She knew it was bad when she saw her midterm exams as a break from the stress she was currently experiencing. Just after midterm exams, a small report was due on the status of her Lycée Project and while she had plenty to write, the thought that Adrien Rosiek had the gall to supply-block her made her want to fill her report with angry manifestos about how he was a corrupt coward whose businesses should be banned by the empire.
At first, she tried to be reasonable and logical. Perhaps there was a legitimate reason. Maybe the bricks really were going to help a bunch of nuns and orphans. However, the number of bricks purchased, by her calculations, far exceeded the amount that was actually needed to simply rebuild crumbling walls.
Was he trying to rebuild his reputation by appearing generous? Was he planning to rebuild the entire church and maybe show people that he wasn’t a cheating bastard who stole designs from a fourteen-year-old girl?
Tori couldn’t help her suspicions and borrowed Axton to take her to the church in order to gauge the situation better. In order not to arouse suspicion and be identified, she brought Nanny Rey, as well, and had her ask around about the bricks and rebuilding. Her nanny was clearly the best person for the job.
As unassuming as she appeared, the white-haired woman was sharp as the daggers hidden beneath her dowdy clothes.
“The nuns are very excited,” Nanny Rey said as they rode back into the city. “Their generous donor plans to completely rebuild the entire church and orphanage, as well as build an adjacent school for the children.”
The bricks were indeed going to help rebuild a decrepit church and its orphanage. And that orphanage was the same one that Alessa was assigned to because of course it was.
Tori couldn’t be upset that the bricks were going to the orphanage.
Tori shook her head. No, I totally can be pissed, but it’s just messed up to be pissed at an orphanage. The hell, I’m not an asshole.
“Then, that’s fine. We need to find another source for bricks,” Tori said. She narrowed her eyes. “I need to secure the other materials before he tries this again.”
“My question is how does he know that you were in need of bricks and that you went to that particular brick maker,” Nanny Rey said.
Tori glanced over from where she was forced to sit in front of Axton, on Blue River. “Do you think someone tipped him off?”
“It is always a possibility. Information is vital in war and business,” Nanny Rey said. Her face softened as she looked at Tori’s frustrated expression. “Do you want me to look into it further? To see if there is someone on our side with loose lips?”
Oh my God, is my nanny some sort of secret agent for the marches? Tori wasn’t sure she felt comfortable putting such an overpowered individual in her personal war against the love interests. It was good to know that Nanny Rey was there and supported her, but she wasn’t confident that Nanny Rey wouldn’t just straight up kill Adrien Rosiek.
Tori didn’t know how that would affect the game situation and it just felt more trouble than it was worth. It was likely that if he was killed, she’d be somehow blamed and rather than being expelled, she’d be sentenced to death, exile, or life in prison. She was not willing to risk it.
“No, it's not necessary. We will keep any future sources confidential,” Tori said. “In the meantime, Mama has secured several clay roof tile makers from Sur for us. Several wagon loads are already on their way up and that should be enough for all the homesteads on the test island. I doubt the cow-man and his company will be able to block that.”
Tori sat up straight, pleased with this. The southern marches were at least a good week away, but she doubted Adrien and his cow company could extend their grubby hands there, where her family pretty much controlled everything. Thus, she decided to source what materials she could from the south, at least for the time being.
“Yes, it's good that you're getting help, my angel. Such a project cannot be done alone,” Nanny Rey praised in a sweet voice. Tori didn’t see Axton make an uncomfortable expression behind her. The entire time Nanny Rey was with them, he’d hardly spoken. “Is it guarded?”
“Yes,” Tori said, confident. “The family’s private guard will escort the supplies and then the imperial knights stationed at the camp will guard the supplies as they’re waiting to be brought to the construction site. The villagers have been made aware that we are in competition for building materials. They will be protective of the materials.”
“It is good that you are honest with them,” Nanny Rey said. Her eyes glowed with affection and pride. “You have grown up so well.”
