Page 32 of Take My Crown

Something tells me Archer would still be there for me even if he wasn’t in my father’s employ. Milly adores him, which says a lot. Sure, he is her brother, but they don’t seem to suffer from the kind of sibling rivalry you’d expect from families brought up to be cutthroat.

There is definitely a lot more to Archer Knight than I have learned so far.

One thing is for sure. I had a lot more options than Declan Dauphin.

“See, that’s the thing,” Declan says. “You’re more than a distraction for me. You-”

“Settle down, everyone. Settle down.” Declan is interrupted by the arrival of Mr Metcalf. “We’ve got a lot to get through today, so I don’t want any distractions. We’re going to be focusing on one of the set pieces you need to analyse. This is worth a lot of marks in the exam, so pay attention. I’ve got a 100% pass rate in my class and I won’t hesitate to get rid of anyone I think will risk breaking my record.” He sent a pointed glance in my direction before going over and putting on some classical music.

Declan nudges me with his foot, but I ignore him, closing my eyes to focus on the music. He nudges me again, harder this time. Opening my eyes, I scowl at him. He tosses a piece of paper on my desk.

I open it up and read it.

Sorry I didn’t tell you about Ally.

I roll my eyes and scribble a reply.

What makes you think I care?

He wrote back.

We have a connection, Ivy. Don’t pretend you can’t feel it.

You’re deluded. We wrote a song together and got carried away. It was a mistake.

Not for me.

So you’re breaking up with Ally?

Declan takes his time thinking of what to write, which tells me everything I need to know. I stifle a bitter laugh, but I’m not quiet enough for Mr Metcalf.

He switches off Vivaldi’s Concerto in D Minor. “Is there something you’d like to share with the class, Miss Archaic? I mean, it must be more important than your studies for you to be so distracted. Is that a note I see in front of you?”

“N-no.”

“Bring it here.” He snaps his fingers impatiently, beckoning me to go to the front of the class.

I don’t have a choice unless I walk out of this class and never come back. I go to the front of the class, my heart pounding in my chest. I hand Mr Metcalf the note, who reads it.

“It’s complicated, is it?”

I glanced over at Declan, who looks as though he wants the ground to open and swallow him up.

“I think it’s really very straightforward,” Mr Metcalf states. “Mr Dauphin. Miss Archaic. This is very disappointing behaviour from two Heads of House. The pair of you are in detention with me tomorrow evening. By the time I’m done with you, you’ll be sick of Vivaldi, but youwillbe getting an A in your exam. Now sit back down and start focusing on your studies. If I catch the pair of you distracting each other with notes again, I’ll be reassigning you to another partner. Go back to your seat, Ivy.”

I ignore the whispers and giggles coming from some of the other girls as I go back to my place.

Sorry,Declan mouths. I shrug and turn in my chair so my back is towards him as much as possible.

I am done with cheating asshole boys with pretty faces.

Chapter Seventeen

Ivy Archaic

Somehow, I survived another week at the Academy and before I know it, it’s Saturday and I am happy I didn’t have to wear the stupid uniform this weekend.

I’m not so happy about what day it is.

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