Help! My Moms Are Overpowered Tyrants, and I'm Stuck as Their Baby!-Chapter 87: Dining with Disaster

I smiled inwardly.

Even the greatest tyrants started somewhere.

With Mara and Elira trailing closely behind, Riven and I navigated the elegant corridors toward the cafeteria. Although calling it a cafeteria felt decidedly wrong it was more akin to a grand banquet hall, polished marble floors gleaming like mirrors, high ceilings embellished with shimmering chandeliers, and walls adorned with tapestries woven in vibrant silks. Honestly, my parents' sponsorship left no corner untouched, each detail meticulously planned to remind everyone exactly whose child was attending the academy.

[Nothing subtle about your family's influence, is there?]

"Subtlety isn't exactly their forte," I murmured.

Riven shot me a questioning glance. "Did you say something?"

"Just thinking out loud," I replied smoothly.

He shook his head, sighing. "You always make it sound so sinister."

I smiled sweetly. "It usually is."

We arrived in the sprawling dining hall, where long tables were arranged with almost military precision, laden with delicacies that would have made most royal feasts look mundane. Silver platters piled high with expertly roasted meats, delicate pastries, fruits carved into elaborate sculptures, and towering chocolate fountains stood as proud centerpieces.

Even Mara and Elira exchanged impressed glances.

"Your Highness," Mara began with feigned solemnity, "are you sure this is an academy and not some secret palace for training extravagant dining etiquette?"

"Given who funds it," I replied, raising an eyebrow, "both options are equally likely."

We took our seats at a table strategically located near the grandest chocolate fountain. Riven stared at it with wide eyes, momentarily distracted from his usual anxiety. "Is this even edible?"

"If it's not," I mused, "at least our deaths will be luxurious."

He snorted softly, visibly relaxing.

Elira handed me a plate, already neatly filled with choice dishes. Mara, meanwhile, selected items meticulously, sampling each delicacy first to ensure none would attempt assassination by indigestion.

I glanced at Mara skeptically. "Expecting poison?"

"One can never be too careful," she replied seriously, biting delicately into a honey-glazed pastry.

[Wise woman. You'd be amazed how many tyrants meet their end via suspicious pastries.]

"That doesn't inspire confidence," I replied silently.

Before I could dwell further on pastry assassinations, a loud, cheerful voice cut through the low hum of conversation like a brightly colored arrow.

"Mind if I join you?"

We all turned simultaneously. Standing at the table's edge, practically vibrating with enthusiasm, was a girl I vaguely recognized from our class golden curls bouncing, bright emerald eyes sparkling with uncontainable excitement, and a smile that radiated enough warmth to melt the chocolate fountain behind us.

She plopped into the seat without waiting for an answer, offering a quick, dazzling grin. "I'm Aria! I saw your diplomacy demonstration earlier. Very inspiring! You made surrender negotiations look almost fun."

I blinked, momentarily stunned. Riven coughed loudly into his fist.

"Fun?" he echoed weakly, clearly traumatized.

"Yes!" Aria exclaimed, completely undeterred. "Diplomacy is so dreary, usually. It was thrilling seeing someone handle it with genuine flair!"

I glanced at Mara, who gave a subtle nod of approval. Elira's amused expression mirrored my internal confusion.

"Thank…you?" I ventured cautiously.

Aria didn't seem bothered by our hesitation. She filled her plate energetically, piling pastries and roasted meats together indiscriminately. She waved a fork in the air enthusiastically. "I've always admired people who aren't afraid to make their presence known."

"Well," I said dryly, "subtlety isn't exactly encouraged in my family."

Aria laughed heartily, drawing the curious gazes of nearby students. "Even better! Subtlety's boring. My parents are diplomats always whispering and tiptoeing around people's feelings. It's exhausting. You're refreshing!"

I tilted my head, intrigued despite myself. "You find intimidation refreshing?"

She shrugged cheerfully. "When you've grown up drowning in formalities, a bit of blunt honesty is like a breath of fresh air."

Riven leaned toward me, whispering, "I think she might be dangerous."

Aria overheard, smiling brightly. "Only to boredom."

[New ally acquired: Aria. Probability of chaos increased dramatically.]

"Noted," I murmured, amused despite myself.

Aria chatted easily, seemingly unfazed by my royal status or the reputation of my family. As I listened, half-dazed, half-amused, I realized that for once, I wasn't the center of fearful attention. It felt oddly liberating.

By the time dessert arrived, Aria had firmly established herself as a permanent fixture at our table. Even Riven seemed less wary, cautiously engaged in a conversation about the merits of chocolate versus caramel.

It was at this exact moment—just as I was about to take my first bite of the perfectly crafted chocolate mousse—that the system rudely interrupted.

[Mission Complete: Successfully navigated diplomacy and gained social acceptance without resorting to intimidation tactics. Reward Available.]

I paused, spoon hovering mid-air, and sighed inwardly. "Can this wait?"

[No. Rewards don't wait.]

"Fine," I muttered, setting the spoon down regretfully. "What's my reward?"

[New Skill Acquired: Royal Authority (Intermediate). Enhances your ability to command and persuade individuals of lower authority without explicit threats.]

"That sounds dangerously useful," I admitted, smiling faintly.

[Try not to abuse it too much.]

"No promises," I replied lightly.

Aria paused, fork halfway to her mouth, noticing my distracted expression. "You alright, Elyzara?"

I blinked, momentarily surprised at hearing her casually use my name without honorifics or hesitation. But strangely, I didn't mind it at all.

"Just thinking," I admitted, giving a small smile. "Nothing important."

She shrugged easily. "Well, stop thinking. It ruins dessert."

Riven snorted quietly, clearly amused.

"You're right," I agreed dramatically, picking up my spoon again. "Thinking is clearly overrated."

Aria raised her fork in a mock toast. "To desserts, diplomacy, and disregarding boring etiquette!"

Mara and Elira chuckled softly, Riven smiled nervously, and I raised my spoon in agreement, feeling oddly satisfied.

Maybe, just maybe, academy life wouldn't be so terrible after all.

[Optimism detected. Alert authorities immediately.]

I laughed silently, savoring the rich sweetness of my dessert.

"So," Aria continued, leaning forward conspiratorially, "how much trouble do you think we'll get into if we sneak some dessert out of here for later?"

"Probably significant trouble," I replied with a faint smirk.

Her eyes sparkled mischievously. "Excellent. Shall we risk it?"

Riven sighed, shaking his head resignedly. "We're doomed."

But for the first time, he didn't sound entirely unhappy about it.

"Definitely doomed," I agreed cheerfully. "But at least we won't be bored."

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Together, under Mara and Elira's bemused watch, we plotted our sugary heist, Aria's enthusiasm proving infectious. Even Smaug who appeared unexpectedly, sneaking pastries when he thought no one was looking joined the conspiracy, though he grumbled loudly about dignity.

I glanced around at my odd group of friends and attendants, feeling a strange sense of warmth.

Perhaps being a tyrant didn't always have to be lonely.

Perhaps chaos, in measured doses, was exactly what I needed.

I smiled slowly.

[Be careful, tyrant. You're starting to sound like a protagonist.]

"Oh, please," I replied silently. "I've always been one."

The system's amused silence was confirmation enough.

For now, I'd savor this new, unexpected friendship and prepare myself for whatever madness Aria's presence would undoubtedly bring.

After all, every great tyrant needed at least one accomplice.

I was fairly certain I'd just found mine.