Suger Plum munched her sandwich and nodded her head.
"Of course. He's Off-the-charts popular! Honestly, I don't really care about these things.. But, the other girls really do go crazy for this guy, Alice-chan. As a matter of fact, do you know? There was time they even kidnapped him and locked him up in a room just to keep the popular Bluebeard for themselves, all-day..?"
Alice's eyes widened.
"Really..?"
They did that..?
To That.. Scary.. Gloomy looking.. Emo-boy..?...
"Ah.. Yes.." Odette Swan agreed with Sugarplum. "I think, that was the time, he officially started wearing grey hoodies to cover himself. He wasn't like that before..
And, more than that, ..there was also an incident where, few girls actually stole his goods and stuck sticky paper chits on his desks with their names written on them.."
"What?? To that extent..? B-But, w-why?? " Alice cried abruptly.
Because, This is totally bullying, okay.
"That is so, because they thought, he would actually notice them.. At least through this manner.."
"...."
Alice was left speechless by this.
Looks like things really are wayyy too different on other houses, unlike how, they treated their own popular guy, Robinhood-samma.. Because, compared to all this, ironically, The Foxes were really a lot more normal.
"But, it is alright.. I mean, the fangirls confessed they did that, only because they were worried, Bluebeard might even be a gay.. And, Considering his lack in interest to other girls.. I totally agree with them. Cause, We wouldn't want that.. Right..?"
Odette said slurping her drink and Sugerplum nodded her head taking in another bite of her lunch.
Hearing this, Alice's eyes couldn't stop glaring at these insensitive people. But, she didn't dare show her face to them as they continued.
"You could clearly see them crying please notice me. Senpai(senior) please notice me. But, Bluebeard-samma's too cold hearted for that.."
Suger said rolling her purple eyes.
And, Odette practically drooled when she said. "Though that is his charm.. Hehe.. " She then, continued staring at Bluebeard like the die hard fan-girl she was.
"Alice-chan, aren't you gonna eat your food is getting cold?.. "
Suger asked noticing Alice's vexed expression and only then, did she release her clenched fist hidden on her lap.
Alice abruptly put her salad inside her mouth feigning ignorance.
"Hmmn. Hmmn." Was what Alice said nodding her head...
But, it was then that, Alice realized how narrow minded and self centered she really was for treating Bluebeard as an ordinary emo-boy who lacks his sense of fashion.
She bit her lips in guilt and played with her spoon as the certain boy of their gossips caught a random glimpse of her after finishing his lunch..
It was only by chance that he had glaced at her and that was only because he knew this person from a while back.
But, noticing this popular young lad looking straight towards Alice's direction, caused the girls behind them to explode in excitement of who that 'lucky girl' might be.
And, Alice's face immediately flushed in embarrassment.
But, She soon remembered their previous conversation. Alice figured out that he must be examining her so called 'friends' she spoke about earlier and not for anything else.
He probably knew the people she had been talking about were the ones who were currently sitting with her. And, that must be the reason why he simply wanted to know how they look like.
Bluebeard still didn't have much expression on his face and looked as cold as ever.
But, even then, a light beam of faint sunshine passed through his narrow petal shaped cat eyes as his hair fluttered by the blowing air making him look like a nonchalant cool beauty.
And,... Alice's heart almost stopped at that moment at his mesmerizing gaze..
Their gazes soon clashed with each other as she heard her heart flutter softly. And, she mentally felt like, he was looking straight at her.. only her, as the entire atmosphere around them gradually turned into slow motion...
Or... Rather that was what Alice thought when, Bluebeard's eyes suddenly emitted a faint glimmer looking at what was appearing behind Alice and her friends.
And, as if honey and rum had flowed through them, they immediately sparkled brightly.
Alice then perceived that, the sudden change in his former emotionless face was not because of her at all. But, all due to a certain familiar looking red haired student walking through the cafeteria's door.
And, Alice then realized..
She was right..
She was right all along..
Bluebeard really was treating this young lady different than all the other girls..
A fact that secretly made Alice feel grimmer.
The moment he saw Anastasia, Bluebeard walked towards her and subconsciously raised his hand for a little "hi".
And, unexpectedly the girl quickly turned her head towards the opposite direction and looked away.
Bluebeard's face obviously fell apart at her cold behavior.
But, noticing this Anastasia then secretly gestured him to look at the surroundings with her eyes. The boy closed his eyes reluctantly in understanding and walked away pulling his hood more closer to his head.
Lord Bluebeard short interaction with an unknown 'girl' for the first time in a while, wasn't really captured by the other fangirls who were busy admiring this popular guy, and had no idea who Anastasia was.