They dropped Nanny Rey off at her flat and Axton took Tori to get something to eat at Cafe Fortuna, as well as pick up dinner for Piers. He shuddered as he walked inside.
“She’s so nice to you. I’ve never heard her be that nice to anyone,” Axton said with a haunted look on his face.
Tori gave him a dull look. “She’s my nanny, of course she’s nice to me. How was she when she trained you?”
“Cold, yelling, telling us that if we failed, we would die in the frozen tundra,” Axton said. He looked at Tori, aggrieved. “She made elite soldiers cry. How did she become your nanny?”
Tori shrugged. “I don’t know, she just was. Sebby and Kasey had a different one, though, since they’re so much older.”
"Take a seat. I have to order dinner for me and Piers. What do you want?"
"Whatever you guys are having is fine," she said as she fell back against the familiar chaise. She looked over the back. "And something sweet!" It's been a long day. I deserve a treat.
"All right." Axton headed towards the back counter and Tori noticed a glowing coming from her pocket. She reached in and took out her comcry.
“Kasey?” Tori asked after sliding her finger across the cool crystal.
“You were right to be suspicious,” her brother said in a low, annoyed voice. “The top five brickmakers closest to Horizon and the delta have suddenly been bought up. Three of them didn’t have a surplus, but payment has been made for future orders to secure at least a few months’ worth of bricks.”
Tori took a deep breath and leaned back against the chaise. “Golden Cow?”
“Golden Cow,” Kasen confirmed. “Mama did some calculations for you for brick suppliers here; there is a significant transport cost and the amount they can send out immediately isn’t much. There was an earthquake a few weeks ago and the priority has been to secure bricks for the Lopez March.”
“I understand. That’s fine. That needs to be taken care of. How much would it cost per thousand units, including transport with guards?”
“It’s nearly quadruple what was estimated if you purchased bricks from makers near you.”
Tori let out a low hiss and thought for a moment. “If we concentrate on putting piles on the islands and the foundation stones for now, we can buy time for bricks to be made and transported, but we don’t know if he’ll continue to buy out the brickmakers, which is such a waste of money.”
“How is the supply going for wood and stone?”
“There are three types of wood that were recommended and we’ve managed to source enough for a little over half of the islands we’re building on for phase one,” Tori said. “I don’t want to destroy a whole forest for this, so we are working with three timber yards in the vicinity and checking in the north and east. As for the ifana stone, Ilyana’s father has reached out to his contacts to secure more than enough for us. The Agafonov mines are usually for gemstone jewelry and decoration, since they’re not on an energy vein, but some pieces can be used for light crystals. We’ll likely get the majority of our light crystals from them.”
“Good, then you can focus on stone, roof tiles, and the wood piles,” Kasen said. “Also, good news. Gramps knows some fishermen in the Glaukos Peninsula that are willing to come to the delta to see if their techniques will work. If they do, they can start teaching the villagers and are willing to stay for some time.”
Tori sat up straight on the chaise and beamed. “Really? When can they start?”
“Once the weather is warmer. I’d say another two months. That’ll give you time to arrange for their lodging and equipment.”
“If possible, can you ask them what they’ll need? I’ll try to get equipment.”
“You’ll need boats, too.”
“It’s on the delta, Kasey. I know that we need boats.” Tori rolled her eyes. “Daybreak Garden is doing inquiries for me.”
“Hmm, all right,” he said, sounding amused. “Do you want me to continue to keep an eye on the cow?”
“Just see if he’s making any more bulk purchases that would coincidentally hinder my progress,” Tori said. “For the time being, we will continue with the test island and start the piles in the first phase of islands closest to the shore.”
“All right. One more thing,” Kasen said. “I know you were thinking about staying in the delta for the summer, but we just received notice that Cousin Siobhan is going to have her succession ceremony shortly after Lycée ends. Do you want to go with us to the O’Tuagh March?”
