Chapter 10 The Fractured Scrolls
Chapter 10
Lira’s POV
The Fractured Scrolls
"Are you certain this will work as you just described it? " Lyra asked with her sugar-coated voice. They were at the back of the classroom, the exact spot they had converted into a gossip corner.
"As certain as pure gold in my pocket." The instructor replied, his tone revealing his own greed and manipulation. "Once we succeed in planting the scroll, there will be no chance for her to explain how it got there."
I froze right in the doorway on hearing that. I knew they hated me, but for it to get to this level, I never saw it coming. The moment they saw me on sight, their voices dropped into a whisper, but unfortunately for them, I've already heard enough to take cover and avoid their trap.
Nyra growled in my head, agitated by the plans they have for me. "The snake isn't sleeping. She had succeeded in sharpening her fangs. I bet you won't choose to play quiet this time around, or you haven't changed your mind?"
I don't plan to keep quiet, I thought back. I only have to be strategic.
Lyra flickered her almost golden hair in a manner that showed she was truly the queen of the gossip gang of the Academy. Her footsteps did not show any trace of someone who had just plotted my execution. "Morning, Lira," she cooed. "You look... exhausted. It seems like you had a rough night?"
Of course, I met her saccharine aura with a calm and collected stare. "It's better off than yours without meaning."
That weakened her resolve, her fake smile disappearing immediately. "We will see you then."
>>>>>>>>>>>>
Before I could say jack, the hall filled up quickly, scrolls distributed almost immediately as everyone settled down. Cael was the last person to enter, and as usual, his presence drew much attention like a mini god. His cold gaze roamed all over the crowd, carefully scanning the hall like he was searching for something. And then, it landed on me, but too briefly to get any attention. No one else noticed, and if they did, they read no meaning to it.
"Today is for exercise," Cael announced, his voice sharper than most people combined. "We will be practicing siege tactics today. This is a huge project where everyone would make a presentation of the strategy golden enough to outmaneuver an enemy, especially the ones twice your size when there's limited availability of resources. These strategies should focus on simplicity and efficiency. And of no account should anyone give an excuse."
My fingers calmly brushed over the scroll placed on my desk. It has neat handwriting, but it doesn't belong to me. It was carelessly stuffed under the edge, so close to my parchment. And funny enough, it smelled of Lyra's perfume.
Nyra hissed within me, already boiling up. "Take it out right now. Don't waste any more time. Confront her before everyone and expose her lies."
No, I thought back to her, ensuring to mask my boredom. Let her use her hand and bury herself. Having patience does magic, and is sharper than a blade.
Not long after, the presentation started. Students began sharing different strategies, some came out sharp and applaudable, others were mostly forgettable. As I was still immersed in deep thought, Cael's voice cut through, bringing me back to reality. "Lira, you are next to present."
On hearing my name, I rose slowly to my feet. My movement was deliberate just to draw attention, and in my hand, I held both scrolls. I saw how Lyra's eyes shone with malice, already rejoicing that my downfall was near. The instructor, the one she had planned with, shifted uncomfortably in his seat, as though he was doubting the drama about to unfold.
When I should turn to face the audience and present, instead of starting with my scroll, I decided to unroll the false one. The moment it came into view, everyone around started murmuring. The strategy was overcomplicated, even to the point that Alpha pup would laugh at the strategy. The murmurs didn't die down; they increased.
"That's impossible."
"That plan of hers is suicidal."
"I can't believe she wouldn't write such..."
Cael's icy tone thundered through the whole hall. "Explain yourself this minute."
I didn't respond to him with the same energy that he showed me. Instead, I turned to face him, calm and collected. "Of course, I will explain myself Alpha heir. But before doing that, I would love to show you something really interesting first."
With a guided smile, I held out the scroll for everyone to see. "I found this scroll on my desk early this morning. The strange thing is that it bears my name on it, my seal, but not my handwriting. And this shows that it's. " I dragged a pattern on it with my nails, the ink coming off too easily. "This is... forged."
The moment I said that, gasps erupted from the crowd, and of course, many turned their heads toward the direction of Lyra. It wasn't news anymore that she's the only one forming rivals against me.
And as expected, her face turned pale, even her effort to mask it with a fake smile failed woefully. "You're lying, Lira. That scroll belongs to you. You shouldn't twist this just to get attention."
"Really?" I cut her off, not giving her the chance to speak. I immediately lifted the real one, the one I had written myself for everyone to see the difference. "How can that one be mine since I have this here? And unlike the one you forged with my seal and name, this has been he best working strategy. The best that even Alphas would gladly respect "
Everywhere became as quiet as a graveyard. The truth was staring boldly at everyone, even the instructors couldn't deny the fact that I was right. Cael saw the evidences, but what would be his judgement? Will they carry out justice, or will
they favor Lyra because of her father's position?