Paradoxical Love

Chapter 20: No turning back

A simple lunch break was what I expected when Helenia invited me personally, now they are all here hanging out with us. Peace was what I want, why am I getting dragged from the corner actually listening to them when I can be alone? The hell do I do with them, I can't believe how influential peer pressure can be.

"So how did this end up as a group lunch? And why are you all here?" At this point, asking won't do a thing, I'm just spouting nonsense right now.

The discomfort I'm in is immeasurable, my sister's clinging on my right side like she always does, and Helenia's forcing herself on my left side trying to get my attention.

But, the world and the unnerving scene of my life, was the presence of someone I know; a very close one who pushes her boundary beyond her authority just so she can have the thing she desired.

As I can imagine, the respected and dignified Student Council President of Saint Legacy University is right in front of me, sitting in our group getting along with everyone.

There is no one else other than Matilda, she's shoving the sandwiches she has for lunch in her mouth faster than anyone could do, I can tell from her eyes she's still angry as she can't accept the situation very well.

It's obvious that she's jealous of Helenia and Kiana, especially since we're in a fight and here I am having the time to mingle with them. She already had planned to talk about it on Saturday for heaven's sake.

"Argh! Why's Reyler the only one popular to girls?" Ariel thought we couldn't hear him.

"Student Council President, were you here to discipline Reyler? Never fret, we got him covered. By the way, thanks for accepting my request for support in the previous semester, our art club truly has no hope left, the club room was taken by the hiking club." Ged certainly had remarkable avid skills when it comes to handling conversations, he saved us there.

"Sorry, it was beyond my league, don't you want to join the new art club?" Matilda suggested, she gulped her water bottle in half.

"Nah, I prefer the old one, but honestly, I don't have the spare time," Ged replied, he's holding up pretty well considering he's chewing in between his sentences.

"Is that so?" She was surprised but won't bother to ask more, I always forget that she's the Student Council President, helping students with their problem was also part of her responsibilities. I do wonder what was the topic they were talking about, it seems Ged's getting enthusiastic.

Meanwhile, Kiana can't accept this situation any further, she snapped out of it yanking my arm she kept hold onto. "Reyler! Why is the Crimson Princess and Student Council President here? Explain this!" Now she's jealous alright, I figure she'll let it slide if I make up an excuse.

Though Matilda and Helenia's met eyes, I can already tell they are having an intense disagreement in a non-verbal dispute based on their blinks and subtle movement of their line of vision. I have to say something or else this slight breezing tension will become an unstoppable spiraling storm.

"Well, Matilda and I have been acquainted since I'm a troublemaker, she's always being sent to discipline me 'cause you know, the guidance counselor even gave up on me." I can't believe I utter that lame excuse, the countenance I wore was my usual stern look, they might still doubt nonetheless.

"Is it really true, brother...?" Kiana's stagnant pupils were seeking my attention. I can't blame her if she doubts me since I'm the one hiding something from her. She's currently attesting me whether I'm telling lies, and the best thing to do is act it up and figure the rest later.

It was all going smoothly, I can get out of here alive, not when the reason why I'm in such distress added another predicament. "When did you became friends with the Crimson Princess, Reyler?" Matilda got so inquisitive she clasps her hands and placed them right above her bountiful thighs.

I never could have imagined she'd use her special skill, she only clasps her hands whenever she's in a debate or presenting in front of a crowd signifying she's serious as hell. Whatever comes next will surely lie upon me, I'm the only one who can save myself from this hellish nightmare.

The Student Council President's doubting me now, I'm sandwiched between these forces, what did I ever do to deserve this unbearable chapter of my life? And so I undertook it with my wisdom, I have no idea how to break this suffocating mood, but I reckon I can slip my way through.

Then as I was going to say a single word, Helenia snapped her fingers, waving her little hands at us to grab our attention. We turned over her direction and because of it, I'm saved for now.

"Hey guys and gals, would you all please drop calling me the Crimson Princess? The title is my pride, but I have a name you know? Please call me Helenia instead." She gesticulated a peace sign and grinned dazzlingly.

"H-Helenia... we can?" Ariel had lost her mind. He's Helenia's number one fan actually. Now it seems like a dream come true for him.

"Yes! So once I heard any of you calling me Crimson Princess, I'd throw this SPS right on your face, got it?" Helenia even threatened us not to use her formal title, I guess that's how royalty works things out.

Ariel got too excited he can become friends with her, Ged and I were glad he's getting stress relief, he's been out working lately while attending classes, these occasional bonding were gold for him.

