Chapter 2 Favoritism

→ ROWENA ←

The Headmaster’s office felt suffocating. Heavy wooden shelves lined the walls, filled with ancient tomes and glowing magical artifacts.

I stood rigid between Colette and Lysandra, my palm still tingling from the slap. My heart hammered with leftover anger as I tried to defend myself.

“I didn’t mean to slap her,” I said and quickly added..“but she was being a rude bitch! She pushed my sister to the ground after Colette had already apologized. What was I supposed to do, just stand there and watch?”

“Silence!” The Headmaster’s voice boomed, cutting me off instantly. His eyes narrowed behind his spectacles. “I will not tolerate such vulgar language from any student, Miss Vale, least of all from someone with your… background.”

The way he said “background” made my stomach twist. He didn’t say the word “cursed,” but I heard it anyway.

He turned to Lysandra with a completely different tone, warm and almost fatherly.

“Miss Wilson, please accept my deepest apologies for this disgraceful behavior. The Wilson family has been one of Asterion’s most valued patrons for generations. Your mother’s groundbreaking research theory continues to elevate our academy’s reputation. We are truly fortunate to have you here.”

Lysandra lifted her chin, looking every bit the perfect noble daughter. When her gaze slid to me, it was full of mocking pity. I wanted to snap at her again, but the Headmaster’s warning glare kept me quiet.

He continued, his voice laced with disapproval as he looked back at me and Colette.

“The two of you are here on the generosity of this institution despite the well-known challenges associated with your condition. I suggest you learn quickly that outbursts like today will not be tolerated again. The Twin Curse already brings enough complications. Do not add to them with reckless violence.”

The words stung like ice shards. Colette shifted beside me, but I could feel her trying to stay calm. I bit the inside of my cheek so hard it hurt.

Colette stepped forward before I could say anything else. She bowed deeply to the Headmaster.

“This was my fault, sir. I wasn’t watching where I was going. I take full responsibility. I’m truly sorry for causing this disturbance.” She turned to Lysandra and bowed again. “I apologize.”

Lysandra let out a soft, condescending scoff. “I’ll be leaving now, Headmaster. I have better things to do than deal with this.” She shot me one final disgusted look and swept out of the room, her footsteps echoing confidently down the hall.

The door closed with a heavy click. I stood there, my fists clenched, feeling small and furious. The Headmaster had basically called us a burden. Colette had apologized to that awful girl, and all I could do was swallow the bitter taste in my mouth.

When we finally returned to our dorm room in the lower chamber, I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I slammed books onto the shelf one after another, the sound sharp in the quiet space.

Colette moved around quietly, folding clothes into drawers with her usual patience.

After a few minutes, she came up behind me and wrapped her arms around my waist in a gentle hug.

“I’m sorry for the trouble, Rowena.”

I gently freed myself and turned to face her.

“I’m not complaining about the trouble. I’m willing to stand up to anyone who tries to hurt you. The academy can have its favorites and its precious noble families, but that doesn’t mean they get to trample all over our dignity. And you apologized to that bitch? After she shoved you down like you were nothing?”

Colette sighed, her dark eyes soft.

“Just forget it. Please. Getting into more fights won’t help us here.”

I stared at her for a long moment, the anger slowly draining out of me. I could never stay mad at Colette for long. She was the reason I was even here, pushing through all of this.

“You should be lucky I can never stay mad at you.” I muttered, pulling her into a quick hug.

She smiled faintly, and some of the tension in my chest loosened.

I grabbed the empty luggage bags.

“I’ll take these out to the carriage.” As I left the room, I noticed again how the dormitory was divided.

The prestigious higher chamber upstairs housed the high-class students with better rooms and views. We were stuck down here in the lower chamber. It was a small thing, but it burned.

I was almost at the entrance when I collided hard with someone coming the opposite way. The bags flew from my hands as I stumbled back.

It was him. Killian Ashbourne. The tall, dark-haired fire prodigy from earlier. Up close he was even taller, with a cold, expressionless face that never seemed to soften.

“Watch where you’re going,” He said flatly, like he was already irritated by the fact that I touched him.

I bent down to pick up the bags, my own irritation flaring. “You ran into me too.”

He looked me over once, genuinely unimpressed. “Ah. The Angry Bird from earlier who caused chaos again on her first day.”

I straightened up fast.

“What the hell did you just call me?” I demanded. “Angry Bird? Are you seriously comparing me to a bird right now? What is wrong with you?”

“It fits. You flap around making noise and attacking without thinking. Slapping a Wilson on the very first day? Impressive level of stupidity for a cursed twin trying to climb the ranks.” Killian's face stayed cold, almost bored.

My face burned with anger. “At least I know how to stand up for my sister instead of strutting around like I own the academy just because my family is rich and powerful. Some of us actually have to fight for respect.”

He tilted his head slightly, still no expression on his face. He moved closer and leaned towards my ear and I felt the hairs on my skin stand.

“If you keep acting like that, you won’t last long here, Angry Bird. In case you don't know, this academy eats emotional fools alive. Especially ones who can’t control their temper.”

“Don’t call me that again.” I glared at him, fists tight at my sides.

Killian simply stepped around me and continued down the hall without another word. I stood there fuming, watching him go.

What an insufferable, cold bastard.

I picked up the bags and stormed outside, my blood still boiling. This place was already testing every ounce of my patience, and it was only the first day.

But I wasn’t going to let anyone… not Lysandra, not Killian, not even the Headmaster break me or my sister.