Elysium: Desired by the Cold-hearted Princess [GL]-Chapter 71: Repercussions or maybe not?

Seraphina's Pov

Sitting across from Principal Astor in her private living room felt surreal. This wasn't just the typical office setup—it was the principal's personal space within the school grounds, and I'd been escorted here like some criminal.

In my eighteen years, I had never been in trouble with school authorities, not even a detention. I'd always been the "good girl," the pushover, the one who avoided conflict at all costs, but now, here I was, sitting stiffly in front of Principal Astor, mentally replaying every moment that had led to this.

Astor's face was a mixture of shock and disappointment as she stared at me, and the silence stretched on for far longer than I would have liked, making my stomach churn with anxiety.

My palms were clammy, and I was painfully aware of the heat creeping up my neck. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Astor spoke.

"Miss Seraphina Hook," she said, her voice firm, "I'd like you to explain to me why in the world you pulled your roommate Liana's hair to the point where she lost a noticeable amount, as well as why you broke another one of your roommate's Ashleigh's nose."

I let out a small sigh, trying to organize my thoughts, before responding. "Principal Astor," I began, my voice quieter than I wanted it to be. "I promise I didn't pull Liana's hair that hard. She's either lying, or she has really weak hair, and as for breaking Ashleigh's nose... that was an accident."

Astor's raised brow told me she wasn't buying it, so I continued quickly, feeling the need to justify myself. "Also, Liana insulted me first," I said, my voice shaking slightly. "I just wanted an apology, that's all. And as for Ashleigh—" I hesitated, feeling a lump rise in my throat. "She tried to attack me, and I simply defended myself from a two-on-one situation. I swung my elbow without thinking, and... it broke her nose. I promise I didn't hit her hard as well. She just has a really weak nose."

Astor's stern expression didn't waver, and I couldn't tell if she believed me or not. "Seraphina," she said, leaning forward slightly, "do you understand the gravity of what you've done? This isn't just a little spat. One girl is physically injured, and the other is claiming you assaulted her."

"I didn't assault her!" I protested, the words coming out sharper than I intended.

"I really didn't assault Liana," I insisted, trying to keep my voice steady. "All I did was demand an apology because she used an unpleasant word with me."

Astor rolled her eyes, leaning back into her chair with an air of exasperation. "Whether you like it or not, Miss Seraphina, your actions are considered assault under Elysium's code of conduct," she replied coolly. "And the punishment for such behavior is either permanent expulsion or several weeks of suspension, along with mandatory anger management classes."

I froze, my palms sweating as her words replayed in my mind: expulsion or suspension with anger management classes. My eyes widened as the reality of her words hit me, and I could feel my chest tighten with panic.

The thought of being expelled or suspended wasn't just terrifying—it was a death sentence.

I couldn't even fathom the idea of going back to Aldoria. I knew exactly how it would play out. Gianna would seize the opportunity to berate me endlessly, smirking with satisfaction as she delivered her usual lectures on how she had always known I was a disgrace.

My father wouldn't even bother to hear my side of the story; he'd lock me in my room for days on end, just like he used to with no food, no explanation. Just isolation.

The memories of those nights flooded my mind, and I shuddered.

I opened my mouth to plead, to apologize for whatever Astor thought I had done, but then something shifted in my mind—a thought, or maybe it was resistance. I wasn't sure where it came from, but it whispered only one word into my thoughts: Why?

Why was I the one being threatened with expulsion for standing up for myself? Why was I the one who had to beg for mercy when I'd been the one insulted in the first place? And most importantly, why did Astor think she could sit there so smugly, as if this wasn't just another way to keep the "lesser" students in their place?

I swallowed hard, and before I could stop myself, I blurted, "Would you have said the same thing if Electra were in my shoes?"

Astor's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, the room fell into a terribly tense silence. My heart raced, but I kept my gaze locked on hers, refusing to look away. If I was going down, I wasn't going to do it cowering.

Her lips curled into a faint, mocking smile. "What are you implying, Miss Hook?"

I clenched my fists, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'm implying that if it were Electra who demanded an apology, if it was Electra who had confronted someone for insulting her, I know for a fact that you wouldn't be sitting here threatening her with expulsion or suspension. You wouldn't dare. Am I right?"

The moment Principal Astor's eyes widened slightly, I knew I had struck a nerve. She seemed to be considering my words, her gaze flickering as though thinking of her response carefully.

Then, with an air of authority, she finally spoke, her tone laced with disbelief and condescension.

"Are you," she said, her voice sharp, "comparing your mere self with the princess of Elmeria?"

Without even realizing it, I scoffed, the sound slipping out before I could think better of it. The frustration I'd bottled up for so long was finally pouring out today, and even though I knew it was what had gotten me in trouble in the first place, I couldn't stop myself.

"From what I understand, Principal," I began, my voice shaking slightly but gaining strength with every word, "every student in this school is supposed to be considered an equal. Isn't that what the handbook says? That regardless of position, we're all to be judged accordingly?"

Astor's lips thinned as I continued. I didn't know where my courage was coming from, but I couldn't stop. "So if that's true," I added, my voice now firm, "shouldn't that mean no one gets special treatment? Or are you saying the rules are just suggestions when it comes to the princess?"

Astor's expression was unreadable, but still, I pressed on. "I may not be royalty," I said, my chest tightening as the words came out, "but I'm still the daughter of someone important, so by your logic, I should be allowed to break noses if I please. After all," I added with a pointed look, "the princess got away with an offense that falls directly under attempted murder, so why can't I get away with breaking one person's nose?"

The moment the words left my mouth, my heart began to pound.

'What am I doing?' I mentally asked myself. Had I lost my mind completely? I was challenging the principal of one of the most prestigious schools in all of the seven kingdoms—and over Electra Vale of all people.

For a moment, silence filled the room again, and I half-expected Astor to explode in anger, to yell at me for my insolence, or to threaten me with expulsion. Instead, to my utter shock, she leaned back in her chair and let out a dark, loud laugh that echoed through the living room.

"Well, well," she said finally, a sly smile tugging at her lips. "Who would've thought that Seraphina Hook had such a knack for negotiation?"