The whispers followed Scarlett through the courtyard like persistent shadows, each one striking her ears with painful clarity. Students who had never given her a second glance were now openly staring, their conversations dying mid-sentence as she passed. Every step felt like walking through quicksand as curious eyes tracked her movement. In her mind, she was composing a very long, very detailed list of ways to make Lucien pay for this – assuming he made it back safely, of course. That last thought made her stomach twist with worry again.
"Is that really Scarlett?"
"Did you see her hair? When did she cut it?"
"That uniform looks completely different on her..."
"I never noticed how pretty she was..."
"Who knew she was hiding all that under those baggy clothes?"
The murmurs blended toge
