Rica stormed out of a café, her frustration rising as she thought back to the events that occured in the class. "Why is she defending him?!" She stomped her foot on the ground as she heaved in anger. She clenched her fists until they turned white from the intensity.

  She took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly, attempting to calm herself. With each exhale her anger slowly subsided. She had went out with Amanda and the new commoner kid who's aparently a big shot since he managed to kill the exam boss that even Amanda got eliminated by. She didn't mind his presence. She wasn't like some nobles, discriminating against commoners for their roots.

  They're even better than you assholes, if they made it without any support from their families. Rica huffed as she walked around in the streets of Peia. She had plans with a friend of hers, and currently she was walking to her destination. "I need to check up on her. Hopefully she doesn't miss our hang out like last time." A concerned look crossed her face as she recalled memories of her last supposed meetup with that friend of hers.

  "Her state's been getting worse lately... She won't tell me anything that's going on." She frowned slightly. Her face expressed worry as she walked. Her pace had slowed since she had calmed her nerves.

  "Also... that blonde girl back then..." Rica recalled the girl that defended Adam. But, she was no longer angry, but curious and slightly suspicious. "What's someone from the Centum kingdom doing here?" She furrowed her brows. Rica was not one to be messed with in terms of geography and history and even current world knowledge. She knew the newest of happenings and the oldest of events.

  So she was aware of the offspring heriditary system the Centum empire followed. The king of the Centum kingdom. She could tell from Regina's blood red eyes and blonde hair. They were distinct features of every offspring of the king of the Centum empire. Meaning she was an offspring as well.

  Every single child of the king had similar features that may differentiate in hue and shade, but remained the same nontheless. Blonde hair and red eyes. The king's genes were strong, they left a pattern on any child that he conceived. King Silos Domina. She placed a hand on her chin. Why would he send a child of his to the stellar empire to receive education in Prism when they were all homeschooled?

  Rica truly wondered. The Centum empire followed a strict code that it operated with. It was called the selective hereditary system. The current king would marry hundreds of concubines to conceive children with all of them. The result would be hundreds of offsprings. It was not a well-looked upon system. But, it was functional.

  The children would go through a homeschool specialised system, the children could choose to not participate of their own accord but most choose to participate. Rica had the fortunate chance to take a look at the schooling system of that kingdom and to say the least, it was not easy.

  There were ranks between the kids. The oldest of the bunch would be considered the crown prince or princess until they were outshined by another more promising offspring. It is a battle between hundreds of half-siblings with the same father. Of course, in the case that a female candidate succeeds the throne. She would be wed and conceive an offspring until a male is born. That male would go on to repeat the cycle.

  And Regina fit the description of the offsprings of the Domina family. Of course, fitting the description isn't exactly a way to confirm. But, Rica had already checked the student checklist and saw Regina's last name. That all but confirmed it. But, it only made more questions rise in Rica's mind.

  Why would she be here? Did she escape the family? Did something happena at the Centum kingdom that I'm not aware of? Did she refuse the right to participate in the battle for succession?

  Rica pondered, and it didn't take long before she found herself in front of a store with a sign that read. Quil's café. She had been deep in thought and now she was at her destination already. She took in a deep breath before walking into the café. She was immediately greeted by the smell of coffee beans. The comforting aroma alluring her to walk even further inside.

  She smiled. The atmosphere of the café was relaxing and tranquile. She could sleep here if she had a pillow. But, she was here to meet someone. Her eyes surveyed the seats and the tables, searching for a certain someone. Until, finally she spotted her. "Emily~!"

  Long black silky smooth hair fell on her shoulders. Blue crystals moved to glance back at Rica. The girl froze before she tried her best to force a smile. "R-Rica... It's been a while..." She spoke in a weak, trembling voice.

  Rica frowned as she searched Emily's face. The latter girl had eyebags under her eyes, tear traces were clearly visible on her cheeks. It seemed Emily noticed Rica's gaze as she wiped her cheeks clean. "S-sorry... I was... Busy." She shifted her gaze elsewhere.

  "You were crying again weren't you? I told you to stop thinking and wasting tears for a bastard like him Emily." She placed her hands on her friend's shoulders and squeezed, the gesture reassuring and comoforting.

  But Emily felt none of it... It's not because of him... She felt like rocks were stuck in her throat as she tried to speak but couldn't. "I..." She simply remained quiet.

  Rica sighed. "It's fine. Let's go, order whatever you want. I'll pay." Rica gripped her by the hand, their fingers interlocking as she walked with her in tow. "Royal class students get things for free in Peia." She turned back with a grin directed at Emily. "So go all out!" She chuckled softly as she helped Emily down onto the soft cushioned seats.

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  She then proceeded to sit down herself on the seat. She leaned her chin on her hands as she regarded Emily with a smile. "So, how have you been lately?" She asked, a hint of concern flashing across her face, overshadowing the reassuring smile for a moment.

  Emily avoided her gaze, as if the reassuring look only made her guilt rise. "I... I've been well..." She spoke while trying her best to make it as convincing as possible. She failed greatly at that as Rica was definitely not buying her act. The way her voice trembled was a clear giveaway.

  Rica's expression shifted, turning unreadable before she released a sigh. "Listen... Emily..." She regarded her friend with a serious and worried gaze. "I know you don't want to tell me what's going on... Or what is happening. But please. Just give me one thing. I'm asking for only one thing from you Emily..." Rica leaned forward.

