Page 44 of Hidden Empire

“Oh, I bet you do,” she cuts in, chuckling. “The spoiled ones always think they know.”

Spoiled? I’m spoiled now?

I mean, I definitely don’t think I’ve acted spoiled. She could claim that I’m blessed with everything my family provides for me now, but if she knew what my life was like before meeting them, I don’t think she could call me ever spoiled again.

“I should have been expecting this class,” she addresses the room, letting out a disappointed exhale. “Every year there’s at least one student who thinks they’re above taking Intro to Cooking. Ms. Moretti isn’t special in her delusion,” Lorna tells them, her sharp red nails clicking against her desk in an impatient rhythm.

Delusion— I bite my tongue, waiting for her to finish this villainous monologue attempt. Armani is going to hear a piece of my mind when I get out of class. My hope for this being a scheduling error is lost, but there’s still a chance he didn’t know. I doubt he would have insulted her like he did in my defense on the boat if he did. All of my brothers actively avoid doing things to make my life even a little bit harder. I mean, Armani literally makes my plate if I’m rolling out of bed late for breakfast at home.

“And since this is such a regular occurrence, there is, of course, a solution.” My ears perk up at the mention of a solution. There are a lot of things I would do to get out of this course. A harder cooking class would be a million times better than an entire semester with this woman who clearly does not like me.

“In true Empire fashion, there’s a first-year challenge any student in this class is free to take.” I can tell by the way her smirk quirks up and the way her eyes flash with excitement that the task won’t be an easy one. She’s already looking at me like I’ve lost, but all I can think while looking at her smug little face is; a challenge, you say…

Maybe I have good luck with challenges, I’ve already won one here.

A girl, whom I’ve learned is named Ana Knight, politely raises her hand, only speaking up when Lorna calls on her for her question.

“What is the challenge exactly?”

I’m not sure whether Lorna instantly loves or despises the girl for the question. Ana Knight, from what I’ve seen, is a nice person. She’s a gorgeous Asian woman around my age who looks like she’s been on the cover of Vogue before. I don’t think she’s ever seen a blemish on her face or a split end. She’s that flawless type of beauty you almost can’t believe when you see it with your eyes.

Like me, she’s newer to this world. According to Matteo, her mother married Bron Knight—Monarch to The Kings—three years ago. It was a love match, not arranged. Her mom is a painter, and Bron fell in love with her art and then her.

Ana is here with one of her step-brothers Cole, and his older brother Killian has already guaranteed a hit on anyone who dares to mess with her. Killian, having graduated from Empire, isn’t here to keep an eye on her, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t a threat. Matteo says that most people are pretty sure he hates her guts for adding to his workload, but he disagrees.

Love and hate look a lot alike, according to my youngest brother.

Lorna controls herself, scanning the class. “The only way to skip this class with credit for it is to prove yourself within the first week of the semester. You’ll need to cook something—anything you want—and serve it to someone without allegiance to your family. If they like it, you’ll be automatically moved into the next class up.”

That’s it? Cook something for someone who isn’t owned by The Outfit and have them enjoy it?

“I thought that might be what you meant,” Ana says, this time not raising her hand. She seems less than pleased, looking Lorna right in the eye with disapproval. “Cole says that challenge is a humiliation tactic, and you’re not supposed to be able to issue it without informing us about how it typically goes for students.”

Oh, Ana has got guts to go along with that pretty face. Sassing off to a teacher? God, I wish I had the bravery for that.

Flashing a tight smile Lorna looks away from the girl and more broadly addresses the class. “I was just getting to the stakes, Ms. Knight.”

“I’m sure,” Ana agrees, nodding along.

Damn, someone get me some of that British bite. Her pretty face, sweet demeanor, but take no shit attitude is enviable, to say the least. Her adorable London accent is just the cherry on top.

“No one in the last ten years has won the first-year challenge. It has built a reputation for being… less than favorable for those who take it on.”

“Why?” someone from the back of the class calls out.

Lorna isn’t so smug as she answers. “There is nothing preventing whomever you ask to try your food from throwing it away in front of you.”

“Or throwing it in your face,” Ana adds tightly, clearly not skirting around the facts. “Or making fun of you for the rest of the semester for even attempting.”

Harsh. Has that really happened?

Lorna waves her off. “Yes, yes, well, it is a challenge, is it not?” Turning her attention back to me, she flashes a sickly sweet grin. “Not all of us are built for the risks that come associated with the harder things in life, are we?”

Did this lady just insinuate I’m too weak for this? For a fucking cooking challenge that might get me laughed at? Oh, she has no idea.

Meeting her eyes, I offer a sweet smile in return. “Do we have access to the kitchen for the challenge?”

She falters for a moment before nodding. “Yes. Anyone who wants to take the challenge has access to the kitchens and a week to complete it. You are only allowed to ask one student to taste your food. If you’re rejected, your challenge is over, and you do not get a second chance.”

---