Elysium: Desired by the Cold-hearted Princess [GL]-Chapter 33: A Bold Confrontation

Seraphina's pov

I took a deep, shaky breath, feeling my anxiety reach its peak. Today was the day I had been dreading since Electra had announced her archery team selection at the assembly.

Yuna advised that I told Electra that I didn't want to be a part of her team, and I agreed with her opinion eventually, but now that it was almost time to go ahead with the plan, the thought of standing up to Electra started to make my stomach churn.

I wasn't the type to know how to say no, especially not to someone like her. I glanced over at Yuna, who was standing in front of me and watching me with a concerned look on her face.

"Do you really think I can do this?" I asked, my voice barely audible and betraying the fear that clenched my insides.

Yuna sighed. "Honestly, Sera, I don't have a lot of faith in you. That's why I suggested approaching Electra in her class rather than privately. In public, she can't manipulate you as easily or have your tongue tied."

I rubbed my sweaty palms together, feeling the dampness on my skin. "But what if she gets really mad at me for publicly going against what she wants?"

She placed a hand on my shoulder. "Relax, sweetheart. We're going together, and nothing is going to happen. I don't think Electra will react publicly, and it's not like you're going to be rude about it. All you're going to do is refuse the position politely with a reasonable explanation and then leave the class without causing any ruckus."

I closed my eyes for a moment, running through the practice one more time in my head. "I have to do this," I murmured, more to myself than to Yuna. freёnovelkiss.com

Yuna nodded, giving me a small smile. "You can do this. I've got your back."

I took another deep breath, knowing very well that the courage I had managed to muster was flickering. "I think I'm ready now."

Yuna gave me a look that seemed to ask if I was absolutely sure, if I could really go through with it. I met her gaze and nodded firmly. "I'm sure. We better hurry up before the little courage I have evaporates."

She chuckled softly before taking my hands in hers. "Alright. Let's go before you change your mind."

I took a deep breath and tried to steady my nerves as Yuna and I walked through the halls, and my heart was pounding so hard I thought it might burst out of my chest at any moment.

The thought of confronting Electra made me want to curl up and hide, but Yuna's hand holding mine kept me moving forward. If it wasn't for her, I would have surely backed out by now and made up some excuse to avoid the encounter altogether, but this was my chance to prove to myself that I could stand up for what I wanted—or, more accurately, what I didn't want.

"Remember," Yuna said, glancing sideways at me as we approached the senior students' hall. "You're just going to be polite and explain that you don't want to be part of the team. Keep it simple, and don't let her intimidate you."

I nodded, though my palms were so sweaty it felt like I was holding onto a wet cloth instead of Yuna's hand. I wiped them on my skirt for what felt like the hundredth time, but it did nothing to help.

My nerves were getting the better of me, and I was starting to doubt that I could pull this off. What if she laughed at me? Or worse, what if she got angry and humiliated me in front of her entire class? The thought made my stomach churn.

Yuna squeezed my hand as if sensing my anxiety. "You've got this, Seraphina, and if she tries anything, I'm right here."

I took another deep breath as we finally reached the door to Electra's class. The hall was quieter here, and I could hear the low murmur of conversation from inside the classroom.

Yuna let go of my hand and gave me a small nod. "Go on," she whispered. "I'll wait by the door."

With trembling hands, I pushed the door open and stepped inside. The air in the room felt heavier than outside, and all eyes turned to me the moment I walked in.

It was a room full of older, more confident girls, and I felt like a rabbit stepping into a den of wolves.

My gaze shifted until I found Electra, who was lounging in her chair at the back of the class, looking as regal and intimidating as ever. Her eyes met mine, and a smirk curled her lips.

"Well, well," she drawled, tilting her head. "Look who decided to visit. To what do we owe the pleasure, Seraphina?"

My throat tightened, and for a moment, I couldn't find my voice. I glanced at Yuna, who was standing just outside the door, watching me with a look of encouragement. I swallowed hard, then turned back to Electra.

"I—I came to speak with you," I said, surprised by how small and shaky my voice sounded. I took a deep breath, willing myself to be stronger. "About the archery team."

Electra's smirk faded slightly, and she raised an eyebrow. The room fell into a tense silence as her friends exchanged knowing glances.

"Go on," Electra said, her tone carrying a hint of amusement, but there was an edge to it that made my skin prickle.

I took another deep breath. "I appreciate that you considered me for the team, but I'm not... I'm not the right person for it. I don't have any experience with archery, and I think it would be better if you chose someone else."

Electra's eyes narrowed slightly, and the smirk disappeared entirely. For a moment, the room felt as if it were holding its breath, and my legs felt weak, but I forced myself to stay upright and maintain eye contact, even as every instinct screamed at me to look away.

A slow, unsettling smile returned to her face, but this time it lacked the warmth of humor. "Is that so?" she said softly.

She stood up, the room seeming to shrink as she did. "Do you think I make mistakes, Seraphina?"

I felt a lump in my throat and quickly shook my head. "N-No, it's just that I'm not suited for—"

She raised a hand, cutting me off. "I chose you for a reason," she said, taking a step closer, her eyes boring into mine. "And I don't take kindly to people questioning my decisions, especially not publicly."

The room seemed to lean in, with every student watching the interaction with rapt attention. My heart was hammering in my chest, and I felt my palms dampen again, but Yuna's words echoed in my mind: You have to stand your ground.

"I—I'm sorry if it seems that way," I said, my voice shaking but steady enough. "But I have to be honest. I'm not prepared for this, and it wouldn't be fair to the team if I were part of it."

Electra's eyes darkened, and she took another step closer until she was standing right in front of me.

"Fair?" she repeated, her voice dangerously low as she walked closer to me. "You're worried about being fair?" She tilted her head slightly, her eyes never leaving mine. "How noble of you."

I felt the tremble in my body spread from my hands to my legs, and I wasn't sure if I could keep myself standing much longer.

Electra's piercing eyes were locked on mine, and each step she took toward me, even as I took several steps backwards, felt like the ground was shrinking beneath my feet.

My breath came in shallow, panicked gasps, and my mind screamed for me to move, to run, to do anything but stand there frozen, but no matter how loudly my instincts screamed, I was trapped, unable to speak or act.

"Are you sure you don't want to be on my team, Seraphina?" She was so close now that I could feel the heat radiating from her presence.

I opened my mouth to say something—anything—but the words refused to come out. My throat felt tight, like an invisible hand was squeezing it shut, and my vision blurred as tears pricked the corners of my eyes.

I tried to take another step back, but the wall behind me made it impossible. There was nowhere else to go.

Suddenly, a hand pushed in front of me, and before I knew it, Yuna was standing in front of me.

"She already said she's not interested," Yuna said. "Find someone else for your team."

Electra's eyes shifted from me to Yuna, and for a moment, I could almost hear the collective breath being held by everyone around us.

My own breathing hitched as I watched Electra's expression change—her frown deepening, a muscle in her jaw tightening.

Electra let out a long, slow breath, and it felt like the calm before the storm. "I'll think about letting her go," Electra finally said.

Yuna didn't flinch. "There's nothing to think about," she said. "Seraphina doesn't want to be on your team, and that's final."

Electra's eyes flashed with something dark, and for a moment, I was terrified she was going to do something reckless, but then she took a step back, the anger in her gaze retreating behind a look of composure.

A smirk curled the edge of her lips, one that sent a shiver down my spine.

Before I could process what had just happened, Yuna grabbed my hand, her grip tight. "Let's go," she whispered.

She pulled me away, guiding me out of the room, and I followed without resistance, my legs shaky and my heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst out of my chest.