Everyone looked at her warily.
Someone recorded the earlier incident in the corridor and posted it on the University's student forum, making Amelia the center of attention—and not in a good way.
Due to Alpha Killian's influence, everyone already knew the infamous daughter of Thames Cooper, Hannah Cooper, but who was this new girl who dared to look down on Killian and Hannah? And why did she call Hannah her sister?
Everyone suddenly started speculating, and Amelia stood in the assembly, least bothered by the stares people were casting her way.
All the freshers from all the branches were called into a seminar room and made to stand in a line so the Principal could address them.
Ryan stood behind Amelia, his gaze lingering on her back before he looked down at his hands. He did not like how everyone was also looking at him now that he stood behind her.
He looked at the girl, who seemed unfazed, and wondered if that was a publicity stunt.
"Hey, I am Asher," one of the boys said, walking to Amelia, his smile a little shy, and extending his hand to her.
Ryan had heard about Amelia from Aaron and waited to observe her reaction.
"Hi, I am Amelia," Amelia shook hands with Asher, and the guy beamed.
"I heard you are the one who came first in the exams of the healers. I know the student council leader and the teacher's assistant who will be handling laboratory experiments. If you need my help, let me know," Asher said.
Amelia smiled at him before nodding.
"I will surely find you, Asher," She said.
"She is hot. Don't you think so?" Derrick whispered to Aaron when he saw his brother looking at the girl.
Aaron scoffed at his brother's words.
"You just want to get into her pants. She is not hot. She is rude," Aaron said, still unsure why a girl like her would hate him so much when she was talking to everyone approaching her.
"In her defense, you acted rude first. Norman told me what happened," Derrick said.
Aaron just scoffed.
"Silence," The principal walked onto the stage, and everyone quieted immediately, standing in their places.
The principal addressed the new students, telling them they needed to abide by the rules and that no one would be treated past them, whether the person was an Alpha, Luna, or a rogue. Everyone was equal in the University.
After ending his speech, he wished everyone a happy and fruitful education.
"Now, I would like to invite Alpha King Cyrus Valentino to light up the candle that would officially begin this year's batch," the Principal said.
As soon as Amelia heard King Cyrus's name, her heart skipped a beat. She looked at the stage with a sharp gaze before looking down, suddenly feeling nervous to see him after three days.
Alpha Killian, standing at some distance and observing Amelia from the corner of his eyes without making it obvious, scoffed inwardly when he saw Amelia suddenly looking down at her feet.
The girl didn't even want to look at her husband. She was still madly in love with him. The earlier stunt that the girl pulled was just to gain his attention.
Since she was clear that going head-on and confessing her love wasn't working, she was now going with another method. Killian scoffed at his thoughts before looking at the monster who walked proudly and dominantly on the stage.
His aura was unmatched. The dominance he carried with himself was thick enough to be cut with a knife. The upper half of his face was covered with a half mask, just like always, his long overcoat sliding on the floor as he moved.
Fabian and Trevor were hot on their tails, scanning the crowd before their gazes stopped at Amelia briefly.
King Cyrus stood in the center of the stage, his gaze dark and cold, the voice of any humane expression.
"Please, King Valentino," The principal said, and Cyrus nodded.
"For this year's lighting ceremony, won't it be good if we allow one of the students to light it along with me?" Cyrus asked.
The principal bowed in understanding, his body visibly freezing at his words.
Light the candle together?
While it was a good suggestion, who would dare to stand beside the King daringly?
"Let's see if anyone volunteers," The principal chuckled on the mic awkwardly.
He looked around, awaiting if any student could come forward without making it look forceful.
Fabian and Trevor looked at Amelia hopefully, but the girl looked at her feet, feeling bashful. How was she supposed to know about their gazes when she had already been getting used to receiving so many gazes since morning because of the incident from earlier?
She couldn't feel anyone's gaze. However, one gaze she could feel forced her to look up straight at the stage.
Her gaze met with his cold ones, and she gulped.
Did he want her to volunteer? Or was it a warning gaze that she shouldn't volunteer under any circumstances? She looked at Fabian for help, and seeing him nod at her, Amelia sighed.
She lifted her hand gently, her boldness and daring nature catching everyone off-guard, especially Alpha Killian, who thought she feared the monster.
But then, she might be doing it because his subordinates had been looking at her since earlier.
They forced her to lift her hand. Killian nodded to himself with his understanding.
"Very well, please come forward, student," the Principal clapped his hands, feeling visibly relaxed that he didn't have to choose and make it look forceful.
Amelia walked to the stage, her steps slow but full of poise. She held her head high, like a true queen walking to her king.
Cyrus followed her every step with a sharp gaze, his stance making her so nervous that she didn't let anyone see.
Fabian smiled at her encouragingly, and Amelia stopped before King Cyrus.
She held the corner of her dress and bowed to show him her respect.
Cyrus looked at her, stepping forward.
Amelia's breath hitched.
There was still a measurable distance between them, but why did it suddenly feel like the air had turned suffocating?
"Long time no see," Amelia whispered to King Cyrus before she stood beside him.
The man looked down at her from the corner of his eyes.
"Creating trouble already?" Cyrus turned to the candle before lighting it with Amelia.
"Will you come to my defense?" She asked, her eyes suddenly looking at him hopefully.
The man paused. He observed her eyes for a few seconds before scoffing.
"If I must protect my wife, I must turn up. No one can punish you but me," Cyrus said, his voice deep and velvety.
She suddenly felt a rush of blood to her cheeks and ears at his choice of words. This was probably the most romantic sentence he might've said in his entire life. And while it was meant to be threatening, it wasn't.
"Be good," Cyrus said to her, and Amelia nodded.
She was about to return to where she was standing earlier when Cyrus stopped her.
Or that was what it felt like.
Amelia turned around and saw her jade bangle entangling with the button of King's overcoat.
She blushed at the action while everyone gasped.
"I am sorry," She hurried to remove it while the principal nearly fainted from the panic.
"Stay still," Cyrus grabbed her hand and pulled her close, making her stumble forward. She almost placed her hand on his chest, which she dodged at the last moment.
She didn't want people to create weird rumors about her again.
Cyrus saw the hesitancy in her eyes but didn't comment anything.
"If this bangle got entangled with any other man's coat, I would break it personally before breaking this hand," Cyrus said coldly, and Amelia nodded.
"I understand your words, King Cyrus. Don't worry. This heart belongs to you only," Amelia whispered before hurriedly leaving the stage.
Cyrus stood frozen in his place. What did she say? That heart belonged to him? Why would she say that? Did she think he was acting on jealousy?
What the hell?! Cyrus glared at the girl's back, his aura becoming more unwelcoming. The principal started sweating, praying the king wouldn't hold it against the student.
Amelia, who was getting used to him and knew he wouldn't hurt her uselessly, stood unbothered.