Charisma 100: My Academy Life As A Heartbreaking Commoner-Chapter 162: Deal

Aegis crept forward, keeping low behind the underbrush.

Scarlett and Kanna followed, moving quietly enough that Aegis almost forgot they were there. Through the gaps in the foliage, she could make out the hunting party more clearly now.

Four figures. Three she didn’t recognize—nobles in expensive hunting leathers, armed with bows and rapiers.

And one she absolutely did recognize.

Short pink hair. Blue eyes. A body that moved like she owned every square inch of ground she walked on.

Serilla Frost.

[Of course. Of course it’s her. Because the universe apparently thinks my life needs more chaos.]

Aegis watched as Serilla pointed toward something ahead, saying something to her companions that made them nod like obedient puppies.

They were tracking something. Moving with purpose.

[Please tell me they’re not after the same thing we are. Please.]

But as Aegis followed their sightline, her stomach dropped.

There, jutting from a rocky outcropping maybe a hundred yards ahead, was a crystalline formation that caught the sunlight and glowed like someone had stuffed a rainbow inside it.

The Singing Crystal.

And Serilla’s party was heading straight for it.

"Fuck," Aegis breathed.

Scarlett leaned close, whispering.

"Oh, shit. Is that Serilla?"

"Yep."

"What in the fuck is she doing here?"

"Probably, somehow, here for the same reason you and I are."

Scarlett nodded slightly.

"Should we just fight them for it?"

Aegis grabbed Scarlett’s arm before she could stand up and start swinging.

"No. This needs to be handled carefully."

"Why? We got here first... Technically. Probably."

"Because starting a brawl with other nobles causes political problems I don’t need right now. I’m already on thin ice with half the city."

Kanna spoke quietly from behind them.

"They’ve seen us."

Aegis looked up. Serilla was staring directly at their hiding spot, a knowing smile on her face that screamed ’I see you, dumbass.’

[Shit.]

Aegis stood slowly, hands visible and non-threatening.

Scarlett and Kanna flanked her, both tense and ready to throw down at a moment’s notice.

Serilla walked forward with that infuriating confidence of hers, hips swaying like she was on a runway instead of in a monster-infested forest. Her companions stayed back but kept hands on weapons.

"Well, well. Lady Starcaller. What a pleasant surprise."

"Serilla."

"Out for a morning hunt?"

"Something like that."

Serilla’s eyes flicked to the crystal formation behind her, then back to Aegis with a look that was pure mischief.

"How fascinating. We’re hunting the same thing."

"So it would seem."

They stood there, measuring each other. The air between them practically crackled—not just from the situation, but from everything unspoken. All that sexual tension and rivalry bundled up into one awkward standoff.

Finally, Serilla laughed.

"You know, most people would have tried sneaking past me. Or attacking while they thought they had surprise. But you just... stood up and said hello."

"You already know I’m not most people."

"No." Serilla’s smile widened. "You’re really not."

She took a step closer. Then another. Until they were almost nose-to-nose, close enough that Aegis could smell her perfume.

"So. How do you propose we handle this? There’s only one crystal, and both of us want it."

"We could cooperate."

"Cooperate." Serilla said it like Aegis had just suggested they start a book club. "You mean split it?"

"I mean figure out a solution that doesn’t involve bloodshed and me explaining to Headmistress Valdris why I got into a fight in the woods."

"How very diplomatic of you." Serilla’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "But I’m not feeling particularly diplomatic today."

Behind Aegis, Scarlett shifted her weight, ready to draw her sword.

Behind Serilla, her companions tensed up, hands tightening on weapon hilts.

But then Serilla’s expression changed. Thoughtful. Calculating. Like she’d just figured out the solution to a puzzle.

"Actually, I have a better idea. Walk with me."

"What?"

Serilla gestured away from both groups.

"A private conversation. Just you and me. Your muscle stays, mine stays. We talk like civilized people instead of territorial animals. Ah, I suppose you’re not used to how nobles do things, huh?"

Aegis glanced back. Scarlett looked like she wanted to argue. Kanna was clearly fine with whatever Aegis chose.

"Fine."

They walked away from the others, far enough that they couldn’t be easily overheard but still within eyeshot.

Serilla leaned against a tree, arms crossed under her tits in a way that was absolutely deliberate.

"So. The Summer Auction. You’re going, I assume?"

Aegis sighed.

"That’s what this whole trip is about. Need the crystal for my offering."

"Mm. Same here, actually. Well, not the crystal specifically. But I need something impressive to present." She examined her nails like this was all casual small talk. "Father’s standards are annoyingly high."