But, however that wasn't the same case for the certain three girls sitting on one corner of the cafeteria. Among whom one was roommates with her, while the other two had already seen her plenty of time at their girls night outs on their friend's dorm.
"She's.. She's!! Your ugly roommate right..!!?! How dare she have connections with Bluebeard-samma!? H-He even almost greeted her..! "
Odette Swan quickly got up with an aggressive expression as Suger Plum quietly calmed her down.
And, Alice smiled meekly at all this.
Of course, he would do that..
She is his Anastasia De Rottenstein after all.. The girl he had defended so much to the extent that he didn't even care he was hurting Alice.
She felt a bit jealous at that.
She wants to confess her love to her crush Robinhood. But, she's too shy so, prefers to be a secret fan.. while this certain young lady had done nothing to him yet still managed to get his affections.
She was the scholar student of her class before. But, once Rottenstein transferred to her class she easily snatched her role from her.
And, now.. Bluebeard who was supposedly been her lab partner for many months yet, hadn't made a single proper conversation with Alice all that time, actually has a very good relationship with Anastasia...?
This was so unfair..
Both of them belongs to the same house, they share the same room and have a similar shy personality that makes them feel awkward at crowds.
But, why must their lives be so different..?
She's supposed to be the lucky one among the two. She's surrounded by many people. She's a normal Nobel heroine who has actually got her house mixed up because the authorities thought her hometown was Wonderland.
She's not supposed to feel lonely but..
Though Anastasia was not blessed with all this. She always looked happy. She had no-one around her. But, yet received the best of the little things she has.
A good friend who always supports her, like Bluebeard. A good teacher who truly cares for her, though she might be a principal. A popular guy who ignores all his fangirls just to chase after get this certain person's attention no matter how much he gets rejected..
Yes..
Her little world has always looked more brighter and attractive though Alice had everything Anastasia could never afford..
__________
Meanwhile, outside the cafeteria.
Since, Bluebeard had already finished his lunch he walked through the door and finally entered the chambers of his own house, The prestigious Golden Dragons portion of the school.
The moment he got in, he quickly fastened his thick hood over his head. But, since he was the only son of Lord Merlin and one of the most hottest guys of the four upper houses, people easily recognized him though he looked like this.
Many of the guys greeted and honored Bluebeard, even people he didn't recognize. And, The girls cooed on the corner of each corridor though, he didn't bat an eye to them and, gave cold shoulders to those who tried talking with them.
He just didn't care how they felt.
But, Bluebeard very well knew, they wouldn't be frustrated, heart broken or stop doing this. They would rather simply take it as him for acting too cool and repeat the same tomorrow.
Bluebeard then saw his friends approaching him and greeted him warmly. If you scratch the fact, that they actually twirled their arm around his neck and messed his hair.
"Okay. Okay.. I am back. Now, stop bothering me.. Okay..? "
Bluebeard cried in a frustrated tone.
The other boys chuckled at his shyness and teased him. Though girls call him as cool, he was certainly the most cutest lad of their group, who's a common prey to all their pranks.
One of them then commented Bluebeard seemed to look very happy these few days.
And, when another of the gang guessed it must probably be because, he must finally gotten himself a girlfriend, that started an extremely familiar yet nonsense conversation about Bluebeard.
They chatted about how he was very lucky to have these good looks. How boring he actually was to not use them. But, instead push them away. How they were kinda jealous of this fact about him.
And, teased him a lot as Bluebeard blushed and tried ignoring them by strong denials.
When Bluebeard reached his locker to take the required books for his extra class, he found his locker unsurprisingly flooded with tons of love letters, chocolates, gifts and even...
He opened one of the most stinking letter and read them..
Ah.. A threat letter... written with..
" I fell for you at first sight. I am madly in love with you. I am suffocating. You are my oxygen. I cannot live without you, Bluebeard-samma. Pls, meet near the love fountain at 6 pm!
P.S: I will kill you, if you do not come there. "
Love Anonymous ♥
Rat's blood...
He looked at that and let out a deep sigh.
Bluebeard then pondered whom he should ask this time to meet this new psychotic fangirl.
Hmmn..
Was Principal Maleficent alright..? Or just his home room teacher, Sir Frost's enough..?
Whatever..
I'll think of it later..
He put the letter back to his locker though he actually wanted to crumble it down. Least the admirer catch him and do something seriously bad to him.
Bluebeard soon took his books and wanted to walk to his class when he saw Larry rushing towards him.
He was one of his close friends and one of the very few people who knows about his close relationship with Anastasia, having accompanied him with the other two Lord Merlin's 'trainees' in many of his personal trainings with Anastasia.
