Charisma 100: My Academy Life As A Heartbreaking Commoner-Chapter 161: Rendevouz

{Talia}

Talia wanted to stab Darius Goldspire with an ice spike.

Right through the eye. Quick, clean, satisfying.

She imagined it in vivid detail as he laughed at something her mother said—the way the ice would form, sharp and gleaming, the moment it would pierce through his smug face, the shocked expression as his brain realized it was dying.

She hadn’t been this analytical about murder since she fantasized about burning Aegis alive.

"Talia, dear?"

She blinked, returning to reality.

Her mother, Duchess Evangeline Stone, was looking at her with that smile. The one that meant Talia had fucked up in some form or fashion.

"I’m sorry, what?"

"Lord Darius was asking about your favorite flowers. For the wedding arrangements."

"We’re not engaged yet," Talia said flatly.

"A formality," Darius said, reaching across the table to pat her hand. "I’m confident you will see reason soon enough."

Talia pulled her hand back.

"How presumptuous of you."

"Talia." Her mother’s voice carried warning.

Darius just smiled wider.

"I admire your spirit, truly. It’s one of the many reasons I’m drawn to you."

[I’m going to freeze his balls off. Slowly. While he watches.]

The dinner continued.

Course after course of expensive food Talia barely tasted. Darius’s parents, Lord and Lady Goldspire, were just as insufferable as their son, all carefully practiced charm and thinly veiled arrogance.

They discussed trade agreements. Political alliances. The upcoming Summer Auction.

Her mother steered every topic back to the wedding.

"I was thinking early autumn," Evangeline said, cutting into her roasted quail. "The weather is perfect, and it gives us time to plan something truly spectacular."

"Autumn weddings are traditional for House Stone, aren’t they?" Lady Goldspire asked.

"Indeed. Talia’s grandmother was married in autumn. As was her great-grandmother before that."

"How lovely. Continuity is so important in noble houses."

Talia gripped her fork hard enough to hurt.

[They’re talking about my wedding like I’m not even here. Like I’m a piece of furniture they’re arranging.]

Darius caught her eye, still smiling that perfect smile.

"What do you think, Talia? Autumn? Or would you prefer spring?"

"I’d prefer not to discuss this at all."

"Now, now," her mother said. "Let’s not be difficult."

"I’m not being difficult. I’m being honest."

"Honesty without tact is cruelty," her mother replied. "Something you’d do well to remember."

Talia’s jaw clenched.

The rest of dinner passed in agonizing slowness. By the time dessert arrived—some elaborate chocolate thing she didn’t touch—Talia felt ready to explode.

Finally, blessedly, the meal ended.

"Why don’t the young people take a walk in the gardens?" Lady Goldspire suggested. "Such a beautiful evening."

[No. Please, no.]

"What a wonderful idea," her mother said.

Darius stood, offering his arm.

"Shall we?"

Talia ignored the arm, standing on her own.

"Fine."

They walked outside, her parents and his parents watching from the terrace like hawks.

The garden was beautiful—perfectly manicured hedges, flowering plants arranged in elaborate patterns, stone pathways winding through it all.

Talia hated it.

Too perfect. Too controlled. Just like everything else in her life.

Darius walked beside her, hands clasped behind his back.

"You know, you don’t have to make this so much harder than it needs to be."

"You’re the one pursuing a marriage I don’t want."

"Your mother wants it. Your father wants it. It’s good for both our houses."

"What about what I want?"

"You’ll come around."

Talia stopped walking, turning to face him.

"No. I won’t."

Darius’s smile finally slipped, just for a moment.

"You’re still thinking about her, aren’t you? That commoner. Starcaller."

"Don’t."

"I heard recently she vandalized her own manor for attention. Desperate, if you ask me."

Talia’s magic flared. Ice crystals formed in the air around her hands.

Darius stepped back, eyes widening slightly.

"Careful, princess. Wouldn’t want to cause a scene."

She forced the magic down, forced herself to breathe.

"I need some air."

"We’re outside."

"Alone."

She walked away before he could respond, moving deeper into the garden until she was sure she was out of sight.

Talia found a bench tucked behind a tall hedge and sat, dropping her head into her hands.

This was a nightmare. An actual waking nightmare.

"Talia?"

She looked up.

Liora stood a few feet away, wearing a simple but elegant dress. Her blonde hair was pinned up, exposing her neck.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Talia asked.

"I was invited. Apparently I’m a ’potential bride’ for Darius’s younger brother."

Talia’s stomach dropped.

"What?"

"Transparent political move, really. I’m your friend. I’m guessing they figured if they could somehow rope me into this detail, you’d be easier to convince."

"And you agreed to this?"

Liora sat beside her on the bench.

"I came. I listened to their pitch. I said no."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that. Perks of being a commoner." She smiled slightly. "Well, scholarship student. Close enough."

