Night Monarch's Cannon Fodder Bride-Chapter 49: The Bitter Cup Of Coffee

The early morning air was still cool enough to carry the scent of dew-kissed grass and blooming jasmine, roses, and many other flowers from the academy’s various gardens.

Sunlight stretched gently across the horizon, warming the world awake with a promise of long, unhurried days.

However, Severine’s struggle had already begun.

The cafeteria was silent, save for the clatter of utensils and the low chatter of chefs.

Severine approached the window and showed a card.

It was dark green—almost black—with only two words printed on it.

"Emmett D’Arden."

If one looked closely, carvings could be seen in the left corner, forming a rectangular shape filled with intricate lines and curves.

When the chef noticed the name on it, he hurriedly went to make a fresh batch of breakfast.

In the chef’s eyes, the steam rising from the buffet dishes was unworthy of the third young master of the D’Arden family.

About half an hour later, a few scattered groups of students began to file inside. Some were already properly dressed, while others, droopy-eyed, were still in their pajamas.

They trudged along the cafeteria aisle to get their plates almost on instinct.

The scene reminded her of Alina. The cat Awakener had a tendency to sleep late and then rush for her classes.

"Here," the chef gave her the carefully packed lunch box with a smile. "I hope the young master likes it."

Severine nodded in polite acknowledgment before turning away.

She also hoped the same.

After the silent walk of nearly another fifteen minutes, she reached the dormitory building.

Unlike her dorm, this building was reserved for higher-status students—or one could say, those with golden imprints on their blazers.

She lifted her chin high, staring at the third floor where Emmett D’Arden lived.

Sigh.

I hope I don’t see Damien.

Not only Damien but Emily lived there as well. Severine had no idea which floor belonged to whom.

Picking up her pace, she entered the elevator and pressed the button for the third floor.

Ding.

The metallic doors slid open with a low hydraulic sigh, revealing a narrow waiting area. Large and small plant pots lined both sides of the corridor.

The scent of wet soil and fresh greenery instantly filled her senses as she walked forward.

Her fingers brushed over the pattern of the green card before she pressed it onto the electronic lock.

Beep. Beep.

"Please enter the password," the electronic device instructed.

The entire dorm was equipped with a special security system. If she pressed the password wrong, the blaring alarms would echo throughout the entire building.

Then the elevator and all the doors would lock, trapping the intruder inside.

She had wanted to stay there as well when she first entered the academy.

After all, staying in this place was a sign of status.

Her wish turned into a nightmare ever since Emily began to target her. Even now, she couldn’t understand why Emily had done so.

Shaking her head out of those memories, she began to type the password Emmett had sent her yesterday.

As for where he got her new number, she only had her mother to blame.

Her finger hovered over the last digit for a second longer before she lowered her hand to the cancel button.

Then she pressed the bell.

Once.

Holding the well-sealed tiffin, she stood with her back straight.

The blazer no longer hugged her figure as it once had. Her clothes had loosened, hinting at the weight she had lost in just a week.

I need to get my measurements taken again.

Click.

The door opened, showing the not-so-well-dressed owner.

A silken, red robe hung loosely from his frame, secured only by a belt at his lean waist.

She suddenly wanted to repeat Alina’s line. Much to her relief, his navel wasn’t on display, but his chest sure was.

And yet, few could wear silk this haphazardly and still manage to look elegant. His innate elegance was evident in every gesture.

Emmett yawned, running his hand through his tangled mess of blonde hair.

His green eyes were misty, the corners slightly red—likely from rubbing.

When he saw Severine all dolled up, his red lips curled up. An obvious smile flashed in his eyes.

"You are here."

Severine raised the takeout box, indicating for him to take it.

All she needed to handle it and leave. Then her job would be over.

However, Emmett’s main intention was to observe Severine—so how could he allow her to leave just like that?

"I’ve given you the password for a reason. Next time, use it," he said, his low baritone voice sounding strangely seductive.

He went back, leaving the door wide open.

After a second of deliberation, she raised her right foot to cross the threshold.

Unlike Emmett’s rather debauched personality, his room was surprisingly immaculate.

Not a single piece of clothing lay out of place, nor were there any inappropriate items an outsider shouldn’t see. Or perhaps they were locked inside his bedroom.

Severine was thankful that her eyes didn’t have to bear anything strange early in the morning.

The living room felt organized to the point of calculation.

On the wide oak desk rested several well-known books on psychology, their spines marked with subtle tabs and annotations.

Titles from renowned scholars lined the surface, not merely displayed but thoroughly studied.

The towering bookshelves along the wall were packed to the brim. Row after row of books climbed toward the ceiling, forming a serene fortress of knowledge.

"Put it there," Emmett said, pointing toward the rectangular glass table surrounded by four single seater sofas.

Then he walked toward the open kitchen.

Severine did so while her gaze drifted toward the coffee maker atop the marble counter.

A thin ribbon of steam rose lazily from the freshly brewed coffee, which dripped steadily into the pot.

The familiar bitter aroma calmed her tense nerves, albeit only slightly.

Beside it was a bar almost bigger than the entire kitchen counter. Various alcoholic drinks shone under the glass cabinets.

Emmett grabbed the coffee pot and returned with two cups.

With effortless ease, he filled them, placing one in front of Severine. "Did you have breakfast?"

"No," Severine answered without much thought. She wasn’t in the habit of eating too early. A cup of coffee was her perfect solution before Alina barged into her life and forced her to eat something every morning.

There was no need to tell Emmett that, though. He had deliberately asked her to bring food at seven, knowing well she would have to get up much earlier.

This fake goodness was far more sinister than Damien’s blunt hatred.

"Great. Eat with me. I don’t like eating alone."

Severine narrowed her eyes, but ultimately she remained silent.

"But it doesn’t matter. From now on, I’ll have you eat with me. Right?"

Annoying. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Barely had that thought flashed through her mind when Emmett chuckled.

His fingers deftly opened the lid. In an instant, the mouthwatering aroma of food filled the air.

"Don’t curse me in your heart, Severine. Better to let it out."

Her pupils contracted, and Emmett’s smile widened.

"So I guessed right. You really were cursing me."

Severine shifted her sight, staring at the pile of books.

It wasn’t just his charm, she mused. The third young master was also using psychology to his own advantage.

I need to be more careful around him.

Her face wore a mask of familiar indifference. There was not a hint of embarrassed rage at getting caught red-handed.

"Hahaha... you look like a pretty doll like this."

She waited until Emmett finished eating, ignoring his random questions about her favorite color and favorite movie.

By the end of the tiresome meal, the coffee in her cup remained untouched.