"Hah.. Hah.. Here you are.. Bluebeard.. Hah.. Hah.. I was searching for you.. " He breathed quickly and said wiping his sweat." I can't believe.. I was actually doing this for you.. "
"What happened..?" Bluebeard asked casually.
And, Larry abruptly pressed a palm sized small bottle towards his chest.
Bluebeard examined the little glass bottle that had been tied with a cute red ribbon and opened it, before smelling it's insides.
"Jellybeans..? Why are you getting me-"
"It's not me. It's Anastasia-chan dude!" Larry said with a frustrated expression.
"Huh..?"
Bluebeard's eyes widened in surprise.
"She kept forcing me this bottle since she had probably noticed you look kinda upset earlier. And, she wanted me to give them to you, since she's not allowed to come to this part of our school freely... "
"....."
"Well, is that true Bluebeard..? Were you really having a bad week..? Did you not have fun at vacation..?"
"......"
Bluebeard was shunned speechless at this. But, he quickly regained his voice and played with his hooded shirt rope, awkwardly.
"Ah.. N-No-way.. I am not. I..I-I was just stressed by the chores my mom gave me all through the vacations.."
"Ah.. I understand. "
Larry opened his mouth in complete understanding and scratched his head in frustration. .
"But, Wahhhh.. Seriously.. What is that girl..? What am I..? Her delivery boy? Don't answer that.. "
He cleverly shut before Bluebeard could open his mouth and tease him.
Bluebeard smirked at his sharpness.
"But.., hehe.. I am not complaining because, I know, she would probably do the same for me too, if I was feeling bad or sick.. "
He grinned mischievously laughing to himself and walked away muttering.
"What must I ask her then.. Cupcakes..? Pasta..? Or.. More better... a homemade lunch..? Hmmm.. I can't choose. The possible choices are too troublesome.."
Seeing this sight, Bluebeard's brows twitched at Larry's naughty character.
Sure, he has adorable looks. Sure, he's very short than the other guys, Sure, even Rotten addresses him as 'Cutie Larry'.
But, do you know what..? By this, even you can say, Larry Wilber is simply a brat pretending to be innocent before her, alright?
Bluebeard let out a deep sigh and then excitedly took one of the jellybeans before putting it inside his mouth.
As, he savored it's sweet watermelon flavour, all the delicious milk cookies, expensive chocolates, greeting cards and even hot and spicy bentos seemed to have turned into dust compared to this low budget candy..
And,.. that strange tingling yet.. painful sensation he had since the time, he saw Anastasia leaving with Prince Zenon Charming, the man he knew, she truly loves, for her lovely date... were gradually forgotten from his mind in a bling by the time the candy fully melted on his tongue.
'But,.. Seriously how did she know that I was even feeling upset..?.. Had she actually observed me that well during our hardly-a-minute long conversation.. when I was asking her why she.. was looking upset..?
The simple thought about Anastasia actually thinking about him, even for just that little moment, unwittingly made Bluebeard's heart fluster more faster than before.
"Uwah... Is this for real..?.."
He blushed and rubbed his neck before he put inside another strawberry flavoured jellybean inside his mouth.
"The candy is too sickeningly sweet.."
He mumbled chewing it and then rushed to his next class.
___________
Back in the cafeteria.
From a distance, Alice watched Anastasia slowly walk towards a certain direction and sit on a particular table.
The moment she sat there, the few students belonging to their own Foxes quickly moved to the next table with annoyed faces.
She didn't care anything though.
In the next few minutes, Anastasia scrolled a few books she had probably borrowed from the library and started feeding her stomach.
She sat isolated from the rest of the population as though it was normal and had the same dead look she had on the morning.
I really wonder what happened to her. Alice wondered when someone suddenly banged their bench.
"Ahhhhish! I can't bear it. I totally lost my appetite." Odette yelled loudly.
"What are you talking about? You have just finished your lunch.. Swan-san..?"
Suger Plum commented playing with her food.
"Are you really sure? Bluebeard doesn't speak to other girls..from the time he had studied here..?"
Alice still wanted to know more.
If that was the truth.. She could understand why Bluebeard had been so distant with her, though he meets her almost every now and then on a week.
But, defending Rottenstein is.. as though he had known her so well.. That must only be possible if he was actually had spent much time with her right..?
She wondered as she didn't really know, they used to train together at Lord Merlin's classes.
Swan agreed desperately.
"Yeah.. hey.. Hey.. Girls.. Do you what I would do if had a chance to spend with him..? I would take him to a zillion dollar expensive resort, arrange a party and propose him with a dozens of lilac flowers.."