"And?"

"And I have a proposal." Serilla’s lips curved into a smile that promised trouble. "I’ll give you the crystal. Right now. No fight, no contest. You can have it."

Aegis’s eyes narrowed.

"What’s the catch?"

"You attend the Summer Auction as my date."

The words hung in the air for a beat or two.

Aegis blinked.

"What?"

"You heard me. Be my date. My plus-one. My... arm candy for the evening~" Serilla said it like she was asking Aegis to pass the salt.

"Why?"

Serilla pushed off the tree, circling Aegis slowly like a predator sizing up prey.

"Meh. On one hand, you’ll likely be the most interesting part of that whole event. I’d rather not be bored out of my skull listening to nobles drone on about trade agreements and bloodlines all night."

"That’s it?" Aegis asked.

Serilla stopped directly in front of her again, close enough that Aegis could feel the heat coming off her body.

"And, you’re quickly becoming the hottest story in Rosevale. Tournament winner. New noble. Scandal magnet. Everyone wants to know about you, talk about you, be associated with you."

"And you want to capitalize on that."

"I want to share in it, yes. Is that so terrible? You get my crystal. I get to soak up some of your notoriety. Win-win."

Aegis studied her face. As far as she could tell, Serilla was being genuine.

[She’s not lying. Or at least, not entirely lying. But there’s something else. Something she’s not saying.]

"What about Liora?"

Serilla pulled back a bit.

"I love Liora, but you think I’m going to bring a commoner to a noble event? Do you think me a fool?"

[She’s right. That would be stupid.]

Aegis felt a headache coming on.

"This is a terrible idea."

"Probably."

"If Talia sees us acting like a couple, she’ll probably burn us to death."

"Almost certainly."

"And you’re still asking?"

Serilla stepped even closer. Their bodies were nearly touching now, and Aegis could feel her cock starting to take interest in the situation.

"I am. Because despite everything—the politics, the complications, the absolute circus that surrounds you—I... genuinely enjoy your company. And I think the feeling is mutual."

She reached up, fingers tracing along Aegis’s jaw.

"Besides, you owe me a proper date after that masquerade. You fucked me senseless and then ghosted me for weeks."

"I didn’t ghost you. I’ve been busy building a noble house from scratch."

"Yes, yes, busy building your little empire. I’m aware." Serilla’s thumb brushed across Aegis’s lower lip. "So. What do you say? One night as my date, and the crystal is yours. Surely, you can tolerate that much, can’t you?"

Aegis’s mind raced.

[Pros: I get the crystal. I don’t have to fight. I avoid political complications from attacking other nobles in broad daylight.]

She paused.

[Cons: Talia will be furious. Liora too, probably. And I’ll be spending an entire evening navigating whatever game Serilla is playing.]

She looked away.

[But... if I say no, I have to fight for the crystal. Which means potential injuries, definitely scandal, and possibly losing the crystal anyway if Serilla’s party is as skilled as they look.]

She met Serilla’s eyes.

"One condition."

"Oh?"

"This is just business. We go as dates, we play nice, we make our appearances. But I’m not exclusive to you. Not during the auction, not after."

Serilla scowled a little, crossing her arms.

"But you will be."

Aegis’s brows shot up.

"Will I?"

"Of course. I do have it on good authority that I’m difficult to get over." Serilla smirked. "But, fine. You want to pretend like you don’t want to wake up in my bed every morning, go right ahead."

"Then we have a deal."

Serilla grinned like she’d just won something.

"Excellent."

She grabbed Aegis by the collar and pulled her into a kiss.

It was aggressive, possessive, the kind of kiss designed to stake a claim and make a point. Aegis kissed back despite herself, one hand finding Serilla’s hip and squeezing.

When they broke apart, Serilla was slightly breathless, her cheeks flushed.

"Two weeks. Don’t stand me up, Starcaller."

"Wouldn’t dream of it."

They walked back to their respective groups.

Serilla’s companions looked confused as she gestured for them to move out.

"We’re leaving?" one of them asked.

"Change of plans. Let Lady Starcaller have this one."

"But—"

"I said we’re leaving." The authority in her voice left no room for argument, all noble command and zero patience.

They departed, Serilla throwing one last look over her shoulder at Aegis before disappearing into the trees.

Scarlett stared at Aegis.

"What the fuck just happened?"

"I made a deal."

"What kind of deal?"

"The kind that gets us the crystal without fighting."

"And what do we have to give in return?"

Aegis sighed.

"My dignity, mostly."