  Emily gulped as she leaned back, distancing herself from Rica's probing gaze. "I want you to smile... A genuine smile..." Rica finished as she continued holding Emily's eyes in her gaze. "Just once."

  Emily's eyes widened slightly as her lips parted. She met her friend's gaze... I can do this for my friend... Right? She gulped, shuffling her feet and fidgetting with her fingers. "I-I'll try..." She said and for a moment a look of determination crossed her face.

  She faced Rica fully now and she tried her hardest to pull on her facial muscles. Attempting to curl her lips upwards but it was just too hard. Sweat rolled down the side of her head and she made a strange face.

  Rica stared at her blankly. "That just makes you look like you're constepated." She said without missing a beat. Emily stopped her attempt swiftly after. Her face flushing, turning beet red like a tomato. She snapped her gaze down, feeling embarrassment, she just wanted to bury her face in the ground like an ostrage of the east.

  She started releasing small squeeky noises that sounded like a mouse. "Hahahahaha!" Rica burst into a fit of laughter and that didn't help Emily's embarrassment. "Don't worry~ I'm just kidding girl!" She patted Emily's shoulder gently. "You should learn how to crack a joke every once in a while. Maybe it'll help you learn how to smile!" She continued chuckling.

  Emily looked up at Rica's laughing form. And for a moment, her embarrassment subsided and all that remained was... A feeling of satisfaction. I made her laugh... She didn't know it yet but her lips were slowly curling upwards, it was instinctive and before she knew it, she was already smiling. It was the smallest smile though.

  However, it didn't go unnoticed by Rica. The brown haired girl's smile widened and she released a sigh of relief. "Rica... Thank you..." Emily mumbled under her breath. She needed this. This moment of reprieve, desperately. She didn't know what she would do without her dear friend.

  "Don't even worry about it girl~" She placed a hand over her friend's hand and smiled at her. "We should stick together!" Her smile widened even more. Rica was happy. She was happy that Emily could rely on her like this. Her eyes searched Emily's for any hint of remaining sadness but all she found was contentment. A feeling of satisfaction filled her heart to the brim.

  "So, how is your first day of class been?" Rica asked abruptly after a few moments. At the mention of classes Emily froze. Her expression turning slightly somber as she shifted her gaze to the side.

  "It went... Fine." She said, trying to calm her nerves as best she could.

  "Lucky you!" Rica exclaimed. It seemed she didn't notice Emily's shift of mood... "I ended up with the Illusio bastard. Ugh! I hate his guts... Especially for what he did to you!" She gritted her teeth at the reminder of Adam's response to her and how he had responded so calmly, like her words meant nothing... Emily's lips trembled slightly. She's always hated him like that... A feeling of guilt bubbled up in her chest, pleading for freedom.

  "Also, I think he's got another girl wrapped around his fingers again..." Rica mentioned on a whim. "Like, ho-"

  "What?!" Emily slammed her palms onto the table, rattling the water glasses on top. Her eyes were wide open, her breath held as she felt an uneasy feeling creeping up her throat. Her heart rammed against her chest rapidly. She didn't even bother with the stares of the other patreons that would normally have her squirming, hiding her face in shame.

  "What do you mean another girl?!" She exclaimed as she leaned closer. Her eyes, desperate for knowledge.

  Rica was taken aback by Emily's outburst. Her eyes wide as she stared at Emily's face in complete shock. "W-woah..." Emily seemed to realize her outburst and sat back down. Her face flushing again but she kept her gaze on Rica's face. "Please tell me what this is about..." Emily clenched her fists until they turned white, her tone lower now that she was calm. Her fingers sinking into the wooden handle of the cushioned seating.

  Unnoticed by anyone. The armrests slowly started caving in under the pressure of her clenched fists. The wood, breaking apart. She did it so effortlessly that she didn't even notice.

  "uhh... There's this girl in class with us... When I was arguing with him, she butted in and started defending him." Rica scratched the back of her head. "Honestly, the bastard has the looks... So I think she really likes him." She finished, glancing up at Emily, trying to gauge her reaction.

  Is she really worried he might hurt another girl?... Yeah, that must be it... She's worried that he might make even more victims like her. Rica's face turned into that of admiration as she stared at Emily. What a saint!!!

  Emily bit her lower lip. The poor wooden armrest, already dented, caved in even more under the pressure. She bit her lower lip, her teeth sinking into the soft flesh. Did he move on? He couldn't have right? Actually... who am I kidding... He deserves to move on after what I did... A somber look crossed her face as she felt tears brewing in her eyes. She held them back by blinking rapidly.

  She took in a deep breath, the somber look. Replaced by a determined one. From what Rica said, it all sounds one sided. She didn't say anything about him liking her back... I can't give up yet...

  "Excuse me for the wait. What would you like to order?" Emily's trail of thought was interrupted by a boy with slicked back hair and an attire fit for a waiter. He held a tray in his hand as he offered them a customer service smile.

  Rica was also broken out of her trail of thought. But she was ready. She reached into her breast pocket and produced a badge with a symbol of two crossed torches with a star right above the flames. It was golden in colour. It was the badge that signified the royal class.

  "I would like a coffee and a small chocolate cake. What about you Emily?" Rica turned towards her friend. The black haired girl stammered, having been abruptly broken out of her trance of thought.

  "U-uh-uh I would like a coffee too..." She stammered out.

  Rica rolled her eyes with a sigh. "Get her a strawberry cheesecake and a hot coco." She spoke, her voice confident in the choice she picked for Emily. The latter girl, shy as ever, lowered her gaze, nodding in agreement.