"That is so luxurious.." Alice commented.
Odette placed her palms over her cheeks and leaned closer to the table. "Hmp, I bet that's something that wench can't afford at all. Ahhh.. Just what am I lacking that, Bluebeard samma doesn't choose me...!!"
She abruptly scratched her black hair in frustration and glared at Anastasia.
"That's it. I have made up my mind. I am gonna go and make her know her place!"
Odette Swan yelled and banged the table aggressively. This was when, a small salient smile came over Suger Plum's face.
There was a nasty glint on her purple eyes and she elegantly placed her silver bangs behind her ears with a small smirk.
"Calm down Swan-san. Though she is like that.. You are actually forgetting how inferior she is to us.. " Suger said with a smile.
Alice looked up at her curiously and asked her in a hesitated manner.
"Y-You mean.. How.. She's a low Fox like me.. Or the fact that she's actually being neglected for being a villainess..? "
"Hmmn. That's also true to Alice-chan.. But.. I didn't mean that now.. "
Suger replied softly and looked at Alice with a mischievously.
"Then what are you-" Swan's green eyes flickered in doubt and she drew closer to the slowly when Suger interrupted.
"I am talking about how.. You.. chose to be with us... Instead of sticking out with that insolent uncivilized foul mouthed wench who were badmouthing your precious age-old friends.. .." She smiled brightly.
Hearing this, guilt almost contaminated Alice's heart when she recalled the past events at that dorm night.
The scenes of how Anastasia was only speaking up for her though she was very sick, how Alice admitted that she knows her roommate isn't a bad person to herself.. And,.. The feelings of remorse that made Alice herself to cry a lot.. Just because she felt so sorry and guilty. But.., couldn't express any of those feelings to the respective person.
She knew, she really has been such a coward.
She couldn't defend her honor and.. She betrayed others who were trying to defend her honour.
Then,.. And even now..
"Ha.. Ha.. My 'precious best friends'.. Yes.. You are indeed people like that.. "
Alice chuckled and flattered them superficially.
Odette abruptly got energized by Alice's conformation.
She tapped the bench again.
"Yes. Yes. You are right!? She is inferior towards to the extent that she couldn't even lure Alice to her side..! She certainly has no right to be on equal terms with us..!"
Odette said quickly grabbing both Suger and Alice's hands and got up from the bench in hurry.
Suger's narrow lukewarm eyes blinked and instantly widened by her sudden gesture.
"Come on! Let's go give her the piece of our minds! She needs to be put to her place.."
"But..-"
"Swan-samma.. "
Both of her friends opposed Odette's hasty decision especially on a public place like this.
But, unfortunately by then, they had already approached near Anastasia's desk.
"What are you doing...? You can't.. bully her, remember.. ??" Suger ushered her friend in a whisper.
But, Odette quickly waved her instructions off and muttered back.
"I.. I know.. I know..! Don't worry I wouldn't be so obvious.. "
Odette slowly pulled back the chair next to the oblivious red headed bookworm and sat beside her.
Suger soon followed her with a sigh as Alice did the same with extremely conflicted feelings.
I shouldn't do this...
Don't do this Alice.. Especially when you know, Anastasia's not a bad person..
Don't sit with them..
Get away from this place!
Run away Alice!!
Her mind voice couldn't be more louder.
But, refusing to join Odette Swan and Suger Plum obviously meant, she wasn't supporting them as their friend.. And, no matter how she was feeling, she just couldn't rest risking their relationship.
Thus, left no choice or nook to escape, Alice Lindell was forced to sit beside these highly potential bullies biting her lips.
"Aah, look at you.. You are eating a lot.. Miss Rotten.. You wouldn't mind if we sit with you right..?"
Odette said with a bright smile and pulled away Anastasia's plate.
"Of course, it's free food. You must enjoy it while it lasts...especially.. for 'special' people like you.. "
Anastasia had an urge to roll her eyes. Bullying was something she was so used to after all. But, they abruptly froze when she, the uncomfortable Alice being one among these three people.
The cafeteria was pretty crowded and many people were busy minding their own jobs. But, the ruckus caused by their mildly high-pitched voices attracted the attentions of the students sitting near them, especially the Foxes of Anastasia's own class.
Anastasia looked around warily.
None of the teachers were present on this place as they had another specially designed cafeteria for them. While, on the other hand, it was highly susceptible that the students would report the matter to the authorities.. So, the red head knew, there was no choice for her, except to flee from this desk.
Anastasia took back her plate, Odette had taken from her and got up from her chair.
