating for me."

Rosalind's voice cut in, pointed and unamused. "We're not here to play games, Aldrich. Perhaps if you're tired of this, you could let us proceed without disruption."

Aldrich raised an eyebrow, a hint of mockery in his voice. "Oh, I wouldn't dream of depriving you of my insights, Rosalind. This council would be dull without me."

Evelyn's voice cut through the banter, light but pointed. "This entire council seems to be more about Aldrich's entertainment than our actual duties. Perhaps he's the one who needs a greater sense of purpose."

"Oh, but everyone here has a purpose, Evelyn," Aldrich replied smoothly, his gaze sweeping over the assembled players. "Lucas craves recognition, Aria answers to family duty, and you... well, let's call it loyalty to a certain legacy."

Sofia met his gaze with steady calm. "There's nothing wrong with having purpose, Aldrich. But sometimes I wonder if you're even searching for one of your own."

Aldrich let out a soft, mirthless laugh. "Oh, I know precisely what I'm doing, Sofia. I simply find the façade of 'noble purpose' to be decidedly... laughable."

Before Rosalind could respond, a knock interrupted the conversation. Professor Helena entered, her gaze resting briefly on Aldrich before addressing the council. "Apologies, but there's a new addition to the academy who might interest you—a student with quite the ambitious outlook."

She stepped aside, and Damian Crowe walked in, dark-haired and composed, his intense gaze sweeping over the council members before settling on Aldrich. Damian gave a small bow. "A pleasure to join you."

Aldrich's eyes narrowed as he sized up the newcomer. Damian's confidence and ambition were evident, but Aldrich could see through him almost immediately—a predictable desire for change and power, cloaked under an idealistic exterior.

Sofia welcomed him first. "Welcome, Damian. We'd love to hear more about what brings you here."

Damian's gaze remained steady as he replied, "I believe in creating a system where effort and talent matter more than lineage. This academy is overdue for a change, and I intend to help bring that about."

Aldrich raised an eyebrow, his smirk growing. "How... noble. And you believe yourself qualified to lead this little 'revolution'?"

Damian's resolve didn't falter. "I do. In fact, I think you'd understand my perspective, Aldrich. I've heard of your... reputation."

Aldrich's smirk flickered, but only slightly. "Understand? Yes, I see through you easily enough. Ambition, resentment, a desire for change. It's all so... predictable." He leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "You're not half as different from the rest of us as you think, Damian."

Damian's eyes narrowed. "You can mock my ideals all you want, but they're what drive the world forward."

Aldrich let out a soft, cutting laugh. "Ideals are the flimsiest of masks, Damian. You're here to prove something to yourself, to claw your way to power." He paused, appraising the young man with calculating eyes. "It's almost amusing - how much you remind me of myself."

Damian looked taken aback, but before he could respond, Aldrich's tone turned scathing. "The difference is, I don't hide behind grand words or pretend I'm here for some 'greater good.' You may fool everyone else with that noble act, but I see right through you."

Damian's gaze hardened. "Then perhaps we're more alike than you're willing to admit, Aldrich."

Aldrich's smile faded, his eyes taking on a darker glint. "I see through you easily enough, Damian. That's what makes you such a simple piece on this board." His thoughts drifted to his father, the one person whose motives remained frustratingly opaque - a shadow that constantly obscured Aldrich's own moves.

But Damian? Damian was no such puzzle. The young idealist might have ambition, but he lacked the intricate layers that made his father such an elusive opponent.

Leaning back, Aldrich's smirk sharpened. "A word of advice, Damian: Keep playing your role as the righteous upstart. But remember, people like you build castles on sand, and when they crumble, people like me will be there to remind everyone of the reality."

Sofia's voice broke the tension, her gentle gaze meeting Aldrich's. "Not everyone is as jaded as you, Aldrich. Faith can be a light, even if you don't see it."

 

Aldrich's gaze turned to her, bemused. "Faith? Or self-delusion?"

 

"Faith in others," she replied softly. "In what they could become, if given the chance."

Lucas's laugh broke the silence. "Ah, new blood with ideals. Damian, you might be the most interesting thing to happen around here in a long time."

Damian met his gaze, unbothered. "I didn't come here to entertain anyone, Lucas."

Aldrich's voice cut through, icily amused. "Good. Blind optimism isn't nearly as entertaining as you might think."

The council resumed its business, though the atmosphere remained charged. Aldrich's attention, however, lingered on Damian, his mind calculating. Damian's idealism might unravel soon enough, but Lucas's new ambition was far more intriguing. For the first time, Aldrich found himself genuinely interested in seeing how far Lucas would push—and if Rosalind could contain the upheaval.

As the council adjourned, Damian lingered, catching Aldrich's gaze one last time. "You may see through me, Aldrich, but that doesn't mean you're right."

Aldrich's smile was cold, mocking. "Believe what you like, Damian. Just remember: dreams built on sand are the quickest to shatter."

Damian's eyes flashed with defiance, but he turned and left without another word.

Rosalind's gaze lingered on Aldrich as the others filtered out, her expression a blend of irritation and quiet resolve. "I trust you'll remember why you're here, Aldrich."

Aldrich met her gaze, smirking. "Oh, I haven't forgotten, Rosalind. But you might want to remember—you're not the only one keeping watch."