Night Monarch's Cannon Fodder Bride-Chapter 45: Poisonous Butterfly

Many had chipped souls—broken, full of cracks. All dressed in fine clothes, as if compensating for the flaws within.

Severine was no different.

She picked up a long yellow dress, ruffled at the shoulders. Small shiny beads were embroidered along the hem in a delicate, flowery pattern.

She paired it with a pearl bracelet she had never worn before. The cold feeling of pearls against her skin brought her wandering senses back to the mirror.

I look so... different.

On designated days, students were allowed to wear clothes other than their uniforms.

It varied by major, and this time it was the commerce section’s turn.

She had worn different tones of white and browns, pairing them with matching jeans. Even her skirts were mostly in the shades of white.

However, she didn’t feel like wearing them again.

Someone who had never cared much about her appearance had dolled herself up with a light layer of makeup.

The door opened, allowing her to see the living room.

After the last night, the place had returned to its original clean state.

Alina yawned. Her arms raised high in a comfortable stretch. Yet her yawn ended up stuck as if someone had pressed a halt button.

Her hazy eyes lost their laziness, widening to allow more light to enter her pupils so she could see better.

"Holy mother of cow, what kind of dream is it?"

Severine side-stepped the mumbling heroine and went to the kitchen. Her throat felt parched.

Warm water slid down her throat, relieving the itchiness.

Thinking about how she woke up last night twice from thirst, she grabbed the water bottle from the drawer and filled it.

Just as she was closing the lid, Alina rushed into the kitchen, nearly slipping on the polished floor. She grabbed Severine by the shoulders and spun her around.

"What the actual hell—" Her voice cracked.

If not for Severine’s quick grip, the bottle would have tumbled down.

Alina leaned back, staring from head to toe as if witnessing a rare evolutionary leap.

"Who are you and what did you do with my emotionally constipated best friend?"

Severine calmly twisted the bottle cap tighter. "Good morning."

"Good morning? Good morning?!" Alina clutched her chest dramatically. "You walk out here looking like a damn spring goddess about to ruin someone’s life, and you say good morning?"

Severine, "..."

Alina circled her slowly, squinting like an art critic examining a masterpiece.

"The dress? Soft. Elegant. Innocent. Like a butterfly." She leaned closer, lowering her voice. "But matched with your cold aura, it’s the poisonous kind."

She flicked the ruffles at Severine’s shoulder.

"And the pearls? What is this? A rich widow aesthetic? Since when do you accessorize?"

Severine turned away, putting the glass in the sink.

Alina stepped in front of her again, grabbing her chin without permission.

"And the makeup—holy shit."

That was when it became impossible to miss.

The soft yellow of the dress, the delicate shimmer of beads, the clean glow of her skin—

—and the deep, unapologetic crimson lipstick.

A slow grin spread across Alina’s chubby face as she said, "You’re dressed like a butterfly about to sip blood."

Severine gently removed Alina’s hand from her chin.

"It’s just lipstick."

"Just lipstick?" Alina barked out a laugh. "You don’t even wear tinted balm. And now you’re out here looking like you’re about to either attend a gala or destroy one."

Severine looked at her reflection, faintly visible in the kitchen window.

Is the red too bold?

It was indeed unlike her, but she didn’t suppress her impulsiveness when she picked it up.

Alina crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes.

"Alright. Spill. Who are we killing?"

"No one." Severine side-stepped the eager kitten once again, grabbing the bag and putting the water bottle inside.

"Hey, wait for me!"

Sigh...

So, after half an hour, Severine was followed by Alina, whose round yellow eyes kept glancing her way, mumbling something about having a crush.

The moment they stepped inside, the cafeteria buzz died down.

"It’s like we have traveled back a month ago."

Alina’s words weren’t baseless.

It had been more than a month since someone drenched Severine with a soup under Damien’s provocation. Since then, they hadn’t stepped back.

This silence effect was somewhat the same.

Just like back then, many eyes were fixed on them as they walked toward the cafeteria window.

"So... who do you like?"

When Severine opened her mouth, Alina raised her palm to stop her. "Don’t give me bullshit like you suddenly have another soul of a diva inside you. Come clean."

Severine, who just had a change of heart on impulse, felt rather amused by Alina’s reactions.

"Who do you think I’ve got a crush on?"

Ignoring the slowly increasing buzz of the students around her, Alina followed behind Severine.

She rubbed her chin like some detective, while absentmindedly grabbing the plate. Soon, the freshly made breakfast filled the empty container.

They were already nearing the vacant spot when Alina’s eye narrowed.

She recalled all the people Severine had come in contact with. There were only a few possibilities.

"Don’t tell me... Is it that sea king with an iron kidney?"

... Who?

Why did that description sound so strange, but still managed to bring Emmett’s face to her mind?

Severine scoffed at the thought.

"Is he worthy?" The words slipped past her red lips before she even registered them herself.

Alina silently pulled the chair, sat down, and started observing Severine from head to toe all over again.

"What?"

The mushroom soup had a nice creamy texture to it. If not for such intense glaring, Severine would have forgotten what she had just blurted out.

Strangely, there were no more regrets, no overthinking of her actions.

With a light mood, she brought another spoonful to her mouth.

Liam isn’t in the spectrum. Sami is your assistant. If there was any sort of connection, it would have formed a long time ago. Alina’s thoughts raced, mentally crossing all the men one by one.

"... Don’t tell me you... like that mad dog."

Cough. Cough.

For the first time, Severine wanted to hit someone. And she did.

She grabbed an extra spoon and tapped Alina on the forehead.

"Aw! It hurts!"

"Eat."