Elysium: Desired by the Cold-hearted Princess [GL]

Third-person POV

The car ride back to Elysium was quiet—at least on Seraphina's end. Her thoughts spun in endless loops, and over and over, she couldn't stop herself from feeling guilty.

The accusation in Yuna's voice earlier, the sarcasm veiling something deeper, something wounded—it was all too much. She had really forgotten Yuna. Completely.

It wasn't intentional, but that didn't change the fact that it happened.

She barely noticed the way her fingers were clenched together in her lap, or how her breathing had slowed as she stared blankly at the passing scenery outside the car window.

"Sera," Electra's voice suddenly broke through the silence, her tone laced with mild irritation. "Why do you look like someone just died? Seriously, you look miserable."

Seraphina blinked, turning her head toward Electra, who was seated beside her with her arms crossed over her chest, a bored expression on her face.

"Is it because of Yuna or something?" Electra continued, tilting her head slightly. "Do you feel guilty?"

Seraphina let out a sigh, leaning her head back against the seat. "How would you feel if something happened to you, and your best friend completely forgot about you?"

Electra arched a brow at her, then shrugged. "I doubt Irina would ever forget about me."

Seraphina shot her a glare. "That's not what I meant."

Electra, noticing the glare, let out a chuckle and lifted her hands in surrender. "Okay, okay, I get it. That wasn't the answer you were looking for. My bad."

Seraphina exhaled sharply, looking away.

Electra shifted in her seat before continuing. "Look, I can see why Yuna might be upset with you, and why you feel bad about it. But honestly? A lot happened after she got suspended. You had bigger things to worry about, and anyone with a brain would understand that."

Seraphina frowned, still not fully convinced.

Electra, seeing her hesitation, rolled her eyes before adding, "Besides, let's be real. You and Yuna hadn't even known each other for two months before she got suspended. You two calling yourselves 'best friends' was a stretch, don't you think?"

Seraphina's frown deepened. "That's not fair. She was there for me when I first arrived. She helped me adjust."

Electra let out an exaggerated scoff. "Please. That was just a case of a social outcast latching on to the new, shy girl so she wouldn't feel like a loner anymore, and maybe you latched on to her too because you needed someone."

Seraphina felt her chest tighten. "That's not—"

"Tell me I'm wrong," Electra challenged, raising a brow. "Tell me that Yuna wasn't the first person to talk to you when you arrived because no one else would have bothered with the new quiet girl. Tell me that you wouldn't have made a different friend if someone else had reached out to you first. Tell me that Yuna didn't just use your presence to make herself feel less alone."

Seraphina opened her mouth to argue, but the words wouldn't come out. Because deep down, a part of her knew there was some truth in Electra's words.

She had been lonely when she first arrived at Elysium. Completely out of place, and Yuna was the only one who made an effort to talk to her. It wasn't like they had naturally gravitated toward each other—it was more like Yuna decided they were friends, and Seraphina had gone along with it because she needed someone.

It didn't make their friendship fake, but maybe… maybe it wasn't as deep as she had convinced herself it was.

Seraphina bit the inside of her cheek. "Even if that's true, does it really matter? I still should have reached out to her."

Electra sighed, shaking her head. "Look, I'm not saying you shouldn't feel bad. I'm just saying, don't let it eat you up. If she wants to talk later, then talk, but don't beat yourself up over something you didn't do on purpose. You had enough on your plate."

Seraphina sighed, slumping back into the seat.

Electra reached over, nudging her knee lightly. "Besides, I'm your best friend now. Yuna's just going to have to deal with it."

Seraphina let out a soft chuckle despite herself, shaking her head. "You're so annoying."

Electra smirked. "Yeah, but you love me anyway."

Seraphina didn't respond to that, but the small smile that tugged at her lips was enough of an answer.

***

As the car rolled to a stop in front of Elysium Girls High, Seraphina's hands tightened into fists in her lap. She let out a slow breath before turning to Electra, whose fingers tapped idly against the armrest, looking completely unbothered.

Seraphina knew she had to be careful. The last thing she needed was unnecessary attention—especially after everything that had happened.

"I'm heading in first," she said quickly, reaching for the door handle.

Electra arched a brow. "Why?"

Seraphina hesitated, then let out a dry laugh, shaking her head. "Have you already forgotten what happened before my father died? Or do I need to refresh your memory?"

Electra frowned, tilting her head slightly.

Seraphina scoffed. "Someone posted that picture of us—the one that made it look like we were about to kiss, and the whole school started calling me one of 'Electra Vale's bitches.' Do you remember now?"

Electra's lips twitched, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Oh, right. That."

Seraphina threw her a glare. "Yeah, that."

Electra leaned back in her seat, her smirk deepening. "So, what you're saying is… you would rather not be seen with me in public while we're at school?"

Seraphina folded her arms. "Exactly."

Electra let out a mocking gasp, placing a hand over her chest. "Seraphina Hook, are you ashamed of me?"

Seraphina rolled her eyes. "Don't be ridiculous. You know exactly why I can't be seen with you too often—especially now."

Electra raised a brow. "Because of Prince Darius?"

Seraphina sighed. "Some of the Aldorian students here probably already know that I'm engaged to him, and the last thing I need is some scandal suggesting that I'm in a relationship with you while being engaged to the prince of my kingdom."

Electra chuckled, shaking her head. "A scandal wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, you know."

Seraphina groaned. "Maybe not for you, but for me? It would be a nightmare."

Electra shrugged, clearly unbothered. "You know, it's kind of funny how you're suddenly worried about your 'reputation'. Little dove Seraphina has a reputation to uphold."

Seraphina threw her a look. "Well, I'm now engaged to a literal prince. Don't forget that."

Electra smirked, her fingers lightly drumming against her thigh. "Fair enough."

Seraphina reached for the door handle again, pausing only to pat Electra on the shoulder. "Just deal with it, okay?"

Electra sighed dramatically, but there was amusement in her eyes. "Fine, fine. Go ahead. I'll be your big secret."