“In the west?” Tori furrowed her brows and tried to calculate how much time that would take up. Aside from the ceremony itself, which would likely only be a day and then an evening reception, there was the travel time. Part of her really wanted to stay and oversee the project. She didn’t feel comfortable being away for so long. “Can I think about it?”
“Of course,” Kasen told her. “Mama, Papa, and Gramps are going. Grammie is going to meet us there.”
“What about Sebby?”
“Someone needs to stay at the march.”
Tori could almost see her eldest brother distraught that he was left behind. “Poor Sebby....”
“He’ll be fine. He’s the heir. It’s part of his job,” Kasen assured her. “Think about it and let me know so I can make arrangements.”
“Okay. Bye, Kasey.”
She slid her finger across the crystal and placed the comcry on her lap as she thought. Adrien’s attempt to present himself as a generous businessman who sponsored a church and orphanage would look good to the majority of people. What was the small crime of design theft to helping orphans?
Tori let out a small, bitter laugh. She had to admit it was a good idea. Not only did it help his brand image, but it dealt her a blow. The corner of her lip curled up. No wonder he’d been lying low and they hadn’t noticed anything out of the ordinary until he suddenly bought all their bricks.
She took another deep breath and let her shoulders sink as she rested back against the chaise and crossed her legs.
“Custard tart,” Axton said as he placed a small plate next to the chaise and took a seat on the plush chair to her right. He leaned back and brought a small cup to his lips as Tori reached for her tart and cut off a piece of it to eat. “What is your plan now?”
“Mitigate any soft power he may have by appealing to a higher power,” Tori said in a dull voice. Axton raised a brow and looked at her quizzically.
“What does that mean?”
Tori chewed her tart and swallowed as she narrowed her eyes. “It means, I have to do something I don’t really want to do.”
[https://static.wixstatic.com/media/334114_6091e4325c304c4d9804d3c53f9887d3~mv2.png]
“Mr. Zisos.” The pope’s adopted son stopped walking and turned around to look for whoever it was that called his name.
Tori wasn’t sure how this conversation was going to go, but considering the last time they talked, she didn’t think she’d have another ‘leave Alessa alone or else’ conversation with Constantine. Of the love interests she’d spoken to directly; he’d been the least vaguely threatening.
She didn’t know why and she still had her guard up, not to mention still found their last little chat disturbing, but she wanted to take him up on his offer to get to know him for two reasons. First, he had influence with the Church of Belcoy and, as Piers said, the church had money and often worked with charitable programs.
Second, she wanted to know where he stood with Alessa at the moment. Was he helping her? From what she knew, Constantine was also an academic student and had a Lycée project assigned to him. She didn’t know what it was, but assumed it had something to do with the church.
If so, it was an ideal match for him to work with Alessa since the orphanage she was assigned to was overseen by a small church and nuns of the Saphira Order. If the two worked together, there was bound to be a significant rise in romance points.
Not that Tori really thought about it, but the small part of her that was bitter wanted to put a dent in that where she could.
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.
Some days, I feel I really am becoming a villainess. Tori took a deep breath and readied herself as Constantine caught her eyes and looked mildly surprised to find she was the one calling out to him.
“Lady Guevera.” He knit his brows as he turned towards her and began to walk to meet her partway. “Good afternoon.”
“Good afternoon, Mr. Zisos,” Tori said. “I apologize for bothering you. Do you have an after-class activity you are going to?”
He shook his head as he came to a stop in the courtyard outside the west dorm. “No, after my electives class, I usually go back to my dorm, though this evening, I’m attending service at the Eshra Shrine.”
Eshra was the goddess of mercy and benevolence. From Tori’s chats with Grandpa Sophos, Eshra was normally seen as a minor deity in the Church of Belcoy pantheon, but was important as she was classified as one of the gods of love and compassion.
“That’s the shrine near Université, isn’t it?”
