OPERATION WINTERSPINE (Strings Between Us Book 2)

CHAPTER SIX: OF THE CROWN, THE COURT AND THE BOMB

They've been monitoring her for a while now—tracking possible leads on the Pact targeting KD. Every move, every reaction, logged and analyzed. And now? The trap had sprung.

"I didn't mind," I said, taking a careful sip of my iced Spanish latte from Café Callisto. The cold hit my throat like a small, delightful rebellion against the heat of the hallway chaos.

He chuckled softly, the sound low and amused. "Bianchi's gonna retaliate."

I rolled my eyes. "Of course she will. Classic Madriaga moves. She's probably plotting something dramatic—maybe even trying to kill me. Again."

"Don't worry. I won't leave this time," he said.

I studied him for a moment, letting the words settle—and weighing them against every time he had left. My hand twitched, half out of habit, half in annoyance.

"You said that last time," I muttered, giving him a light punch on the arm. "You still left, though."

He didn't answer.

And before I could punch him again, Keryn and Alexie approached us. Keryn threw a bag to KD, which he effortlessly even though it clearly caught him off guard.

"What is this?" KD asked, calm and unreadable as always.

"A bomb," Keryn said—loud enough to freeze the entire building.

Everyone in the admin building turned toward us. Eyes widened. Jaws dropped. The High Chamber Council stirred uneasily. Even Bianchi halted mid-step, her heels clicking slower as she slowly approached.

I heard Mico whisper behind me, barely audible, "Did she say... bomb?"

I smirked, trying to suppress a laugh. Chaos, controlled chaos, right at the center of it. And KD? Calm as ever, standing like he had nothing to worry about.

I sipped my latte and leaned back slightly, enjoying the ripple of panic we'd unleashed.

Even the hologram feeds paused mid-loop. The world held its breath as KD unzipped the bag.

It wasn't a bomb. It was a uniform. Frosted Midnight Blazer. Glacier Silver Accents. Crimson Undersheen. Frost-black matte trouser. V-cut high collar inner shirt outlined with glacial silver piping. Custom Ardent Court design—definitely.

"Are you turning the President into an Ardent Court member?" Bianchi barked, her heels echoing across the marble floor like war drums.

I suppressed a laugh, watching her posture stiffen, jaw tight, eyes practically steaming. The entire room was frozen in that delicious mix of shock, awe, and panic.

Keryn laughed. "You and the High Chamber abandoned him, didn't you? Might as well claim him as our own."

Bianchi blinked. "What?"

Alexie smirked. "During the festival. Which you turned into chaos. Because Pres didn't choose to marry you at the Marriage Booth. Posting the Princess and the President. Framing everything to Ari. Suspending the President—stripping off his council privileges. Even trying to drag our Court's Prince."

Gasps rippled through the room. Murmurs darted like fire through dry grass. Students shifted their weight nervously. Silence fractured the air like cracks in ice.

KD didn't say a word. He just watched, his gaze unreadable, letting the weight of the words—and the entire room's tension—settle around him. Typical KD. Calm. Unshakable. Untouchable.

"With just one mistake, the Perfect President was hated by everyone under his protection for the last six years," Lyle said casually, pointing out facts as if stating the weather. "How ironic."

No one said anything. Because Lyle was right. When everyone else turned against KD, the Ardent Court had been the one keeping him standing.

KD's face didn't shift. Perfectly still. But I knew that silence. That slight tightening of his jaw, the faint hold of his gaze—he wasn't used to being defended. Only rebuilt. Only repaired. Only... fixed after the damage was done.

I watched him, quietly, letting the weight of Lyle's words sink in around the room. And for once, the Perfect President—the untouchable, the untamed—was the one being observed, rather than the one observing.

"We're right, aren't we, Ms. Bianchi?" Lyle smirked, calm and precise.

Bianchi didn't answer. She stormed out, heels clicking like warning bells, a few High Chamber Council members trailing behind her in awkward obedience.

I glanced at KD. He still said nothing, expression unreadable as always, though I caught the faintest twitch at the corner of his mouth.

"Don't worry, Pres," Alexie said, stepping forward, voice casual but teasing. "That might be non-standard by SAA rules, but under Ardent Court diplomatic immunity? The Headmaster approved it."

She gave him a pointed look, then grinned. "You'll look hotter in that. Trust me."

Fun fact: Alexie has a huge crush on KD. Do I care? Nope. Does Saichel mind? Nope. We just let Alexie do what she wants. Honestly, it's hilarious. She's madly in love with Saichel, but somehow thinks KD is fair game for teasing and admiration. Typical Alexie.

"Just think of that as the Court's way of saying thank you for welcoming us and protecting Ari." Then Keryn handed him a plastic bag with accessories—a glacier wrist band and an obsidian ring. "And this is your punishment for breaking the rule last night."

KD's eyes widened. He knew what Keryn was talking about. Trespassing at Eclipsa Sanctum. Staying in my room. Going on the rooftop. Breaking that rule.

"Do you expect me to wear this?" KD asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No. But this will look good on you," Keryn smirked then she looked at me. "Ari will kiss you more if you wear that."

My jaw dropped. "What?"

And they all laughed—Ardent Court of course.

Before I could think of words to respond to them, an announcement came from the faculty.

ANNOUNCEMENT: UPCOMING SPORTS WEEK

Supreme Allievo Academy vs Ardent Court Members

Prepare your teams.

"SEE?" Xylia groaned. "This school's literally just exams and festivals now!"

I rolled my eyes. "No. This time, it's war."

KD folded his arms beside me. "Seems like it's my council... versus your court."

"You mean me versus you?"

"Nope. I'm not playing. I'll just watch you win." He said casually like it wasn't a big deal. Like he isn't the Supreme Allievo's Student Council President.

And just like that—the new chapter begin.