The night should have ended on a high note after that, but just as the wards bid good night to their respective guardians, it was around this time that Gaël's phone rang, and all eyes were on him as they heard Gaël mention a familiar name.
Emilia Moretti was one of the most famous and wealthiest werewolf princesses in the world, and rumors had been rife about a possibly strategic marriage between the two. It had come to a point that Jean Luc himself had asked his brother about whether the news had any truth to them, and Gaël, in his usual blunt manner, had simply said he would only remarry if he found someone whose
sangferia was a near-perfect match with his blood.
There was no line that Gaël would be unwilling to cross if it enabled him to better defend his family, and everyone knew that Gaël had long stopped caring about whether other people viewed his actions as disgraceful or amoral. Protecting House Bellecourt from all threats was Gaël's priority, and though Juliette knew this herself—-
It didn't do anything to lessen the pain, and Juliette struggled to keep her face blank as Gaël excused himself from the table. Emilia Moretti was the kind of woman any preter would be lucky to marry, and if Gaël did end up wanting the princess to be his bride, it was Juliette's duty as her ward to be happy for him.
Right?
Just thinking about her guardian marrying someone else was too much, and Juliette mumbled an incoherent excuse before leaving in a hurry.
By the time Gaël returned to the dining room, he was more puzzled than offended when he saw his brothers frowning his way. "What?"
Then do it again.
Juliette waved as soon as she spotted Aprilynne's familiar figure briskly enter the university's dining hall. Even though the older girl, whose long hair was pulled back in her usual ponytail, looked anything but elegant in her favorite oversized shirt and jeans, Aprilynne still carried herself with an air of self-assurance that was befitting the ward of House Bellecourt's lord and master.
Heads turned as the other ward joined Juliette in her table, but while the attention had Juliette awkwardly ducking her head, Aprilynne had no trouble ignoring the gazes that went their way, half of which was envious and resentful, while the other half was just plain curious.
Many preters, Caros and non-Caros alike, craved association with House Bellecourt for the power it wielded, and most of them resented the fact that a twist of fate had enabled lowly humans and outcasts to become the family's wards.
Aprilynne, realizing that the younger girl was still uncomfortable at everyone's scrutiny, glowered at those who were blatantly staring at them, and Juliette, seeing this, quickly straightened her shoulders and gave the older girl a reassuring smile. "I'm good. Please don't mind them."
"Those girls need to be taught a lesson," Aprilynne said darkly.
And that was exactly what she was afraid of, Juliette thought nervously. Her therapist once told her that every person had their own way of dealing with fear and trauma, and what had worked for the other girl was turning herself into a fighting machine. There was nothing the other ward loved more than breaking bones and hunting down evil preters, and the last time Aprilynne had believed someone needed to be taught a "lesson", well...
Juliette repressed a shudder at the memory, and when she saw that Aprilynne still looked unconvinced, she hurriedly thought of something else to talk about, like...ah!
"Why did you ask to meet up?" Juliette blurted out. "Has something happened?"
It was Aprilynne's turn to suddenly look awkward, and the rare sight had Juliette blinking. She could only think of one thing that could cause the older girl such discomfort, and...oh.
Juliette could only summon a strained smile. "It's about me, isn't it?"
Aprilynne slowly nodded. The younger girl had looked so hurt last night, and it had made her feel so despicably helpless because she knew it was one of those situations that punches, kicks, and head butts couldn't solve.
Although she privately believed only an irresponsible ward would fall in love with one's guardian, she couldn't find it in herself to get mad at Juliette for losing her heart to Gaël. Juliette was just that kind of girl, and since Aprilynne was also the kind of girl who couldn't stand doing nothing when someone she cared about was in pain—-
"I was at Bellecourt Laboratory this morning," Aprilynne began, "when results came in from Hirsche Medical Center."
Juliette shot up in her seat. "Is one of our guardians sick?" It was rare for illness to befall a preter, but not impossible, and when it did happen, such illnesses were almost always fatal.
Aprilynne considered beating around the bush, but then she thought of how the most merciful kills were usually the swiftest...
"A female with a near-perfect match for blood compatibility had been found for Gaël—-" Aprilynne saw the other girl blanch, but she didn't allow this to stop her from completing the rest of what she had to say. "—-and that woman is still a virgin."