"Hey, where do you think you are going Missy..?"
Odette Swan immediately yanked her arm back to the chair forcefully.
"We just wanna have a talk.. Aren't you supposed to be Nobel too..? Don't you know you are being too rude..?"
She snarled teasingly and Suger immediately burst to laughter at her words..
"Oh.. I.. sincerely apologize for my behavior, Rottenstein-san .. It's just that, I almost forgot, you are a Nobel too considering how you look like.. "
Suger who had initially thought of not indulging too much with this person, instantly got fired up with the flow by looking at her friend.
Anastasia was literally tired of all this. Her body ached a lot for having skipping many meals. She hadn't been able to sleep properly either since then.
It was already bad enough she cannot meet Zeno for a while. And now these girls just won't stop leaving her alone..?
"Please stop it.."
She muttered softly and tried eating her rice in forced peace.
And, noticing that Suger repeated.
"Oh.. Please Rottenstien-san.. We really do not mean any harm by hanging out with you.. You are Alice's lovely roommate after all.."
"Yeah!"
At the silent signal of Suger, Odette quickly showed her a carbonated soft drink that she had previously bought for herself and gave it to her.
"As a proof.. See.. Here take this juice as a peace offering.. This is a start for us to get along well.."
She said grinning.
Anastasia examined her hand in doubt.
Odette was still grinning. Suger looked at her curiously while Alice hadn't looked up from the floor since the beginning of their arrival.
She slowly took the juice can and opened the lid when the carbonated drink abruptly flushed on her face. And, the two girls burst into laughter again.
Feeling utterly irritated, Anastasia wiped her face and looked at them with a cold glint on her eyes.
They apologized again repeatedly. But, With their uncontrollable laughter, it was obvious that they weren't serious at all.
Geez, why did I trust them even for that minute..? They had obviously shook the drink on purpose..
Seriously.. These girls.. They are worse than the Siren Triplets...
Looking at that Alice, who was sitting beside them quickly took her handkerchief and offered it to Anastasia..
Anastasia stared at the kerchief and wiped her face with her own that she had just taken from her bag. A gesture with insulted Alice.
Yes.. She trusted them because they were the friends of the good Alice.
However this was all her own mistake.
She shouldn't have done that..
Alice, was hurt by her behavior. But, she knew she was completely in the fault.
By this time, She just couldn't bear with all this any long and finally spoke up.
"Guys.. Please stop it.. All this is just.. too much.. "
She squeaked softly to her two friends clenching her fists.
The faces of friends crouched at her unsupportive behavior.
Odette clicked her tounge irritated and complained.
"Ah.. Alice.. You are being too kind towards, Rottenstein.."
"Well, I guess, that must probably be the reason why Rottenstein actually had hopes that you would choose her over us that day.. " She sneered.
"Don't talk like that Swan-san.." Suger said politely.
"..That day was such a humiliation to Rottenstein..! Even, we mustn't taunt her over that horrible memory.. Though.. After all this isn't the first time Alice Lindell had done something like this..."
She said in a soft mocking tone and then looked at Alice brimming with a smile.
"Isn't that right.. Alice-chan..?"
Alice was shocked at the realization that Sugerplum had known about her secret behaviors all along.
But, she simply played with her fingers very nervously.
"Huh..? What you are talking about.. Suger Plum..? Y-You know, I am not like t-that.. "
Alice tried feigning ignorance.
"What? Alice had actually helped Rottenstein.. A villainess.. Plenty of times..? Seriously..? What? Are you stupid? Why would you do that.. Miss Alice from Wonderland..?"
Odette half chuckled in disbelief.
She looked purely surprised Suger's words. And, so was Anastasia De Rottenstein..
'Alice had actually took care for me plenty of times before..? B-But..when..?'
'C-Could it be that Dorm lady Sarah wasn't lying to be about her true characters.. And, the little moments when, she unintentionally managed clearing my bullies and informed the regularities of the school "according to the teacher's instructions" like she had said.. weren't an accident but actually on purpose ...?'
Anastasia couldn't help but wonder.
But, as though Suger knew exactly what she was talking about and was actually very confident with her words, she looked at Alice with smiling eyes and continued.
"It is true, I was actually a bit worried.. Alice-chan would want to act too smart and get away from us especially with Rottenstien being there for her. I had to keep giving her many tests to check her loyalty..."
She sighed and looked at her manicured nails with a smirk.
Alice really couldn't believe what she was actually hearing from the innocent Suger Plum.
"Y-You were actually.. t-testing my loyalty..?"
_______
A/N: Next update by to-mo-rrow.. And I bet it's super damn good!!!