Fiancée. He called her, his fiancée. Not 'woman' or 'You!' but…
Tears welled in her eyes as she stared at his wide back; numerous emotions were reflected in her tears as she bit her lips to refrain from sobbing.
Morkel's jaw was moving, signifying that the guy was grinding his teeth furiously. Unintentionally he even released his aura, making Hayden frown, as he warned,
"Professor Morkel."
The bespectacled man heaved a sigh before giving a slight bow and saying,
"I apologize for the display, Sir Hayden, but the student has forgotten the fact that within the boundaries of this academy, every student is equal. So student Austin needs to be reminded that until he is studying here, he has to respect his professors."
Austin scoffed but didn't say anything against that. Returning his attention to the supreme authority, he said,
"I apologize if I said something rude, but in my opinion, everyone has the right to present their views before any conclusion can be drawn. And if Professor Morkel threatens someone close to me because I said something, then it's natural for me to react, sir."
Austin justified himself, and this time, the Headmaster supported him, "Yes, I can understand. But Austin, I recommend you tame your aura."
Austin was…genuinely surprised. He never realized that he released his aura. He doesn't even know how it feels to have magic.
Naturally, he avoided showing any surprise and after giving a nod of affirmation, he continued.
"So yes, after her gown was damaged, Valerie reacted, and she had all the reason to do so."
This time Rudolph interjected, "How does that work? Have you lost your mind, Austin? Can a dress make someone react so violently?"
The opinion was shared by every single person except for Valerie and Austin in the room.
Their homeroom teacher, Cassie, also nodded, "Yes, Austin. If it had been somewhere appropriate her reaction might have been justified. But Rhea only tore the side of her dress."
Even the headmaster gave a nod to show that he was in support of the statement.
Parkinson smirked, 'Let's see how you defend that bitch now!'
Austin heaved a sigh and turned towards the person who asked him the question.
Austin's eyes drifted toward the dagger which Rudolph holstered at the side of his waist.
Pointing at it, he asked, "I remember you got that dagger from your father as a symbol of courage and determination when you hunted a boar for the first time."
Rudolph's chest swelled with pride, "Indeed."
Rhea frowned, unsure why the argument went in that direction, but naturally, to respect the Headmaster's words, she remained silent.
Austin crossed his arms on his chest, and asked, "What if someone dares to damage that dagger-"
"I will kill them. Without hesitation or any fear of consequences." It was a bold statement from the teenager, considering his homeroom teacher, the vice-headmaster and the headmaster himself were present in the room
However, considering how much Rudolph respected his father, such a reaction was to be expected.
Hayden was about to say something, but the Headmaster stopped him, knowing that Austin wanted the other one to retain the aggression.
A very small smile formed on Austin's lips as he said, "Just like that dagger is important to you, that gown is important to Valerie as well….because it was given by the person she adores the most."
Everyone was perplexed; meanwhile, Rhea's eyes widened in shock since she never thought that Valerie reacted because of her fondness for the apparel she wore.
Turning towards the Headmaster, Austin added, "That gown was gifted by me and since yesterday marks the second anniversary of our engagement, sir, Valerie wore that dress to please me. It's another fact that I never went to meet her and disrespected her sentiments."
Near the end his voice turned a little low, showing the regret he carried for ignoring his fiancée.
Valerie's face was tainted with tears—a sight that might have caused several students to faint in shock.
The cold and strict beauty can shed tears and show such a pitiful sight? Unbelievable.
Heaving a sigh, the blond Prince concluded, "From what I could see, sir, Valerie acted on impulse, but she never intended to cause such damage to Rhea. And about her comment regarding Rhea's parents—"
Austin turned towards the pinkhead before lowering his head, "Then I apologize in her stead."
Even Rudolph wasn't able to maintain his frown seeing the Prince lowering his head and for whom? The same fiancée whom he has ignored all his life?
Rhea was embarrassed as she hurriedly said, "Please lift your head, Austin. I wasn't completely aware of the situation so I should be apologizing."
Morkel frowned; this was not what was supposed to happen. He wanted the insane bitch to get punished, not Rhea actually lowering her head!
However, before he or anyone else could have said nothing, the Headmaster finally stood up—garnering everyone's attention.
With his hands crossed behind his back, the old man said, "After hearing the whole thing and realizing under what circumstances the two students acted, I have concluded that student Valerie will indeed be punished."
Austin frowned, however, he didn't interrupt the man from continuing,
"However, considering Student Rhea was also in the wrong I won't charge Valerie with the same punishment which she should have been."
Turning his gaze towards the violet-haired teenager, the older one said, "For the next two weeks, you need to spend an extra hour with the previous disciplinary chief who is in third year and do whatever she tells you. It will help you realize the consequences of your impulsive decisions."
Valerie, now in a much better mood than how she came in, instantly lowered her head and accepted the punishment.
Then the old man turned towards Rhea and said, "Rhea, you will have to give an extra hour to our librarian, who will help you understand the meaning of tolerance and composure. He will teach you to control your anger."
"...I understand, sir." Rhea also bowed and accepted her punishment.
Then suddenly Parkinson jumped in, "Wait…are you just glossing over the fact that Rhea's soul was damaged?!"
It was true; Soul Shard is the extension of one's soul and Valerie snapped it into two.
Along with lowered life expectancy, Rhea would face several more side effects of such damage.
The Headmaster heaved a sigh before saying, "I have already informed the church; they will come and look at her case tomorrow."
Parkinson frowned—not happy with such leniency. However, before he could have said anything, Morkel pulled him back and grimly shook his head.
The teenager growled before he pursed his lips and glared at Austin.
If only he hadn't intervened…
—-----**-------
A/N:- Thanks for reading. I would appreciate it if you add this book to your library.