Constantine smiled and chuckled as he gave her a nod. “Many of my classmates are under a bit of stress with not only the midterm exams, but the Lycée Project reports due. I will go to pray for their health, sort to speak.”
“You’re not experiencing any stress yourself?” Tori asked, raising a brow.
“I don’t have high expectations of my ranking and my Lycée Project is to establish a program with the support of the church to assist commoners in need,” Constantine said. “It’s something I was often involved with back in Temple Mountain, so the preparation and research is not as pressing as it would be if I was starting with no experience.”
Tori’s lips drew into a line. Like the other love interests with Lycée projects, Constantine also had a project that was very much in line with his position. Not only was it do-able, but it was also something he had experience in.
“That’s so nice,” she said in a dull voice. Don’t sound so bitter. Don’t sound so bitter. “I was expecting something I had a bit of experience in myself, but received a different project entirely.”
Constantine tilted his head to the side and gave her a curious look. “I’ve heard rumors that you tried to request a change, but were denied. Is it particularly challenging?”
You have no idea. Tori gave him a wry smile. “Perhaps if I had prior knowledge and experience resettling over 1,500 refugees in marshlands, no. But I don’t.”
His eyes widened. For a moment, he seemed surprised. “Your project is to resettle 1,500 refugees?”
“In the Cosora Delta,” Tori said, nodding. “Which is marshland. Building over it is a particularly time consuming and expensive endeavor. That is why I’ve sought you out.”
Constantine looked intrigued. “How can I help you, Lady Guevera?”
“First, I want to make it clear that I am not asking you because of what happened at Cafe Fortuna before winter break. I am not interested in a romantic relationship at this point and time, or in the near future,” Tori said. She paused and studied his reaction. He didn’t show much, except nod, as if accepting her position. She took it as a sign to continue. “I wanted to ask if you would like to be involved, or rather, if you would be able to help assist with getting the Church of Belcoy involved with the resettlement. I will be honest with you, Mr. Zisos. We could use the assistance from the church, not only to help support the refugees emotionally and financially, but also to establish a shrine, temple, or church in the delta.”
Every town had at least some sort of religious structure. She couldn’t not include one in the planning of the city.
Constantine’s eyes widened. He didn’t seem to expect such an invitation. “Have you appealed to the church directly?”
Tori shook her head. “No, not yet. You are a well-respected peer and I thought to check with you first.” Also, the Church of Belcoy seemed a hassle to deal with on her own. It was better to have a middleman and he was the only one she knew.
“It’s a bit of a coincidence that what you are asking of me falls in line with my Lycée Project.”
Tori held up her hands. “That is a coincidence. I didn’t know what your project entailed.”
He chuckled and shook his head. “I didn’t mean that in a negative way.”
She crinkled her eyes, still suspicious. “Then...would you at least consider the proposition to work together? You wouldn’t be the first to be involved with my project, either. My friends, Henrik and Ilyana, are also involved. I’ve also gotten some assistance from the empire and Université.”
The corners of his mouth curled upwards. “Lady Guevera, you're reaching out to everyone, aren’t you?”
“Considering the scale of this project, I have no choice,” Tori said. “If it was simply building a store, I could take more time to plan, but this is a dire situation. There are people in the delta who have nothing but the bags they carried with them when they fled the border region. They’re living in tents and relying on food supplies delivered weekly. Many of them were farmers who now have nothing to farm. They need immediate help and I cannot ignore that.”
His eyes were clear and had a glint of approval. “You really are much more kind than the rumors say, Lady Guevera,” he said as he smiled softly. “Would it be possible to visit the delta and the villagers there?”
“It is an overnight trip and we can go as soon as this weekend, after midterm exams,” Tori said. “I usually come back the next afternoon and arrive at Lycée just before curfew. Is that all right? If not, I will arrange for a carriage to take you back earlier.”
