Just as Alaric was about to get up from his seat, an amused voice drifted over from below.
"Well, well. Isn't it our dear cousin?"
An auburn-haired boy approached Elina's row, flanked by two others who shared his lazy confidence and expensive accessories.
His tone carried that particular brand of casual cruelty that came naturally to certain types of nobility.
Elina didn't even look up from gathering her notes.
Her dark-haired companion followed her lead, both of them acting like the newcomers were invisible.
"Ah, so we playing the silent treatment, I see," the boy continued, clearly enjoying himself.
"Though I suppose that's easier than explaining how you ended up here despite everyone's... expectations."
His friends snickered at the barbed comment.
Elina's hand paused for just a moment over her quill before resuming its task.
"Come on, Leo," one of his companions said. "We'll be late for our next lecture."