Talia felt something loosen in her chest.

"Unfortunately, I can’t just say no."

"I know."

They sat in silence for a moment, the sound of distant conversation drifting from the terrace.

"He said Aegis vandalized her own manor," Talia said quietly.

"I heard that rumor too."

"Do you believe it?"

Liora considered.

"Not really, no. Aegis is a lot of things, clever being one of them. If she wanted attention, she could do way better than busting up her manor."

"I agree." Talia sighed. "I hate this," Talia said finally. "All of it. The expectations. The politics. The constant performance." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"I know."

Liora’s hand found hers, fingers intertwining.

They sat like that, holding hands in the garden, hidden behind hedges from the world that wanted to control them.

Then Liora turned, cupping Talia’s face with her free hand.

"On the bright side, we have maybe ten minutes before someone comes looking."

Talia turned to face her.

"Then... perhaps we shouldn’t waste them."

"... Perhaps."

They locked eyes. A beat of silence passed.

Liora kissed her.

Not gentle. Not sweet. Desperate and hungry and real.

Talia kissed back, her hands sliding into Liora’s hair, pulling her closer. All the frustration and anger from dinner poured into it, into the slide of lips and tongues and teeth.

Liora’s back hit the hedge. Talia pressed against her, one hand braced on the leaves, the other gripping Liora’s hip.

"Talia," Liora gasped between kisses. "Someone might see."

"Let them."

She kissed down Liora’s neck, biting gently at the junction of shoulder and throat. Liora’s fingers dug into Talia’s back.

"Fuck."

Talia dropped to her knees.

"What are you—"

"Lift your dress."

Liora stared down at her, eyes wide.

"We’re in a garden."

"I know where we are."

"Your parents—"

"Are on the other side of the estate. Now lift your dress or I’ll do it for you."

Liora’s breathing quickened. She gathered her skirt, pulling it up to her waist.

Talia hooked her fingers into Liora’s underwear, dragging it down. Liora stepped out of it, one hand braced against the hedge for balance.

Talia leaned forward, pressing her mouth between Liora’s legs.

Liora’s gasp was loud in the quiet garden.

Talia worked methodically, using her tongue and lips. She knew exactly what Liora liked, exactly how to make her fall apart.

Liora’s free hand tangled in Talia’s hair, pulling almost painfully.

"Talia, I—oh fuck—"

Talia didn’t stop. Didn’t slow. Just kept going until Liora’s thighs trembled, until her breathing turned ragged, until she bit her own hand to muffle the sounds she was making.

Liora came hard, her whole body shaking with it.

Talia pulled back, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

She stood, and Liora immediately kissed her, tasting herself on Talia’s lips.

"You’re insane," Liora said when they finally broke apart.

"I know."

They straightened their clothes, trying to look presentable. Liora’s face was flushed, her hair slightly mussed despite her attempts to fix it.

"There’s no way we’re getting away with this," Liora said.

"Probably not."

But neither of them seemed to care.

They walked back toward the terrace, maintaining a careful distance between them.

Darius was waiting near the entrance, his expression unreadable.

"There you are. I was beginning to think you’d gotten lost."

"Just needed some air," Talia said.

"Mm. And you, Miss Vale?"

"Same."

His eyes flicked between them, calculating.

"How convenient. Well, our parents are asking for us."

They followed him back inside.

The rest of the evening crawled by. More small talk, more planning, more subtle pressure from all sides.

Finally, mercifully, it ended.

Talia returned to her room at the Stone estate, closing the door and leaning against it.

A letter sat on her desk.

She recognized her mother’s handwriting on the envelope.

Talia opened it with a sense of dread.

Dearest Talia,

I trust this evening’s dinner went well. Lord and Lady Goldspire are quite taken with you, as they should be.

I wanted to inform you of an upcoming engagement—the Summer Auction, two weeks hence. You will be attending, of course, and I expect you to conduct yourself with the dignity befitting House Stone.

This is an excellent opportunity to strengthen our alliances and forge new connections. To that end, I must insist that you focus your attention on appropriate company. Lord Darius, certainly. Perhaps some of the visiting nobility from the southern provinces.

It would be... unwise to associate too closely with certain individuals of questionable status. I trust you understand my meaning.

With love,

Mother

Talia read it twice.

Then she crumpled it in her fist.

[Stay away from Aegis. That’s what she means. Make "new connections." Find someone appropriate.]

She threw the letter across the room.

It hit the wall and fell to the floor, forgotten.

Talia stood there, fists clenched, ice magic crackling around her fingers without conscious thought.

Talia extinguished the ice magic with effort, forcing herself to breathe.

[Fine. I’ll attend their stupid auction. I’ll smile and play nice and do what’s expected.]

She walked to her window, looking out at the darkened gardens.

[But I’m not staying away from Aegis. Not for mother. Not for anyone.]