“No, that will be fine, Lady Guevera,” he told her. “Should I bring any camping equipment? You mentioned they were living in tents.”
Tori shook her head. “There is a tent that is set aside for those of us who travel from Horizon,” she said. “It will have a cot. The ground is a bit moist, even further inland. I would not recommend a bedroll.”
“All right. A former brother from Temple Mountain oversees the Eshra Shrine. May I invite him?”
“Of course,” Tori said. “I am sure having clergy visit will ease the minds of some of the villagers. It would be appreciated. I will have a carriage pick him up.”
“Then, I will arrange it,” Constantine said, smiling.
Tori let out a small breath of relief. She prepared to leave, but paused. “By the way, this won’t trouble you will it? If you have...other responsibilities, I’d hate to force this upon you. I am more than happy to work with your brother, as well.”
Constantine shook his head. “This is no trouble at all. I was still in the process of deciding what program to establish and have been going to local shrines, temples, and churches to see if there is something I can assist with. Now that I know that there is a pressing need on the delta, I would like to be of assistance. Not only for my own project, but to address the immediate needs of the faithful.”
This was going much better than she thought it would. She still didn’t let down her guard, but if she could secure his project, he’d have to see it through. Tori nodded.
“Thank you, Mr. Zisos,” she said sincerely. “I appre-”
“Constantine!”
Oh, son-of-a-bitch. Tori’s mouth snapped closed and took in a sharp breath as the melodic, familiar voice of the protagonist appeared out of nowhere. She drew her lips inward and looked away as Alessa bounded towards them. Surprisingly, her usual love interests weren’t at her side this time.
That was a small victory. At the very least, Tori wouldn’t need to deal with Fabian and Montan silently glaring at her or Gideon and Dimitri’s nonsensical and unfounded berating.
“Miss Hart,” Constantine greeted politely. “Good afternoon.”
“Good afternoon!” Alessa beamed. She looked over and noticed Tori standing to the side, avoiding eye contact. “Good afternoon, Lady Guevera.”
Her voice always sounded much more subdued whenever she greeted Tori. Why did she sound scared or nervous? Tori wasn’t the one who slapped her.
She forced a neutral, tight-lipped smile and gave her a nod. “Miss Hart.”
Alessa looked at Tori, as if waiting for her to say something or leave. Tori did neither and stood there, looking back at the blonde protagonist with a somewhat challenging look.
It was Constantine who finally broke the silence. “Miss Hart, is there something I or Lady Guevera can help you with?”
Alessa seemed to snap her attention back to Constantine. At once, her pretty face bloomed as she looked up at the love interest with glistening amber eyes and full, pink lips pulled into a cheerful smile.
“Constantine, you are so formal. I told you when we were camping that you don’t need to call me Miss Hart.” Her voice was so sugary, Tori felt her skin crawl.
“I’m afraid I’m not used to such a thing and address everyone formally,” Constantine said, still wearing a smile. Tori glanced over at him and raised a brow. “Please don’t take offense.”
Alessa pouted, but continued on. “I heard that your Lycée Project has to do with working with the church to help the less fortunate.”
Tori’s eyes widened. No. No. No. I got to him first, bitch. Don’t you dare.
“Would you consider working with me?” Alessa asked with a bright look. “I am working with the Saphira Abbey outside of the city to help with their orphanage. We can use all the help we can get.”
Tori’s eyes bore into the other girl. Use all the help you can get? You have cow-man throwing literal bricks at it to rebuild it and add a school! You’re not even paying for it! I’m the one who’s scraping her allowance for spare change!
“An orphanage?” Constantine said, furrowing his brows. He seemed to be considering it and Tori ground her teeth.
Please don’t agree. Please don’t agree. Please don’t-
“I’m afraid that does not fit the criteria of my Lycée project.”
Please don’t- wait, what? Tori blinked. She looked at Constantine as if she misheard. He didn’t look over at her and instead faced Alessa solemnly.
