friend chapter 1

It all began with a single lie—the lie that I was in love with the madman before me. I sighed, glancing down at the paper on the desk. At the top, it read, “List of Applicants to the Transformation Magic Department.” Unsurprisingly, my name wasn’t there. This fact seemed to bother the man in front of me. His lips were curved into a smile, but his eyes were anything but amused. “We agreed to join together. Your name isn’t here. What happened?”

The man’s name was Edward Oberstein, the crown prince of this country. Everyone seemed curious as to why His Highness had graced our classroom, so far from his own, with his presence. Whispers rippled through the room. “Oh my goodness. It’s Edward.” 

“Why Lumina…?” 

“Poor Lumina. He must have something on her.” 

Most of the whispers were sympathetic. Understandable, really. Edward was infamous as a madman. He even had the cringe-worthy nickname, the Bloody Crown Prince. 

The Bloody Crown Prince. Sounds like something straight out of a novel.

I smiled sweetly. “That’s strange. I’m sure I submitted my application. There must be some mistake.”

“Don’t lie.”

Oops, busted. A while ago, Edward had sought me out, suggesting we join the same club. I’d told him I had already applied to the Transformation Magic Department and encouraged him to join me there. Did I mean it? Of course not. I had no interest in transformation magic. It was a lie, fabricated solely to get rid of him. But somehow, he’d gotten his hands on the list of applicants and now stood before me, brandishing it like a weapon. I had been outmaneuvered. I never thought he’d go this far.

“How could I possibly deceive Your Highness?”

“Exactly. You can’t. So give up. I’ll find you wherever you go.”

A shiver ran down my spine. Edward was certainly capable of it. The atrocities I’d witnessed him commit in my dreams flashed through my mind. Edward, noticing my subtle unease, smiled leisurely. Even in this situation, his handsome face was infuriating. I fought to maintain my smile. “I don’t understand why you’re going to such lengths. What am I to you?”

“Everyone I meet makes the same face.” Edward began, seemingly out of nowhere. 

“Look. Just like your friends over there.” He pointed to where my classmates sat, their faces etched with fear. As their eyes met Edward’s, they gasped, their faces paling. One looked as if she might faint. They weren’t exactly close friends yet, but I decided against pointing that out.

“But you were different. That expression… it was truly something to behold.”

I tried to recall my first encounter with Edward, but quickly abandoned the thought. It was a horrific memory I never wanted to relive.

“Please forget it.”

“That expression. Can’t you show it to me again?”

I responded with a bright smile, slipping my hand into my desk drawer and raising my middle finger. Edward, seemingly oblivious, continued. “It’s not every day I find something so amusing. I can’t just let it go.”

“I’m not particularly amusing. You’ve mistaken me for someone else.”

Suddenly, Edward leaned closer, his lips almost brushing my ear. His dark blue hair tickled my cheek. A cool, captivating scent enveloped me, and I involuntarily held my breath.

“You said you loved me, didn’t you? You’d better be prepared to stand by those words.” He whispered, low enough for only me to hear. His warm breath sent shivers down my spine.

Edward glanced at my face and smiled. A sinister glint flickered in his golden eyes. “So, let’s become close, shall we?” With that, he turned and left the classroom.

The moment Edward disappeared, the room erupted in a flurry of activity. My classmates rushed over, expressing their concern. “Lumina, how did you end up on Edward’s radar?” 

“Are you alright? Are you hurt? Are you cursed…!” Someone’s offhand comment about a curse worried me, so I used a detection spell, but there was nothing wrong with me. Which made it all the more terrifying. Why was he doing this to me?

“What’s all the commotion?”

Suddenly, all eyes turned to a single point. Standing there was a beautiful woman with violet hair—my friend, Jade. Jade’s cold gaze swept across the classroom before stopping on me. Her impassive face transformed into a radiant smile as she approached, calling me by my nickname. “Luna! I brought you some cream puffs. Eat up.”

I glanced at the cream puffs nestled in Jade’s arms, then back at her face. The cause of my terrible lie, and my one and only best friend. Jade Stewart, the heroine of this world.