It seems Matilda and my sister lost the chance to ask me again after the topic had changed. We resumed our lunch break as if we were already used to knowing each other. Matilda fit in with us faster despite her position as the Student Council President.

However, the only thing I can't wrap around my head is that why does a princess want to befriend a delinquent like me? Maybe I saved her life and Jacob told me I'm qualified as her butler, I just can't tell if she's serious given the fact we are completely opposite in nature. She should be staying away from me, yet here she was much friendlier than my sister.

"Hah! That rice cake is now mine!" Helenia poked the block of rice cake and seized it out of my lunch box using her chopsticks, she's skilled and I was amazed by it.

"Cut your jest off." I pushed her away and no matter how I try to get away from her, she's clinging beside me without a care in the surroundings. 

The one who is most affected is the Student Council President, maybe from the outside, she had a cool and poise demeanor, though I can tell from the inside she's going insane.

I can tell because I have already experience the way she longs for someone, she'd drag me back to the underworld with all of her might, the least I could do is show I'm now enjoying this bonding time.

After a few minutes of her being silent, she had put away her things and stood up readying to leave ahead of us. She must've got a free time that's why she's here in the first place.

"Thank you for your time. I still have a lot of paperwork on upcoming events, my secretary's waiting for me. Farewell everyone, and Reyler." Matilda bowed down to us as a sign she relished our company.

We nodded in return that we understand her position, I somehow felt relief she's doing fine, her performance wasn't a bit affected in any harmful way, it seems I owe her an explanation and apology for seeing my hickey.

Only I know that she's at her limit, she can't further accept seeing me get taken physically. I'm aware the next time we meet in an isolated chamber, especially in her abode, she'd unquestionably assault me without hesitation for sure. I should brace myself if ever what my intuition's correct.

"See you later." I waved back at her wearing a discouraging countenance, I was sweating and unable to rationalize the possibility of what could happen when she confronts me when I clearly should be one confronting her.

Going on her way, Matilda sighed before opening the door, and to our surprise, Sattela was about to open it on the other side.

Somehow, the two stepped back upon seeing each other, Sattela was the first one to open her mouth, she was hesitant to utter a word.

"Matilda, how are you? You've been busy lately so I've forgotten my usual small consultations with you." She didn't stutter nor flinch, it seems she expected to see the Student Council President, I can only assume she's tailing us behind earlier and now she worked up the courage to go here to have her lunch break with everyone.

"I'm fine. If you excuse me." Matilda acted cold and stoic, she passed right over her and didn't even ask Sattela's well-being back. She kinda didn't care, maybe she's mad at her thinking she was the one who gave me a hickey? I can't accept this, she's hating someone because of me. 

When she mentioned the usual talks, did it mean they had known each other for a long time? I wonder what was Matilda's past, it's not like I want to know her background, I'm just a little curious reasonably.

"Sorry, Reyler I just arrived." Sattela joined us replacing the Council President's spot.

"It's okay, Helenia sure is slow when eating. Come on here, I'll confiscate your SPS for the time being, and stop playing during lunch." I grabbed her gadget and of course, she resisted and yanked it back to her.

I'd prefer to thwack her head to teach her table manners even though there wasn't a table in the first place, but sadly I can't since her butler Jacob was hiding on the storage room's roof right next to the carts, I heard some rattling noises earlier and I figured he's always protecting her behind the shadows, and I commend him for going to such extent for his master.

"Ah! Give it back!" Helenia let her guard down, I managed to get it away from her hands.

"This is lunchtime. No games allowed." I raised my voice, she's a spoiled brat so scaring her was the right thing to do. 

"Yes, Reyler..." She picked up her spoon and began eating what's still left in her lunchbox.

"Good." I was a bit reluctant though I learned she can be reasonable sometimes.

"Whoa, Reyler tamed Helenia, how the heck is that even possible?" Ariel almost choked himself, he took my bottled water and gulped it in half.

We were just in the middle of the conversation, the Crimson Princess spoke again in between on chewing her desserts, the rest of us had already taken care of our things including our lunchboxes and cleaning the place, we're basically good to go.

"By the way, who are you all?" Helenia asked something that turned our mind upside-down. I mean, we were saying our names during the conversation and she should have known each other in no time.

"You've had a conversation with everyone and you don't even remember their names?!" I snapped out that I have to respirate faster to calm myself.

"That's why I'm asking! I want them to formally introduce themselves. That's how is it for a princess!" Helenia inferred. It seems logical enough, she's already aware I'm the notorious delinquent, Reyler, and I know she's the Crimson Princess, Helenia, and she still did a formal introduction between us.

