Chapter 269 - § THREE PAIR EYES §

CHAPTER 016 

The platform had two shelves hanging side-by-side, inside the left shelf bottles of exotic things like dried lizard's tails, eyeballs of fish, nails of cat, feathers of crows, and many more bizarre body parts of animals; the second shelf have plants in variation, and neon-liquids glistening ominously, at the bottom was an extra bookshelf occupied by big books categorized by their practices. 

The whiteboard in the middle of those shelves was filled with organized formulas and equations neatly written, with no space to scribble. The long table three feet away from the whiteboard was occupied with papers, books, and vial. Each student had a smaller table, it was occupied by some identical things from the long table. Big windows were covered with thick glasses. Walls were invaded by the imagery of recipes of various kinds of potions. At the back, there were four blocks of req. It was the potion class of the witch professor, Lena, Yanarym's adopted mother. 

The morning of that day was strange. The usual chattering and vibrant atmosphere become lull and whispery. Controversy from yesterday on the field was etched in their minds. Everyone was talking about Tiana, some of them were sympathizing with her, some were scorning her for deceiving them, and some just didn't care. 

Alongside those who were ignoring Tiana, Kraig was not paying attention to her as much as he used to do. He did not completely dismiss her but the way he treated her was nowhere welcoming nor amicable. She assessed that he wasn't shunning her for the reason from yesterday; it was rather as if he was engrossed by something else and couldn't dwell on her. 

Located in the distant end of the room, she had someone surreptitiously paying attention to her, Lyndon. He gave in yesterday. He was mad but found himself calling her back not an hour later. He told her Azkin's reincarnation… that would eventually help her to gain that bastard's attention. Kraig liked Tiana because of her usefulness—Kraig realized that Tiana could hurdle Lyndon—that was Kraig's aim, to cause aggravation to him. It worked, Lyndon was devastated almost every day because of Tiana. Moreover, Tiana's popularity gave Kraig access to the town's people which he needed to induce further damage not only to Lyndon but also to his family. Lyndon didn't want to alleviate Tiana's relationship with that bastard, however, he couldn't afford to abandon her. He liked her too much, so he had to get over her, to end this stupidity of his. 

Kraig was in a stupor, he was waiting. His mind was preoccupied with the replays of what happened to him… and Yanarym last night until dawn. His eyes were fixated on two places, the front door, and her seat. He did not know what to say, but he must speak with her. Professor Witch arrived in the classroom she was still not there. It worried Kraig, what if she was in pain from their fornication or caught the fever from the rain? 

The woman who was driving the three of the main leads to swerve from their role's purpose was walking unhurriedly to the corridor with her yawning from time to time. She felt sleepy but not tired if that made sense. Also, Guide-sama was nagging her for being late in class, not like it was her fault. Marcus did not wake her up. As soon as she opened her eyes, she found him watching her sleep, that creep… he's not doing what he is supposed to do, Yanarym grumbled. When she asked why he did not wake her up, his excuse was he lost track of time. 

She peeped at the door of the classroom and saw that the class was already starting. She wanted to cut classes but this was an interesting subject to learn. Also, it was part of the original wishes to be recognized as a potion expert. So, she decided to graduate as an honor student specializing in potion and chemistry. Honor students must not cut classes nor be late with their classes—was what Guide-sama told her. What a pain. 

Yanarym knocked on the door and pushed it open. The class stopped and shifted their gazes on her. This was the most awkward moment where everyone looked at the late person. Too bad, she was already used to being the center of attention. She wasn't a shameless person but… or was she? She thinks she is. Oh-em-gee! This was a fresh self-discovery! She was a shameless person! 

Guide-sama: "..You sound proud."

"I'm sorry, I'm late," she didn't get penalized by her mother, Lena only nodded her head. 

Immediately Yanarym headed to her seat and listened as a diligent student upfront, although she could feel the fervid watchful eyes coming from three people from behind. She didn't mind, because, honestly, executing her retribution on these three people would be as simple as one, two, three. However, with Marcus on the frame, she wasn't sure if it would be that easy. She initially thought that Marcus's feelings won't become a hindrance to her objectives; that he would behave the same as Marcus in the book. 

He was in love but did not take action, he even let the original die. In addition, there was no sequel after the ending of the story where the original died. The author didn't reveal what happened to the trio. Who did Tiana end up with? Her prince charming or the evil prince? And Marcus, did he do anything after the original died? Why do even the sons of God travel around the world? Did he want to meet a similar fate as his sister? 

Guide-sama: "Tiana has thought of a solution on how to counter your revelation yesterday about her lies." 

"Will that affect my completion of the task of uncovering her lies?" 

Guide-sama: "No, it only asked you to expose, not make people believe." 

"It's all good then," Yanarym's eyes were fixed on her mother. 

Her eyes were wrinkled, hooded and grim, angled cheekbones, jutting chin, narrowed nose, thin lips formed in a stern line, and her ash brown hair was fixed into a bun. She looked like Miss Minchin of Princess Sarah, my favorite show back when I was a child, Yanarym thought. 

Though Lena was younger, and not as wretched as Miss Minchin. She was thirty-six years old, barely sixteen when she adopted the original and she was so caring and devoted as a mother. The original took for granted Lena, that was why she was so heartbroken after knowing her mother died because of her. She acknowledged Lena as her mother yet it was too late to make Lena feel that acknowledgment. Don't worry, Yanarym mumbled to herself as if she was speaking to someone, I will let her know, original. She smiled warmly when Lena peered at her, Lena seemed surprised but maintained her poise. As an engaged student, Yanarym was taking notes while Lena was lecturing. Completely not taking account of any of three pairs of eyes making holes to the back of her head. 

She's back to normal. Lyndon softly thrummed his fingers on his desk while his attention was drawn to Yanarym. He came to the understanding that everything that was transpiring today was because of her sudden change yesterday. Lyndon wanted answers, so he decided to watch her for the time being and question her later. Because, if she had decided to commit to that change she was talking about yesterday, he would rather disregard her. What was the point? He was already in the process of giving up on Tiana. Yanarym had no purpose for him from this point on if she could not behave herself.

Tiana was nipping her nails, and gritting her teeth, spontaneously shifting her eyes to Yanarym and Kraig, annoyed and irritated. It confirmed her speculation, Kraig was thinking of Yanarym ever since this morning. She was intending to talk about them and regarding what happened on the field but he scarcely replied with cold shoulders, although he would smile at her, it was apparent that he was not interested. Seeing his reaction after Yanarym came in, Tiana was infuriated. Why is he thinking of Yanarym? Why does he keep on looking at Yanarym? Tiana clenched her hand to a fist. He couldn't even spare a glance at Yanarym before this day! How come he was so engrossed to Yanarym right now?! What the hell did Yanarym do to her Kraig?!

Kraig's intricate eyes were directed at Yanarym's. Her voice moaned his name, was soft and decent when she said she was sorry for being late. Her attitude, her eyes, and her smile were as pliant as he remembered. He couldn't hear or see anything except her. His mind was only crammed about her, him, and—frenzied in his head—about what happened to them last night, about her promise, that farewell. He was confident that the thing that happened to them was not that easy to forget, so how could she act so natural and unfazed.. Her lenient and nonchalant behavior was inciting dilemma and despair.