By the second day of school, Myraa had already earned a reputation she didn't want. Everywhere she went, students whispered and stared, treating her like some kind of exotic bird who'd wandered into the wrong aviary.
"Did you see her speech? She's so relatable."
"She's practically royalty! I bet she has a tiara collection."
"Is it true she's already the principal's favorite? I heard she's friends with the Prime Minister!"
Friends with the Prime Minister? Myraa thought as she walked down the hall, clutching her bag like it might shield her from the nonsense. What's next? They're going to say I'm running for office?!
Kyra walked beside her, as cool and collected as ever, attracting her own share of adoring gazes. Students moved out of her way like she was Moses parting the Red Sea. Myraa scowled up at her cousin. "Do you ever get tired of looking like a runway model while the rest of us look like exhausted raccoons?"
Kyra didn't break stride, her tailored uniform as perfect as her posture. "You're just jealous."
"Of what? The fact that people are practically writing poems about you in their notebooks?"
Kyra smirked. "Would you like me to read you a few? There's a rather dramatic one about how my eyes 'pierce the soul like a blade of ice.'"
Myraa groaned. "You're impossible."
---
The Encounter with Reina Reizei
Homeroom had barely begun when the door slammed open, startling half the class.
Standing in the doorway was a tall, glamorous girl with golden-blonde hair styled in perfect waves. Her uniform was immaculate, but she wore it with an air of superiority that screamed, I own everything, including you.
She stepped inside like she was walking onto a stage, her gaze sweeping the room before locking onto Myraa. A smirk curled at her lips. "So. You're the infamous Myraa Reizei."
Myraa blinked. "Uh… yeah?"
The girl tilted her head, her piercing blue eyes narrowing slightly. "Hmph. I've heard a lot about you." She strode forward, her heels clicking on the floor with unnerving precision, and stopped directly in front of Myraa's desk. "But I don't see what the fuss is about."
"Uh… thanks?" Myraa said, completely baffled.
The girl flipped her hair over her shoulder. "I'm Reina Reizei. Your cousin. The real Reizei heiress."
Another cousin? Seriously? Myraa thought, her brain struggling to keep up.
Reina's smirk widened, as if she could sense Myraa's confusion. "Don't worry. I'll make sure everyone remembers who's truly worthy of the Reizei name."
Before Myraa could respond, Reina turned on her heel and sauntered to the back of the classroom, leaving a trail of whispers in her wake.
"Did you hear that? Reina's jealous of Myraa!"
"This is going to be a showdown for the ages!"
"Poor Reina. She doesn't stand a chance."
What do they mean she doesn't stand a chance? Myraa thought, staring at the back of Reina's head. I'm not even trying to win anything!
From across the room, Kyra caught her eye and gave her a small, knowing smirk. Myraa glared at her. You could've warned me about her!
---
Lunch with the Knight
Myraa's lunch break started with another disaster. She'd barely opened her bento box when someone "accidentally" bumped into her, knocking her chopsticks to the floor.
"Oh no! I'm so sorry!" Reina said, her voice dripping with fake concern. She bent down to pick up the chopsticks, holding them out with a dazzling smile. "Here you go."
Myraa stared at her, suspicious. "Uh… thanks?"
Reina's smile didn't falter. "Of course! Anything for family."
As she walked away, Myraa noticed several students glaring at Reina, whispering things like, "How dare she insult Miss Myraa!" and "Reina's so obvious. Pathetic."
Before she could process what was happening, Kyra appeared, sliding into the seat across from her. "Having fun?"
"Oh, loads," Myraa deadpanned. "You didn't tell me I'd have to dodge a jealous cousin on top of everything else."
Kyra smirked, resting her chin on one hand. "If you can't handle Reina, you won't survive long here."
"Great. Thanks for the pep talk," Myraa muttered, stabbing a piece of tamagoyaki with her chopsticks.
Kyra chuckled. "You're doing fine."
Myraa narrowed her eyes. "Why are you always so calm? Does anything ever bother you?"
Kyra's smirk faded slightly, replaced by something softer. "Let's just say I've learned not to sweat the small stuff."
Myraa blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in tone. Before she could ask what Kyra meant, a group of students approached the table.
"Miss Myraa!" one of them said excitedly. "Would you like to join our study group? We'd be honored to have you!"
"Oh, uh…" Myraa hesitated, glancing at Kyra for help.
"She'll consider it," Kyra said smoothly, giving the students a look that sent them scurrying away, giggling.
Myraa sighed, slumping in her seat. "Why is everyone treating me like I'm some kind of celebrity?"
Kyra's smirk returned. "Because you are. Welcome to your new life, Princess."
---
A Prank Gone Wrong (or Right?)
The afternoon passed in a blur of awkward encounters and whispered rumors. By the time gym class rolled around, Myraa was ready to disappear into the floor.
Unfortunately, Reina had other plans.
During a relay race, Reina "accidentally" stuck her foot out, causing Myraa to trip and go sprawling onto the track. Gasps filled the air, and several students rushed to her side.
"Are you okay, Miss Myraa?!"
"Someone get the nurse!"
"Reina's going too far!"
Myraa, embarrassed but otherwise fine, waved them off. "I'm okay! Seriously! It's no big deal!"
Reina, standing nearby, crossed her arms and huffed. "Oh, please. It was an accident. Don't be so dramatic."
But the damage was done. By the end of the day, rumors about Reina's "jealousy" had spread like wildfire, and students were rallying around Myraa like she was a hero.
"Reina's losing her touch."
"Myraa handled it so gracefully! She's amazing!"
"Miss Myraa for student council president!"
---
Back at the Estate
That evening, Myraa collapsed onto her bed, groaning into the silk pillows. "Why is this my life now?"
Kyra, sitting in a chair nearby, smirked over the top of her book. "You should be flattered. Everyone adores you."
"I don't want to be adored!" Myraa snapped, rolling onto her back. "I just want to survive without tripping over my own feet!"
Kyra chuckled. "You're doing better than you think."
"Really?" Myraa said dryly. "Because it feels like I'm living in a circus."
Kyra closed her book and stood, her long hair falling over her shoulder. "Get some rest. You'll need your energy for tomorrow."
"For what? More disasters?"
Kyra's smirk returned. "Something like that."
As Kyra left the room, Myraa groaned, burying her face in her hands. "I'm going to die here," she muttered.