“My project requires me to start a new program. I cannot use an existing one.” It was a small technicality and one that Tori was sure could be manipulated, but it provided a legitimate reason why Constantine couldn’t work with Alessa.
“It needs to be a new program?” Alessa looked just as stunned as Tori, if not more so. It was as if she didn’t expect to be rejected at all.
Tori looked away and narrowed her eyes. Now that she thought about it, did Constantine say it needed to be a new program? He just said he needed to establish a program with the church to help commoners. Surely something could’ve been done with orphans.
Constantine nodded and gave Alessa an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, Miss Hart. I can put you in contact with a brother or sister from the church for additional help, if you’d like.”
Tori looked at Alessa, who seemed to be reeling from the unexpected rejection. If Tori wasn’t as surprised as Alessa, she would’ve been internally celebrating and even more suspicious. Instead, she waited to see what Alessa would do.
“Oh...I see.” Alessa’s face filled with disappointment. Her eyes lowered and her arms dropped at her side. “I’ve been talking to the nuns at the orphanage and they said we could use more help from the church.”
“Then, I will contact some of my old brothers and sisters in the city.” Constantine smiled, reassuringly. “You said it was for a Saphiran Order?”
“Yes, Saphira...goddess of home, family, and children,” Alessa said. She lifted her head and gave Constantine a hopeful look. “Are you sure you won’t be able to help? I would much prefer working with someone I am already familiar with.”
No means no, Alessa. Tori thought as she rolled her eyes.
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, Miss Hart,” Constantine replied. “I will contact you once I receive word from one of my brothers or sisters who can be of assistance. If you’ll excuse me, I need to bring some things to my dorm before going to the shrine.”
Alessa’s shoulders slumped. “All right...thank you for your help....”
Constantine gave her a small nod and looked back at Tori. His smile was a bit less distant. “Lady Guevera, I look forward to hearing from you about this weekend. I am sure we will work together well.”
“Expect a confirmation about the carriage before exams are over,” Tori replied at once, ignoring Alessa’s look of confusion. “Thank you again, Mr. Zisos.” As he stepped back and walked away, Tori took the opportunity to also put some distance between her and Alessa.
Tori made it to the main walkway and began the walk to the east dorm. She made a point not to look back at Alessa or say anything that may cause further problems.
“Alessa?” she heard a young man’s voice say behind her. “Are you all right?”
“Yes, I just...I just heard some disappointing news. I was hoping to get some help for the orphanage.”
Tori bit her lip, forcing herself not to turn around to see which love interest had swept in to console the distressed heroine.
“What do you need?”
“Assistance from the Church of Belcoy.”
“Is that all?” The love interest laughed. Tori furrowed her brows. Was there another love interest who had ties to the church? “I can ask for help from the Archbishop of Horizon. After all, he did oversee my trifecta blessing.”
“Really? Thank you, Gideon!”
Tori made a disgusted face, though she really couldn’t be mad. It wasn’t as if Gideon’s brother wasn’t pulling his contacts for her. She was also using Piers as a sort of pillar to strengthen her authority. If she were honest, one of the reasons she dared to work with Constantine was because of Piers’ status as the first prince.
The church had weight, but it wouldn’t outright defy a member of the royal family unless it was something heretical. Even then, losing the royal family’s support would weaken the church. Rather than some of the nearly all-powerful religions of her original world, the Church of Belcoy was seen as a strong cultural and traditional entity that influenced the country in its social and religious practices, but its direct political power was limited. They had no vote or seat in the Chamber. Their influence was mostly indirect.
For instance, if the church didn’t approve of the crown prince, the most they could do was reject overseeing the religious part of the succession, but they couldn't stop it. The crown prince would not have the blessing of Belcoy and that wouldn't affect their political position; however, this would undoubtedly look bad for the crown prince, and the general populace would begin to question, if not completely doubt, the ability and morality of the chosen crown prince.