"If you say so." I accepted her logic. It really is hard to become a princess I won't lie.

"Why you sounded you aren't convinced? I'm telling the truth!" She exclaimed asserting her superiority.

"What I'm saying is that I've remembered royal etiquette so chill out," I replied and we're in a tight spot.

"In that case, I'm Kiana, Reyler's sister." Latching her arms onto mine, she bested the koalas at hanging onto bamboos from the way she clung to my arm.

"Ah... Eh... I'm Sattela. Nice to meet you!" She managed to introduce herself, I guess she needed social interaction occasionally.

"I'm the greatest problem solver among the three idiots... I mean the great sage; the name is Ariel Bashan!" I'll take him to the theater so he can be a clown.

"Ged Gilbert Flormata, just call me Ged. I also like to draw comics and stuff, painting landscapes is also my forte." He's tactful and simplistic, I suppose he's also taught proper etiquette since he'd have to inherit his father's company sooner or later.

"Whoa!" Helenia's eyes sparkle stars. "So, you love to draw comics! Let me see some of your work sometimes!" Now she's enthusiastic all of a sudden, she tiptoeing around us like a child after knowing our names formally as she requested.

"I'll take it sometime if you really insist hehe," Ged responded. I doubt he'd bring any of his work anywhere near the campus, his arts are all but the fetishization of women, hell he'd never show it to a princess.

The ones he shows are actually his work, but because he isn't drawing what's his favorite, the art quality goes down. Little did he know we can tell where he's hiding his perverted pieces.

"Good luck Ged! The princess is holding your hands...!" Ariel attempted a whisper, we can totally hear him.

It's true Helenia held Ged's hand in a way that it doesn't have any issue or whatnot. The thing is, princesses tend to hold someone's hand to show they fancy being with the one she was talking to. For us commoners, it's completely called flirting.

"So now that we know each other, I can do what I've wanted for a long time!" Helenia declared, she rounded us up for something big she'd been preparing.

"Huh? What kind of whimsical idea is in your mind this time?" I wanted to leave yet I can't walk out for my selfish reason.

As I'm concerned, she took a deep breath before saying what she wanted to convey. "I can now revive my Gaming Club!" Helenia exclaimed as she jumps around.

"What Gaming Club are you talking about?" I asked since she asked me to join her club personally yesterday, in the middle of the night.

"Last month, the Gaming Club was taken down for inactivity, and because I have ties with the chairman of SLU, I myself asked him to never touched my club room. So even though it got shut, no one will ever take it from me." Helenia marked in the most sinister way possible, she must have learned the way of coercion undoubtedly.

"That's sad, why it was taken down?" Ged questioned, why are they acting like her choice of action is normal? Well, I presume it's how we respond when we have a princess as our schoolmate.

"Because I was the only member then, but now I can get my Gaming Club room back!" Helenia extends her hands and welcomed us without hearing our opinion.

"Wait a minute, we haven't agreed to come yet–"And then my friends butted in before I can speak.

"I think that's a good idea! I'm coming!" Ariel spoiling the whimsical princess. This is very bad indeed.

"Hmm... Since I haven't joined an organization after the art club has been disbanded, I'll come too." Ged agreed, now I'm trapped here with them.

"What about you Sattela?" Helenia giggled, convincing Sattela, a very timid girl to join a club; which is probably the worst enemy of all introverts out there. She's clinging onto her begging for her to come, I think she's going to refuse.

"I'll come... if Reyler comes too..." Sattela can't come to an agreement unless I get involved.

"Me as well." Kiana crossed her arms, I couldn't expect less.

"Kiana not you too." Ariel badly wants to get into the club with Helenia, now it depends on me whether they'd join or not.

"Reyler's a killjoy! Come on, pretty please." She insisted and tugged my polo shirt whining beside me, at first I'd thought of walking out yet I couldn't the moment Helenia used her puppy eyes on me.

When she did that, honestly, I was a little bit elated, she was so cute for real. Those teary eyes begging for me to join the club, I wouldn't ask for more. Now I know why her servants were spoiling her too much.

I hoped I won't regret my decision in the near future, she got me there not gonna lie.

"Fine, I'll join your club." I came up with an answer, Sattela and my sister were now also getting into her group, now everyone's comfortable.

"Alright! Then there's no going back!" Helenia hugged me overjoyed that her club will be back on the road, those smiles of her were genuine, though I kinda see a tad of sadness from her over-exaggeration.

In spite of the situation, my mind was filled with her name, Matilda. I can't get her out of my head no matter how I try to forget her.