CHAPTER 259: DOING THEIR BEST

The next day came...

Alaric woke early, the pre-dawn light just beginning to filter through his window. He’d slept well despite the late planning session, mind already shifting into the day’s priorities.

The second debate was in two days. Everything hinged on their performance there.

He dressed, reviewed his notes one final time, then headed down to breakfast.

The dining hall was less crowded this early, mostly the students who rose before dawn to study or train. Alaric grabbed his food and claimed a quiet corner table.

He’d barely taken three bites when Oliver appeared, looking considerably less awake.

"Morning," Oliver mumbled, dropping into the seat across from him. "Why are you up so early?"

"Work to do."

Oliver studied him for a moment, then shook his head. "You know, most people would be stressed out of their minds helping run someone’s campaign while maintaining perfect grades in. You just... do it."

"Stress is unproductive."

"Spoken like someone who’s never actually experienced it." Oliver took a bite of his breakfast. "So, the debate’s coming up. How’s the ice princess handling the pressure?"

"She doesn’t experience pressure either."

"Of course she doesn’t." Oliver grinned. "You two are perfect for each other. Both completely emotionless and terrifying."

Alaric gave him a flat look.

"See? That. Right there. Terrifying." Oliver pointed his fork at him. "Normal people would at least pretend to have feelings about their fiancée."

"I have feelings."

"Name one."

"Respect for her competence."

Oliver laughed. "That doesn’t count!"

Their conversation was interrupted by a commotion near the entrance.

Alaric glanced over and saw Aurelia Glimor entering with her usual entourage, three students who seemed to orbit her constantly. She moved through the dining hall with that same effortless grace, students parting naturally to let her pass.

But this time, she didn’t head directly to her usual table.

She stopped.

Right beside Alaric and Oliver’s table.

Oliver’s eyes went wide. He suddenly became very interested in his breakfast, head down, trying to be invisible.

Aurelia’s honey eyes fixed on Alaric.

"Alaric Glimor," she said, her voice carrying just enough to be heard by nearby tables. "I’ve been meaning to speak with you."

Alaric set down his fork, meeting her gaze calmly. "Aurelia."

"I hear you’ve been quite... active this past week. Having conversations. Planting seeds." Her lips curved in something that wasn’t quite a smile. "Helping a certain first-year with her campaign."

He raised a brow. "I talk to a lot of people. It’s called socializing."

"Is that what you call it?" She tilted her head slightly. "How interesting. Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re playing games you don’t fully understand."

The air around them grew tense. Students at nearby tables had stopped eating, watching.

"I understand enough," Alaric said evenly.

"Do you?" Aurelia leaned down slightly, placing one hand on the table. "You’re helping Verelia Rithvale challenge candidates with years more experience. With established support networks. With resources she can’t match." Her eyes gleamed. "That takes either admirable confidence or stupidity."

"Perhaps both."

She laughed.

"I like you," she said, straightening. "You don’t flinch. Most people do when I approach them." Her expression shifted, becoming more serious. "But liking someone doesn’t mean I’ll go easy on them."

"I wouldn’t expect you to."

"Good." She turned to leave, then paused. "Oh, and Alaric? Tell your fiancée that bloodlines and titles aren’t everything. But they’re not nothing either. She’d do well to remember that."

With that, she walked away, the other three students following her.

The dining hall slowly returned to normal volume, though whispers continued.

Oliver finally looked up, his face pale. "Did that just happen?"

"Yes."

"She basically just declared war on you. On both of you."

"She was always going to." Alaric returned to his breakfast. "Now it’s just official."

"You’re insane. You know that, right?" Oliver shook his head. "Going up against a Glimor. An actual main-line Glimor."

"She’s just a candidate like any other."

"She’s not though. That’s the point." Oliver leaned forward. "Alaric, be serious for a second. What happens if Verelia loses? What happens if you’ve put all this effort into backing the wrong person and Aurelia wins?"

Alaric considered the question.

"Then we adapt," he said simply. "But she’s not going to lose."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because we’re better prepared. And because Aurelia’s making the same mistake everyone else is, underestimating Verelia based on her age and demeanor."

"I hope you’re right." Oliver didn’t sound convinced.

They finished breakfast in relative quiet, though Alaric’s mind was already working through the new variable.

Aurelia had made her move. Direct confrontation, establishing dominance, sending a message.

Good.

That meant she saw Verelia as a real threat. Which meant their strategy was working.

Now they just had to maintain momentum through the debate.

Then he pushed those thoughts aside and began eating.

-----

Later, during the noon...

Alaric was walking through the corridor toward his next class when he spotted a familiar figure ahead.

Lyria, moving through the crowd. She carried her books clutched against her chest, eyes forward, not engaging with anyone.

On impulse, Alaric quickened his pace slightly, falling into step beside her.

"Morning," he said.

Lyria’s step faltered, just for a fraction of a second. Then she continued walking, her expression unchanged.

"Good morning," she replied quietly.

They walked in silence for a few steps.

"You seemed tense in class yesterday," Alaric observed. "During the practical exercise."

"Did I?" Her tone was neutral, giving nothing away.

"When Professor Ashton called on you for the demonstration. You hesitated."

Lyria’s grip on her books tightened slightly. "I was... thinking through the technique."

"You performed it perfectly after that."

"I usually do."

Another few steps of silence.

"You’re very good at hiding things," Alaric said quietly.

That made her stop. She turned to look at him, those purple eyes finally meeting his directly. For a moment, something flickered there.

"So are you," she said softly.

Then she turned and continued walking, leaving him standing in the corridor.

Alaric watched her go, filing away that exchange.