NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 121: Academy's Cafeteria?
"I think... being on the council sounds like fun. And it would be quite nice to have it on my portfolio as well."
Marionette stared at her for a moment before gazing down at the piece of paper. Lillian watched as the assassin put down a name before asking:
"Who are you voting?" she tilted her head.
Marionette stared back up before pushing out the note to her. Lillian stared down and read it.
[Lillian]
"Ehh... you actually put my name down? Can't say I'm not thankful though." she chuckled.
"Why would I? I think you'd make a fine member. Considering how studious and consistent you are in your studies."
Lillian tried her best to hide the wry smile that was trying to come on her lips. She wouldn't call herself... 'studious'. Consistent though, was another matter since she had been able to turn in assignments on time.
While the two engaged in a conversation, the Prince, who happened to overhear them, raised his head before staring down at the piece of paper beside him.
After a few minutes, Mirage collected the notes and began to read through them. Once he was done, he held the white chalk and drew on the dark green chalkboard.
Scrape. Scrape. Scrape.
He wrote three names on the board and two under them.
[Reph Von Lionbright, Testrie, Millis]
[Lillian, Marionette Von Roselle]
Lillian's eyes twitched at the names written down—specifically how they were. Mirage was a lot more respectful in writing out Reph's and Marionette's full name, while more casual with the others.
She pouted a bit. 'High Nobles and their special treatment.' she eventually smiled at this small topic though.
There wasn't any need to get upset over such a thing, after all.
"The names I have seen the most were these five. But mainly these three. At number one we have the Prince with 10 votes. The Testrie with 8. Millis with 7. Lillian with 3. Marionette with 2."
He then turned around from the chalkboard and gestured towards the back and at the Second Prince.
Reph, who was already sitting upright, held back his obvious yawn and nodded. He then muttered.
"Is that so? I hope you guys regret this decision." He scratched the back of his head.
Mirage shrugged. "It's not like it's just you. You need to select the Vice Class Representative as well."
Reph hummed before glancing around the room. His gaze then landed on Millis, who stared at him curiously before moving on to Marionette.
The raven-haired woman, while leaning the side of her face in her palm, gestured at him with her eyes that darted to her left.
The Prince looked past her and stared at Lillian, who was staring at the chalkboard with a curious gaze.
She thought about the people who had voted for Marionette before stiffening at the sound of her name being called out.
"I pick Lillian Ker Arius as my Vice Class Representative."
Lillian stared at him, falling into confusion. Why her? Out of everyone in this class, why was it that she was chosen?
"Interesting decision," Mirage murmured before writing on a spare piece of paper and pocketing it afterwards. "Now that the voting is done, let's start class then."
***
"Out of everyone in the class, why did you pick me?" Lillian asked, leaning her elbow against the table. With her left cheek resting in her palm and her right hand holding a white soft drink cup.
They were currently in the Academy's Cafeteria—that looked more like the centre of a mall. And in one of its 90s style diner corner booths.
Reph, who had just taken a bite from a cheeseburger, chewed before placing it down on the plate that came with a red tray.
Once swallowing, he patted his mouth with a paper towel.
"Did you not say that you wanted to get into the Student Council?" He asked, staring at her across the table with a raised brow.
"I mean... yeah... but weren't there a lot of other people who would've been more suited for this role?"
Reph stared at her for a brief moment before pulling out his phone. Then with his left hand, clutching the cheeseburger, he ate while tapping at his phone with his thumb.
Millis, who was beside him, glanced at his phone before back at Lillian, with a cheering look.
"Oh come on! Meh definitely think ya is the obvious best choice. Ya are quite the hard worker after all!" she said, holding her palm over her mouth as she chewed her food.
Well... more like dessert. Millis dug her silver spoon into a large bowl of chocolate brownies with several scoops of vanilla icecream and chocolate sprinkles.
With each scoop shoved into her mouth, her eyes sparkled like gluttonous stars.
"Ehh... am I though...?" Although Lillian was flattered, she was still a bit pessimistic. Well... that was until Marionette spoke up.
"... Are you doubting yourself?"
The stoic assassin cut into her steak, which was drizzled in a dark brown sauce. It had a tantalising and savoury aroma.
After slicing down the centre of it, the sauce that was layered on top, dripped down the mid-section, which was a beautiful pink—a perfect mid-rare.
After swallowing a slice and wiping her mouth with a paper towel, she said:
"You are given the chance to do something you want to do. Take it. If you doubt that you could fit that role, then work hard to where the role fits you like a glove."
Lillian sighed. "I guess..."
"And also. If you're still struggling..." Marionette rested both her elbows on the table and her chin on the back of her fingers that formed a net. "I'm sure the Prince would be willing to help you," she said, staring intently at Reph who looked up from his phone and stared back.
"Uh... yeah." he briefly responded.
Lillian, who was watching this "stand-off" and sipping the plastic striped straw of her drink, felt a faint vibration in the inner pockets of her black blazer.
She held out her phone and stared at the newly arrived notification. It was a message. But... from the Prince?