Whether or not that would create additional problems and lead to the populace rejecting the crown prince while selecting another was unknown. Tori would have to look further into her history books to see if such instances occurred in the past, but this was just another aspect of how the crown prince had to have the favor of a particular faction to show he was going to be able to wield his power over his subjects.
The issue of crown prince aside, the Church of Belcoy had significant social power and if she could leverage that in the delta, maybe those old people who were still angry at her would stop being so stubborn and move to the military grade tents inland before the rising waters killed them.
She let out a sigh and lifted her hand to rub the back of her neck.
Those love interests were all giant headaches. She’d long figured out that Alessa was a minor player in the whole thing. Her existence may have caused the problems Tori faced, but it was clear that Victoria’s method of dealing with Alessa by harassing her was useless.
Alessa had no power of her own. She was incredibly annoying, but she herself didn’t pose a direct threat. She harnessed protection from the love interests. Even then, it wasn’t as if Alessa explicitly told them to deal with her. Such a thing would be against Alessa’s character. Still, it was the love interests who ultimately killed Victoria; the love interests working together to find her and throw her to her death.
The love interests were Tori’s antagonists and the ones she needed to deal with. If Victoria wanted to deal with Alessa, then she should’ve dealt with Alessa’s love interests. One needed to break down or breach the walls to destroy the city, right?
Even then, while the love interests held some power, at that moment, that power wasn’t necessarily all theirs.
Fabian’s strengths lay in his connection to Gideon and his swordsmanship, both of which Tori realized she could neutralize. Dr. Cooper-Fontaine confirmed that their duel almost dismissed Fabian from his position.
As for Gideon, his power lay in his imperial blood. But guess who else had imperial blood and played very well with her? Piers, whom she still had to go grocery shopping for because she owed him a meal and he demanded the steak she made for Ewan’s birthday because apparently, Axton didn’t tell him that Ewan had a birthday party and just left him one afternoon. She’d received a call as soon as she got back to the dorm after the party, telling her that he wanted steak before the semester ended.
As if I didn’t have enough I needed to deal with....
Montan was in the same position. He came from ‘money’, but it wasn’t his. Nor did he actually have a lot of it if what Axton had told her about the Alvere Duchy’s financial situation was true. As for his magic ability and charms, Tori was working on a way to repel them and, not to be overly confident, but she felt she was close to a breakthrough. She just had to wait until she could continue her experiments. Until then, she still had a dagger.
At the moment, she didn’t need to worry about Tom, who was sent back to Chetterswickshire, or Constantine, who had agreed to help her and rejected Alessa. She’d keep her potential enemy close for the time being.
Adrien was currently causing her the biggest headache with him buying out the bricks before she could order them. Thankfully, it wasn’t exactly life-threatening to her, but it did hinder her plans greatly.
Last, but not least, there was Dimitri. He hadn’t spoken to her once since they started school and she had a sneaking suspicion it was because his mother liked her. The thought made Tori smirk. Dimitri’s influence lay with his parents, but if his parents liked her, what could he do?
At his father’s evening party, he couldn’t touch her. It really was enough to make her laugh like a villainess.
“Tori!” she heard Ilyana’s voice ahead of her as she neared the east dorm. She stood by the entrance to the study room, welcoming other students to her much lauded study session. “Do you want to come to the study session?”
“I’m going to work on my Lycée project report first,” Tori said as she stopped beside Ilyana and peered inside. She drew her head back as she saw a surprising person already taking a seat within the largest study room in the east dorm. She leaned closer to her roommate. “Is that Mr. Guthry?”
Ilyana nodded and leaned forward, whispering. “His ranking dropped to fifth from the last exams.”
Tori tried not to smile. Ilyana had once again come in first while Tori maintained her third position, which was within her current goal of top five. She looked at Dimitri with a hint of pleasure in her eyes. “Oh...he’s slipping.”